Nunnie on the Sideline
By Nunnie Robinson, Westside Gazette Sports Editor
Before the women’s final on Sunday between UConn and South Carolina, ESPN analyst Andraya Carter remarked to host Elle Duncan and fellow analyst Chiney Ogwumike a desire to have closely contested final decided by a buzzer beater. The thought obviously emanated from having seen UConn blowout Big Ten champ UCLA in the semifinals just as the Gamecocks easily disposed of Texas. Perhaps the drubbing that the Huskies put on South Carolina on the Gamecocks’ home court in the regular season should have foreshadowed UConn’s dominance and superiority or at the minimum been given more scrutiny. A closely contested final featuring #1 South Carolina and #2 UConn as desired by Ms. Carter never materialized. Leading by 10 points at halftime, the Huskies, led by Paige Beuckers, Azzi Fudd and freshman sensation Sarah Strong completely dominated an above average, well coached Dawn Staley team. No CONTEST! UConn was simply better. The overwhelming victory gave Gino Auriemma his 12th NCAA title, solidifying his place as perhaps the greatest women’s coach in NCAA history.
The men’s games proved the exact opposite as closely contested, competitive battles became the norm. The eventual champion Florida Gators narrowly escaping the proud and valiant 2-time defending champion UConn Huskies established the tournament’s tone. Michigan State defeated a game Ole Miss team 73-70 before succumbing to eventual South Regional champion and #1 seed Auburn. And what fan could forget Duke’s heart wrenching loss to Houston, setting up the final matchup with Florida whose slug fest against Auburn was epic. Isn’t it ironic that Houston, like Duke versus the Cougars, saw a seemingly secure 10 point lead methodically evaporate, sealing its opportunity to win its first national championship in 3 attempts, the first under Kelvin Sampson, the only remaining Black coach in the tournament? Had the Cougars prevailed, he would have been the oldest coach at 69 to do so. It just wasn’t meant to be, but Coach Sampson proved what a masterful basketball technician he is as well as a leader of young men.
Congratulations to the Florida Gators, winners of their third NCAA championship, the first under third year coach Todd Golden. Though someone had to lose, every player on both teams left their hearts and souls on the court. If Cooper Flagg is the number one prospect for the NBA, then Florida’s Walter Clayton, Jr. is certainly number 1A. Basketball fans around the country are still salivating. What a tournament!
