National title takeaways: Fudd stars as UConn ends 9-year drought

UConn is once again the top dog in women's college basketball.

The Huskies ended South Carolina's bid for back-to-back titles with an 82-59 demolition of the Gamecocks in the national championship game.

Here are three takeaways from Sunday's title showdown.

Strong, Fudd take the lead

Sarah Strong and Azzi Fudd set the tone for a second straight contest. Strong immediately established herself in the post, hitting a turnaround shot over Gamecocks forward Chloe Kitts on UConn's second possession. The freshman's first bucket served as a good omen, as she diced apart South Carolina all afternoon with her finishing around the basket, 3-point shooting, guard-like driving ability, and dribble-handoff sequences with Paige Bueckers. Strong was just as effective on the defensive end, stonewalling the Gamecocks' drives, blocking three shots, and contesting countless other attempts. Her 114 points are the most scored by a freshman in NCAA Tournament history, and she's just the third first-year player to have a 20-point game in both the national semifinals and national championship game, according to ESPN's Alexa Philippou.

Fudd, meanwhile, returned to the Big Dance in a big way. The consensus No. 1 recruit coming out of high school, Fudd made just 17 appearances over the past two campaigns due to various injuries, including a torn ACL last season. But she tallied 17.5 points per contest during the Huskies' title run and capped her NCAA Tournament with a 24-point showing in the championship clincher. She finished through contact in the paint, knocked down pull-up midrange jumpers, and showed a soft touch on floaters. Fudd's improved defensive play was a significant factor as well. Her on-ball pressure on South Carolina guard MiLaysia Fulwiley resulted in a pair of steals. She also got a timely hand on the ball as Te-Hina Paopao attempted to spark a comeback with a transition layup early in the second half. Fudd's two-way play during the Final Four earned her Most Outstanding Player honors.

"We as coaches felt like Azzi was the key to the tournament ... We felt that if she could have an Azzi-type game - didn't have to be a 28-point game like the one at (South) Carolina - that we would win," Huskies head coach Geno Auriemma told reporters after guiding the program to its 12th national title.

"We kind of know what we're going to get from Paige. We kind of know what we're going to get from Sarah. So, Azzi became the focal point for us of who has to really step up tonight. And she did magnificently."

Strong and Fudd provided a glimpse of what to expect next season when the duo will lead UConn's title defense.

Bueckers' prophecy fulfilled

Bueckers constantly put the team ahead of herself throughout her time in Storrs. The former Wooden Award winner served as the Huskies' de-facto power forward last season when injuries ravaged the roster, and she plays an unselfish brand of basketball, often passing up a good look in favor of setting up her teammates. So when Strong and Fudd came out firing on all cylinders, it was no surprise that Bueckers deferred to the hot hand and did all the little things needed to get the desired result.

Bueckers still put up 17 points against South Carolina, hitting contested jumpers in one-on-one coverage, floaters, and getting to the charity stripe, but her biggest contributions came on the defensive end, as she registered two blocks and one steal to go along with a game-high plus-29 rating. Bueckers held her own in the post against the taller Kitts, staying vertical and using her length to contest shots. She brought energy on the glass, too, constantly throwing herself into the mix against multiple Gamecocks players. There's nothing Bueckers won't do in order to get the job done.

Bueckers was already in rarefied air with all of her individual school records. Her 19.8 points per contest over four seasons with UConn is the most in program history, and she topped Maya Moore for the most NCAA Tournament points scored by a Husky (477). Bueckers now has the ring to go along with those accomplishments. The All-American guard arrived in Storrs as a generational prospect, and she'll leave a winner - just like many of the other UConn greats that came before her.

"I know what she's going to do, and it's not always what I want her to do," Auriemma said. "But I know in the end, she's always doing what she thinks she needs to do for us to win."

South Carolina lacked go-to star

South Carolina touted its depth all season. The Gamecocks had the highest-scoring second unit in the nation. Six different players entered Sunday's championship clash averaging at least eight points. They have a number of players that can rise to the occasion on any given night. It's been the formula to this year's NCAA Tournament success despite some lacklustre showings. But perhaps the lack of a go-to player is what hurt the Gamecocks the most against UConn.

Dawn Staley's best squads have always had a clear No. 1 option. The likes of A'ja Wilson, Aliyah Boston, or Kamilla Cardoso could each get a bucket whenever South Carolina needed one. This season's edition of the Gamecocks didn't quite have that despite boasting multiple future WNBAers. South Carolina had many extended stretches without a field goal in the Big Dance, including a 7:06 stretch between the third and fourth quarter against the Huskies. Entering the final frame, Staley was asked by ESPN's Holly Rowe where the team would find its offense. The Gamecocks head coach replied, "I don't know."

Five-star freshman Joyce Edwards could be the school's next great player, but putting the offensive burden upon the inexperienced forward is a tough ask. There's no denying Fulwiley's talent when she's got it going. However, the reserve guard's inconsistency kept her from taking the next step as a sophomore. South Carolina will be just fine with a pair of five-star freshmen joining its returning core next season. But it needs a lead horse to take charge when the going gets tough.