Basketball fans across the nation expressed disappointment as Friday’s Final Four matchups turned into one-sided affairs. What many hoped would be nail-biting showdowns quickly became commanding victories for powerhouse programs UConn and South Carolina, leaving viewers and Reddit commenters lamenting the lack of competitive drama on women’s college basketball’s biggest stage.
The highly anticipated battles between traditional powerhouses and ambitious challengers ended decisively, with UConn demolishing UCLA 85-51 and South Carolina handling Texas 74-57. These lopsided results sparked widespread discussion on social media about the growing gap between elite programs and the rest of the field despite a season that had showcased unprecedented parity.
Dominance on Display as Championship Favorites Show No Mercy
UConn’s systematic dismantling of top-seeded UCLA shocked fans expecting a close contest. Paige Bueckers contributed 16 points alongside Azzi Fudd’s 19 points and freshman Sarah Strong’s 22 points, and the Huskies overwhelmed the Bruins from the opening tip. UCLA’s Lauren Betts managed 26 points, but her teammates struggled against UConn’s suffocating defense, shooting just 37.5% and turning in 19 turnovers.
One Reddit user lamented, “It’s been a snooze fest. Big yawn,” while another commented, “I went from spending the last two final fours being at the edge of my seat to being bored out of my mind this time.” The sentiment was echoed throughout the thread, with many viewers expressing disappointment in what they had hoped would be competitive matchups.
Coaching Disparities Highlighted as Favorites Pull Away
South Carolina’s victory, while less dramatic than UConn’s 34-point blowout, still disappointed fans who had anticipated a closer rematch. Despite Texas jumping to an early 12-4 lead behind Madison Booker with the 19-18 lead in the first quarter, the Gamecocks’ depth proved decisive as they methodically pulled away, outscoring the Longhorns with 20-16, 20-9, and 16-13 in the final three quarters.
“This is such a bad take. Saying ‘it’s not a good game because it’s not close,'” defended one Reddit user, adding that UConn was “excellently executing a game plan against a challenging opponent.”
The situation sparked debate about expectations, with some fans appreciating elite basketball regardless of score differential, while others felt the anticlimactic outcomes undermined the tournament’s excitement. “It is anticlimactic. I was really hyped for this UConn vs. UCLA game, but it’s been a blowout from the start,” lamented another commenter.
Reddit commenters pointed to coaching as a decisive factor in the blowouts, with one noting that UCLA’s national coach of the year was “getting badly outcoached tonight.” Another explained UConn’s dominance as “a masterclass of the system that Geno and Chris Daily have built. Other schools keep up with the talent, but it is the coaching and mentorship that’s the difference.”
KEEP READING: How Many Points Did Paige Bueckers Score Tonight? Tracking Her Final Four Performance vs. UCLA
As fans look ahead to Sunday’s championship matchup between UConn and South Carolina, many manifest an excellent championship game while tempering expectations after Friday’s disappointments. With both programs boasting historic success, viewers hope for a competitive finale that delivers the drama missing from the semifinal round.
Don’t miss a moment of March Madness! Download your 2025 NCAA Tournament printable bracket and stay on top of every game, matchup, and Cinderella story. Get yours now!
