UConn secured a crucial 67-63 victory over Michigan State in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament, propelling them into the East Region final against Duke. This win improves UConn’s record to 32-5, while Michigan State falls to 27-8.
Tarris Reed Jr. led UConn with 20 points, supported by Alex Karaban’s 17 points. Reed expressed his confidence, stating, “I feel like I put in the work. The guys around me were like, ‘T, trust. We see you do free throw game every day, You put in the work every day and we see you at the free-throw line.'” Michigan State struggled with their shooting, hitting only 4 of 16 from beyond the arc.
In another Sweet 16 matchup, Notre Dame triumphed over Vanderbilt with a score of 67-64, marking their first advancement past this round under head coach Niele Ivey. Hannah Hidalgo shone brightly, recording a triple-double with 31 points, 11 rebounds, 10 steals, and 7 assists. Ivey praised Hidalgo’s performance, noting, “It was only a matter of time for her to do what she did today, because that’s who she is.”
Notre Dame’s Cassandre Prosper also contributed significantly, stating, “Credit to Hannah for trusting me with the ball at the last second and allowing me to make that layup.” This victory marks Notre Dame’s second win over Vanderbilt in postseason play.
UConn’s upcoming clash with Duke revives a historical rivalry, recalling their 1999 title game where UConn emerged victorious. Observers are eager to see how this matchup unfolds, given both teams’ strong performances in the tournament.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding any potential injuries or strategic changes as the teams prepare for their next games.