HIGH STAKES AND HIGH DRAMA IN PHOENIX

In our preview of the Connecticut vs. South Carolina matchup, I wrote the following:

“For South Carolina to get over and through Connecticut, they will need to dominate the rebounding category. The Gamecocks were seventh in the country in rebounding this year, led by Madina Okot in the middle. If SC is able to control the boards and create extra possessions on offense, it will help keep Connecticut at bay and force them into playing their style...”

The number of the game was 15.

That was the margin in favor of South Carolina in the rebounding category. SC grabbed 14 offensive rebounds and won the points in the paint matchup 34-20. Connecticut could not find success in the paint and scoring was incredibly hard to come by.

Connecticut’s 48 points were their lowest in a game since… 2022 when South Carolina held them to 49 points in the National Championship game. The dynamic duo of Azzi Fudd and Sarah Strong could not find it tonight as well. Fudd’s recent struggles continued as she shot under 50 percent from the field for the fourth time in the past five games. Strong had her worst game of the season as she shot just 4-16 from the field.

Prior to the fourth quarter, Geno Auriemma spoke with ESPN’s Holly Rowe and objected to the foul discrepancy, free throw discrepancy, among other things

It didn’t end there as there was a fracas during the handshake line between Auriemma and Dawn Staley in the final seconds of the game. The moment between the two coaches was part of the postgame discussion as people tried to figure out what happened.

"I have no idea," South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley said. "But I'm going to let you know this, I'm of integrity. I'm of integrity. So if I did something wrong to Geno, I had no idea what I did.”

“There are a lot of things that happened in that game,” Auriemma said. Unless you’re on that sideline, you have no idea what’s what’s happening on that sideline.”

Auriemma released a statement Saturday, apologizing to South Carolina.

After sleeping on it, the winningest coach in NCAA Basketball seems to have come to his senses. However, is the statement too little, too late?

Either way, South Carolina moves on and Connecticut heads to the off-season.

Here’s what you need to know today:

🏀 Final Four, take 2
Who will be joining South Carolina in the Final?

📝 Expansion Draft results
The WNBA Expansion Draft is complete as the Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire start putting their rosters together.

📰 What we’re reading
Some of our favorite writing that’s come across our desks.

CAN UCLA FINISH THE STORY?

Following South Carolina and Connecticut, Texas and UCLA took center stage. It was a gritty, bruising matchup that came down to the final moments as both teams desperately tried to find enough offense to survive.

It was a frustrating night for both offenses as shots that would normally go in just bounced off the rim, there were a lack of foul calls, and the rhythm felt… rugged. That’s usually how it goes in postseason games so UCLA and Texas were part of a long tradition across basketball history. The game wasn’t as aesthetically pleasing as the teams would have liked to delivered on such a huge stage.

“It wasn’t the sport I thought I was coaching,” UCLA head coach Cori Close said. “I think it was more rugby than it was basketball. I wanted to apologize to all the fans that we couldn’t give them a cleaner game, with 23 turnovers.”

In a game like this where the margins are so close, you need your best players to step up, and that’s what UCLA received from their leader and likely WNBA Draft lottery pick, Lauren Betts. Betts has been essential to UCLA’s run to the Final Four and with Texas trying to pull off a miracle late, Betts made the play of the game.

That block exemplified the struggles Booker had on the evening. She shot a career worst 3-23 from the field with zero free throw attempts. Despite her best efforts, she couldn’t power her team to the win and their first National Championship appearance in 40 years.

It was a wild night of basketball, and Black Rosie Media’s very own Erica L. Ayala was on the scene in Phoenix to break it all down on We Need to Talk with Alicia Jay:

UCLA moves on and has a chance to win their first NCAA Title on Sunday afternoon. Can they finish the story? We’re about to find out.

Final score: UCLA 51, Texas 44

THE LIBERTY HAVE SOME STARS SET TO RETURN

Before Final Four Friday tipped off, the WNBA finally held its expansion draft. The Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire have started to put their teams together, and some familiar faces will be heading to new places.

With the first pick in the expansion draft, the Portland Fire selected Bridget Carleton from the Minnesota Lynx. As a do everything forward and steady performer, Carleton was essentially to the Lynx’s success in recent years and will be a feature player in her new city.

”Bridget really stood out,” Portland Fire General Manager Vanja Černivec said. “We wanted secure her to make sure she is on our roster, and the way to do that was to take her No. 1. Bridget is someone everyone wants to play with. What she brings on both ends of the floor, we’re very excited.”

The Fire were able to supplant the roster with players such as Carla Leite, Luisa Geiselsöder, Haley Jones, Chloe Bibby, etc.

With their first pick, the Toronto Tempo selected Julie Allemand from the Los Angeles Sparks. Following that pick, the Tempo filled the roster out with solid players such as Marina Mabrey, Nyara Sabally, Aaliyah Nye, etc. As they build their inaugural roster, these additions speak to the type of team they want to build.

“Our goal was to construct a roster that reflects the style of play and culture we want to establish — one that balances competitiveness with long-term flexibility, and features players who bring versatility, toughness and winning experience,” Tempo General Manager Monica Wright Rogers said. “This group gives us the ability to compete from Day 1 while continuing to build, and embraces the opportunity to help shape something new in a new country as Canada’s first WNBA team.”

When will WNBA free agency begin? Who knows! Thankfully for the Fire and Tempo, they’ve been able to start putting their rosters together and have something to present to free agency once that starts. Opening Day is closer than we think, and the clock is ticking.

At Black Rosie Media, we love to give flowers to other writers and creators in the women’s basketball community.

Here’s what we’re reading:

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