Apr 1, 2022; Minneapolis, MN, USA; UConn Huskies guard Paige Bueckers (5) reacts on the court against the Stanford Cardinal during the second half in the Final Four semifinals of the women’s college basketball NCAA Tournament at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
The UConn Huskies women’s basketball team were underdogs against defending champion Stanford but picked up the Final Four win.
Despite how good UConn women’s basketball has looked since the return of Paige Bueckers to the lineup from her early-season injury, the Huskies entered the Final Four of the Women’s NCAA Tournament as underdogs. Of course, up against the defending champion Stanford Cardinal, that made some sense.
Even still, Geno Auriema’s team looked fully prepared and ready for the moment. They came out with some herculean defense early as their offense tried to find its footing and then the Huskies found a rhythm and were able to build a small lead over the Cardinal.
Though Stanford fought back, a rally early in the fourth quarter gave UConn total control. It got dicey for a minute in the final minutes but some clutch free throws from Azzi Fudd and strong defensive play helped the Huskies lock up their first trip to the National Championship Game, shockingly, since 2016.
UConn women set to face South Carolina for National Championship: College basketball media reactions
College basketball media was loving the game and loving seeing the Huskies back on the biggest stage in women’s college hoops against another behemoth in South Carolina.
I watched Oregon run UConn all the way off the floor in January the fact that they got healthy and turned it into this is legitimately wild.
And winning the way they’ve won all year? It’s worth a flower or two. https://t.co/AuLgt52xuV
— Andrew G. Haubner (@A_G_Haubner) April 2, 2022
South Carolina-UConn on Sunday.
Bueckers vs. Boston.
Must see TV.
— Nick Carboni (@NickCarboniWCNC) April 2, 2022
It is really really incredible that this UConn team is in the national championship game. None of the players on this team have made it this far before. Geno, CD and UConn fans have seen it but it’s gotta be really special for the players. They earned it with two outstanding wins
— The UConn Blog (@TheUConnBlog) April 2, 2022
A UConn-South Carolina championship game just feels right
— D’Arcy Maine (@darcymaine_espn) April 2, 2022
WHAT. A. GAME. UCONN knocks off Stanford. Hopkins alum Paige Bueckers with 14 points she’s got a shot to win a national title in her home state. https://t.co/RvskICckWE
— Julian Mitchell (@j_mitchell25) April 2, 2022
Whoa, these women’s Final Four games were awesome and SC v UConn on Sunday for the championship is gonna be great
— Andy Lewis (@andyblewis) April 2, 2022
Uconn, recon, def con, salsa con queso, don’t matter. Cocks by 15.
— Avery G. Wilks (@AveryGWilks) April 2, 2022
This is truly going to be a clash of the titans for the women’s title in March Madness. Bueckers and a resurgent UConn team up against National Player of the Year Aaliyah Boston and the South Carolina Gamecocks. That’s what dreams are made of.
But even though this is the Huskies’ first trip to the title game in over a half-decade, Auriema is a perfect 11-0 in the National Championship Games he’s played in to this point in his illustrious career. That’s a pristine record that, based on his team’s performance on Friday night, this team isn’t trying to blemish.
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