Iowa survives UConn on controversial last-second call, heads to championship against South Carolina
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The women’s national championship matchup: South Carolina vs. Iowa
With all the vibes of a national championship, Iowa JUST survived UConn’s smothering defense. The Hawkeyes trailed by 12 at one point during the first half, while the Huskies held Caitlin Clark to just six points. Clark was also unlike herself, missing six 3-pointers in the first half, a first for her in any NCAA tournament game in her career.
She recovered though, scoring 15 points in the second half, nearing a triple-double once again with nine rebounds and seven assists. Still, the Huskies kept it close and it came down to a controversial offensive foul against UConn with 10 seconds left on the clock. Then, a Huskies turnover with 4 seconds on the clock would end their shot at overtime, let alone a championship run. The Hawkeyes came out on top, 71-69.
Iowa will face the still-undefeated South Carolina Gamecocks.
NC State held its own for about two quarters before South Carolina took charge. The Gamecocks had a one-point lead heading into the second half, but they outscored the Wolfpack 29-6 in the third quarter, and from there, it was easy work. Dawn Staley’s team went on to win 78-59.
The second half of the game was evidence of South Carolina’s nation’s-best defense and second-ranked offense, led by 6-foot-7 Kamilla Cardoso, who scored 22 points. Last year’s Final Four loss now way, way behind them, the Gamecocks will head to the national championship on Sunday.
The national championship tips off at 3 P.M. ET on Sunday.
NC State’s men look to continue winning streak against Purdue
The Wolfpack is the story of the men’s basketball tournament — an 11th-seed, only after an undefeated run through the ACC tournament. Now, they find themselves staring down the barrel of No. 1 Purdue and big man Zach Edey. No one, thus far, has had an answer for the Boilermaker’s 7-foot-4 center.
But NC State has a big man of their own, the athletic, 275-pound DJ Burns. The Wolfpack also has history on its side. In the last three tournaments, Purdue was eliminated by a 13-seed or lower. It could also mean that Purdue will have a chip on its shoulder about losing to a Cinderella story, but it’s hard to deny the Wolfpack’s nine-game winning streak.
Only Alabama stands in the way of UConn returning to national championship
Almost exactly one year ago, UConn defeated San Diego State 76-59 to win the national title. The Huskies defeated the University of Miami to get there, and now it’s Alabama that stands in their way. And the odds aren’t rolling with the Tide.
UConn returned six of its national championship players and they have the top-ranked offense. But, if you believe in signs, the universe is definitely sending one, or two, to the Huskies. Not one, but two of their planes had mechanical problems that led to lengthy delays and a 3 a.m. (local time in Phoenix) arrival.
Will the Tide prove the doubters wrong? Or, is UConn on a path for back-to-back national championships?
