A week after the Trojans waltzed into Hartford, Conn. four days before Christmas and escaped with a two-point victory over the Huskies, head coach Geno Auriemma spoke of his mettle to the media.
“I think that’s what gets you through these tough times,” the veteran coach said. “You don’t dwell on them, and, you know, don’t let it define who you are.”
The tough times Auriemma described were taking a toll on a team exhausted by injuries and demoralized by two losses in nine days — one of which was to the program’s bitter rival in Notre Dame. University of Southern California (USC) held a lead of 18 points on two separate occasions in December’s top 10 dogfight, allowing just 11 Husky field goals to hit in the first 20 minutes while shooting nearly 50% from the field and 64% from deep themselves.
Yet Connecticut held a lead over USC with under five minutes remaining in regulation, storming all the way back from 18 down. Paige Bueckers hit a scintillating transition 3-pointer to ignite the powder keg of Husky fans in the XL Center, and Connecticut looked almost destined to defend the den in Hartford.
JuJu Watkins then proceeded to account for each of the Trojans’ last eight points over the final four minutes, hitting on three free throws to edge USC past Connecticut 72-70.
The loss pitted UConn in a tough spot; two losses in nine days, a litany of injuries infecting its roster and not a single ranked win opportunity until mid-February on the horizon.
Since that moment in late December, the Huskies have lost just once, recording 24 wins (22 of which came by 20-plus), a signature 29-point thumping of South Carolina in Columbia and a tear through its first six postseason games. The team has also welcomed back a fully healthy Azzi Fudd, which has helped its offense climb to the nation’s mountain top on Bart Torvik.
Fudd played eight minutes in December’s game in her return from a knee sprain suffered against Louisville two weeks prior. The graduate guard didn’t hit on any of the four shots she took, exiting the game with one rebound and one assist in her only outing this season with zero points.
Since then, Fudd has recorded over 20 points five times, including a lights-out 27-point, 10/13 showing against Arkansas State last weekend.
The team has also honed in on its rotation since last meeting the Trojans. The wiry KK Arnold has stepped into a pivotal defensive role, while sophomore Ashlynn Shade and redshirt freshman Jana El Alfy have molded into tertiary scoring options for the third-ranked Huskies.
The Trojans, meanwhile, have suffered three losses since last meeting the Huskies; a seven-point drop at Iowa in February and a five-point blunder versus UCLA in the Big 10 Championship game. Undeniably the most debilitating loss, however, is Watkins’ torn ACL, which leaves her out of the second rendition between the two juggernauts.
Watkins went down in an ugly, non-contact way against Mississippi State last weekend, ending her season prematurely in the Round of 32. The Trojans haven’t missed a step without her to this point, rolling past the Bulldogs by 37 before defeating Kansas State in the Sweet 16 on Saturday.
How will the Trojans compensate for the loss of its All-American guard? The play of standout forward Kiki Iriafen and chippy, defensive-minded guard Kennedy Smith will be paramount in USC’s efforts to slow down the Connecticut buzzsaw.
USC could also see scoring from Avery Howell and Rayah Marshall, with both reaching double-digits in the team’s win over Kansas State.
How the Huskies choose to defend Iriafen could resemble how Auriemma schemed his defensive against Raegan Beers on Saturday — collapsing in on the paint with the nearest backcourt player to help the one-on-one matchup down low. Connecticut has seen success with this scheme against the dominant frontcourt players it has seen this season (think Audi Crooks, Kelsey Ransom, Faith Masonius, Morgan Maly and Chloe Kitts).
The game is scheduled for 9 p.m., with broadcast available on ESPN. The winner will advance to Tampa Bay and will punch a ticket to the Final Four next weekend.
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