The UCONN women’s basketball team took down South Carolina on Sunday to claim its 12th national championship since Head Coach Geno Auriemma took over the program.
UCONN has been one of the most dominant teams in women’s basketball this season after ending the year with an overall record of 37-3 and finishing first in the Big East Conference with an 18-0 record.
South Carolina kept the game close through the first half as the Huskies went into the break with a 36-26 lead, though UCONN pulled away during an explosive third quarter to eventually walk away with the 82-59 win.
UCONN was paced in this game by guard Azzi Fudd and forward Sarah Strong, who combined to contribute 48 points, 20 rebounds, and 6 assists in the blowout win.
Although she struggled slightly at times during the championship game, the Huskies were led through the NCAA Tournament by guard Paige Bueckers.
Bueckers averaged 24.8 points, 4 rebounds, and 3.3 assists while shooting 52.8% from the field and 48.3% from behind the three-point line in six games.
Bueckers is widely expected to be the top overall selection in the upcoming WNBA Draft, meaning she could end up coming to the Lone Star State to join the Dallas Wings.
The Wings hold the first overall pick in the WNBA Draft following a season in which the team finished with a record of just 9-31.
Although Dallas will be able to select any player it wants with the first overall selection, there are rumors that Bueckers could forgo the draft or force her way to another franchise.
Prior to the NCAA Women’s Basketball National Championship Game, Bueckers said she did not care about these rumors and is prepared to play “wherever” she ends up.
“The reports are the reports. People write stories, and it’s whatever. Honestly, I’m not really worried about that at the moment. I’m just worried about being here, being present with the team, and trying to get better every single day. So whatever the future may hold, it’s only in God’s hands,” she explained, per Front Office Sports.
The WNBA Draft is currently scheduled to take place on April 14 in New York City, meaning the Wings will have just under one week to decide which player to select with the top pick.