Paige Bueckers leads UConn to record 24th Final Four appearance
- UConn defeated USC in a crucial Elite Eight game in Birmingham, Alabama.
- Paige Bueckers scored 31 points, leading UConn to its 24th Final Four.
- The team aims to reclaim the national championship after their last win in 2016.
In the women's NCAA Tournament, UConn secured its record 24th Final Four appearance by defeating Southern California 78-64 in a recent matchup. Held in Birmingham, Alabama, the game showcased UConn's prowess, with senior star Paige Bueckers scoring an impressive 31 points. The victory allows UConn to advance to the Final Four and face top seed UCLA. The game was particularly challenging for USC, who missed their injured star player JuJu Watkins. The Trojans managed to rally from a 19-point deficit but could not overcome the powerful UConn roster in the final quarter. Bueckers, who had a slow start in the game, proved to be pivotal, especially in the latter stages as she scored crucial baskets which extended UConn's lead. This performance was part of a larger tournament run where Bueckers has averaged an extraordinary 35 points per game in her last three appearances, solidifying her status as a top prospect for the upcoming WNBA draft. UConn, with a team record of 35-3, looks to reclaim the national title, with their last championship win occurring in 2016. Another notable aspect of UConn's journey back to the Final Four is the resilient spirit of the team, as they had to deal with adversity both individually and collectively throughout the season. They were previously defeated in the Final Four last year by Caitlin Clark and Iowa, adding an extra layer of motivation in their current championship pursuit. UConn's rich history in women's basketball is evidenced by their 11 national titles, the most in NCAA women's basketball, and with a talented roster, the Huskies are keen on adding another. The tournament's Final Four will see UConn meet UCLA, who also advanced after a competitive tournament showing. UCLA's appearance marks the first in the program's history, while UConn continues its long legacy of dominance in the women's game. The matchup is highly anticipated, drawing interest from fans and analysts alike, as both teams possess talented players that can turn the tide of the game.