NCAA MARCH MADNESS FINAL FOUR PREVIEW – IOWA VS. UCONN

USC Freshman JuJu Watkins’ freshman season was magical. In the matchup against a veteran UConn Huskies team, Watkins and the Trojans were seeking their first Final Four bid since 1986. Despite the lack of depth on the roster and early game foul trouble, Geno Auriemma’s Huskies executed from the field. to lengthen. Most of the Q4 runs came from Paige Bueckers, who made the difference with her leadership and poise. UConn ended Watkins’ magical season with an 80-73 victory.

Despite the loss, JuJu Watkins made history as the all-time leading freshman scorer (920 points), surpassing Tina Hutchinson. In this NCAA tournament, JuJu Watkins tallied 110 points, just one point shy of Tamika Catchings’ tournament record set in 1998. Watkins led USC to the Pac-12 championship in one season (its first in 10 years), finished second in scoring (26.9 ppg), set a USC scoring record with a 51-point performance and elite eight appearances. The passing of the torch is approaching and we are witnessing the new face of Women’s Basketball… JuJu Watkins!

Coach Auriemma will make his 23rd Final Four appearance with the Huskies (most for any program all-time). UConn will face Iowa in a Final Four matchup for the ages. Clash of stars – Caitlin Clark vs. Paige Bueckers. In their last meeting, UConn defeated Iowa 92-72 in the Sweet Sixteen. But both Clark and Bueckers were freshmen. Will Caitlin, now at the peak of her powers, even the score, or will Coach Auriemma set another National Championship record?

The Future of Women’s College Basketball