March Madness Elite Eight Showdown: Bueckers Drops 40, USC Survives Without Watkins as Top Seeds Advance

The Stage Is Set for an Electrifying Elite Eight

After Saturday's heart-stopping action, the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament has narrowed down to eight elite teams. The regional finals will feature:

• Historic Performances: UConn's Paige Bueckers dazzled with a career-high 40 points against Oklahoma
• Next Women Up: USC's freshmen stepped up admirably in JuJu Watkins' absence
• Defensive Clinic: Texas held Tennessee to season-low offensive outputs
• Cinderella Story: TCU continues its magical run to first Elite Eight

Huskies Ride Bueckers' Record Night

The (2) UConn Huskies advanced with an 82-59 rout of (3) Oklahoma, fueled by Paige Bueckers' legendary performance:

• Scored 29 second-half points (10-14 FG)
• 6-8 from three-point range
• 8-14 on midrange jumpers
• 18 team steals neutralized Sooners' offense

"When Paige gets in that zone, there's literally no defense that can stop her," said coach Geno Auriemma postgame.

USC's Freshmen Fill Watkins' Void

Without star JuJu Watkins (season-ending injury), (1) USC relied on its young core to survive (5) Kansas State 67-61:

• Kennedy Smith & Avery Howell: First freshman duo with 18+ points each since 2021
• Combined 45 points from freshmen (67% of total offense)
• Held Wildcats to 38% shooting with aggressive defense

Texas Defense Stifles Tennessee

(1) Texas' 67-59 win over (5) Tennessee featured:

• Held Vols to season-low 59 points
• Limited Tennessee to 5-26 from three (19%)
• Contested nearly every shot attempt

"We knew if we controlled the paint and ran them off the line, we'd control the game," said Texas coach Vic Schaefer.

TCU Makes History

The (2) TCU Horned Frogs secured their first-ever Elite Eight berth with a 71-62 comeback win over (3) Notre Dame:

• Outscored Irish 20-10 in fourth quarter
• Held Hidalgo/Miles/Citron combo to 10-44 shooting
• Hailey Van Lith became first player since 2000 with five Elite Eight appearances

Looking Ahead to Regional Finals

Monday's matchups promise fireworks: