NCAA women
Ex-stars make case for UConn, Notre Dame to win tournament; bracket,
During the past four years, Connecticut vs. Notre Dame has been the biggest rivalry in women’s college basketball. And because the teams didn’t play each other in the regular season, the rivalry this year could culminate in something we’ve never seen in the women’s game — a national championship game between two unbeatens.
Connecticut is the best team in the women’s college game, with the Fighting Irish a close second. The Huskies’ 6-5 center, Stefanie Dolson, is the heart and soul of the team. She is the best passing post player in the country, which is why Connecticut runs its offense through Dolson. Point guard Moriah Jefferson is one of the nation’s most improved players, and her blazing speed makes her a game-changer on both ends of the floor. Bria Hartley is the senior with the killer instinct who wants to take the game-winning shot. Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis is a three-point specialist with a quick release.
But the player who separates UConn from every other team in the country is 6-4 sophomore Breanna Stewart. With post size and guard skill, “Stewie” is the toughest matchup in the game. She consistently beats her defender down the floor, has an unguardable three-point shot and can post and use her hook shot to score over any defender. Stewart also is a menace defensively, seeming to come out of nowhere to block shots with her 7-1 wingspan.
UConn is the best defensive team in the country and also runs the prettiest, most efficient offense. It leads the nation in assists per game (21.6) and is second to Notre Dame in field goal percentage (50.5%). The program has a culture of winning that is second to none; this is the sixth time the Huskies have entered the NCAA tournament without a loss. If it wins its ninth title, UConn will have more championships than any other women’s program.
All of this is a result of being led by the best coach in the game. Geno Auriemma demands consistent excellence from his players and his teams. He challenges each player to redefine her limits on the court and makes his players believe UConn never will be outcoached. His players completely buy into everything he has to say during games.
If the last game of the season does come down to the only two teams without a loss, the best rivalry in women’s college basketball will be that much better. ESPN basketball analyst Lobo led UConn to its first women’s basketball national championship in 1995, a season in which she was named national player of the year. She was the youngest member of the 1996 Olympic gold medal-winning team and played seven seasons in the WNBA.