Another 1, and another 1 bite the dust.

In what was most certainly one of the most entertaining Final Four matchups in recent times, Connecticut and Stanford (both #1 seeds) were both upset by #2 seeds Notre Dame and Texas  A&M respectively.

When Stanford beat UConn last December, ending the Lady Huskies’ 90 game win streak, it was widely expected that would end up facing off in the national title game.  They seemed destined for that rematch after getting through their respective regions without much struggle.  It turns out that the Fighting Irish and Aggies had other ideas.  The key to both these upsets could be summed up in one word; defense.

Texas A&M had the size and grit to match Stanford’s pedigree.  When Stanford took a 54-44 lead with a little over 5 minutes remaining, the Aggies may have been down but not out.  Stanford got outscored 19-8 while committing 3 turnovers the rest of the way (the Aggies had no turnovers).

Despite another big game from Nneka Ogumwike, the rest of the Cardinal players were pretty much held in check.  Jeanette Pohlen was the only other player in double figures (11 points).  It also didn’t help much that Melanie Murphy spent most of the game in foul trouble, eventually fouling out.  Jeanette Pohlen, Kayla Pedersen and Melanie Murphy have been part of some great Stanford teams, but going home empty after 4 straight Final Fours isn’t exactly an easy pill to swallow.

Not to be outdone, Notre Dame who was playing a virtual “home game” saved the best for last.  In front of a partisan crowd in Indianapolis, the Irish were looking to make amends for their three previous losses against UConn.  The Irish had got through the tournament with some tough defense and good perimeter shooting.

Maya Moore and Jeanette Pohlen: fallen legends

They carried that mode into this match against a young and shorthanded UConn team.  The Huskies were using a 7-player rotation and Coach Geno Auriemma hinted that they would be vulnerable especially in encounters as tough as this one.  With Stefanie Dolson sitting out for most of the game after getting into early foul trouble, UConn had to rely on a much smaller lineup for most of the game and Notre Dame made them pay dearly.

While Maya Moore carried the team on her back in this game like she had done all season, Notre Dame was able to answer behind the sensational play of Skylar Diggins, Brittany Mallory and Natalie Novosel.  Mallory and Novosel hit key three pointers, while Diggins would simply not let this team lose.

Diggins made what was arguably the play of the game, with a minute and change left to play.  With the Irish leading by 5 points, Diggins came up with a steal and drove all the way to the basket for a layup that pushed the lead to 7 points, effectively ending the game.  The Huskies wouldn’t get any closer than 4 points.  Notre Dame advanced to their first final since 2001 when, in a cruel twist of irony, they beat UConn in the national semis.

Both games were truly exciting and an excellent showcase for the women’s game.  Texas A&M and Notre Dame may not have been the best teams in the country, but were hands down the best teams in the tournament.

Serving notice: Has Butler outgrown the glass slipper?

Up until last year, Butler’s best performance in the NCAA tournament was a pair of Sweet 16 appearances in 2003 and 2007.  Then came last year when as a 5^th seed, the Bulldogs captured the hearts of a nation by making it all the way to the Championship game, only to fall short.

For the second year in a row, Butler will be back in the Final Four.  Their road wasn’t any easier this season.  They were an 8^th seed and squeaked past Old Dominion, then Pittsburgh in their first two games.  They took care of Wisconsin, and showed some mental toughness; overcoming a pair of 10 point deficits against Florida in the regional finals.  Different year, but the hustle is still the same.

The 2000 North Carolina team and the 1985 Villanova championship team were both 8^th seeds.  Other than that, 8-seeds don’t usually get that far.  Okay, so occasionally, they might knock off a 1-seed; but the Sweet 16 is, more often that not, where the fairy tale ends.  They’re not always a lock to make the regional final, let alone the Final Four.  Yet somehow, Butler found a way to do it.

In the 1990’s, Gonzaga was the darling everyone rooted for.  They eventually outgrew the glass slipper and have almost always not made it to the second weekend of play.  Nowadays, they are EXPECTED to make the tournament; regardless of whether or not they dominate the West Coast Conference (which they often do).  Are we going to expect the same with Butler?

Stevens' profile is only getting better by the day.

The Bulldogs have seen Gonzaga, matched and even exceeded the bar set by those Bulldogs.  Last year was seemed like that “once in a lifetime” deal, but they’re not quite done yet.  With the exception of Gordon Hayward and Willie Veasly, the core from last year’s team (Matt Howard, Shelvin Mack and Ronald Nored) are still holding it down.  Brad Stevens is also making a name for himself as one of the better young coaches in America.  It won’t be long before his name is on every athletic director’s shortlist.

Butler may or may not be able to maintain this kind of performance in seasons to come.  What we do know is that they won’t be taking anyone by surprise.



Cardinal rule!!

There's still a winning streak going on and a certain #23 made sure that it would continue.  I'm talking about the Stanford Cardinal home game win streak at Maples Pavilion, which now stands at 53.  The #23 I'm talking about is senior guard Jeanette Pohlen, who had a game high 31 points, while helping the Cardinal end UConn's 90 game win streak.  Something had to give.




Jeanette Pohlen: the other # 23

Stanford played like a unit, out-hustling and out-rebounding the Huskies and making sure that it was going to be anyone else but Maya Moore to carry UConn to victory.  Maya Moore went 5-15 from the floor for 14 points and while she got some help from Bria Hartley (14 pts) and Kayla Farris (19 pts), it still wasn't enough to extend the streak.  UConn never even led at any point in this game; first time in five years that happened.


UConn's win streak started after a loss to Stanford in the Final Four back in 2008.  During the 90 game win streak, they beat Stanford 3 times including the last two Final Four meetings;  the national semis in 2009 and the national title game in 2010.  The other meeting was in Hartford, CT, where Stanford led at halftime but couldn't keep up with the Huskies in the second half.


Maya Moore: missing in action

Personally, I wouldn't call this Stanford win an upset.  Stanford are a legit program and have the ability to recruit on a national scale just like Connecticut.  They have enough talent to be able to win games just like these and so their win shouldn't really come as a surprise to anyone. 


What this game proves however, is that UConn will only go as far as Maya Moore will take them.  Rarely does she ever have an off night, but when she does, there's no Tina Charles or Renee Montgomery to help pick up the slack.  She is in a very similar situation to Diana Taurasi, who willed UConn to national titles in 2003 & 2004 and helped extend a winning streak that would climax at 70 games. 




Diana Taurasi: UConn legend

Diana Taurasi was a key contributor on the 2002 national championship team, but it was Sue Bird and Swin Cash who were headliners that season.  Upon their departure, the onus fell on Taurasi to carry the team and she delivered; leading to Geno Auriemma's famous quote, "We have Diana, and you don't", in response to a reporter's question as to why he felt UConn would win the 2004 title.  Taurasi not only established herself as a UConn legend, but as one the great ones to have played the women's game.


Maya Moore has already passed Taurasi on the all-time scoring chart and is on pace to set the record for most career points at Connecticut; a record that is currently held by former teammate Tina Charles.  If Moore can lead this team a national championship, she will undoubtedly be hailed as the best ever to have come through the program. 

Stanford now joins both Notre Dame's football and men's basketball programs on the list of legend slayers.  Oklahoma's 47 game win streak in football started and ended with a loss to the Fighting Irish; the UCLA men's basketball also tasted a little Irish luck during their 88 game win streak. 

Both Stanford and Connecticut of course will move on to their next games, but don't be surprised if they end up playing each other for the national championship.