The Syracuse Orange is just one of two lower-ranked teams to have beaten a higher-ranked opponent in the women’s bracket, beating No. 8 Iowa State as the No. 9 seed. Now, however, they will take on the undefeated No. 1 team in college women’s basketball, the UConn Huskies in the second round. As expected, Geno Auriemma’s squad will be the overwhelming favorite coming in, but do the Orange even stand a chance?
UConn has been unstoppable all season with one of the most dominant lineups in college women’s basketball and are led by a future Hall of Fame coach. However, as this is March Madness, anything can happen.
UConn vs. Syracuse Women’s Basketball March Madness Second Round Projected Starting Lineups
UConn Huskies
- F Sarah Strong
- F Serah Williams
- G Ashlynn Shade
- G KK Arnold
- G Azzi Fudd
Syracuse Orange
- F Journey Thompson
- C Uche Izoje
- G Madeline Potts
- G Sophie Burrows
- G Laila Phelia
As usual, UConn has an all-star lineup, each of whom can be a star player on any team, with Sarah Strong and Ashlynn Shade coming off a dominant first round, while KK Arnold and Azzi Fudd were relatively quiet. However, this does not mean that they are not ready to explode against other teams, such as Syracuse.
As for the Orange, Cuse has a potent frontline with Journey Thompson coming off her Dennis Rodman impersonation, getting 0 points and 13 rebounds, while center Uche Izoje had 23 points, seven rebounds and one assist. Their guards, Sophie Burrows and Laila Phelia, also stepped up bigtime, as each dropped double digits, with Burrows getting 14 and Phelia getting 18.
UConn vs. Syracuse Women’s Basketball March Madness Second Round Injury Report
UConn Huskies
- Morgan Cheli: Out for season
- Ice Brady: Out for season
- Gandy Malou-Mamel: Out
Syracuse Orange
- Dominique Darius: Out
UConn will be missing three of their biggest stars, with Cheli, Brady and Malou-Mamel all being projected to probably miss the entire NCAA Tournament. However, this is UConn, a team which would still do well even if its biggest stars are missing, As for Syracuse, the Orange will miss Dominique Darius, who is also projected to miss the entire tournament due to an injured hand.
UConn vs. Syracuse Women’s Basketball March Madness Second Round Prediction
There is no question on this one, as they have been undefeated even with all those season-ending injuries. UConn will win.
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