PHOENIX — The South Carolina and UConn women's basketball teams will meet in the Final Four of the Women’s NCAA Tournament again this season.
But this year, it will be in the semifinals, not the championship game. The Huskies, who won the title game last season, face off against the Gamecocks at 7 p.m. ET on Friday at the Mortgage Matchup Center.
"I just remember getting beat by 20, honestly," South Carolina guard Raven Johnson said when asked about how this season will be different. "We got new players in. This is their first time experiencing the Final Four. I think Coach (Dawn) Staley, the other coaches, are doing a good job of keeping the main thing the main thing and keeping us ready when the moment is here."
The undefeated Huskies are the No. 1 overall seed in March Madness and are playing in their 25th Final Four and eyeing their 13th national championship. Sarah Strong, who swept the national player of the year awards, and Azzi Fudd, who will be a top-five pick in the WNBA draft, lead UConn.
South Carolina will play in its sixth consecutive Final Four under Staley. South Carolina overcame roster turnover and a handful of injuries to be one of the last four teams standing in the field of 68.
