NCAA Tournament regional finals
603 - (2) Oregon women vs. (1) Notre Dame
March 26 at Spokane Arena in Spokane, WA
ESPN
602 - (2) South Carolina women vs. (1) Connecticut
March 26 at Times Union Center in Albany, NY
ESPN
Showing posts with label south carolina gamecocks. Show all posts
Showing posts with label south carolina gamecocks. Show all posts
Games 398-399: Championship game next
NCAA Tournament national semifinals
April 1 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, AZ
CBS
399 - (3) Oregon vs. (1) North Carolina
398 - (7) South Carolina vs. (1) Gonzaga
So, after 4 1/2 months of basketball, top seeds Gonzaga and North Carolina will play for the national title on Monday.
In the first game of the night, Gonzaga used another excellent performance from its best player, Nigel Williams-Goss (23 points on 9-of-16 shooting, six assists) and survived, 77-73.
South Carolina saw its improbable tournament come to an end, though the seventh-seeded Gamecocks' 16-0 run allowed them to erase a 14-point, second-half deficit and lead 67-65 at the seven-minute mark. Gonzaga reasserted itself and followed with seven quick points (Zach Collins hit a three and assisted on another basket and Williams-Goss had the other two assists during the spurt) and the Bulldogs hit just enough free throws to hang on.
It seems pretty fitting that Gonzaga will play North Carolina for the title as these two have seemed like the best all-around clubs in the country for much of the year.
The Tar Heels had a double-digit lead, but a late Oregon flurry (and UNC missing its final four free throws in the last five seconds) made the final score - 77-76 - a bit closer than it really was for much of the second half. Kennedy Meeks came up big for the Tar Heels, pouring in 25 points, 14 rebounds (eight offensive!) on a silly 11-of-13 shooting from the field. ACC player of the year Justin Jackson added 22 points for UNC, which returns to the championship game after last year's heartbreak at the hands of Kris Jenkins and Villanova hoping for its sixth national title.
Gonzaga, of course, is playing on the season's final day for the first time.
April 1 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, AZ
CBS
399 - (3) Oregon vs. (1) North Carolina
398 - (7) South Carolina vs. (1) Gonzaga
So, after 4 1/2 months of basketball, top seeds Gonzaga and North Carolina will play for the national title on Monday.
In the first game of the night, Gonzaga used another excellent performance from its best player, Nigel Williams-Goss (23 points on 9-of-16 shooting, six assists) and survived, 77-73.
South Carolina saw its improbable tournament come to an end, though the seventh-seeded Gamecocks' 16-0 run allowed them to erase a 14-point, second-half deficit and lead 67-65 at the seven-minute mark. Gonzaga reasserted itself and followed with seven quick points (Zach Collins hit a three and assisted on another basket and Williams-Goss had the other two assists during the spurt) and the Bulldogs hit just enough free throws to hang on.
It seems pretty fitting that Gonzaga will play North Carolina for the title as these two have seemed like the best all-around clubs in the country for much of the year.
The Tar Heels had a double-digit lead, but a late Oregon flurry (and UNC missing its final four free throws in the last five seconds) made the final score - 77-76 - a bit closer than it really was for much of the second half. Kennedy Meeks came up big for the Tar Heels, pouring in 25 points, 14 rebounds (eight offensive!) on a silly 11-of-13 shooting from the field. ACC player of the year Justin Jackson added 22 points for UNC, which returns to the championship game after last year's heartbreak at the hands of Kris Jenkins and Villanova hoping for its sixth national title.
Gonzaga, of course, is playing on the season's final day for the first time.
Game 396 - (2) Stanford women vs. (1) South Carolina
NCAA Tournament national semifinals
March 31 at American Airlines Arena in Dallas, TX
ESPN2
Two huge things in this game, which South Carolina won 62-53 to advance to its first-ever national title game:
1. A'ja Wilson was the best player on the floor. The junior All America grabbed 19 (!) rebounds, eight on the offensive end, and added 13 points, four assists and three blocked shots. She started a bit slowly, as did most of the Gamecocks, but caught fire as her team turned a nine-point halftime deficit into the lead for good with a dominant third quarter.
The Gamecocks trailed 29-20 at the break, then used a 13-0 run to out-score the second-seeded Cardinal 21-8 and hold them to 4-of-21 shooting in the third.
2. Thanks in large part to an ankle injury suffered midway through the second quarter, Karlie Samuelson was a non-factor. Samuelson was the nation's leading 3-point shooter coming into the night (49%), but played sparingly and missed both of her long range attempts. The Cardinal as a team shot just 4-of-14 from behind the arc.
There were other key factors, of course, none bigger than the work of Allisha Gray. The South Carolina junior guard scored a game-high 18 points on 7-of-14 shooting, including a huge shot with 4:13 to go in the game, falling away on the baseline for a banked in bucket that turned into a three-point play and a 53-45 lead.
Marta Sniezek had a really nice first half off the bench for Stanford, scoring eight points and handing out four assists. But the sophomore guard, like most of the Cardinal in the second 20 minutes, struggled, and was held scoreless with just two more assists.
March 31 at American Airlines Arena in Dallas, TX
ESPN2
Two huge things in this game, which South Carolina won 62-53 to advance to its first-ever national title game:
1. A'ja Wilson was the best player on the floor. The junior All America grabbed 19 (!) rebounds, eight on the offensive end, and added 13 points, four assists and three blocked shots. She started a bit slowly, as did most of the Gamecocks, but caught fire as her team turned a nine-point halftime deficit into the lead for good with a dominant third quarter.
The Gamecocks trailed 29-20 at the break, then used a 13-0 run to out-score the second-seeded Cardinal 21-8 and hold them to 4-of-21 shooting in the third.
2. Thanks in large part to an ankle injury suffered midway through the second quarter, Karlie Samuelson was a non-factor. Samuelson was the nation's leading 3-point shooter coming into the night (49%), but played sparingly and missed both of her long range attempts. The Cardinal as a team shot just 4-of-14 from behind the arc.
There were other key factors, of course, none bigger than the work of Allisha Gray. The South Carolina junior guard scored a game-high 18 points on 7-of-14 shooting, including a huge shot with 4:13 to go in the game, falling away on the baseline for a banked in bucket that turned into a three-point play and a 53-45 lead.
Marta Sniezek had a really nice first half off the bench for Stanford, scoring eight points and handing out four assists. But the sophomore guard, like most of the Cardinal in the second 20 minutes, struggled, and was held scoreless with just two more assists.
Game 392-393: Last half of final four set
NCAA Tournament regional finals
393 - (3) Florida State women vs. (1) South Carolina
March 27 at Stockton Arena in Stockton, CA
ESPN
392 - (10) Oregon women vs. (1) Connecticut
March 27 at Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport, CT
ESPN
I can't imagine being a beat writer for the Connecticut womens basketball team. What is left to talk about on a game-by-game basis?
The Huskies rolled to an unbelievable 10th consecutive final four with Monday's 90-52 win. Geno Auriemma is now the winningest coach in NCAA Tournament history, passing Tennessee's Pat Summitt with No 113.
Auriemma is 113-17 all-time in the tournament. Ridiculous.
Few quick things about the Huskies' top three players:
The All America teams were announced before the game and for some reason Gabby Williams was not named to the first team. That's an interesting decision because I think she might be the best all-around player in the country. Williams has the quickness to get to the rim and is a really good mid-range shooter (58% from the field overall), and knows her range (only six three-point attempts all year (one make!)). She's an excellent rebounder (averaging 8.4) and distributor (leads the team in assists, averages 5.2) and has the size - 5-11 - to be an impact pro.
The second-team All-American had 25 points on 9-of-13 shooting and added six rebounds, three assists and four steals in Monday's rout.
Napheesa Collier was one Connecticut player deservedly named to the first team, and she was tremendous in this one, scoring 28 points (on 12-of-20 shooting) to go along with 12 rebounds and four blocked shots. Between the third and fourth quarters, Auriemma told ESPN that he was upset with Collier, stating that she "isn't playing any defense". I think either Auriemma was joking or running out of things to be upset about.
Fellow first-teamer Katie Lou Samuelson, who averages 20 points, showed her value in several other areas Monday despite shooting just 4-of-13 from the field and scoring eight points. The sophomore had five of Connecticut's 16 steals and handed out four assists with no turnovers.
393 - (3) Florida State women vs. (1) South Carolina
March 27 at Stockton Arena in Stockton, CA
ESPN
392 - (10) Oregon women vs. (1) Connecticut
March 27 at Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport, CT
ESPN
I can't imagine being a beat writer for the Connecticut womens basketball team. What is left to talk about on a game-by-game basis?
The Huskies rolled to an unbelievable 10th consecutive final four with Monday's 90-52 win. Geno Auriemma is now the winningest coach in NCAA Tournament history, passing Tennessee's Pat Summitt with No 113.
Auriemma is 113-17 all-time in the tournament. Ridiculous.
Few quick things about the Huskies' top three players:
The All America teams were announced before the game and for some reason Gabby Williams was not named to the first team. That's an interesting decision because I think she might be the best all-around player in the country. Williams has the quickness to get to the rim and is a really good mid-range shooter (58% from the field overall), and knows her range (only six three-point attempts all year (one make!)). She's an excellent rebounder (averaging 8.4) and distributor (leads the team in assists, averages 5.2) and has the size - 5-11 - to be an impact pro.
The second-team All-American had 25 points on 9-of-13 shooting and added six rebounds, three assists and four steals in Monday's rout.
Napheesa Collier was one Connecticut player deservedly named to the first team, and she was tremendous in this one, scoring 28 points (on 12-of-20 shooting) to go along with 12 rebounds and four blocked shots. Between the third and fourth quarters, Auriemma told ESPN that he was upset with Collier, stating that she "isn't playing any defense". I think either Auriemma was joking or running out of things to be upset about.
Fellow first-teamer Katie Lou Samuelson, who averages 20 points, showed her value in several other areas Monday despite shooting just 4-of-13 from the field and scoring eight points. The sophomore had five of Connecticut's 16 steals and handed out four assists with no turnovers.
Games 377-378: Moving on
378 - (10) Marquette vs. (7) South Carolina
March 17 at Bon Secours Wellness Center in Greenville, SC
CBS
377 - (11) Rhode Island vs. (6) Creighton
March 17 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, CA
TBS
It's incredible that a major conference team can go 44 years without an NCAA win, but South Carolina did until Friday.
Sindarius Thornwell had 29 points and 11 rebounds and P.J. Dozier added 21 and the Gamecocks ran away from Marquette in a 93-73 win. Playing in the tournament for the first time since 2004, South Carolina won for the first time since a March, 1973 victory over Lafayette in a third-place game. That's how long it had been.
It was also the first tournament win for Rhode Island since the 1998 team made a run to the Elite 8.
The Rams, Atlantic 10 champions, had a terrible day shooting the three (4-of-21), but made up for it with great free-throw shooting (28-of-31) and having four players in double figures, led by Jeff Dowtin's 23 points.
I'm really looking forward to Rhode Island's round of 32 match up with third-seeded Oregon.
March 17 at Bon Secours Wellness Center in Greenville, SC
CBS
377 - (11) Rhode Island vs. (6) Creighton
March 17 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, CA
TBS
It's incredible that a major conference team can go 44 years without an NCAA win, but South Carolina did until Friday.
Sindarius Thornwell had 29 points and 11 rebounds and P.J. Dozier added 21 and the Gamecocks ran away from Marquette in a 93-73 win. Playing in the tournament for the first time since 2004, South Carolina won for the first time since a March, 1973 victory over Lafayette in a third-place game. That's how long it had been.
It was also the first tournament win for Rhode Island since the 1998 team made a run to the Elite 8.
The Rams, Atlantic 10 champions, had a terrible day shooting the three (4-of-21), but made up for it with great free-throw shooting (28-of-31) and having four players in double figures, led by Jeff Dowtin's 23 points.
I'm really looking forward to Rhode Island's round of 32 match up with third-seeded Oregon.
Game 304 - South Carolina women at Connecticut
February 13 at Gampel Pavilion in Storrs, CT
ESPN
The 66-55 victory for Connecticut was the program's 100th consecutive, and this amazing run continues to be the greatest team accomplishment in the history of college basketball.
The overall winning streak, which began after the Huskies lost in overtime at Stanford on November 17, 2014, is obviously a ridiculous accomplishment, but I think that nearly as incredible is the fact Connecticut is 75-0 in American Athletic Conference play since the league was created in 2013.
I think some teams in early-November may have looked at Connecticut and the graduation of first-team All-America Breanna Stewart and Moriah Jefferson and second-teamer Morgan Tuck (who became the top three picks in the WNBA Draft) and thought this could be the year the Huskies lose a game or two.
Instead, sophomore Katie Lou Samuelson scores nearly 21 points a night and is knocking down half of her field goal attempts; sophomore Napheesa Collier is third nationally hitting 66% (!) of her shots and averaging 19 points and nearly nine rebounds and junior Gabby Williams, who scored a career-high 26 points in Monday's win, is averaging 13 points and eight rebounds. Meanwhile, the Huskies have three players - Williams, junior Kia Nurse & senior Saniya Chong - who are handing out over four assists every night.
In Monday's game, Samuelson struggled and Collier had foul trouble (and was eventually disqualified) so the 5-11 Williams not only scored a ton, but pulled down 14 rebounds going up against the USC front line of 6-5 All America A'ja Wilson and 6-4 Alaina Coates.
And 25-0 Connecticut, which has defeated 10 teams currently in the Associated Press top 25, including the No. 6 Gamecocks, is fifth nationally in scoring and top-9 in both scoring and field goal percentage defense.
What a team and streak.
ESPN
The 66-55 victory for Connecticut was the program's 100th consecutive, and this amazing run continues to be the greatest team accomplishment in the history of college basketball.
The overall winning streak, which began after the Huskies lost in overtime at Stanford on November 17, 2014, is obviously a ridiculous accomplishment, but I think that nearly as incredible is the fact Connecticut is 75-0 in American Athletic Conference play since the league was created in 2013.
I think some teams in early-November may have looked at Connecticut and the graduation of first-team All-America Breanna Stewart and Moriah Jefferson and second-teamer Morgan Tuck (who became the top three picks in the WNBA Draft) and thought this could be the year the Huskies lose a game or two.
Instead, sophomore Katie Lou Samuelson scores nearly 21 points a night and is knocking down half of her field goal attempts; sophomore Napheesa Collier is third nationally hitting 66% (!) of her shots and averaging 19 points and nearly nine rebounds and junior Gabby Williams, who scored a career-high 26 points in Monday's win, is averaging 13 points and eight rebounds. Meanwhile, the Huskies have three players - Williams, junior Kia Nurse & senior Saniya Chong - who are handing out over four assists every night.
In Monday's game, Samuelson struggled and Collier had foul trouble (and was eventually disqualified) so the 5-11 Williams not only scored a ton, but pulled down 14 rebounds going up against the USC front line of 6-5 All America A'ja Wilson and 6-4 Alaina Coates.
And 25-0 Connecticut, which has defeated 10 teams currently in the Associated Press top 25, including the No. 6 Gamecocks, is fifth nationally in scoring and top-9 in both scoring and field goal percentage defense.
What a team and streak.
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