SPOKANE, Wash. — In an exhilarating showdown on Monday night, the No. 2 UConn Huskies triumphed over the No. 1 USC Trojans with a score of 78-64. This victory marks UConn's record-breaking 24th Final Four appearance and their impressive 16th since 2008. The Trojans faced a significant challenge without their standout sophomore, JuJu Watkins, ultimately unable to match UConn's star power during the game.
Star senior guard Paige Bueckers led the charge for the Huskies, delivering an outstanding performance with 31 points and six assists, shooting an impressive 9-of-18 from the field. This performance came on the heels of her career-high 40 points against Oklahoma in the Sweet 16. With this decisive win in the Elite Eight, the Final Four is officially set, promising a thrilling display of talent in Tampa, Florida, later this week.
In addition to Bueckers, true freshman forward Sarah Strong, who has been recognized as The Athletic’s unanimous Freshman of the Year, showcased her skills against USC. Strong finished the game with 20 points and an impressive 17 rebounds, scoring 15 of those points by halftime. Bueckers has embraced the high expectations at UConn, where winning national championships is the norm. The Huskies have not clinched a title since 2016, and failing to secure one this year would weigh heavily on Bueckers, who is the only superstar under coach Geno Auriemma without a national championship.
Before they can aim for the championship, UConn must first face the formidable UCLA Bruins. The top-seeded Bruins recently defeated No. 3 LSU 72-65 in Spokane and boast one of the toughest players to defend in 6-foot-7 center Lauren Betts. Betts has been a scoring machine, averaging 20 points per game and achieving 30 or more points in two of her last three outings. Even on a less dominant night, like when she scored 17 against LSU, the Bruins displayed their depth, proving too much for the Tigers to overcome.
The Bruins are eager to capture their first national championship in women’s basketball under coach Cori Close. Meanwhile, Texas, which will be competing against South Carolina, is also on the hunt for a title, having last won it all in 1986. Auriemma and South Carolina coach Dawn Staley are no strangers to high-stakes games, with Auriemma seeking his 12th national title and Staley aiming to make South Carolina the first team to achieve back-to-back championships since UConn did so in 2015 and 2016.
The No. 1 Texas Longhorns are set to face off against the No. 1 South Carolina Gamecocks, having recently defeated No. 2 TCU 58-47 in Birmingham. This matchup sets the stage for a fourth meeting between Texas and South Carolina, which will tip off at 7 p.m. ET on Friday. South Carolina, with three national championships under coach Staley, aims to secure its second consecutive title and third in four years. They secured their Final Four berth by edging out Duke 54-50 on Sunday and enter the contest with a favorable record against the Longhorns this season, winning two of their previous three encounters, including the SEC Championship Game.
Following the Texas vs. South Carolina game, UConn and UCLA will take the spotlight at 9 p.m. ET, with both games scheduled to air on ESPN. As the excitement builds for the Final Four, fans are eager to witness who will emerge victorious and claim the coveted championship title.
This story will be updated as more information becomes available. (Photo: Steph Chambers / Getty Images)
