Great basketball was on display in both Elite Eights games on Monday night. The problem was that it resulted in two one-sided affairs.
No. 1-seed Texas obliterated No. 2-seed Michigan 77-41, and No. 1-seed South Carolina cruised to a 78-52 victory over No. 3-seed TCU.
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With the other two No. 1 seeds, UCLA and UConn, also advancing to the Final Four, it means each top team in their respective region went unbeaten.
And not only did each No. 1 seed make it to Phoenix for the Big Dance, but none were challenged.
Not one Elite Eight game was decided by single digits, and while certain teams made things interesting late in games, in the end, this quartet proved to be head and shoulders above the rest. Ultimately, women’s college basketball is in a great place, and there’s so much talent everywhere. However, this tournament is a reminder that there is still a significant gap between the haves and the have-nots.
The good news is we’ll be getting some elite games with the best taking on the best in the Final Four, but before we dig into those matchups, let’s review how Texas and South Carolina punched their tickets.
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Texas back in the Final Four? Book it!
Texas was never threatened by Michigan, and that’s because of Madison Booker.
She was sensational with 19 points, missing just five shots. Booker also had seven rebounds and a pair of steals.
It wasn’t just that Booker led the charge; it was how she dominated that made it impressive. She sliced through the defense and got to whatever spot on the floor she wanted. And when a basket was going to add dirt on Michigan’s grave, she was ready with her shovel.
The Longhorns may have dominated thanks to Booker, but she had help.
Kyla Oldacre had a double-double off the bench with 12 points and 11 rebounds. Justice Carlton scored 15 points on 60 percent shooting. Defensively, Texas didn’t let Michigan breathe. The Wolverines scored just 21 points in the first half—fewer than the Longhorns scored in the first quarter.
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Michigan had just two players in double figures. Olivia Olson and Mila Holloway ended the contest with 11 points each in the loss.
The years change, but South Carolina remains the same
By taking care of business against TCU, South Carolina advances to their sixth-consecutive Final Four.
It’s a testament to head coach Dawn Staley’s excellence that her program remains the gold standard in women’s basketball.
While the Horned Frogs were unable to pull off the upset, they did give it a go. Olivia Miles scored a team-high 18 points, and TCU stayed within striking distance of South Carolina for most of the contest.
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In the fourth, the Gamecocks went on a 14-0 run to start the quarter, putting to bed any hopes TCU had of a victory.
Joyce Edwards was brilliant. She played for 33 minutes, scored 24 points and grabbed 12 rebounds. Edwards led South Carolina in all three categories. Agot Makeer gave the Gamecocks a huge boost off the bench with 18 points and Tessa Johnson was perfect from beyond the arc, going 3-for-3.
Now the stage is set: South Carolina will take on UConn, and Texas will face UCLA, with a spot in the championship game on the line. Get the popcorn ready for Friday night!
