Everyone Watch Women's Basketball (Today!)
In the blink of an eye, I'll watch these golden years fly by
I’m begging you to watch the Women’s Final today (noon PST, 3 pm EST). South Carolina and UConn. Two universities with storied programs, storied alumni (A’ja Wilson, Aliyah Boston, Diana Taurasi, Maya Moore, Breanna Stewart) and legendary coaches (Geno Auriemma, the winningest coach in basketball history, and Dawn Staley, whose teams have been in the final game 3 of the last 4 years, with an undefeated season last year).
This is basketball at a high level. Both play swarming defense, both have deep benches, both teams are filled with selfless and relentless players.
Watch because no matter what, tomorrow is Paige Bueckers’ last college basketball game.
Because of how Covid extended people’s college careers and because of how COVID changed our sense of how time moves, it seems that Bueckers has been at UConn forever and also for a moment. She has earned your time, your two hours on Sunday.
The way UConn plays is inspiring, they play every minute as if it’s their last minute of ball, as if they are on a backyard court as a kid, murmuring to themselves “down by one, 5 seconds left” as they make one last shot before bedtime.
I have had the extreme pleasure of watching every UConn women’s game this year but you might be relatively new to the team. Here’s a small guide to the Huskies as the Warriors
Paige Bueckers = Steph Curry.
The person the rest of the team revolves around. She demands attention which frees things up for other players. She looks slight but she’s tough as nails. She wants to get her teammates going but she can take over at any moment. Her hype song is a gospel song.
She is willing to be a little bit silly (see any of her many TikTok videos). She has used her NIL deals to get NIL deals for her teammates. The constant quote about her is that she’s a great player and an even greater person.
Azzi Fudd = Klay Thompson in his prime
The prettiest shot you ever did see. Plays excellent defense. Capable of cold streaks offensively but also capable of going off. Knows she’s great but ducks the spotlight as much as possible. Introvert. Always has a book on her. Also like Klay, came back from nearly 2 years off the floor with an ACL tear.
Sarah Strong = Andrew Wiggins (we miss you Wiggs!)
Always in the right place, great on defense. Shoots the 3 and can drive to the hoop. Quiet demeanor. Teammates love it when they get a small smile from her.
Jana Al Alfi = Quentin Post (without the 3 point shot). Pictured above on the left
1st year player from Egypt. Playing a role that she’s not quite ready for. Tallness makes up for her learning curve. Learning on the fly all the time and getting better with each game. Doesn’t always have good hands. Might be amazing next year.
Kaitlyn Chen = Donte DiVincenzo
Transfer point guard. Things go better when Chen is on the floor. Everything runs smoother - she does the little things. Good 3 point shot when needed. Grittier than you might expect.
KK Arnold = GPII
Energy from off the bench, Energizer Bunny good times vibe off the court. Immense defensive energy with full court pressure, deflections and steals. Sometimes a little too much energy on court, a few too many risky steals. Game changer when she enters the game. She is most often Paige’s TikTok partner and in general, seems to be ready for a silly little time at every moment.
Ashlynn Shade = Brandin Podziemski
Solid point guard. Pesky on defense. Capable of going on a 3 point shooting streak.
Ice Brady = Trace Jackson Davis
Got a lot of minutes playing center last year, but did not seem to get much better over the summer. A step slow on the court. Lost playing minutes over the season
Coach Geno Auriemma and Assistant Coach Chris Dailey have no comparison on the Warriors.. 40 years together as coach and assistant coach. So many accolades. They have won through their earlier brash villain era to the more avuncular, but still lethal coaching style now. They are tough love all the way. There is nothing of Steve Kerr’s looseness on this team. Players play hard or they don’t play. They cheer from the bench or they don’t play.
Watch this team today. Watch how hard they play defense. The Final is unlikely to be a blowout, but if it is, this UConn team will play hard until the last second. There is no letting up. They are the definition of defense turning into offense - deflections leading to steals leading to fast breaks leading to a play like this against UCLA.
Not to take anything away from South Carolina - they are a magnificent team with an extraordinary coach in Dawn Staley. In any other matchup, I’m rooting for South Carolina. SC is even deeper than UConn.They have fewer big stars but they have at least 10 players who are super strong. No one needs to stand out because they are a true team. I have always been a fan of MiLaysia Fulwiley - a sophomore who comes off the bench who reminds me of Kyrie Irving on offense. She’s got a beautiful game.
On most other teams she would be the number one player. On South Carolina she’s 7th or 8th.
One last plug for Paige Bueckers. Paige is the only player in all of basketball this year- men’s or womens, in college or the WNBA or NBA to average 50/40/90 and leads the country with a 3.8 turnover to assist ratio. (That’s 50% or better shot percentage, 40% or better 3 point percentage, 90% or better free throw percentage). Put more succinctly, she’s efficient and she doesn’t turn the ball over. Even more succinctly:
She’s a bucket.
Here’s Geno describing how unique she is. Geno is best known as a crusty coach - big on criticism, reluctant to give compliments, even more reluctant to express emotion.
Me too Geno. Me too.
And yes yes yes, the Golden State Warriors are somehow the only team currently in the playoffs, or at least they are playing that way. Roaring to the crowd, grinding out gritty wins. They are must see, high entertainment television. They are currently 5th in the Western Conference standings. One game out of 3rd, one game out of 8th. I have lots to say but not until after this game today.
The Timeout Books (the books I read during commercials and halftimes)
A Game At A Time Spotify Playlist (the songs that run through my head while writing this)
I am on a super secret mission to replace the March Madness song “One Shining Moment” with literally any other song, but especially with this one.
This is Paige’s hype song.