Why you should watch the NCAAW champs tonight

[Than_Bogan]

As a competitive water skier, I guess I find myself drawn to sports that haven't quite hit the bigtime.

 

Or maybe I'm just a weirdo. Most likely all of the above.

 

But if you have any interest in women's sports in general and/or basketball, tonight's NCAAW finals is fairly special.

 

It's the first time (either mens or womens) that two undefeated teams are meeting in the NCAA championship game.

 

Just how good are UConn and Notre Dame? UConn has won over 40 games in a row, dating back to last season. Notre Dame is 37-0 this season. The last time Notre Dame lost was to UConn. The last time UConn lost was to Notre Dame.

 

And last night the UConn men's team created an interesting side-story, opening the possibility of one school claiming both titles if the women can hold up their end tonight. The only school to ever pull that off before was ... UConn.

 

If you're in the vast majority that hasn't watched a single women's basketball game this year (or ever!), then you might want to DVR the hype show beforehand as well. Alternatively, here's a primer where I highlight a few key players from each team (apologies for nearly-certain mis-spellings):

 

UConn:

 

Stefanie Dolson. I've been a UConn women's fan for many years (long story how it happened), but I think Dolson might be my favorite player to wear the uniform. She's tall (6'5" iirc) and pretty (off the court), so it's possible that creates some bias. She's also VERY goofy, leaving behind her a trail of silly youtube videos. But it's on the court where I am most fascinated: She's slow and sometimes seems rather unathletic. But somehow she just always ends up where she needs to be and makes far more athletic players look stupid on a regular basis. She's also a phenomenal passer, and I don't even have to qualify that with "for a big girl." Her ability to substitute skill for natural talent gives me hope! :)

 

Breanna Stewart. (Stewie) The overwhelming player of the year choice, Breanna has everything: Height, athleticism, long arms, speed, a terrific outside shot, and tenacious defense. Look for the gangly white chick and watch her do things that should be impossible for someone with that build.

 

Moriah Jefferson. The smallest player on the court is also the fastest and most active. She changes games with her defense, and is unstoppable in transition. (No relation to the Mines of Moria.)

 

Notre Dame:

 

Kayla McBride. This is Notre Dame's star, and she has the potential to carry the game. Although she is a totally different style of player than Stewart, she is also good at pretty much everything. If you're not hearing her name much, it's a very good sign for Connecticut.

 

Jewel Loyd. She'll be the best overall athlete on the court. She's the only player in the women's game who can regularly execute an ally-oop (although it looks different and arguably cooler without the dunk at the end). An announcer along the way dubbed it the Jewely-oop, and the name stuck.

 

Natalie Ochanwa. (Ace) Sadly, you'll only get to see her on the bench, likely wearing a form-fitting dress that utterly belies her aggressive dominating performance on the court. She tore her ACL during the Elite 8 and her team rallied to dominate Maryland in the next round without her. Although she's a huge loss, she has also created a "win one for Ace" mentality that could just carry ND to an upset victory. Replacing her is a giant freshman who just might be the future of ND basketball.

 

Can't wait!!

[ALPJr]

Yes very exciting times for CT basketball !!!

[Horton]

You guys have time to watch sports on TV?

[The_MS]

Who cares about BB. The frozen 4 is Apr 10th with the Fers playing the Fighting Sioux.

[Chef23]

I am with @MS on waiting for the Frozen 4. I am a BC fan as I have a nephew playing for BC. I would love to see BC vs Gophers in the final but I think BC will have a tough time with the Gophers they are very strong.

 

The story line on two undefeated teams is interesting and I may tune in for a few minutes if I get home in time but I wouldn't plan my night around it.

[The_MS]

@Chef23 The Sioux always give Minn a handful. BC has a great goalie.

[Than_Bogan]

Fair enough. College hockey deserves some extra love, too.

 

Fwiw, I always DVR basketball. Even if I did want to plan my evening around it (which I don't!), there is a LOT of downtime in that game. The DVR let me make the transition from moderately interested to being a real fan. (In some sense anyhow; I suppose some would claim the definition of a real fan is watching it live.)

[The_MS]

@Than Sorry for the thread jack

[Than_Bogan]

@MS Apology accepted. It happens. I believe you are now legally required to Awesome my post as pennance... :)

[The_MS]

done

[crashman]

I like watching womens basketball for the same reason I like watching women skiers- fundamentals!

[Chef23]

@Than_Bogan begging for awesomes is pretty pitiful.

[Jordan]

Jimmy Fallon said...."it's amazing! The Lady Huskies made the championship final also...well, they thought it was amazing until they realized that they were 'Lady Huskies'

[Than_Bogan]

UuuuuuuConnnnnnnnnn!!!

[MattP]

@Than_Bogan‌ I thought you were an MIT guy? Where did you get this love for UCon?

[Than_Bogan]

Long but not good story. Maybe bore you with it tomorrow.

[ALPJr]

I love waterskiing and it's American recreational and athletic roots. I also love basketball, another American born sport, and believe that the excitement of a well matched high school or college game is unmatched in the sporting world.

[ALPJr]

Go UCONN

[Ilivetoski]

Go Duke!!!!

[6balls]

N.D. got seriously outclassed by UCONN. Seems less parity on the women's side. There is a group of top teams, a top team, and a bunch of teams that can't compete with the top teams most nights. Upsets more likely on the mens side where it seems to me, anyway, that talent is a little more spread out among teams.