“Today was Paige doing Paige things.” – Geno Auriemma
The anticipation for the Elite Eight matchup between UConn and USC was palpable. It may not have been quite as hyped as the Iowa-LSU game, a rematch of last year’s title game, but palpable nonetheless.
The game was billed as a meeting of Paige Bueckers and JuJu Watkins who, for my money, deserves the Freshman of the Year honor. As Watkins begins to break records, I think we can all anticipate a stellar career. Bueckers, who sat out last year’s season, performed at a level many have called better than her freshman year.
Certainly, it has been a more mature, focused, and determined season. Emerging as the true leader on and off the court, Bueckers has displayed a level of confidence and skill that is not easily rattled by any opponent.
UConn – USC was a competitive Elite Eight Matchup in Portland
Both Bueckers and Aaliyah Edwards provided the anchor for UConn, as did Watkins and McKenzie Forbes for USC. UConn’s ability to play stifling defense helped to make it hard for Watkins to get good looks. USC successfully created enough opportunities to put UConn in early foul trouble, which, at the moment, is UConn’s kryptonite. However, Nika Mühl, Edwards, and Bueckers never left the court, playing all 40 minutes.
With only two bench players used in the game, UConn had to play smart, careful basketball, without losing the drive they needed to stay ahead of USC. Watkins played 39 minutes for USC and Forbes 37. In fact, all the starters played over 30 minutes. They had to, as their bench provided a mere three points. Freshman Ashlynn Shade, who has been on a bit of a scoring drought, and classmate KK Arnold were not able to connect as they have in previous games, but got their shots when they were most needed.
THESE MOMENTS >>> pic.twitter.com/B1sqkbi4BY
— UConn Women’s Basketball (@UConnWBB) April 2, 2024
Both Kaitlyn Davis and Kayla Padilla struggled for USC, shooting a combined 2-15. Unlike UConn, USC didn’t seem to have a clear leader on the floor. Does Watkins lead the team? Certainly not in the way that Bueckers leads the Huskies. What USC does have is a great foundation upon which they can build, one that Watkins will lead.
The Huskies Move On After Win in the Elite Eight
We all know the progression of UConn’s season, the early losses, the mounting injuries. Yet that has never been an excuse. USC had gone 12-1 before the loss to UConn, often by fairly close scores, but showed a dynamism that propelled them to a No. 1 seed in the tournament. However, none of that mattered in last night’s game. What did matter though, was playing the game in front of you without regard for what you had done. Each team did that.
“This wasn’t a game of statistics, but more of good floor generalship, playing the moment, and thwarting the opponent. Each team had their runs, and neither were shaken by them. For the most part, this was a really good basketball game and they beat us. They did a little bit better of what they do than we do.”
USC HC Lindsay Gottlieb on the Elite Eight game versus UConn
Will the energy be different when UConn faces Iowa? Will the hype for a Caitlin Clark-Bueckers match-up have the same juice as the Clark-Angel Reese Elite Eight contest? The last time Iowa and UConn met was in the Sweet Sixteen in 2021. UConn won 92-72.
I am sure many never expected UConn to get this far, particularly with such a depleted roster. Rather than focus on who can potentially beat South Carolina, these semi-final games can bring out the best in teams, and I think we’ll see yet another heightened level of basketball. But now the focus is and must be solely on Iowa for the Huskies. I don’t see what got them to this point going away any time soon. And as for USC, they’ll be back. Count on it.
And that, my friends, as they say, is that.’ — Martin Ruben.
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