In a thrilling Sweet 16 round of the NCAA Tournament, both UConn and Notre Dame secured victories, each scoring 67 points. UConn triumphed over Michigan State with a final score of 67-63, while Notre Dame edged past Vanderbilt 67-64.
UConn’s victory was marked by a strong performance from Tarris Reed Jr., who contributed 20 points, and Alex Karaban, who added 17 points. Reed expressed his confidence, stating, “I feel like I put in the work. The guys around me were like, ‘T, trust. We see you do free throw game every day.'” This win improved UConn’s record to 32-5.
On the other side, Notre Dame’s Hannah Hidalgo made headlines by recording a triple-double with 31 points, 11 rebounds, 10 steals, and 7 assists. Coach Shea Ralph praised Hidalgo, saying, “It was only a matter of time for her to do what she did today, because that’s who she is.” The Fighting Irish’s win marked their first advancement past the Sweet 16 under head coach Niele Ivey.
Notre Dame’s victory over Vanderbilt was particularly significant as it marked their second postseason win against the Commodores. Cassandre Prosper, who played a crucial role in the final moments, credited Hidalgo for her trust, stating, “Credit to Hannah for trusting me with the ball at the last second and allowing me to make that layup.”
As UConn prepares to face Duke in the East Region final, the historical rivalry between the two teams adds an extra layer of excitement. The last time they met in a championship setting was in 1999, where UConn emerged victorious.
Michigan State, despite their loss, finished the season with a respectable record of 27-8. They struggled with their shooting, hitting only 4 of 16 from beyond the arc against UConn.
Both teams’ performances in this round of the NCAA Tournament have set the stage for an exciting conclusion to the season. Observers are eager to see how UConn will fare against Duke, a matchup steeped in history and rivalry.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding the next steps for both teams as they advance in the tournament, but the anticipation continues to build among fans and analysts alike.