TAMPA, Fla. — Sunday’s nationwide championship matchup is ready. The South Carolina Gamecocks will face the UConn Huskies at 3 p.m. ET on ABC.
It is a rematch of the 2022 NCAA name sport in Minneapolis. South Carolina gained that matchup 64-49 to seize its moment nationwide championship. That’s the simplest NCAA ultimate that the Huskies have misplaced; they got here into that contest 11-0 in name video games.
It is usually a rematch from the steady season. The Huskies routed the Gamecocks 87-58 on Feb. 16 in Columbia, South Carolina. UConn’s Azzi Fudd scored 28 issues to lend a hand snap South Carolina’s 71-game house win streak.
We tracked the entire motion Friday as South Carolina beat Texas and UConn upended No. 1 total seed UCLA. Take a look at our research and primary take a look at the NCAA name sport.
Leap to effects and research: UConn-UCLA | South Carolina-Texas
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Geno Auriemma: South Carolina will need revenge for regular-season loss
Geno Auriemma joins Scott Van Pelt to speak about UConn’s Ultimate 4 win over UCLA and its upcoming matchup in opposition to South Carolina within the nationwide championship sport
Sunday, 3 p.m. ET, ESPN
What is at stake?
UConn seeks its twelfth nationwide name and primary since 2016. South Carolina seems to be to copy after ultimate yr’s 38-0 undefeated season. It will be the Gamecocks’ 3rd name in 4 years and fourth total.
3 X elements for Sunday’s nationwide championship
Who wins the freshman combat between UConn’s Sarah Robust and South Carolina’s Joyce Edwards?
Robust had 22 issues in Friday’s 85-51 blowout of UCLA, proudly owning the second one 1/2. In South Carolina’s 74-57 win over Texas within the Friday’s first semifinal, Edwards had 13 issues, 11 rebounds and six assists.
Editor’s Alternatives
2 Comparable
Within the regular-season matchup, Robust had 16 issues and 13 rebounds and Edwards 17 and 5. Neither participant is on an island; they are going to have numerous lend a hand. However numerous eyes can be on those two stars of the freshman elegance.
Can South Carolina restrict Azzi Fudd and Paige Bueckers?
Fudd had 19 issues (all within the first 1/2) and Bueckers 16 in opposition to UCLA. The Bruins simply could not execute the best way they sought after on offense, and that made their protection much more suspect in opposition to UConn. If there is something South Carolina has been in a position to rely on all season, it is protection. Bree Corridor, the Gamecocks’ number one defensive stopper at the perimeter, can have a hectic afternoon in opposition to UConn.
Can South Carolina benefit from its bench energy?
Like their protection, the Gamecocks have had nice manufacturing from their bench this season. And that may be a large issue if they may be able to get the offensive spice up from the bench (35 issues) on Sunday that they did Friday. Along side Edwards, guards Tessa Johnson (9) and MiLaysia Fulwiley (7) helped do injury in opposition to Texas. — Michael Voepel
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UConn celebrates dominant win over UCLA to succeed in name sport
UConn beats UCLA 85-51 in a dominant efficiency to arrange a rematch in opposition to South Carolina within the nationwide championship sport.
Ultimate: No. 2 UConn 85, No. 1 UCLA 51
How UConn beat UCLA: The Huskies took keep watch over of this sport from the beginning with their offense, protection and enjoy. The primary 1/2 used to be the Azzi Fudd display, because the UConn guard had 19 issues in serving to the Huskies to a 42-22 halftime lead.
UCLA struggled to paintings the ball into the gamers it sought after to get touches, and UConn had 9 steals within the first 1/2. Bruins trainer Cori Shut saved imploring her workforce to rise up the court docket faster, to go extra crisply and not to give Fudd such a lot of open seems to be.
Then issues did not get any higher in the second one 1/2 for the Bruins, who end the season at 34-3. Even supposing Fudd did not ranking after halftime, it did not harm UConn in any respect. That is as a result of freshman Sarah Robust proved simply as deadly; she scored 14 issues in the second one 1/2 and completed with 22 to steer the Huskies.
Paige Bueckers did not shoot at her standard potency — 7-of-17 from the sphere — however she nonetheless completed with 16 issues, 5 rebounds and a couple of assists, together with an exquisite contact go to teammate Kaitlyn Chen on a second-quarter instant smash that may make spotlight reels.
The No. 1 issue that helped UConn achieve Sunday’s name sport: The Huskies’ protection decreased UCLA to most commonly a one participant risk on offense. Middle Lauren Betts had 26 issues on 11-of-18 capturing and 5 rebounds. However the remainder of the Bruins had been 9 of 34 from the sphere, and none scored in double figures. The enjoy that UConn as a program and gamers like Bueckers in my view have within the Ultimate 4 confirmed Friday. The Huskies appeared relaxed, like this used to be simply any other sport for them to turn their stuff.
The Bruins, in contrast, appeared rattled and unsure, now not having a look just like the workforce that used to be ranked No. 1 for longer than every other program this season. However until there are transfers or different departures, UCLA may deliver again all of its gamers and make any other run on the Ultimate 4 subsequent yr. This enjoy, painful because it used to be to be blown out within the nationwide semifinals, may lend a hand that quest.
What’s UConn’s key within the championship sport: The Huskies will face South Carolina in a rematch of the 2022 NCAA ultimate gained by means of the Gamecocks. South Carolina went into that sport a favourite, however UConn — regardless of being a No. 2 seed — is most probably thought to be the favourite Sunday. That is partially as a result of what UConn did to the Gamecocks after they met in Columbia, South Carolina, on Feb. 16 in an 87-58 victory.
Regardless of that outcome, Sunday will have to be what neither of Friday’s semifinals had been: a detailed sport. The Huskies will want their giant 3 of Bueckers, Fudd and Robust to stay doing what they have got completed all event: keep watch over the tempo and momentum. — Michael Voepel
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Paige Bueckers breaks down play-by-play mentality
Paige Bueckers discusses the enjoyment of observing teammate Azzi Fudd thrive at the court docket post-injury and what it’ll take to overcome South Carolina within the nationwide championship.
An emotional Betts exits
An emotional Lauren Betts simply looked at of the sport for UCLA. She bent over crying on the finish of the bench ahead of taking a seat and placing a towel over her face. Simply named the Lisa Leslie Award winner as the rustic’s most sensible middle, she completed with 26 issues and 5 rebounds. — Katie Barnes
UConn pulling away as Betts lone shiny spot for UCLA
UConn’s lead now’s 72-43 with 4:15 left. Lauren Betts is as much as 23 issues for UCLA, however no different Bruins have reached double figures. — Michael Voepel
Stat reality: Sarah Robust is in elite corporate
Sarah Robust is the 3rd freshman in UConn historical past with no less than 20 issues in a Ultimate 4 sport.
Maya Moore did it within the 2008 semifinal in opposition to Stanford (20 issues) and Breanna Stewart did it within the semis (29) and championship (23) in 2013. — ESPN Analysis
Yet one more duration to play
The smallest momentum that UCLA will get is close down nearly in an instant. The Huskies lead 60-37 on the finish of the 3rd quarter. UConn did not get any issues from Azzi Fudd within the 3rd quarter, however did not want any. Freshman Sarah Robust had 10 issues and senior Paige Bueckers had 6 issues within the quarter for the Huskies, who seem neatly on their method to a championship sport matchup with South Carolina. — Michael Voepel
UCLA lovers feeling the ache
Even if issues appear to be they’re going proper for UCLA, it simply is not panning out. After you have UConn deep into the shot clock and forcing a Paige Bueckers omit, the ball bounced round and landed with the Huskies. As Sarah Robust hit a 3-pointer to make it a 53-29 UConn lead, I heard a UCLA fan screaming “NOOOO.” The despondence is palpable. — Katie Barnes
Offensive struggles proceed for Bruins
UConn is up 50-28 with 4:54 left within the 3rd quarter. Once more, not anything outdoor of Lauren Betts is operating offensively for UCLA, which is 1 of seven from 3-point vary. Betts is 7 of 13 from the sphere; the remainder of the Bruins are 5 of nineteen. — Michael Voepel
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Azzi Fudd dominates with 19 issues for UConn in first 1/2
Azzi Fudd drops 19 issues in UConn’s dominant first 1/2 vs. UCLA.
Halftime: UConn 42, UCLA 22
Maximum the whole lot they’ve sought after has long gone the UConn Huskies’ approach within the first 1/2. Azzi Fudd leads all scorers with 19 issues on 7-of-11 capturing, whilst Sarah Robust has 8 issues and Paige Bueckers 6.
Middle Lauren Betts has been the one giant risk offensively for UCLA; she has 11 issues on 5-of-10 capturing. That is the Bruins’ lowest halftime overall of the season; the former low used to be 25.
The Bruins are capturing 41.7% (10 of 24). UCLA completed 9-for-15 within the paint, 1-for-9 outdoor of it. UConn is outscoring UCLA by means of 22 outdoor the paint.
The Bruins are suffering to transport the ball in opposition to UConn’s lively protection. The Huskies have 9 first-half steals to only 1 for UCLA.
UConn is 64-0 when main by means of 15 or extra issues at halftime within the NCAA event. So for UCLA to visit the championship sport, the Bruins will wish to have an epic comeback. — Michael Voepel
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Paige Bueckers drills step-back buzzer-beater for UConn
Paige Bueckers nails the buzzer-beater from midrange to near out the primary quarter vs. UCLA.
Shut now not proud of Bruins’ D on Fudd
UCLA trainer Cori Shut seems disgusted that Azzi Fudd assists in keeping getting open seems to be in opposition to the Bruins’ protection and knocking them down. Shut must problem her workforce at halftime to do one thing to decelerate Fudd. However this is very tricky. UConn leads 42-22 at halftime, and Fudd has 19 issues on 7-of-11 capturing. — Michael Voepel
Bueckers to Chen = chef’s kiss
Paige Bueckers simply did what I will be able to simplest describe as a Superman contact go help to Kaitlyn Chen to offer UConn a 17-point lead with 1:32 left within the first 1/2. Unquestionably is going within the pantheon of significant passes. — Katie Barnes
Bruins paintings the paint
Nearly all of UCLA’s offensive luck is coming within the paint. The Bruins are capturing 8-for-12 (67%) within the paint, with 10 of the ones issues coming from Lauren Betts. Bruins path UConn 32-20 with 4:01 left in the second one quarter. — Michael Voepel
Sluggish get started for UCLA
With 4:57 left in the second one quarter, UConn leads UCLA 29-17. The fewest issues the Bruins have scored in a 1/2 this season is 25. They did that two times: within the first 1/2 vs. Oregon on Feb. 9 and the second one 1/2 vs USC on Feb. 13. — Michael Voepel
It is 11 and counting for Fudd
Azzi Fudd already has 11 issues, which is greater than she had within the Elite 8 in opposition to USC. Fudd began that sport 0-for-9, however is 4-for-5 this night. UConn leads 27-13 with 8:27 to play in the second one quarter. — Katie Barnes
Fudd heating up early
After banking in a 3-point shot from the highest of the important thing, Azzi Fudd gave Paige Bueckers just a little side-eye glance as though to mention, “I will be able to’t imagine that went in, both.” Azzi has hit her first 3 pictures from the ground and is as much as seven issues early. — Katie Barnes
Bruins want early changes
The Bruins thus far have made it too simple for UConn to tip away passes intended for middle Lauren Betts. UCLA wishes to regulate to how it’s getting her the ball. UConn is up 15-10 with 3:05 left within the first quarter of this night’s moment semifinal. — Michael Voepel
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South Carolina finishes off Texas to advance to name sport
South Carolina takes down Texas to succeed in its 3rd nationwide championship sport in 4 years.
South Carolina-Texas effects and are living research
Ultimate: South Carolina 74, Texas 57
How South Carolina beat Texas: There is a line in “The Fault in Our Stars” by means of John Inexperienced about falling asleep: that it first occurs slowly, after which unexpectedly. That just about sums up what the Gamecocks did to Texas over the process the sport. South Carolina chipped away at Texas’ early lead after you have All-American Madison Booker into foul bother. Regardless of the early get started from Texas, the Gamecocks restricted their errors, were given stops and hit pictures. It is a easy system, however South Carolina outscored Texas 20-9 within the 3rd quarter to open a 14-point lead and not appeared again. Texas trainer Vic Schaefer pulled Booker midway throughout the fourth quarter. The Gamecocks poured it on. Slowly, after which unexpectedly.
The No. 1 issue that helped South Carolina achieve Sunday’s name sport? South Carolina constructed a 14-point lead by means of the top of the 3rd quarter, partially by means of feasting on paint issues and simple buckets. The Gamecocks completed the sport with 40 issues within the paint and 15 fast-break issues. They had been 14-for-26 on layups. Joyce Edwards had a double-double with 13 issues and 11 rebounds.
Along with scoring inside of, South Carolina outrebounded Texas 36-28. The Gamecocks had their approach inside of, after which shot 63.6% from 3-point vary in addition. It is tricky to win when South Carolina is doing that.
South Carolina’s key within the championship sport? Bench manufacturing. After a coarse efficiency in opposition to Duke that noticed Edwards, MiLaysia Fulwiley and Tessa Johnson mix for 9 issues on 4-for-14 capturing, they confirmed up giant for the Gamecocks. The ones 3 mixed for 29 issues Friday and simply 3 turnovers. Towards Duke, the 9 bench issues had been a season low, but it surely used to be a unique tale in Tampa. Regardless of who South Carolina faces, if the bench presentations up, particularly Fulwiley, Johnson and Edwards, the Gamecocks can have a really perfect shot at effectively protecting their name. — Katie Barnes
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Joyce Edwards will get layup to move for South Carolina
Joyce Edwards punishes a Texas turnover with a formidable run to the rim for a South Carolina layup.
Hugs for Holle
Shay Holle, the best-ever winningest participant in Texas ladies’s basketball historical past, used to be in tears as she got here off the ground for the ultimate time, figuring out her season and profession are about to return to an finish. Her teammates rushed to offer her a hug. — Andrea Adelson
Gamecocks appearing off the intensity that were given them right here
All 9 gamers who have got into the sport for South Carolina have scored. That is the model of the Gamecocks this is so tricky to protect, even for a very good defensive workforce like Texas. It is so exhausting to scheme in opposition to that. Plus, the Gamecocks’ protection could be very assured — they’re making the whole lot a chore for Texas. This sport has appeared so much like the 2 wins South Carolina were given in opposition to Texas previous this season: by means of 17 issues in Columbia, South Carolina, in January and by means of 19 within the SEC event ultimate in Greenville, South Carolina, in March. — Michael Voepel
Edwards in uncommon corporate
Joyce Edwards is the second one freshman in Ultimate 4 historical past with 10 issues, 10 rebounds and 5 assists in a sport, becoming a member of Maryland’s Marissa Coleman (2006). — Alexa Philippou
What stoop?
South Carolina freshman Joyce Edwards mentioned Thursday that she hadn’t been in any slumps in her younger basketball profession. So the 3 subpar scoring performances heading into the Ultimate 4 had been uncharacteristic for her. However she appeared assured that she would recover from that and play neatly within the nationwide semifinals. She has completed simply that this night. — Michael Voepel
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A’ja Wilson loves what she sees from South Carolina
A’ja Wilson will get excited within the crowd for Tessa Johnson’s bucket for South Carolina vs. Texas.
Edwards stepping up for Gamecocks
Joyce Edwards would possibly have had a quiet begin to the NCAA event, however this night she seems like the model of herself we noticed previous this yr. She’s as much as a team-high 12 issues for the Gamecocks, whilst including 10 forums, 4 assists and 1 thieve. South Carolina is up 14, and he or she’s a large reason. — Alexa Philippou
South Carolina pulling away
Certainly, Texas simplest has six issues within the 3rd quarter — and South Carolina has discovered a method to construct its lead with simple buckets within the paint — together with that ultimate layup from Joyce Edwards, who’s having her perfect NCAA event sport because the opening spherical. South Carolina has 32 paint issues thus far within the sport. — Andrea Adelson
Benefit, South Carolina?
The Longhorns are in peril of letting this sport break out from them. Trainer Vic Schaefer simply sat down in a huff after back-to-back offensive possessions ahead of calling a timeout. South Carolina has opened a 13-point lead and feels at the cusp of operating Texas out of the fitness center. — Katie Barnes
Paopao powers South Carolina
Senior Te-Hina Paopao has made such a lot of well timed performs this sport. She’s as much as 11 issues on best possible capturing from the sphere (4-for-4 from box, together with 2-for-2 on 3-pointers). And that thieve and ranking felt in particular large, giving the Gamecocks their first double-digit lead of the night time. — Alexa Philippou
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Te-Hina Paopao’s 3 offers South Carolina first lead of sport
Te-Hina Paopao cashes a three to offer South Carolina their first lead of the sport vs. Texas.
Halftime research: South Carolina 38, Texas 35
In some way, regardless of Madison Booker taking part in simply 9 mins within the first 1/2 and having 3 fouls, Texas isn’t out of this sport. South Carolina got here again from being down 8 within the first quarter and the Gamecocks glance ambitious. However should you instructed me Booker would have performed not up to 1 / 4 of sport time within the first 1/2 and Texas simplest trailed by means of 3, I’d were stunned. Jordan Lee has been an enormous shiny spot for the Longhorns, filling the offensive hole left by means of Booker with 10 issues.
South Carolina has gotten 18 of its 38 issues from its bench, already surpassing a season low 9 overall bench issues in opposition to Duke within the Elite 8. — Katie Barnes
Gamecocks lead = Gamecocks win?
Coming into this night, South Carolina has gained 103 consecutive video games when main at halftime, the longest lively streak in Department I. Its ultimate such loss used to be March 6, 2022, within the SEC event as opposed to Kentucky. Gamecocks lead 38-35 heading into the smash. — Alexa Philippou
Booker whistled for 3rd foul with 2:29 left in moment quarter, Texas up 33-31
And Madison Booker is now again out after choosing up her 3rd foul with 2:29 left ahead of halftime — the primary time in her profession she has 3 fouls within the first 1/2 of a sport. She and Vic Schaefer might be heard telling the professional, “That is a foul name!” — Andrea Adelson
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Texas strikes the ball round for Madison Booker midrange jumper
Texas transfer the ball briefly and get it to Madison Booker who hits any other midrange leap shot vs. South Carolina.
Booker assessments again in
Madison Booker is again within the sport for the Longhorns. She sat for 8:03 with the ones two fouls, and Texas used to be outscored 20-14 over that span. — Alexa Philippou
Texas leads 28-27, 4:33 left in moment quarter
Chloe Kitts have been taking part in her perfect basketball going again to the SEC event, however after choosing up an early foul, she has been restricted to six mins and has now not tried a shot. What is extra she’s were given two turnovers. Her manufacturing used to be large in serving to South Carolina come from in the back of to overcome Indiana and Duke. One thing to regulate as the sport progresses. — Andrea Adelson
Gamecocks bench seems to be higher than it did in Birmingham
Any other key to look at: The South Carolina bench. Joyce Edwards and MiLaysia Fulwiley are taking part in a lot better than they did in opposition to Duke, with a mixed 11 issues within the first quarter to key the comeback. If truth be told, South Carolina had 14 overall bench issues within the first quarter, greater than the season-low 9 they scored vs Duke. — Andrea Adelson
Longhorns pouring at the issues
Texas’ 19 issues within the first quarter are its maximum in any quarter as opposed to South Carolina this season. — Alexa Philippou
Texas leads 19-18 after the primary quarter
My goodness. What a play from Joyce Edwards because the Gamecocks snag the momentum again following an eight-point deficit. Texas led 12-7 when Madison Booker subbed out with two fouls. Texas is up 19-18 as we head to the second one body. — Alexa Philippou
Overheard at the Texas bench
Simply heard Vic Schaefer say to his bench, “I did not know she had a nasty or else I would take her out,” possibly about Madison Booker. — Alexa Philippou
Booker selections up moment foul
Joyce Edwards simply held up two arms after that play — she is aware of that Tessa Johnson simply picked up Madison Booker’s moment foul and the way large this is for Texas. — Alexa Philippou
Texas clicking on each ends
As Andrea identified, the Texas protection is doing what it does perfect, however what is further notable is within the early going, the offense is clicking as neatly. Madison Booker has hit her first 3 pictures and is already as much as 6 issues. The Longhorns are capturing 62.5% from the sphere within the first 5 mins. — Katie Barnes
Texas dominating
Texas has taken it to South Carolina in each and every side of this sport, and is taking part in with way more power within the early going. South Carolina has had sluggish begins in the past, however now not like this. Texas’ D has held South Carolina to 2-of-8 capturing and already compelled 4 turnovers — Andrea Adelson
South Carolina in an early hollow
This eight-point deficit for South Carolina fits its biggest of the event. The Gamecocks additionally trailed by means of that many as opposed to Indiana. — Alexa Philippou
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