TAMPA, Fla. — The end result had lengthy been determined when UConn coach Geno Auriemma known as a timeout with 1:32 left, taking his stars out of a sport that may find yourself being a dominant 82-59 win over defending champion South Carolina for an unprecedented twelfth nationwide title for the Huskies.
As senior Paige Bueckers got here off the court docket, ending her school profession with an elusive first title of her personal, she and Auriemma shared an extended, emotional hug, a celebration of what they got here collectively to do.
“So many feelings,” stated Bueckers, sporting one of many nets reduce down from Sunday’s sport round her neck. “Gratitude was the principle one, the journey of the ups and downs of every little thing it took to get to that time. Simply overwhelming pleasure, and simply so comfortable for each single one who is part of this journey.”
For many years, the very best gamers in girls’s basketball have come to UConn to win nationwide titles, and this was Bueckers’ final likelihood. On the identical time, Auriemma, 71, hadn’t gained since 2016, and 9 years and not using a title at UConn is an eternity.
“My journey turned hers, in so many phrases,” he stated.
Auriemma stated that with every passing 12 months, the individuals closest to him puzzled if he ought to have retired in 2016 after UConn had gained a fourth straight championship. For all of the dynastic success the Huskies had, he did not know if there can be one other title, and he wasn’t alone.
“There have been lots of people that did not assume it could ever occur, lots of people that hoped it could by no means occur,” Auriemma stated. “I am glad that we have been capable of get to that spot that Connecticut has occupied. Within the final 30 years, I do not know that any program has meant extra to their sport than UConn has meant to girls’s basketball.”
And identical to that, the Huskies are champions once more, although there was a lot extra than simply Auriemma and Bueckers that obtained them again on high. The match’s Most Excellent Participant was guard Azzi Fudd, who had 24 factors, 11 in a 3rd quarter that noticed the Huskies put South Carolina away, constructing a lead that grew to as large as 32 factors. Freshman ahead Sarah Strong was simply as stable, ending with 24 factors, 15 rebounds and 5 assists to complete an outstanding debut season.
The Huskies did one thing they’ve by no means completed in 11 earlier championships, beating three No. 1 seeds alongside the way in which. They have been their regional’s second seed, beating USC to advance to the Last 4, then taking out the No. 1 general seed in UCLA on Friday earlier than beating the Gamecocks on Sunday afternoon.
South Carolina coach Daybreak Staley, whose group was searching for to be the game’s first repeat champs since UConn in 2016, had by no means misplaced in three earlier championship video games and stated she hopes the sting of the defeat lingers along with her returning gamers.
“I hope they’re crying,” Staley stated. “I hope they’re boo-hooing as a result of from crying they’ve emotion about shedding, [it] makes you’re employed arduous within the offseason. Makes you have a look at it and actually analyze what the separation is from their program and our program and the way we shut the hole with that.
Staley has excessive hopes for her program within the close to future, however understands the dedication and buy-in wanted from her gamers to attain the final word objective of successful a title.
“They’re very proficient, and I feel they obtained an amazing expertise of enjoying at this stage that I hope they’ve a want to get again right here and do all of the issues it takes to play within the nationwide championship sport and to ship the blows that is wanted to win,” Staley stated.
Each groups are anticipated to have proficient lineups again subsequent season. South Carolina’s main scorers on Sunday have been freshmen ahead Joyce Edwards and sophomore guard Tessa Johnson. For UConn, Fudd introduced this week that she’s returning for an additional 12 months with the Huskies, regardless of realizing she’d seemingly be a excessive first-round decide within the WNBA Draft, and Sturdy exhibits each signal of being this system’s subsequent elite star, breaking the NCAA report for factors by a freshman within the match.
However Sunday was a couple of coach getting again to the top and the way grateful he was for Bueckers, who helped get him there.
“He instructed me he liked me. I instructed him I hated him, however we each love one another some days,” Bueckers joked when requested what was stated as they hugged by the UConn bench.
Auriemma stated that Bueckers is each “infuriating” and “mesmerizing,” a participant who for 5 years was like an orchestra conductor, unselfishly controlling each observe and sport whether or not she had the ball or not. Practically 50 years aside in age, they’ve had numerous severe conversations and loads of gentle ones, however that second, savoring the ultimate seconds of a championship victory, stood out above all.
“Right now was the primary one, I feel, in 5 years that each one the feelings which have been constructing inside me, they got here out, and so they got here out in her,” Auriemma stated of Bueckers. “In 5 years, I’ve by no means seen her cry. She may deny it, however she’s going to overlook me.”
Greg Auman is an NFL Reporter for FOX Sports activities. He beforehand spent a decade protecting the Buccaneers for the Tampa Bay Occasions and The Athletic. You possibly can comply with him on Twitter at @gregauman.
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