Women’s Final Four highlights: The legacy of Kay Yow, how UConn handled all of its injuries psychologically, and the Huskies’ two All-Americans
“Time kind of tells you that you can either sit here and cry for eternity, or you can just play for your team and the people who are also on the bench but aren’t able to play,” Muhl remarked. We know how difficult it is to not be able to play and be out there, especially for those players like Paige who have been in that situation before, so we are extremely fortunate and honored to be able to do so right now.
Thus, I’m sure we’re making the most of every moment to cherish our time on the court, and I’m sure it ultimately makes us stronger. We are here, after all. No one anticipated our presence here, too. And it implies that we made each other tough by using all of those things.
Coach Geno Auriemma of UConn stated in June of last year that he believed his team had a strong chance of playing South Carolina in the NCAA title game. But his confidence faded as the injuries mounted and the events transpired.
“You need to ask yourself, ‘Do we have an answer for anything that happens?’ and then turn to your team. If the response is negative, you simply have to cross your fingers and hope that the event—or those two things for which you are certain you have no explanation—doesn’t occur, he said on Thursday. “We don’t have answers for a lot of the questions in (Friday’s) game.
Does that imply that all we wanted to do was hope to advance to the round of 64 and then wait and see what happened? No, as our players will inform you. They claim it’s the best thing ever to play at Connecticut, but it’s extremely difficult because of the ridiculous, deluded expectations that people have that if two players foul out tomorrow, we should be able to play five on three.
“Yeah, we can get there, but everything has to be done perfectly,” was the constant refrain. And I had a ton of plans for this weekend in my head. This was not included in it.
Edwards and Bueckers, WBCA All-Stars
Paige Bueckers and Aaliyah Edwards, both seniors at UConn, were selected to the WBCA All-America squad on Friday afternoon in Cleveland. The only team with more than one player was UConn, and Bueckers received their second All-American selection following their 2021 distinction. On Tuesday, the two UConn players were selected to the Wooden Award All-American squad.
It’s NC State’s first Final Four appearance since 1998.
In the Dayton regional final, NC State defeated UConn 60-52 to go to its first Final Four since 1998. It was the first and only Final Four participation for the late coach Kay Yow.
When Wes Moore, the coach of NC State, began discussing how much Yow meant to him and how she would feel about the Wolfpack returning to the Final Four, he broke down in tears. In the national semifinal game on Friday at 7 p.m. at Rocket Mortgage Arena, NC State will take on South Carolina, who is still unbeaten. 2009 saw the death of Yow, who had breast cancer.
Moore remarked on Thursday, “You know, it’s just hard to describe what she means in the state of North Carolina.” It went beyond just basketball. And observe what she’s doing right now, as she passes away. The Kay Yow Foundation is really making a huge impact on cancer research, treatment, and patient assistance.
She was a truly amazing lady. Naturally, there are moments when that’s difficult to accept because I realize that I’m not the same person she was. incredibly unique in North Carolina. She is a legendary figure. Being here and following her is fantastic; this is her program.
In her playing days in the ACC, South Carolina coach Dawn Staley’s Virginia teams frequently faced Yow’s teams; she had pleasant memories of Yow.
“I know that Kay Yow has a hand in NC State’s presence here, and she is iconic,” Staley remarked. “They continue to get guidance from an angel in heaven. Spiritually, it’s possible that some of these athletes are unaware of her legacy, but any program that has been led by an Olympic team legend will always have a special spirit.
It’s a really wonderful time, especially when you haven’t been here in a long time, so I hope she is sincerely delighted that Wes Moore and their Wolfpack team are here in the Final Four.
UConn’s progress since losing to NC State
Following a victory over Dayton on opening night, UConn lost 92-81 to the then-unranked Wolfpack at NC State on November 12 after surrendering 92 points, the most this season.
They also had a rather complete roster that day: before injuries interrupted their seasons, Azzi Fudd, Aubrey Griffin, and Carolina Ducharme were all active in that game.
UConn didn’t exactly seem like a Final Four squad that weekend. And yet, here we are: UConn, a team beset by injuries and reduced to a meaner, slimmer roster than before the season began.
Moore declared, “This is probably Geno’s best coaching position.” To consider all the people he has lost and the fact that he is still in the Final Four. Really, come on.
Unbeaten South Carolina was overshadowed
The second semifinal match on Friday night—UConn vs. Iowa and Paige vs. Caitlin—was the main topic of discussion on Thursday. Unbeaten South Carolina, who will take on NC State in the opening semifinal, was not receiving nearly as much attention in the meantime.
As for us, we seem to be getting less coverage, junior guard Bree Hall of South Carolina stated. But we simply want to win every game and are really self-centered. We simply want to go out there and perform, execute, and play for each other in every game. “Well, it’s noticed, but we’re not discussing it in the locker room—not even close.”