3 key storylines for UConn vs Arizona in 2021 Women’s Final 4 matchup
By Ian Mumm
The first teams, Connecticut and Arizona, have punched their tickets for the women’s Final Four. The Wildcats downed 4-seed Indiana 66-53 behind a season-high 33 points from Pac-12 player of the year and co-defensive player of the year Aari McDonald. The performance secured the school’s first trip to the Final Four and the culmination of head coach Adia Barnes reclamation project only a few seasons ago.
Arizona has gotten by Stony Brook, BYU, and an upset of Texas A&M in the tournament field to get where they are now. The Wildcats are playing excellently right now, but will certainly be faced with their toughest test thus far with UConn. If things are to go their way, Aari McDonald will be leaned on heavily to reach the title game.
The Huskies have easily played as well as 1-seeds are expected to fair, defeating every opponent by 20+ points per game. Led by freshman sensation Paige Bueckers, Connecticut survived by the skin of their teeth, 69-67, against 2-seed Baylor in a game worthy of a title-game. Bueckers was key to igniting UConn’s rally late in the 2nd half and leading the team to victory. She finished with 28 points and her best game of the tournament, but will assuredly have a large target on her back in the Huskies matchup against Arizona.
Connecticut’s place in the Final Four signaled their 13th-straight season reaching the final weekend of the tournament. The accomplishment is mind-blowing, but the Huskies know celebrations will have to wait and there is still business to handle. Looking ahead to Friday’s matchup and the semifinal nightcap, I examine the key headlines in this game.