(2) Baylor vs. (1) Connecticut

BAYLOR

Coach: Kim Mulkey Record: 28-2

Key victories: West Virginia (three times), Texas (three times), Oklahoma State (twice)

Player to watch: Nalyssa Smith, 6-foot-2 junior forward, who tied an NCAA tournament regional record for most makes without a miss by going 11 for 11 in Saturday’s 78-75 win against Michigan. An East Central grad and first-team All-america selection, Smith averages 18.2 points and 8.8 rebounds per game for the year.

Notable: Baylor is 4-5 all-time in Elite Eight games, reaching that stage this year for the sixth time in the past seven tournaments. The Bears have won three national championships, joining Connecticut and Tennessee as the only programs with at least three titles.

CONNECTICUT

Coach: Geno Auriemma Record: 27-1

Key victories: South Carolina, Tennessee, Depaul (twice)

Player to watch: Paige Bueckers, 5-foot-11 freshman point guard, who averages 19.8 points, 6.1 assists and 4.9 rebounds per game while shooting 53.2 percent overall and 46.1 percent from 3-point range. The nation’s top-ranked recruit has delivered on her promise, earning firstteam All-america recognition while winning Big East Player of the Year.

Notable: Connecticut has won 11 national championships, all under Auriemma, and has advanced to 12 consecutive Final Fours. The Huskies rank near the top of the NCAA in most statistical categories, outscoring opponents by a nation-leading average of 31.7 points per game.