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“Humph. The regular season means nothing!” I feel your pain; surely, only the tournament matters in college. Well, maybe not. True, the playoffs mean the most for Oregon basketball and Uconn in 2020. However, sometimes there’s a regular-season matchup so intriguing it’s almost better than March. Monday night’s Oregon-UConn clash in Storrs certainly qualifies. Kobe’s sudden passing saddened both team’s women, but they must briefly forget grief in a tense battle for a #1 seed and, for Oregon, a Portland regional placement.
Ducks Quack at Short-Sellers
Oregon’s success begins with Sabrina Ionescu (but certainly won’t end with wicked new recruiting classes). Ionescu is battling through intense pain with the death of her mentor. However, her team especially needs her now, considering Uconn hasn’t lost in Storrs since 2013. Ionescu recorded her 23rd triple-double Saturday, demolishing the old record of 12. (BTW google, leading off with Kyle Collinsworth on the snippet? Not cool.) Oregon faced heartbreak in the semifinals last season but would very likely play in Portland with a win.
Sabrina is doin' it all for the Ducks
@sabrina_i20 is now up to 23 triple doubles after @OregonWBB's 101-53 win over Colorado.#ncaaW pic.twitter.com/V5xYmpNrnH
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessWBB) February 2, 2020
Huskies Bark at Skeptics
Oh dear, a down year for the Huskies! With only nine players, Uconn is only outscoring its opponents by 25 points a game! Jokes aside, with no northeast region this year, seeding is crucial for the dogs in 2020. ESPNW bracketologist Charlie Creme placed Uconn as the #1 Portland seed with a Monday win (making for a potential tight Oregon rematch), or with a loss the #2 in more friendly Fort Wayne. A core four of Megan Walker, Crystal Dangerfield, Christyn Williams, and Olivia Nelson-Odoada handle most of the Huskies’ work. Uconn can’t guarantee a 13th straight Final Four in a, oh no, DOWN year. Still, with a statement win Monday, the other 15 regional teams again should schedule an earlier spring break.
— UConn Women’s Basketball (@UConnWBB) January 28, 2020
Declaration of Dominance
Monday’s clash will primarily produce a pronouncement of basketball excellence. Undoubtedly, the Ducks and Huskies are among the six top Final Four favorites, so barring a 30 point rout, the future is still exciting for both. Nevertheless, both programs desire to prove their power. Oregon wishes to declare it’s a national powerhouse by defeating prestigious Uconn for the first time. Uconn wants to prove to doubters it’s still the top dog in the women’s kennel of ferocious fighters. Continue to think only March matters? Well, humph then, you’ll miss a fabulous game.
