Death, Taxes, and Geno in the Final Four
Death, Taxes, and Geno in the Final Four
FORT WORTH, TX — If you were looking for an underdog story on Sunday, I hope you turned on a Disney movie instead, because the UConn Huskies just punched their 25th ticket to the Final Four. In a game that was billed as a "rivalry," UConn treated Notre Dame (not Duke, despite what the local rumor mill might have whispered) like a speed bump on their highway to perfection, winning 70-52.
The Huskies are now 38-0. At this point, betting against Geno Auriemma is like betting against the sunrise—you can do it, but you’re going to look really silly standing in the dark.
The "Quiet" Superstars
For a while there, it looked like UConn’s stars, Azzi Fudd and Sarah Strong, had accidentally set their alarm clocks for the second half. They combined for a measly 10 points in the first half, which for them is basically a light snack.
But then the second half started, and Sarah Strong decided to remind everyone why she owns a trophy case full of National Player of the Year awards. She dropped 15 of her 21 points after the break, tying program legend Breanna Stewart for the most 20-point games in a player’s first two years. Not a bad name to be associated with, unless you’re the person tasked with guarding her.
The Freshman Phenom
While the stars were napping early on, freshman Blanca Quiñonez was busy being a human microwave. She put up 12 points in the first quarter alone and finished with 20. She was playing defense, hitting threes, and probably folding the team’s laundry at halftime. Between her and Strong, the Fighting Irish didn't stand a chance of keeping the luck of the Irish alive.
The Hidalgo Heroics
Give credit to Notre Dame’s Hannah Hidalgo. She was held scoreless in the first quarter—UConn’s defense is essentially a velvet rope with a very mean bouncer—but she still clawed her way to 22 points and 11 rebounds. She was the only Irish player in double figures. Trying to beat this UConn team with only one player scoring is like trying to stop a leak in the Hoover Dam with a piece of chewing gum.
Stat of the Night: This marks UConn’s 17th Final Four in the last 18 years. To put that in perspective, there are college freshmen who haven't lived in a world where UConn wasn't in the Final Four. It's not a streak; it's a permanent residency.
Up Next:
UConn: Packing their bags for Phoenix to face the winner of South Carolina/TCU.
Notre Dame: Heading back to South Bend. They’ve reached the Elite Eight, which is great, but in the world of women's hoops, "great" is just the appetizer before the UConn main course.
