A week ago, sadly, March Madness came to an end. UConn and South Carolina are both familiar with national championships; UConn has now won 12 NCAA titles, while South Carolina has claimed three championships in 2017, 2022, and 2024. The anticipation of these two powerhouses preparing to battle until the final buzzer was incredible. The championship game had a fantastic atmosphere with 19,777 in attendance at Amalie Arena in Tampa, FL. Before the game started, each fan base took turns chanting their school’s cheers. UConn went first, and the arena felt as if there were more UConn fans than Gamecocks. The energy in the arena was electric as thousands of fans cheered for their favorite team.
According to Front Office Sports, the women’s Final Four game between UConn and UCLA attracted 3.9 million viewers, making it the third-most-watched semifinal in history. However, this figure represents a decrease in viewership compared to last year’s semifinal game, down 64% from the historic March Madness viewership of 10.8 million. While this may not seem like a massive number, it is still significant, suggesting a positive sign for women’s basketball and its potential to thrive at the collegiate level without Caitlin Clark. The championship game attracted 8.5 million viewers.
South Carolina Gamecocks vs. UConn Championship Game
The starting lineup for the Gamecocks featured Te-Hina Paopao (Guard), Sania Feagin (Forward), Chloe Kitts (Forward), Bree Hall (Guard), and Raven Johnson (Guard). The Gamecocks concluded the regular season with a record of 35-3. They opened the game with a deep three-pointer. However, UConn gained the lead at the 7-minute mark, going ahead 6-5. The first quarter was closely contested, with UConn taking it 19-14. UConn maintained its dominance throughout the game, but South Carolina displayed resilience and refused to back down. UConn truly established its control in the third quarter, decisively winning it 26-16.
Even though South Carolina had more bench points (35) compared to UConn’s (13), that wasn’t enough to win the game. South Carolina’s largest lead was (3) versus UConn’s (32). What differentiated the game was the production of the key players. South Carolina’s top players did not perform well in the championship game; Kitts finished with 9 points, Feagin with eight points, and Paopao surprisingly ended with three points for the day, along with Hall’s two points. Raven Johnson also finished with two points; however, Tessa Johnson had a decent game with 10 points, as did Joyce Edwards, who finished with 10 points, and MiLaysia Fulwiley with nine points. Speaking of Fulwiley, she shocked the basketball community this week by entering the transfer portal. No one was expecting that news.
Fulwiley has been a significant factor for South Carolina over the past two seasons. Although the Gamecocks are losing an athletic guard who attacks the rim and excels in defense, we know that Dawn Staley will recruit the top players who fit her program.
On the other hand, UConn’s top players showcased their talent and performed well throughout the day. The Most Outstanding Player, Azzi Fudd, had an impressive game, scoring 24 points, as did freshman Sarah Strong, who also notched 24 points. KK Arnold contributed nine points, and last but not least, senior guard Paige Bueckers added 17 points. This made a significant difference in the game, as did UConn’s defense, which allowed South Carolina to finish with only 59 points.
UConn’s Celebratory Win
As the final buzzer sounded, everyone in attendance witnessed UConn’s pure dominance, winning 82-59. Experiencing the UConn celebration in person was magical, and seeing Coach Geno Auriemma raise the championship trophy was outstanding. That marked Coach Auriemma’s 12th time raising the trophy in the March Madness tournament, making him a part of history. Watching the confetti fall was another thrilling moment in person.
Another significant moment of the championship game was the opportunity to vote for the Most Outstanding Player award. Initially, I selected Fudd, but then I chose Bueckers. Later, we discovered that Fudd had won the award, a well-deserved honor for her after facing numerous battles with injuries.
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*Featured Image Photo Credit: Domenic Allegra | The Next.
