Connecticut not missing a beat

Connecticut’s Kia Nurse (left) and Azura Stevens throw confetti as they celebrate the Huskies’ victory over South Carolina on Monday to advance to the Final Four. Connecticut has dominated women’s basketball so thoroughly the past several seasons that some have questioned whether it’s bad for the sport.
Connecticut’s Kia Nurse (left) and Azura Stevens throw confetti as they celebrate the Huskies’ victory over South Carolina on Monday to advance to the Final Four. Connecticut has dominated women’s basketball so thoroughly the past several seasons that some have questioned whether it’s bad for the sport.

Even among the elite in women's college basketball, Connecticut stands out.

The Huskies are back in the Final Four for an 11th consecutive season, breaking a tie with John Wooden and the UCLA men's program for the Division I record. UConn beat defending national champion South Carolina 94-65 on Monday night to earn the trip to Columbus, Ohio.

Notre Dame, Louisville, Mississippi State will try to block UConn's path to a fifth national title in six seasons.

"I think the field is maybe the strongest I've seen in a long, long time, maybe ever," UConn Coach Geno Auriemma said on Tuesday. "And the fans are in for a treat. I don't know if the coaches are, but certainly the fans are in for a treat."

All three of the other teams may be capable of knocking off the Huskies, but there's no doubt Auriemma's group is a huge favorite. UConn has won 147 of its past 148 games going back nearly four full seasons.

The only loss during that span was against Mississippi State in overtime during the national semifinals last season. Morgan William hit a jumper at the buzzer in overtime that ended UConn's 111-game winning streak.

But even the Bulldogs can appreciate how special UConn's run of 11 consecutive Final Fours has been.

"It's a level of excellence never before seen in the game of basketball, not just women," Mississippi State Coach Vic Schaefer said.

UConn (36-0) will face Notre Dame (33-3) in one national semifinal, while Mississippi State (36-1) plays Louisville (36-2) in the other game Friday. All of the four teams are No. 1 seeds, which is just the fourth time in tournament history that's happened.

UConn has dominated the women's game so thoroughly the past several seasons that some have questioned if it's bad for the sport. Louisville Coach Jeff Walz dismissed that line of thinking.

"No, it's not bad for the game," Walz said. "Nobody was saying when John Wooden was winning 10 in a row and all that stuff that UCLA was bad for the men's game. It's really just a shame that people can't enjoy and appreciate how good they are. I mean, it's pretty darn impressive."

When reflecting on UConn's 11 consecutive Final Fours, Auriemma said one of the hardest parts of maintaining success is recruiting the right players who can handle the expectations.

"You come to Connecticut, and you look up on those walls when you come to our practice facility, and you look around and you go, all right, well, I'm going to be here four years," Auriemma said. "Well, what in God's name can I accomplish that hasn't already been done? If you're in awe by that, or you're intimidated by that, then you're not going to be successful here and we're not going to be successful."

Mississippi State is often remembered for its upset victory over UConn in the Final Four last season. What is less remembered is that in 2016, the Bulldogs had a terrible experience against the Huskies, losing 98-38 in the Sweet 16.

Schaefer ruefully recalled that day when discussing UConn's excellence.

"You know, they talk about their offense and how good it is, but let me tell you, they are really good defensively," Schaefer said. "Trust me. I got held to 38 one time."

Mississippi State's 6-foot-7 Teaira McCowan, a third team Associated Press All-American, has been outstanding for the Bulldogs during the NCAA Tournament.

She had 23 points and 21 rebounds against UCLA in their Elite Eight victory. Walz said facing McCowan on Friday will be a huge challenge.

"I'm hoping [Mississippi State Coach Vic Schaefer] decides to drive the bus and makes a wrong turn somewhere," Walz said. "So if we can have that happen, I'll feel much better."

At a glance

WOMEN'S NCAA TOURNAMENT FINAL FOUR

At Columbus, Ohio

All times Central

FRIDAY'S SEMIFINAL GAMES

Mississippi State (36-1) vs. Louisville (36-2), 6 p.m.

Connecticut (36-0) vs. Notre Dame (33-3), 8:30 p.m.

SUNDAY'S CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

Semifinal winners, 6 p.m.

Sports on 03/28/2018

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