Uconn vs. South Carolina: Championship Game Picks, Analysis

Two of the most dominant programs in women’s university basketball in the last decade will be decided by the title NCAA 2025. South CarolinaThe defending National Champion won three titles in this section: 2017, 2022 and last year while he was undefeated.

Uconne In 2016 he won his latest NCAA title – and overall 11 – overall. Huskies have reached the last four times. This includes every year from 2008 with the exception of 2023, when the Star Guard Paige Bueckers Missed the season with ACL injuries.

Gamecocks and Huskies met earlier in the National Championship game, in 2022 in Buecker’s hometown Minneapolis. South Carolina won 64-49; Gamecocks took five of their last seven matches with Uconn.

But at their last meeting on February 16 in South Carolina dominated Uconn 87-58. Both teams won their national semifinals on Friday at the Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida.

Which team could have Edge Sunday (15:00 ET, ABC)?

Uconn seems to have hit his step in the last month. What did Huskies do to reach the top at the right time?

DELIVERIES ONLY: Younger/less experienced players matured well. This is Bueckers’ fourth finals four; You knew he would be the best now. However, several other players have proven that they are ready for a clearer reflector in March and April.

“We have less experience in the whole line -up than some others (four teams),” said coach Uconn Geno Auriemma. “We had teams that were young, but also (had more) important older players. Paige is the only higher class that has gone through it for four years.”

But Auriemma referred to freshmen Sarah Strong (22 points, 8 rebounds in 85-51 semifinals victory over UCLA) and John El Alpha (6 points and 8 rebounds), along with the second -year guard Arnold (9 points vs. UCLA) as players who now appear great despite their youth. And even though the guard Kaitlyn chen The senior is the fifth year, this is her first final four after transfer from Princeton. At this tournament, NCAA also had its great moments.

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Does Southern Carolina have enough offense to beat Uconn?

DELIVERIES ONLY: Gamecocks have enough offense – unless they make mistakes that UCLA made in the semifinals against Uconn. Bruins turned the ball too much, did not look ready for Uconn’s pace of play and their offense became one -dimensional reliance on the center Lauren Betts (Earned 26 out of 51 points Bruins).

“I think people underestimate how quickly we play,” Auriemma said. “If you can’t get buckets at your end, the pressure we’re exerting on you because we’re still scoring is just demoralizing. I think we catch some people surprising. I don’t think we’ll surprise her to South Carolina.”

Gamecocks had 10 players score against Texas, with 35 points from the bench. If South Carolina repeats such a depth and versatility, it will be difficult to defend for UConn.

Adelson: This is what South Carolina tells you: its defense helps its offense, so it naturally allows Gamecocks to become this game. Coach Dawn Staley mentioned this Saturday: not having a go-it player does not necessarily magic destruction and darkness, because their depth is so good.

“It’s just an old basketball school where you are playing with your strengths and our strength is our depth, our ability to play together, play connected,” said Staley. “And I think our ability to defend us for us, because the offense will ever go on a journey in itself. And our foundation was our ability to defend ourselves and come up with schemes to help us through those sections where we have peace from an offensive point of view.”

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What lessons from the February team meeting can be Sunday x factor?

DELIVERIES ONLY: South Carolina players called their defensive efforts “embarrassing” in this game and did not let them forget them.

“Practice was very heavy that (next week) a week; the coach turned it,” the guard Raven Johnson said. “It was like a game for us. We didn’t feel like us. Now we have to come out and show them who we are.”

Gamecocks did not lose from waste to Uconn. One more victory will give them 13 in a row and the fourth title of the NCAA program.

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One of the reasons why Uconn wins again

DELIVERIES ONLY: Huskies could have too many crimes of their big three Bueckers, strong and Azzi advantage To overcome Gamecocks. They combined for 57 points against UCLA and themselves. A similar performance from this trio could give uconn its 12th championship.

Adelson: As Auriemma said, it’s no longer all on the Bueckers to give the championship. Uconn has talent and depth to do it.

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One of the reasons why South Carolina will be able to change the end

Adelson: There is a reason why South Carolina started the season in 1 place. With a team full of players who were in this place before, Gamecocks have what is needed to win. They will be the first to admit that they play like underdogs. Will be the first to admit that they wanted another shot on Uconn because Mailasia Fulwileia He said, “We owe them one.” They will be the first to admit that they want to make history and repeat as national champions. Wait, are these three reasons? Needless to say, it will be a highly motivated team ready to play their best basketball.

DELIVERIES ONLY: Defense. Jumped Janah Barker On Friday we regretted Bruins’ questions against Huskies: “We literally gave them what they wanted. We left them so comfortable.”

South Carolina has elite defenders in each position; This is the basis for Gamecocks and a large part of the SEC has dominated over the last decade. As we talked about the fact that the defense did not appear at a regular season against Uconn. But it is likely that it will be on Sunday.

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Which team will win the championship?

Adelson: Uconn. Huskies have better and more consistent shooters. Although they say the defense will win the championship, a better offense will win.

Katie Barnes: Uconn. Huskies play their best basketball at the right time.

Alexa Philippou: Uconn. While Gamecocks looked better against Texas than before in the tournament, Huskies feels like a freight train that weighs to the championship. The game should be much closer than February – and if South Carolina gets into the hole soon, it will react much better than on Friday UCLA. But Uconn’s combination of Bueckers, Fudd and Strong will be a difference, and Bueckers will win the championship in his latest collegial game.

VoEPEL: South Carolina. I got stuck with Gamecocks to repeat the whole season. This game seems to be very closer than the three previous victories in South Carolina: 12 vs. Both Mississippi state in 2017 and Iowa in 2024 AO 15 vs. UConn in 2022. This could get to the last minute. If so, there would be a Gamecocks defense for the most important game.