Spokane, Wash. — No. 2 UConn triumphed over No. 1 USC with a commanding 78-64 victory on Monday night in Spokane, securing the Huskies’ record 24th Final Four appearance and their 16th since 2008.
The Trojans were without their star sophomore JuJu Watkins, and UConn capitalized on her absence, showcasing their star power. Paige Bueckers, the senior guard, led the charge with 31 points and six assists, shooting 9-of-18 from the field. This performance came on the heels of a career-high 40 points against Oklahoma in the Sweet 16.
With the Elite Eight win, UConn’s path to the Final Four in Tampa, Fla., is set, and it promises to be a star-studded weekend. Alongside Bueckers, true freshman Sarah Strong, named The Athletic’s unanimous Freshman of the Year, was dominant. She recorded 20 points and 17 rebounds, including 15 points by halftime, to help seal the victory over USC.
At UConn, national championships are the expectation, and anything less than a title in Tampa would leave a lasting sting, especially for Bueckers. She’s the only star player under coach Geno Auriemma yet to claim a title, with the Huskies’ last championship win coming in 2016.
But first, UConn must get past UCLA.
The top-seeded Bruins earned a 72-65 win over No. 3 LSU in Spokane on Sunday and boast one of the toughest matchups in the tournament: 6-foot-7 center Lauren Betts. Betts averages 20 points per game and has scored 30 or more in two of her last three games.
Even on a night when she only tallied 17 points against LSU, UCLA’s depth proved too much for the Tigers to handle.
UCLA, still seeking its first national championship in women’s basketball, is determined to secure the title under coach Cori Close’s leadership.
Meanwhile, No. 1 Texas, which faces South Carolina, is also aiming for its first national championship since 1986. Both Auriemma and South Carolina’s Dawn Staley are no strangers to the high-stakes environment. Auriemma is chasing his 12th title, while Staley is looking to make history by leading South Carolina to back-to-back championships, a feat that hasn’t been accomplished since UConn’s 2015-2016 title run.
Texas secured its spot in the Final Four with a 58-47 win over No. 2 TCU in Birmingham, setting up a fourth clash this season between the Longhorns and South Carolina. The Gamecocks, with three national championships under Staley’s belt, are aiming for their second consecutive title and third championship in the past four years.
They punched their ticket to the Final Four with a 54-50 victory over Duke on Sunday. South Carolina has defeated Texas in two of their previous three meetings this season, including in the SEC Championship Game.
The Longhorns and Gamecocks will face off at 7 p.m. ET on Friday, followed by the UConn vs. UCLA matchup at 9 p.m. ET. Both games will air on ESPN, setting the stage for an exciting night of basketball.
