Everyone loves an upset, but there is also something to be said for watching the country’s best teams dominate all season long and then reap the ultimate reward of playing in the Final Four. The women’s bracket was chalk, with three No.1 seeds and a No. 2 powerhouse in UConn winning their regions. That means we are going to get two evenly-matched semifinal matchups and one hell of a title game. Let’s dive into the Final Four:
No. 1 Texas vs. No. 1 South Carolina, 4 p.m. ET, ESPN
Texas and South Carolina played three times in the SEC, with South Carolina winning the first 67-50, Texas winning the second 66-62 and South Carolina taking the third, 64-45, to win the conference tournament. In both Texas losses, star sophomore point forward Madison Booker struggled. Booker averaged 8.5 points while shooting just 21 percent from the field. In the win, Booker had 20 points, though she made just 31 percent of her attempts. But she also got to the free throw line and was able to make 6 of 7.
The sophomore is primed for a good game after leading her team in all four of their tournament matchups. She is averaging 18.8 points per game on 51 percent shooting, both of which are increases on her season averages (16.5 points and 46.5 percent shooting). Booker having a good night will be key if Texas wants to get the win, but it’s not the only thing to keep an eye on.
The rebounding battle will also be important, as both teams have bigs who like to hit the glass for second-chance points. The pain in general will matter in this game. The Longhorns can win if Taylor Jones and Kyla Oldacre both score in double-digits like they did on Feb. 9. But in the SEC Championship game, it was the Gamecock bigs who dominated, with Chloe Kitts, Sania Feagin and Joyce Edwards all scoring in double-figures.
Kitts in particular can be the difference maker for South Carolina in this matchup. She was named Regional MVP after finishing with 14 points and four rebounds against Duke. She was also a force against Maryland, recording 15 points and 11 rebounds in the Sweet Sixteen win. Kitts is able to pull defenses out to the free throw line with her range and is also skilled at attacking off the dribble. If Kitts is playing well, she can open things up for the rest of the Gamecocks.
The pick: Texas
No. 2 UConn vs. No. 1 UCLA, Friday, 9 p.m., ESPN
The second Final Four matchup is between the most iconic brand in women’s college basketball and a program on the rise. UConn has played in 24 Final Fours with 11 National Titles, while UCLA just earned its first Final Four berth in the NCAA era. The Bruins have been consistent throughout the season, spending the most time of any team ranked No. 1 in the AP poll and eventually earning the No. 1 overall seed. UConn, on the other hand, suffered a few uncharacteristic losses to Notre Dame, USC and Tennessee. But the Huskies have played their best basketball in March.
Everything UCLA does starts with 6-foot-7 junior center Lauren Betts, who has been the most commanding post in the country. Like she has been all season, Betts will be a matchup problem for UConn. At 6-foot-2, sophomore Sarah Strong is undersized, while 6-foot-5 sophomore center Jana El Alfy is foul prone and lacks the overall skills needed to defend Betts. UConn’s only hope of slowing Betts is by clogging the paint, doubling down and hoping UCLA’s shooters have an off night.
Meanwhile, Strong is a defensive nightmare as well. She has a post’s body, but the skills of a guard, including the ability to shoot from long range. Strong knocked down four three-pointers against USC as part of a 22-point effort. I expect both Betts and Strong to excel on offense, which means they will essentially cancel each other out. After that it comes down to the rest of the players to make a difference.
UCLA has to be worried about Paige Bueckers, who is having the best tournament of her career, including back-to-back 30 point games. It’s her last chance at a title and Bueckers isn’t holding anything back. Azzi Fudd is also due for a hot shooting performance after struggling against USC and making just 3 of 14 shot attempts. Meanwhile, depth-wise, the Bruins have more weapons, so the concern for UConn is that anyone can have a big game for UCLA. Against LSU it was sharp shooter Timea Gardiner, who finished with 15 points on five made three-pointers and glue player Gabriela Jaquez who had 18 points. But Janiah Barker, Londynn Jones, Kiki Rice, Angela Dugalic and Elina Aarnisolo are all scoring threats.
The pick: UCLA
