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Big East Rivalry Returns for Final Four | Analysis by Brian Moineau

Posted on by Brian Moineau

An old Big East rivalry renewed — and a trip to the Final Four on the line

UConn women vs Notre Dame live: Winner advances to Final Four — that headline says it all, and it couldn’t feel more rightful. Two programs that built modern women’s college basketball out of grit, guard play and championship expectations met again with a Final Four berth dangling like the ultimate prize. The rivalry between Connecticut and Notre Dame has texture: shared history, coaching mind games, and moments that have rewritten the sport’s narrative. Tonight, it’s about legacy meeting the present.

Why this matchup still matters

First, some context. UConn and Notre Dame spent decades as Big East neighbors before conference realignment scattered schedules and storylines. Even after moving to different leagues, their games remained marquee events — partly because of the coaches (think Geno Auriemma and Muffet McGraw’s era), partly because both programs produced stars and teams that routinely chased national titles.

Now, fast-forward to this NCAA Tournament meeting: both teams arrived having earned respect all season — UConn undefeated for long stretches and Notre Dame battle-tested in the ACC. The stakes could not be higher: win and you’re in the Final Four; lose and a season’s dream evaporates.

Transitioning to the present matters because this matchup is more than a single-elimination game. It’s a referendum on program identity. Will UConn’s trademark offensive movement and depth carry the day? Or will Notre Dame’s defense and tenacity, plus their knack for rising in big moments, flip the script?

The storylines to watch

  • Momentum and roster balance. UConn’s run this season has combined veteran leadership with standout guard play. Notre Dame counters with disciplined execution and players who show up late in games.
  • Coaching chess. Geno Auriemma’s adjustments and Notre Dame’s game-planning are both historically elite. When these two meet, the halftime tweaks often decide the outcome.
  • Matchup edges. Inside-out combinations, transition defense, and who controls the glass will be decisive. Small advantages — a timely steal, an offensive rebound, a cold shooting stretch — become the difference in knockout play.
  • The rivalry factor. Pressure magnifies when history is present. Players feel it; crowd and media feed it. That emotional element occasionally births surprising performances.

UConn women vs Notre Dame live: what the numbers hint at

Looking at recent results, UConn carried a dominant regular-season performance that included a convincing win over Notre Dame earlier this year. That game underscored the Huskies’ firepower and cohesion. Notre Dame, however, has shown the habit of peaking in tournament settings — and in prior seasons they’ve been the kind of team that can flip momentum with defensive stops and efficient scoring.

Statistically, UConn’s offense tends to generate high-percentage looks through ball movement and cutting. Notre Dame’s defense thrives on contesting shots and forcing turnovers that create transition opportunities. So expect an ebb and flow where possession-by-possession execution matters more than flashy plays.

Transitioning from numbers to intangibles: experience in late-game situations and bench depth could tilt things. In elimination games, reliable secondary scorers and bench minutes that don’t collapse are invaluable.

Players to keep your eye on

  • UConn’s lead guards and veterans who initiate the offense and set tempo.
  • Notre Dame’s primary ball handlers and defensive stoppers who can take over possession play.
  • Role players: the midrange shooters and rebounders who quietly determine whether a team can sustain a run or weather adversity.

These are the types of contributors who don’t always make the highlight reels but dictate the narrative by the end of regulation.

How the game might unfold

Expect UConn to push to create early rhythm, using motion and quick passes to manufacture open shots. Notre Dame will likely be willing to trade baskets if it means keeping their defense intact and waiting for late-game opportunities.

If UConn builds an early lead, Notre Dame’s comeback history says not to count them out. Conversely, if Notre Dame controls transition and the boards, UConn will have to shorten the game and rely on halfcourt efficiency.

Either way, this game should deliver texture: momentum swings, coaching adjustments, and a finish that could hinge on free throws and defensive discipline.

What this means beyond one game

The immediate prize is obvious — a Final Four berth. But these games reverberate. For recruits, alumni, and program reputation, a win here reinforces national standing. For the sport, a classic between two blue-blood programs renews interest, media attention, and the sense that women’s college basketball still produces the kind of drama fans hunger for.

Moreover, the match highlights how old rivalries remain relevant even after conference shifts. They carry history into modern narratives and remind us that college sports are about continuity as much as change.

Key takeaways

  • Rivalry + stakes = heightened drama; this matchup is built for a classic.
  • UConn’s offense versus Notre Dame’s defense frames the tactical battle.
  • Depth, late-game poise, and coaching adjustments will probably decide the outcome.
  • A win has program-level effects beyond a single season — Final Four access is a platform for legacy.

My take

There’s an emotional tug when two former conference foes meet with so much on the line. The history adds a flavor you don’t get in neutral matchups. While UConn’s regular-season dominance makes them feel like favorites on paper, Notre Dame’s tournament savvy makes them dangerous. Ultimately, I expect a tight game decided in the last five minutes — maybe even by a single possession. That’s the kind of contest that turns moments into memories and players into folklore.

Sources



Related update: We recently published an article that expands on this topic: read the latest post.

Related update: We recently published an article that expands on this topic: read the latest post.

Kristy Curry Named USF Women’s Coach | Analysis by Brian Moineau

Posted on by Brian Moineau

A fresh start in Tampa: USF hires Kristy Curry as their next head women’s basketball coach

There’s a ripple through women’s college basketball this week as USF hires Kristy Curry as their next head women’s basketball coach. The move—reported by On3 and quickly picked up across social feeds—signals a new chapter for a USF program that wants to climb in the AAC pecking order and for Curry, a veteran leader who has rebuilt programs before.

Curry arrives in Tampa with deep experience, a steady hand and a résumé that includes stints at Purdue, Texas Tech and Alabama. That combination makes this an intriguing fit: a Group-of-Five school getting a proven, blue-chip leader who knows how to recruit, coach and stabilize a roster while building a culture that can win consistently.

Why this matters now

  • Programs across women’s college basketball are increasingly competitive; hiring stability and coaching pedigree matter.
  • USF's decision suggests the athletics department wants an immediate cultural reset and someone who can sell recruits on a long-term vision.
  • Curry’s hire highlights a trend of veteran Power Five coaches moving to ambitious mid-major jobs where they can reshape a program with fewer headline expectations and potentially more autonomy.

A coach you already know (and respect)

Kristy Curry’s career is familiar to many hoops fans. She’s guided programs in multiple conferences, collected hundreds of career wins, and been praised for player development and program-building. At Alabama she brought the Crimson Tide back into postseason conversations; at Purdue she coached in the NCAA tournament and helped sustain a winning culture.

Those credentials are the primary currency USF just spent. What comes with experience is not just Xs and Os but relationships—recruiting pipelines, transfer-market credibility, and the sort of steadiness that helps athletic departments avoid long rebuilds. For a program like USF, that boosts both short-term competitiveness and long-term recruiting prospects.

What USF inherits (and what’ll be on Curry’s to-do list)

  • Roster evaluation: Expect quick assessments of current players and an active presence in the transfer portal. Curry has navigated roster churn before and will likely prioritize players who fit her system and culture.
  • Staff hires: Bringing in assistants she trusts—coaches who can recruit the Southeast and work the portal—will be a priority. Those staff decisions will shape the team’s identity fast.
  • Recruiting the Tampa market: Curry now controls access to a fertile recruiting area. Success depends on how persuasively she sells USF’s vision versus nearby power programs.
  • Program identity: Whether Curry opts for defense-first, tempo-driven offense, or a balanced approach, she’ll need to craft an identity that suits her personnel and the AAC slate.

A sensible risk for USF

On paper, this is a smart, high-upside move for the Bulls. For coaches, moving from an established Power Five job to a Group-of-Five program can look risky—less money, smaller budgets, less built-in prestige. But it can also be liberating: more patience, a chance to shape a program with fewer national pressure points, and the ability to become the architect of a lasting identity.

USF gains a coach who knows how to win with limited resources and how to make the most of them. For Curry, it’s a chance to build something possibly longer-lasting and to leave a legacy beyond conference wins and losses.

A few things to watch next season

  • Transfer portal activity: Will Curry bring in a few high-level transfers to accelerate competitiveness? That will be the fastest way to change expectations for the upcoming season.
  • Non-conference scheduling: Smart scheduling helps with confidence, RPI/NET, and recruiting. Expect a blend of winnable home games and a few named opponents to test the group.
  • Fan engagement and resources: How USF supports Curry—facilities, travel, coaching salaries, and marketing—will significantly affect how quickly the program can rise.
  • Conference dynamics: The AAC is volatile; a well-coached, hungry USF side can move up quickly if it nails roster construction and avoids injuries.

Looking back to look forward

Curry has been through rebuilding cycles and postseason runs. That history suggests patience, process and player-first coaching will be emphasized. She’s not the flashiest hire, but she’s the kind who can deliver sustainable results.

That steadiness matters in a sport where coaching turnover and transfer swings can create dramatic short-term movement. For USF, hiring someone with a long track record reduces the risk of a quick trainwreck hire and increases the odds of consistent improvement.

My take

This hire feels like a clear statement: USF wants to be taken seriously in women’s basketball. They picked experience and process over a headline-grabbing name, and that choice can pay off if given time and resources. Kristy Curry is the sort of veteran coach who builds programs, not just seasons. If USF commits—financially and culturally—they may have found the coach to lead that rise.

One season won’t define this hire. Instead, expect to see incremental wins, tighter recruiting classes, and a clearer identity on the court as the early signals. For Bulls fans, patience plus reasonable expectations will be rewarded more often than not.

Sources



Related update: We recently published an article that expands on this topic: read the latest post.

Related update: We recently published an article that expands on this topic: read the latest post.

Will Audi Crooks Return vs. Kansas? | Analysis by Brian Moineau

Posted on by Brian Moineau

Iowa State without its scoring engine — but for how long?

There are few storylines in women’s college basketball right now as compelling as Audi Crooks’ season. She’s not just piling up points; she’s reshaping how opponents game-plan against the Cyclones. So when the nation’s leading scorer sat out Iowa State’s 81-53 win over Northern Iowa on Sunday, it felt like a reminder of how fragile momentum can be — and how deep this Cyclone roster might be when tested.

What happened (and why it matters)

  • Audi Crooks, averaging about 27–28 points per game and leading Division I in scoring, did not play in the Cyclones’ Sunday win over Northern Iowa. (espn.com)
  • The injury stems from a head impact Crooks suffered in Iowa State’s upset-style win over No. 11 Iowa earlier in the week; the school didn’t disclose specifics beyond saying she would finish return-to-play protocol early this week. Coach Bill Fennelly suggested Crooks could be available when Iowa State opens Big 12 play against Kansas next Sunday. (espn.com)
  • In Crooks’ absence, junior Addy Brown stepped up with 28 points and 12 rebounds, underscoring that the Cyclones can still find ways to win without their superstar — at least in the short term. (kcci.com)

Why this is more than a one-game story

  • Audi Crooks isn’t just a top scorer; she’s a central matchup problem. Teams defend Iowa State differently because of her: double teams, collapse-and-kick strategies, and adjustments that free up teammates. Losing such a player — even temporarily — forces a different offensive identity. (espn.com)
  • How a team responds when its focal player is out reveals coaching, depth, and culture. Sunday’s 81-53 win showed resilience: balanced scoring, efficient 3-point shooting, and role players stepping into meaningful minutes. That matters most when the schedule tightens in conference play. (kcci.com)
  • There’s also the player-health dimension. Head injuries and RTP (return-to-play) protocols are unpredictable; hoping for a return “next Sunday” is different from guaranteed availability. Managing Crooks’ health now could affect not just one game but the team’s season-long prospects.

What to watch this week

  • Official updates from Iowa State on Crooks’ return-to-play status. The timeline the school gave is early this week, with optimism about availability next Sunday versus Kansas — but expect conservative, stepwise progress. (espn.com)
  • How coach Bill Fennelly adjusts minutes and rotations if Crooks is cleared: will she return to starter minutes immediately, or will Iowa State ramp her up off the bench to limit contact and ease rhythm?
  • Continued emergence of secondary scorers — Addy Brown’s performance Sunday matters. If Brown and others can sustain high-level contributions, Iowa State is less likely to be derailed by an absence. (kcci.com)

A few quick takeaways

  • The Cyclones showed they can win convincingly without Crooks, which is a credit to their depth and coaching. (kcci.com)
  • Crooks’ injury appears to be head-related; RTP protocols are in place and Iowa State is cautious — that’s the right call for a player of her importance. (espn.com)
  • Her anticipated return versus Kansas would be a key early Big 12 moment; whether she plays could swing that matchup and set the tone for conference play. (espn.com)

My take

Talent like Audi Crooks’ is rare: elite scoring efficiency, game-to-game consistency, and the ability to change matchups. But the best teams aren’t only great when their superstar is healthy — they’re great enough that a star’s absence becomes an opportunity for growth. Iowa State showed glimpses of that Sunday. If Crooks returns fully healed, the Cyclones will be scarier. If her return is delayed, this team has taken an encouraging step toward being a true collective in 2025–26.

Sources



Related update: We recently published an article that expands on this topic: read the latest post.

Related update: We recently published an article that expands on this topic: read the latest post.