The UConn Huskies are heading back to the national championship for the first time since 2021 after their most impressive performance in the NCAA Tournament.
How UConn Booked Its Ticket to the National Championship
Going into tonight’s game, when Azzi Fudd, Sarah Strong, and Paige Bueckers are on the floor together, they have an outstanding Net Rating of +48 per 100 possessions, which was displayed in this Final Four matchup.
Fudd started the game sizzling and kept that going throughout the first half. She led all scorers with 19 points in the first half. She hit three shots from outside the arc and was getting to the paint at will.
Sarah Strong scored only eight points in the first half, but in the second, she showed why she is the best freshman in the country.
Strong scored 10 points in the third quarter, and what makes her so special is that she is a three-level scorer. The freshman sensation ended the game with 22 points.
The women’s college basketball superstar Bueckers did not have one of her best scoring games, but she was an all-around force. Going into this game, she was averaging 29 points throughout the tournament.
On the night, Bueckers only scored 16 points — the first-team All-American had five rebounds, two assists, and three steals, showing the Final Four stage that she is not only a great scorer but also a great all-around player.
In this game, UConn’s stars did a lot offensively, but the Huskies defense stole the show.
UConn held the Bruins to 51, the season’s lowest. Superstar Lauren Betts did all she could against UConn. Though the Huskies made it challenging on the first-team All-American, she still scored 26 points, which led all players in the game.
Other than Betts, the Bruins did not show up to play. No other player scored more than 8 points. UCLA turned the ball over 18 times, which led to 27 UConn points.
Betts was emotional when she checked out of the game because her season ended — and not on the terms they wanted. However, the Bruins have much to be happy about. They reached the Final Four for the first time in the NCAA era.
For UConn, this is the 13th National Championship Game they get to be a part of.
Scott Van Pelt spoke with UConn coach Geno Auriemma postgame about the teams’ dominant performance, and he said, “I always thought it was going to take some time, all these kids that haven’t played in so long and certainly not together. I just had a confidence and faith that at some point in March, we were going to be a good team. But I don’t think anyone prepares for something like this.”
Sunday at 3:00 p.m. ET, Bueckers has a chance to avenge her national championship loss to the South Carolina Gamecocks in her last game as a UConn Husky. At the same time, South Carolina aims to win its third championship in four years.
KEEP READING: How Many Points Did Paige Bueckers Score Tonight?
This natty has all the storylines and is set to be a movie. Get your popcorn ready for the two pillars of modern women’s college basketball: UConn vs. South Carolina.
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