On Wednesday night graduate guard Azzi Fudd notched a career-high of 34 points in 31 minutes played. Now, a few days later, the Huskies (23-3, 14-0 Big East) are set to play against the fourth ranked and reigning national champs, the South Carolina Gamecocks (22-2, 10-1 SEC) on Sunday for likely their biggest test of the season.
After the programs only three losses of the season against ranked opponents USC, Notre Dame and Tennessee, it makes this matchup against the Gamecocks just as imperative to win before March Madness.
With a program as coveted as the Gamecocks, with head coach Dawn Staley at the forefront, head coach of the Huskies, Geno Auriemma describes the biggest challenge against the Gamecocks is their depth.
“It’s almost like they have eight or nine starters, not just five.” Auriemma said to the media Friday afternoon.
The Gamecocks roster is led by 6-foot-3 freshman Joyce Edwards who is averaging around 12 points a game, leading South Carolina. It will be a battle of the first years as Edwards will go head-to-head with UConn’s star freshman forward Sarah Strong.
Strong, who averages around 16 points per game, has proven to be one of the Huskies most versatile players this season and will be integral for the Huskies as the Gamecocks’ roster is stacked with height and defensive physicality.
Unlike any other matchup for Strong, this game against the Gamecocks has familial ties for the North Carolina native as her mother, Allison Feaster, played with Staley to the WNBA.
“It’ll be another thing I did not imagine, watching her play on that court against the reigning champs. That’s why you’re really in the game if you’re an elite player. I can’t wait for it. And I know the UConn and Gamecock nation, for that matter, are just waiting for that game.” Feaster said to journalist Maggie Vanoni in an article from CT Insider.
In addition to the battle of Edwards versus Strong, it will be clash of the two Nancy Lieberman award candidates. That being Paige Bueckers and Te-Hina Paopao.
Paopao has been averaging around 10 points per game in her senior campaign and a 48% field goal percentage. With the way sharpshooters like Azzi Fudd and Strong have been dominating the court, it will be crucial for the Huskies to stay composed when staying in their offensive end, while being a force by the boards.
For Husky fans, having a big prescence at the five has been worrisome. Auriemma announced to the media Wednesday that neither Ice Brady nor Morgan Cheli will play in Sunday’s game, due to injury. With these players usually at the center position, it’s up to Aubrey Griffin, Jana El Alfy and Strong to put on a show.
“She’s going to get you more possessions on the offensive end.” Auriemma said to the media when asked about Aubrey Griffin.
With almost every player on the Gamecocks’ roster above 6-foot, this matchup will sure be a battle of the boards and a glimpse into the matchups we’ll see in March.
“We play them, because I believe that they are necessary and that’s a for a lot of reasons.” Auriemma said to the media on Friday when asked about these tougher matchups in February. “I think players want to be in games like this…you want to play these games.”
Tip-off between these two programs is scheduled for 1 p.m. from Colonial Life Arena in Columbia, S.C. The game is set to be broadcast on ABC and ESPN+ for ESPN College GameDay. This will be a matchup for the ages that Husky fans will not want to miss.