South Carolina has solely misplaced three video games all season — two of which have been to Texas — so the Gamecocks have been shut behind UConn all season. On Friday, they outplayed them and have been the extra bodily group as they superior to their third consecutive title recreation.
Loser: UConn’s unbeaten season
The Huskies entered the NCAA Event on the heels of an 11th undefeated regular season and a 13th consecutive conference tournament title. Other than a three-point win over Michigan earlier within the season, the Huskies received each recreation by double digits and have been largely untested all season.
UConn performed effectively sufficient defensively to win as soon as once more, however its second-best offense (87.9 PPG) didn’t present up and let it down on the worst attainable time.
Winner: South Carolina head coach Daybreak Staley
UConn HC Geno Auriemma could have essentially the most titles in ladies’s faculty basketball historical past (12), however Staley is just not far behind. Her three titles solely path Auriemma, Pat Summit (eight) and Kim Mulkey (4). Moreover, she is now the fourth HC in the women’s game to succeed in three consecutive championship video games, becoming a member of Joe Ciampi, Summit and Auriemma.
All 4 of them are within the ladies’s basketball Corridor of Fame, but when Staley can add one other title to her accolades after ending UConn’s good season within the course of, her legend will solely proceed to develop.
Loser: Geno Auriemma’s meltdown
Auriemma took challenge with the foul disparity between South Carolina and UConn by going off throughout his in-game interview. He adopted that up by having a verbal alternate with Staley that turned heated because the groups went to shake fingers on the finish of the sport.
He is without doubt one of the greatest coaches within the historical past of the game (males or ladies). He may additionally have some extent in regards to the foul calls all through the sport. With that mentioned, the reasons and postgame altercation with Staley solely add some intrigue to their rivalry.
Winner: UCLA’s first journey to title recreation
The offense was non-obligatory, however the Bruins overcame 23 turnovers and defeated the Longhorns, 51-44, to succeed in this system’s first nationwide title recreation. Even with scoring onerous to come back by, senior middle Lauren Betts had 16 factors (7-of-10 FG) and 11 rebounds as UCLA heads into Sunday’s tilt in opposition to South Carolina with a title on the road.
Loser: Texas’ dismal offense
Whereas UCLA nonetheless managed to shoot 41% from the sphere, Texas was solely 20-of-65 (31%). Junior ahead Madison Booker was held to only six factors (3-of-23 FG) because the Longhorns did not get something going the whole recreation with their lowest level whole of the season.
