Connecticut Huskies
American (34-0, 18-0)
Connecticut has dominated everybody they played. They finished the regular season with a 34-0 record and added an American Tournament title for good measure. Even Louisville could not give the Huskies much trouble. Coach Geno Auriemma has an experienced squad and the most talented in the country.
Big Wins: 11/11 Stanford (76-57), 12/17 at Duke (83-61), 3/3 at Louisville (68-48)
Bad Losses: None
Coach: Geno Auriemma (29 seasons at Connecticut)
Why They Can Surprise:
It is the size and skill of the frontcourt that provides so much difficulty for opponents. Stefanie Dolson, a 6-5 center, averages 12.4 points, 9.2 rebounds and 2.2 blocks. But perhaps Dolson’s best skill is her passing. There is not another 6-5 center in the country who can find slashers and shooters like Dolson. Breanna Stewart, at 6-4, and Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis, at 6-0, join Dolson in the starting lineup. Stewart is the team’s top scorer and is impossible for most players to defend. With her size and shooting ability, Stewart can have her way with most opposing forwards. She is also the top shot blocker on the team. Junior center Kiah Stokes can give the bigs a rest. She may not score like Stewart or Dolson, but Stokes is a tough rebounder and a superb shot blocker. The backcourt is led by Bria Hartley and Moriah Jefferson. Hartley is a big time shooter and Jefferson runs the show.
Why They Can Disappoint:
There really is not a reason why Connecticut cannot win it all. If they fail to make it to the Final Four it would be a massive upset. However, once at the Final Four, the Huskies may have to play a close game. Very rarely has this group even had to play in the second half. Their closest game was an 11 point win over Baylor back in January. What happens when the pressure is on and Coach Auriemma needs a clutch shot? Most likely Connecticut will be able to handle those situations without any concerns, but they certainly have no experience playing in close games.
Probable Starters:
Moriah Jefferson, Sophomore, Guard, 10.0 ppg, 5.0 apg, 2.6 spg
Bria Hartley, Senior, Guard, 16.4 ppg, 4.4 apg
Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis, Junior, Forward, 12.4 ppg, 4.6 rpg
Breanna Stewart, Sophomore, Forward, 19.7 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 2.8 bpg
Stefanie Dolson, Senior, Center, 12.4 ppg, 9.2 rpg, 2.2 bpg
Key Roleplayers:
Brianna Banks, Junior, Guard, 4.1 ppg, 1.4 apg
Saniya Chong, Freshman, Guard, 5.3 ppg, 1.7 apg
Kiah Stokes, Junior, Center, 4.7 ppg, 7.2 rpg
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 83.4 (9th in nation, 1st in conference)
Scoring Defense: 46.7 (1, 1)
Field-Goal Percentage: 50.9 (2, 1)
Field-Goal Defense: 30.2 (1, 1)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 7.5 (41, 1)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 36.5 (29, 1)
Free-Throw Percentage: 75.4 (21, 1)
Rebound Margin: 9.0 (13, 1)
Assists Per Game: 21.8 (1, 1)
Turnovers Per Game: 11.6 (2, 1)
Recent Postseason Appearances:
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
2008 NCAA Round of 64 win over Cornell
2008 NCAA Round of 32 win over Texas
2008 NCAA Regional Semifinal win over Old Dominion
2008 NCAA Regional Final win over Rutgers
2008 NCAA National Semifinal loss over Stanford
2007 NCAA Round of 64 win over UMBC
2007 NCAA Round of 32 win over Wisconsin-Green Bay
2007 NCAA Regional Semifinal win over North Carolina State
2007 NCAA Regional Final loss to LSU
*all team stats through 3/6
See All Women’s Basketball Postseason Capsules
