STORRS, CONN. (KELO) — A day removed from a win over Oklahoma State in round one of the NCAA Tournament, the SDSU women’s basketball team is preparing for one of the biggest challenges in program history.
SDSU earned its 30th win of the season Saturday, stopping Oklahoma State 74-68, en route to round two of the NCAA Tournament.
The Jackrabbits were all smiles as they celebrated with friends and family, but now must turn their attention to Monday’s matchup with 11-time national champion Connecticut.
“Obviously, Connecticut is fantastic in every facet, offensively, defensively,” SDSU head coach Aaron Johnston said. “The history is impressive. I think everybody is aware of that. But tomorrow, we’ve got to find a way to go out there and play our best basketball, and that’s what our focus has been here since the day started.”
“Obviously, they have really good players and a really good program, but at the end of the day, we’re going to scout them like usual and kind of just do what we can to win,” SDSU redshirt junior Haleigh Timmer said.
UCONN allowed only 34 points against Arkansas State on 17% shooting. Johnston says the Huskies’ D makes it hard for a team to be comfortable.
“They have the ability to pressure you full court, they can pressure you in the half court,” Johnston said. “They’ve got size where they can block shots and challenge things. They rebound really well. And then, they just turn so many of those defensive possessions into quick offense.”
Connecticut is the heavy favorite, but that doesn’t mean head coach Geno Auriemma is thrilled with the matchup.
“I look at the bracket and I go, okay, I don’t want to see anybody in our bracket that kind of reminds me of us a little bit,” Auriemma said. “I want somebody that has no idea how we play or what we’re trying to do and their style of play is completely different than ours. Unfortunately, we didn’t get that. You can’t go in expecting that they’re going to make enough mistakes to lose. Teams like that are dangerous in the NCAA Tournament.”
UConn standout Paige Bueckers is a Minnesota native and says SDSU is always great.
“They have a great offensive tempo, and they’re very disciplined in their sets and what they want to run,” Bueckers said. “Very well fundamentally. They’re just consistent in the way they play and their style of play. They’ve always been a team that’s been great, especially in the Midwest growing up.”
SDSU will attempt to pull off the upset Monday night in Storrs. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. CT. We’ll have complete coverage throughout the day leading up to the game and highlights and reaction on KELOLAND News at 10.
