Powerhouses UConn, Baylor meet in women’s Elite Eight

Auriemma back with Huskies

UConn and Baylor have dominated women’s college basketball in recent years and will meet Monday for a chance for one to advance to yet another Final Four.

The Huskies (27-1) will be looking for the the program’s 13th straight appearance in the showcase, 21st all-time and a 12th national championship.

The Lady Bears (282), the defacto defending champions after winning the title in 2019, will be looking for their fifth trip to a Final Four and a fourth title.

“I wish it was for the national championship and not a chance to get to a Final Four, because I think both programs are just elite, and it’s a shame somebody has to lose,” Baylor coach Kim Mulkey said Sunday.

The teams mirror each other in many ways, each having been built by their Hall of Fame coaches using similar formulas.

Both stress defense. Baylor is tops in the nation, allowing opponents to shoot an average of 32.3% from the field. UConn ranks fourth, with opponents shooting 33.3% from the floor.

Both also feature stars — UConn’s Paige Bueckers and Baylor’s Nalyssa Smith — supplemented by a supporting cast of other talented players who can take over games.

Some things to watch for when UConn at Baylor meet Monday in the Elite Eight:

CAN HARDLY MISS >> Baylor’s Smith has made 26 of her 33 shots in the Lady Bear’s three games and went 11 of 11 from the floor in the team’s overtime win against Michigan in the Sweet 16.

UConn freshman Aaliyah Edwards also has been on fire, averaging 18 points per game in the tournament, while hitting 22 of her 26 shots.

“If it wasn’t for Aaliyah Edwards, we wouldn’t be here today,” Auriemma said. “That kid has really added so much to our team. Her strength, her physicality, her toughness, her finishing around the basket.”

TURNING THE PAIGE >> Mulkey is most concerned with UConn freshman Paige Bueckers.

The player-of-the year candidate has put up 62 points, 23 rebounds and 18 assists in UConn’s three games. But Baylor’s coach, a former point guard herself, said it’s Buecker’s court vision and ability to anticipate how a play will develop that makes her extremely dangerous.

“Listen, any freshman that can pat Geno on the butt during a game and get away with it, hey that tells you how much he respects her,” Mulkey said.