Connecticut Huskies
American (32-0, 16-0)
Connecticut has been outstanding all season long as there has been absolutely zero hangover effect from losing to Mississippi State in the National Semifinals last season. The Huskies cruised to the American Athletic Conference regular season championship without much of a problem. In addition, Connecticut has done enough in their non-conference schedule with wins over Notre Dame, UCLA, Louisville, South Carolina, Maryland, and Texas to deserve the number one national seed in the 2018 NCAA Tournament.
Big Wins: 11/21 at UCLA (78-60), 12/3 Notre Dame (80-71), 2/12 Louisville (69-58)
Bad Losses: None
Coach: Geno Auriemma
Why They Can Surprise:
This team can beat you in many ways as Katie Lou Samuelson and Kia Nurse can torch opposing defenses from the perimeter with their three-point shooting. Gabby Williams and Naphessa Collier are double-double candidates on a nightly basis as Williams averages 10.6 points and 7.5 rebounds per game on the season and Collier is averaging 15.4 points and 7.5 rebounds per game this season as well. Connecticut also shares the basketball at a high level as the Huskies are averaging 22.6 assists per game while their opponents are only averaging 10.3 assists per game this season. Experience is also a reason why Connecticut can win a national title as this veteran Huskies team will be looking for a rematch against Mississippi State to make up for falling short in such excruciating fashion against the Bulldogs.
Why They Can Disappoint:
It is going to take a team playing fearless to be able to have a shot of upsetting Connecticut prior to the Final Four. Moreover, it is also going to require a team with plenty of athleticism and depth that can create easy baskets. Texas did the best job against the Huskies this season of using their size, athleticism, and depth for four quarters despite losing the game 75-71. The Longhorns shot 43.3 percent from the floor, outrebounded Connecticut 36-30, and only committed nine turnovers. It is the perfect recipe for an opponent to get the game into the fourth quarter with a chance to pull an upset over the Huskies.
Probable Starters:
Katie Lou Samuelson, Junior, Guard/Forward, 17.9 ppg, 3.7 apg, 4.4 rpg
Crystal Dangerfield, Sophomore, Guard, 9.6 ppg, 3.9 apg
Kia Nurse, Senior, Guard, 13.8 ppg, 2.8 apg
Napheesa Collier, Junior, Forward, 15.4 ppg, 3.2 apg, 7.5 rpg, 1,8 bpg
Gabby Williams, Senior, Forward, 10.6 ppg, 5.2 apg, 7.5 rpg
Key Role Players:
Azura` Stevens, Junior, Forward, 14.8 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 2.0 bpg
Megan Walker, Freshman, Guard/Forward, 5.8 ppg, 3.1 rpg
Kyla Irwin, Sophomore, Forward, 2.4 ppg, 1.4 rpg
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 90.2 (1st in nation, 1st in conference)
Scoring Defense: 52.8 (6, 1)
Field-Goal Percentage: 53.4 (1, 1)
Field-Goal Defense: 33.4 (3, 1)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 8.2 (39, 2)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 39.9 (5, 1)
Free-Throw Percentage: 77.1 (11, 2)
Rebound Margin: 9.9 (10, 2)
Assists Per Game: 23.3 (1, 1)
Turnovers Per Game: 12.7 (32, 2)
Recent Postseason Appearances:
2017 NCAA Round of 64 win over Albany
2017 NCAA Round of 32 win over Syracuse
2017 NCAA Regional Semifinal win over UCLA
2017 NCAA Regional Final win over Oregon
2017 NCAA National Semifinal loss to Mississippi State
2016 NCAA Round of 64 win over Robert Morris
2016 NCAA Round of 32 win over Duquesne
2016 NCAA Regional Semifinal win over Mississippi State
2016 NCAA Regional Final win over Texas
2016 NCAA National Semifinal win over Oregon State
2016 NCAA National Final win over Syracuse
2015 NCAA Round of 64 win over St. Francis Brooklyn
2015 NCAA Round of 32 win over Rutgers
2015 NCAA Regional Semifinal win over Texas
2015 NCAA Regional Final win over Dayton
2015 NCAA National Semifinal win over Maryland
2015 NCAA National Final win over Notre Dame
2014 NCAA Round of 64 win over Prairie View A&M
2014 NCAA Round of 32 win over Saint Joseph's
2014 NCAA Regional Semifinal win over BYU
2014 NCAA Regional Final win over Texas A&M
2014 NCAA National Semifinal win over Stanford
2014 NCAA National Final win over Notre Dame
2013 NCAA Round of 64 win over Idaho
2013 NCAA Round of 32 win over Vanderbilt
2013 NCAA Regional Semifinal win over Maryland
2013 NCAA Regional Final win over Kentucky
2013 NCAA National Semifinal win over Notre Dame
2013 NCAA National Final win over Louisville
2012 NCAA Round of 64 win over Prairie View A&M
2012 NCAA Round of 32 win over Kansas State
2012 NCAA Regional Semifinal win over Penn State
2012 NCAA Regional Final win over Kentucky
2012 NCAA National Semifinal loss to Notre Dame
2011 NCAA Round of 64 win over Hartford
2011 NCAA Round of 32 win over Purdue
2011 NCAA Regional Semifinal win over Georgetown
2011 NCAA Regional Final win over Duke
2011 NCAA National Semifinal loss to Notre Dame
2010 NCAA Round of 64 win over Southern
2010 NCAA Round of 32 win over Temple
2010 NCAA Regional Semifinal win over Iowa State
2010 NCAA Regional Final win over Florida State
2010 NCAA National Semifinal win over Baylor
2010 NCAA National Final win over Stanford
2009 NCAA Round of 64 win over Vermont
2009 NCAA Round of 32 win over Florida
2009 NCAA Regional Semifinal win over California
2009 NCAA Regional Final win over Arizona State
2009 NCAA National Semifinal win over Stanford
2009 NCAA National Final win over Louisville
*all team stats through 3/1
