And then there were two. The 2022 NCAA women's basketball tournament is down to the South Carolina Gamecocks and UConn Huskies in the championship game. South Carolina beat Louisville 72-59, and a turnover-prone UConn was able to shake off defending champion Stanford 63-58 in Friday's semis. ESPN bracketologist Charlie Creme is here to offer his best bets for the title game.
The game will be televised Sunday at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN. And you can check your bracket here.
Odds courtesy of Caesars Sportsbook.
Women's national title game best bets
1. South Carolina (-4, 126.5) vs. 2. UConn
Money line: South Carolina -190, UConn +160
8 p.m. ET (ESPN), Target Center, Minneapolis
Creme's picks: South Carolina -4; under 126.5
When the Gamecocks and Huskies met back in November in the Bahamas, South Carolina completely dominated the boards, forced 19 UConn turnovers and limited the Huskies to eight 3-point shots. They were physically better at a time when the Huskies were whole. Paige Bueckers hadn't hurt her knee yet. Azzi Fudd played 10 minutes in that game. Certainly, the Huskies are a better team today, but so is South Carolina. All three Gamecock guards -- Destanni Henderson, Zia Cooke, and Brea Beal -- scored in double-figures in Friday's semifinal game against Stanford. That was only the second time all season that happened. And Aliyah Boston remains the most dominant force in the game. If UConn posts Olivia Nelson-Ododa and Aaliyah Edwards get into foul trouble (they've had a propensity to do that in the tournament) trying to guard Boston, the four points will make for an easy South Carolina cover.
Looking at the total, while the Huskies will have trouble rebounding against South Carolina and defending Boston, their defense should be able to limit much of what the Gamecocks like to do. UConn completely took away Stanford's perimeter game that contains more talent than that of South Carolina. I doubt South Carolina will be able to get to the 72 points it scored against Louisville, but the Gamecocks should also be able to limit the Huskies' good looks, much like they did in the first meeting. South Carolina is also more successful with a slower pace. When the game against Louisville slowed to a half-court affair, the Gamecocks took over. That will also keep the scoring down.
Futures
UConn Huskies to win NCAA tournament (4-1*)
Pre-tournament pick (*odds entering tournament)
Creme: Consider this moderate value. Sure, the Huskies have the third-best odds behind South Carolina (+175) and Stanford (+350) to win the title, but had UConn been healthy all season, the chance to cash in on the Huskies would have been much slimmer. The Huskies were the co-favorite with South Carolina in the preseason before injuries -- including one to reigning national Player of the Year Paige Bueckers that cost her 19 games -- wreaked havoc with UConn's rotation. With everyone now back, this is the team everyone expected to at least make the championship game, and now the number is better.