In Reply to: Women's Final Four went chalk - worrisome is posted by barrya on March 30, 2026 at 20:59:00
I try to be a realist—it’s going to be tough from here on out. I do think Texas is beatable, but it won’t be easy. UCLA will need to bring its A game to Phoenix to advance, and likely an A+ performance to get past UConn—something we haven’t quite seen from this group recently. On the bright side, we’ve made it this far playing at about a C+/B- level, which says a lot about the team’s potential.
Someone mentioned below that the team has struggled more as opponents have started extending their defense and really pressuring our guards. I tend to agree. Beyond what feels like a tempo issue, which causes the unforced turnovers, the bigger concern is that while both of our point guards are excellent, neither consistently has that burst to get by elite defenders. That really stood out against Duke—when the pressure was on and the clock was winding down, Charlize and Kiki had difficulty even getting a clean shot off.
In those late-clock situations, I think Gabs gives us the best option. She’s able to get past her defender more consistently and has that reliable floater. Dugs is another strong option, given her ability to create shots in different ways.
Of course, in an ideal world, Lauren is getting touches consistently, but teams have adjusted. Earlier, they were sagging into passing lanes to deny her. Now, they’re pressuring the guards more aggressively and bringing help from the weak side on entry passes. It’s been effective, and we haven’t consistently found the counter. There is one out there, but it’s fair to wonder if we’ll be able to fully put it together this late in the season. I’m hopeful—but also a bit concerned.
That said, as I stated, no matter how this ends, this has been one of the most enjoyable seasons I’ve followed—right up there with any men’s season. Thank you to this team for the ride.