PHOENIX — When Raven Johnson went to the bench with 8:30 to play in the second quarter after picking up her second foul while tightly guarding UConn’s Azzi Fudd, there was a sense of frustration and despair among the South Carolina fans sitting in the Mortgage Matchup Center Friday, April 3 at the Final Four.

Former Gamecocks forward Aaliyah Boston rose from her courtside seat – where she was watching the game with rapper Flavor Flav – to yell at the referees. South Carolina was about to have to endure a long stretch against the undefeated Huskies, the top overall seed in the women’s NCAA Tournament, without their starting point guard and emotional leader.

And indeed, the Gamecocks got through it. They trailed UConn by just two points at halftime, and then started the third quarter on a 16-4 run to take a 10-point lead – which was at that point the largest deficit the Huskies had faced all season.

Johnson returned to the game and provided a steady hand and stellar defense in the second half as one Goliath defeated another with South Carolina taking a 62-48 win over UConn, snapping the Huskies’ 54-game win streak, ending their undefeated season and sending Geno Auriemma into a postgame tailspin.

“It started on the defensive end. We had to get stops,” South Carolina guard Ta’Niya Latson said. “We knew Raven wasn’t out there. She couldn’t really run the show, but we had to have her back. I think we just stayed closer during those times. We stayed together and we fought until Raven got back.”

Latson was a big reason why the Gamecocks were able to pull off the on-paper upset of the Huskies. The senior guard grabbed a career-high-tying 11 rebounds – marking just the fourth time in her collegiate tenure that she’s grabbed double-digit boards – and also scored 16 points, leading South Carolina in both scoring and rebounding.

The 5-foot-8 transfer from Florida State said earlier this week that she was “a little starstruck” to be playing in her first Final Four, but she thrived under the bright lights when South Carolina needed her most.

“I knew I had to impact the game in any way I could. I wanted this win. Whether that was rebounding, scoring, assisting, I was going to do what I had to do,” Latson said. “The balls were coming my way, so I had to grab ’em and snag ’em.”

South Carolina exposed one of UConn’s few weak spots by crashing the glass. The Huskies ranked 136th nationally in total rebounds per game this season, while the Gamecocks entered this game ranking in the top 15 of seven different rebounding statistics this year.

The Gamecocks won the rebounding battle 47-32, grabbed 14 offensive boards and flipped them into nine second-chance points and hammered UConn inside, outscoring the Huskies 34-20 in the paint. UConn also shot a season-worst 31.1% from the floor.

“That was the emphasis for our bigs, we had to crash the boards,” said South Carolina freshman Agot Makeer, who finished with 14 points. “Ta’Niya wanted to join the party, too. That was cool. She’s always going to impact the game. She’s a winner. So she can get it done.”

Latson kept hearing Staley’s halftime message in her head: “Meet the moment.”

As the game unfolded in the second half, and as moments kept coming Latson’s way, she continued to meet them head-on. She shot a perfect 10-of-10 from the free throw line and also came up with a crucial steal after Johnson left the game in the second quarter that led to an easy fast-break layup to ease some of the anxiety the Gamecocks’ fans were feeling.

When the game was in hand with 30.8 seconds to play in the fourth quarter, Boston rose from her seat again, raised her fist and let out a declarative “Hell yeah!”

On Sunday, the Gamecocks will face UCLA and try to win their fourth national championship in program history. Staley won’t be concerned about whether Latson will be capable of meeting the moment.

“You see players, they just have a different look. When they have it, it gives you confidence to know that they’re ready. Like, you know some players that you got question marks about whether they’re ready. I didn’t have any of that with Ta’Niya,” Staley said. “I think that Ta’Niya just made huge sacrifices, individual sacrifices. She wasn’t an All-American this year. I want her – if she’s not going to get the individual awards – to be part of a national championship team.”

Latson had all those accolades at Florida State. She was the National Freshman of the Year, a three-time All-ACC selection, an All-American and the nation’s leading scorer. But she never advanced to the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament with the Seminoles.

Now, she has one game left in her college career, and one last chance to win it all.

USA TODAY Sports is providing live coverage of the Women’s Final Four match between the No. 1 UConn Huskies and No. 1 South Carolina Gamecocks at the Mortgage Matchup Center. Follow along here.

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame artist Flavor Flav is sitting courtside at the Mortgage Matchup Center for the Final Four matchup in the Women’s NCAA Tournament between South Carolina and UConn on Friday night.

The 67-year-old rapper was wearing his signature clock around his neck along with two other chains, and also rocking a New York Yankees hat and Air Jordans that featured UCLA blue. The No. 1 Bruins play against No. 1 Texas Longhorns in the second semifinal game on Friday.

It’s easy to assume who Flavor Flav was rooting for in the first game as he was seated next to former South Carolina All-American star Aliyah Boston. Before becoming a three-time WNBA All-Star with the Indiana Fever, Boston was the college National Player of the Year in 2022 and powered Dawn Staley’s Gamecocks to its second national title. Boston and Flavor Flav posed for a photo for USA TODAY Sports, but declined an interview request.

Boston isn’t the only South Carolina and UConn alumni in the building. UConn champions Diana Taurasi, Paige Bueckers and Kaitlyn Chen sat together during the matchup. Bueckers participated in the Team USA training camp in Phoenix earlier Friday.

Here are the other celebrities who were spotted in Phoenix on Friday:

Diana Taurasi, Paige Bueckers

Maya Moore

Lisa Leslie

Ilona Maher

Deebo Samuels

Studbudz

Courtney Williams and Natisha Hiedeman are hosting a Final Four alt-at on ESPN2.

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Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark snapped back at Cody Campbell, saying the chairman of the Texas Tech University System Board of Regents “does not run the Big 12” after Campbell complained publicly about the conference and its television partners possibly moving this year’s Texas Tech football game against Houston to a Friday night.

Texas Tech was one of only three Big 12 teams that didn’t play a regular-season game on a Friday night last year. Campbell says that’s going to happen this coming season, and he doesn’t like it.

Campbell posted this week on social media the Big 12 and Fox Sports are looking to move the Texas Tech home game against Houston from Sept. 19, the Saturday on which it’s currently slotted, to Sept. 18. He began his objection by writing that “Friday Night Lights are sacred in the Great State of Texas!”

He also took Yormark to task.

“I heard about it through the (Tech football) staff up here and our administration that it was being discussed,” Campbell told the Avalanche-Journal on Tuesday, March 31. “They (TV partners) have the draft or whatever, and the conference doesn’t want to really acknowledge it, but they do have an ability to influence those decisions. They just chose not to because they were chasing ratings — which I do understand on one hand, but on the other hand, high school football is important in the state of Texas.

“We’ve got a road game the week before. It’s not an ideal situation for us, and … I think our conference should protect us more than they did.”

Campbell is a former Texas Tech offensive lineman, one of six founding members of The Matador Club, a collective that’s supported Tech athletics, and an increasingly prominent voice nationally on college-sports issues.

The Big 12 released the 2026 schedule on Jan. 21 with the usual caveats that TV partners ESPN, Fox Sports and TNT Sports would make their selections for the first three weeks of the season at a later date and that some Saturday games could be moved to Friday or other special dates.

Though there’s been no announcement from the Big 12, Campbell said he thinks the Tech-Houston game moving to Friday is a fait accompli.

“I think it’s done,” he said, “unless they come back and they figure something else out. I think Yormark could have gone to bat for us and didn’t, because, again, he wanted the ratings. I think Fox is not concerned about any individual team. I think, again, they also want ratings, so they picked the game that’s going to give them the most viewership for that weekend.”

Last season, Tech went 12-2, won the Big 12 championship, and was a College Football Playoff quarterfinalist. Houston capped a 10-3 season by beating LSU in the Texas Bowl.

Brett Yormark says Big 12 presidents, ADs approved 12 non-Saturday games a year

Asked on Wednesday, April 1, for a response to Campbell’s comments on social media and to the Avalanche-Journal, the Big 12 issued a statement from Yormark to the A-J.

“Cody Campbell does not run the Big 12,” Yormark said. “Our Board and our ADs approved playing 12 games a year off of Saturdays in an effort to raise the profile, narrative, and viewership of Big 12 Football. Texas Tech hosting a primetime game on Friday night delivers that.

“Friday night Big 12 football games outperformed the Conference’s average rating by 64% in 2025. All of our schools are treated equally during the TV scheduling process and this game fits within our scheduling parameters. I am thankful that our TV partners provide us with these opportunities.”

There were seven FBS regular-season games, including two involving Big 12 teams, played on Friday nights in Texas last season: Auburn-Baylor and UNLV-Sam Houston State on Aug. 29, Colorado-Houston on Sept. 12, South Florida-North Texas on Oct. 10, Memphis-Rice on Oct. 31 and Texas A&M-Texas and Temple-North Texas on Nov. 28.

Texas Tech football would face short week after West Coast trip

Texas Tech plays Oregon State on Sept. 12 in Corvallis, Oregon, so the prospect of Tech-Houston six days later puts the Red Raiders on a short week coming out of a trip to the Pacific time zone.

“We’ll deal with it,” Campbell said. “We’ll play on Monday night if we have to, but I don’t think it’s in the best interest of the kids or our program or even the Big 12 for us to be playing that [Houston] game that night.

“We’ll get back [from Corvallis, Oregon] at 4 o’clock in the morning on Sunday, you know? I mean, they’ll probably have to prepare [for Houston] the week before.”

Kirby Hocutt tells local ADs of potential conflict with Houston at Texas Tech football game

Tech athletics director Kirby Hocutt has advised ADs from Lubbock ISD, Lubbock-Cooper, and Frenship schools that the Red Raiders might play on Friday, Sept. 18, a Tech athletics spokesman said, in case they want to adjust their own games in response.

Yormark’s desire to have a supply of non-Saturday Big 12 games has put him at odds with high school coaches since the beginning of his tenure. He expressed it at the 2023 Big 12 media days when he was starting his second year on the job.

“It’s very hot during the summer months, especially in the (early) fall,” Yormark said in July 2023. “So playing on a Friday night versus Saturday morning does have its benefits. And when you think about the tonnage of college football on air on a Saturday provides a lot of opportunity for us to kind of build our profile on a Friday night.”

At the Texas High School Coaches Association annual convention in July 2024, THSCA executive director Joe Martin said the THSCA objected to Friday night college games, specifically mentioning a Houston-TCU game that fall.

Dave Campbell’s Texas Football quoted Martin as saying, “We are asking all conference commissioners to refrain from scheduling Friday night games during the 11-week Texas high school football regular season. We feel Friday nights should be about the communities involved with Texas high school football.”

The Big 12 conference schedule starts Sept. 12 with Arizona at Brigham Young. Houston-Texas Tech and Arizona State-Kansas are the two Big 12 openers on Sept. 19. Attractive nonconference games that day include two Big 12 opponents playing teams that finished 11-3 last year — West Virginia-Virginia and Kansas State-Tulane — and a Power Four Conference matchup, Colorado-Northwestern.

Last year, Texas Tech and Iowa State were the only two Big 12 teams that played all their regular-season games on Saturdays.

Of the other Big 12 schools, Houston played three Friday games, and Kansas, Colorado, Arizona and Arizona State had two apiece. Four teams played one Thursday game apiece: Central Florida, Oklahoma State, Houston and Cincinnati. TCU opened on a Monday night at North Carolina.

Regarding his social-media post, Campbell said, “I meant what I said. I told Brett Yormark I meant what I said. I’m not going to back down from it. I don’t think, especially in the state of Texas, two Texas teams should be playing on Friday night. It’s different than it is in other parts of the country.”

PHOENIX — Lauren Betts has UCLA women’s basketball’s 2025 Final Four loss to UConn seared into her brain.

The 6-foot-7 center watched the Bruins’ 34-point blowout loss to the eventual national champion Huskies at least 10 times, revealing her anger and confusion was the motivating factor behind her continually pressing rewind. Betts has since retired the footage and doesn’t remember the last time she’s watched it, but the loss has served as extra motivation as the Bruins returns to the Final Four in Phoenix in Friday.

“I knew I just wanted to get back here again. This is not the end goal. We want to keep playing two more games,” Betts said on Thursday. “At the end of the day, our senior season is on the line. We want this so bad.”

Betts said the biggest lesson she learned from the 2025 Final Four is “coming out with a certain level of aggression.” The Bruins trailed UConn 20 points by halftime in the program’s first Final Four appearance last year and the lead only swelled. It’s a troubling trend that’s followed UCLA into the 2026 NCAA Tournament. UCLA has had several shaky starts, including the Bruins’ Elite 8 win over No. 3 Duke, where they trailed 10 points before completing a second-half comeback.

“The amount of confidence that we have in each other to go out and compete from the very beginning, that’s the biggest difference,” Betts said. “We’re going to be ready tomorrow. So I’m really excited for that.”

No. 1 Texas handed UCLA its one and only loss of the season in November. The Longhorns’ stifling defense held Betts to eight points and she only put up eight shot attempts in the loss, but Betts said she’s going to prioritize “creating opportunities to get the ball as much as I can” in UCLA’s rematch against Texas on Friday. That starts with Betts being more aggressive in the paint, she said.

“I think just creating easier catches. (Texas) is really an amazing defensive team. I think as the guards are getting pressured on the perimeter, just trying to become so open that they just can’t like not give me the ball,” Betts said. “It’s not one person versus Texas, it’s a full team. We as a team are trying to beat them.”

UCLA WOMEN’S BASKETBALL: Veterans led halftime talk before comeback in women’s Elite Eight

Betts credited UCLA head coach Cori Close and the teams’ staff with helping them sharpen their mentality with “a lot of mental toughness work” throughout the season.

“You have to have the mental reps almost. It’s just like getting yourself to a level where you’re feeling at your best and you want to feel confident,” Betts added. “We actually did one before practice today, and I’m sure we’ll do one tomorrow before the game. We talk about keeping your circle small, having a will that whatever happens during the game you’re going to get the job done, regardless of how you feel. There’s going to be state change. You have to remember what we’re trying to do at the end of the day.”

Reach USA TODAY National Women’s Sports Reporter Cydney Henderson at chenderson@gannett.com and follow her on X at@CydHenderson.

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Three-time Masters winner Phil Mickelson, 55, will not attend the 2026 Masters Tournament, the lefty announced on social media Thursday.

Mickelson has been dealing with this family matter for quite some time. He missed the first four LIV Golf events of the year while handling the same situation, though he did return to play in an event in South Africa two weeks ago. Mickelson finished 48th.

This news comes just days after five-time Masters champion Tiger Woods announced that he will also miss the event as he seeks treatment and focuses on his mental health following a rollover crash and DUI charge on Friday, March 27.

This will be the first Masters Tournament without both golfers since 1994.

Phil Mickelson update on missing Masters

Mickelson didn’t say much. He started the announcement saying he will not be playing in the event. He then offered thoughts for Augusta National, claiming he has “great respect” for the club, before finishing by wishing everyone luck and saying he will still be watching.

How many Masters Tournaments has Mickelson played in?

Mickelson has played in 32 Masters Tournaments. 2026 would’ve been his 33rd appearance.

Mickelson has won the event three times — 2004, 2006, 2010 — and is one of only three left-handed golfers ever to earn a green jacket — Mike Weir (2003) and Bubba Watson (2012, 2014).

Mickelson recently missed the 2022 Masters after making controversial comments regarding the PGA Tour and Saudi Arabian monarchies.

PHOENIX — UConn Huskies head coach Geno Auriemma had dinner with Diana Taurasi Wednesday night in Phoenix ahead of the Huskies’ Final Four matchup against the South Carolina Gamecocks.

“In typical D fashion, she’s the story,” Auriemma said with a smile, referring to his former player.

The Huskies are staying on Taurasi Way in downtown Phoenix during the Final Four, a street named after the Phoenix Mercury legend who spent her entire 20-year WNBA career in the desert. UConn practiced at Phoenix’s Mountain America Performance Center, where Taurasi’s name and logo graces the basketball courts.

“Being able to practice at her facility, staying on her road, being in her city, it is incredible,” senior guard Azzi Fudd said. “Having someone that you went from looking up to, then meeting them, playing at UConn and knowing that you’re a part of this sisterhood. She’s a resource and she’s someone that we can reach out to and talk to and just look up to and go to for advice that we ever need.”

All the parallels are extra meaningful to the Huskies, but Auriemma said it’s even more special for Taurasi.

“To be here, I know that means a lot to her. I know it means a lot to our players,” Auriemma said. “In my mind, (she’s) the greatest basketball player to ever play college basketball, and maybe the greatest WNBA player of all time. … You don’t often get a chance to do that, you know?”

Fudd joked that she’s “not at that level yet” to receive an invitation to dinner with Auriemma and Taurasi, but she hopes Taurasi comes to watch the Huskies go for their 13th national championship.

 “Obviously, it would mean a lot to have success in her city,” Fudd added. “To see her pave the way and make all this possible now for us, yeah, it would be incredible.”

Taurasi isn’t the only UConn alum that Auriemma’s dined with during the Huskies’ 25th Final Four run. He said the team shared a meal with Paige Bueckers, who led the Huskies to a national championship last season.

“We had dinner with Paige (Bueckers) last night and listened to her speak. It reminded me of how much those five years took off of my life, listening to the things that she says,” Auriemma said on Thursday, March 27 ahead of their 63-42 Sweet 16 win over No. 4 North Carolina. “The interesting thing is I lived through it with Diana (Taurasi) and they’re the only two that put me through that.”

Fudd joked that Auriemma is “definitely more mellow since Nika (Mühl) and Paige (Bueckes) left.”

“I think (they) caused him a lot of headaches, I’m sure,” Fudd joked.

As for if she gives Auriemma trouble, she said, “Never.”

Reach USA TODAY National Women’s Sports Reporter Cydney Henderson at chenderson@gannett.com and follow her on X at@CydHenderson.

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The NBA postseason is rapidly approaching, with less than two weeks remaining in the 2025-26 regular season.

While all postseason berths have been clinched, teams are furiously jockeying for playoff positioning, especially those seeking to remain above the fray of the Play-In Tournament. That’s especially true in the Eastern Conference, where only four games separate the current No. 5 seed, the Atlanta Hawks, and the Miami Heat, currently No. 10.

In the Western Conference, all three divisions have been clinched, with the Oklahoma City Thunder claiming the Northwest, the San Antonio Spurs the Southwest and the Los Angeles Lakers the Pacific. But perhaps the most intriguing story as the regular season winds down is whether the Spurs can catch the Thunder for the top seed in the West.

Heading into the slate of April 2 games, the Cleveland Cavaliers, currently the No. 4 team in the East, can clinch a playoff spot with a win, while the Houston Rockets, currently the No. 5 team in the West, can clinch a playoff berth if the Phoenix Suns lose.

Here are the current brackets for the playoffs and the Play-In Tournament, the NBA standings and the schedule for Thursday, April 2:

NBA schedule for Thursday, April 2

(All times Eastern)

• Phoenix Suns at Charlotte Hornets, 7 p.m.
• Minnesota Timberwolves at Detroit Pistons, 7 p.m.
• Los Angeles Lakers at Oklahoma City Thunder, 9:30 p.m. ET
• Cleveland Cavaliers at Golden State Warriors, 10 p.m.
• New Orleans Pelicans at Portland Trail Blazers, 10 p.m.
• San Antonio Spurs at Los Angeles Clippers, 10:30 p.m.

NBA standings

All 20 teams – 10 in each conference – that will participate in the postseason have been determined. Here are their records through April 1, and what each of those teams have clinched so far (x-clinched playoff berth; d-clinched division):

Eastern Conference

• (1) d-Detroit Pistons: 55-21
• (2) x-Boston Celtics: 51-25 (4 GB)
• (3) x-New York Knicks: 49-28 (6.5 GB)
• (4) Cleveland Cavaliers: 47-29 (8 GB)
• (5) Atlanta Hawks: 44-33 (11.5 GB)
• (6) Philadelphia 76ers: 42-34 (13 GB)
• (7) Toronto Raptors: 42-34 (13 GB)
• (8) Charlotte Hornets: 40-36 (15 GB)
• (9) Orlando Magic: 40-36 (15 GB)
• (10) Miami Heat: 40-37(15.5 GB)

Western Conference

• (1) d-Oklahoma City Thunder: 60-16
• (2) d-San Antonio Spurs: 58-18 (2 GB)
• (3) d-Los Angeles Lakers: 50-26 (10 GB)
• (4) x-Denver Nuggets: 49-28 (11.5 GB)
• (5) Houston Rockets: 47-29 (13 GB)
• (6) Minnesota Timberwolves: 46-29 (13.5 GB)
• (7) Phoenix Suns: 42-34 (18 GB)
• (8) Los Angeles Clippers: 39-37 (21 GB)
• (9) Portland Trail Blazers: 39-38 (21.5 GB)
• (10) Golden State Warriors: 36-40 (24 GB)

NBA playoffs bracket

(After games played on April 1)

Eastern Conference

• (1) Detroit Pistons vs. (8) Play-In Winner
• (4) Cleveland Cavaliers vs. (5) Atlanta Hawks
• (3) New York Knicks vs. (6) Philadelphia 76ers
• (2) Boston Celtics vs. (7) Play-In Winner

Western Conference

• (1) Oklahoma City Thunder vs. (8) Play-In Winner
• (4) Denver Nuggets vs. (5) Houston Rockets
• (3) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (6) Minnesota Timberwolves
• (2) San Antonio Spurs vs. (7) Play-In Winner

NBA Play-In Tournament

(After games played on April 1)

Western Conference

• (7) Phoenix Suns vs. (8) LA Clippers
• (9) Portland Trail Blazers vs. (10) Golden State Warriors

Eastern Conference

• (7) Toronto Raptors vs. (8) Charlotte Hornets
• (9) Orlando Magic vs. (10) Miami Heat

When do the NBA playoffs begin?

• The NBA Play-In Tournament begins on Tuesday, April 14 and runs through Friday, April 17.
• The NBA playoffs start Saturday, April 18 and feature eight teams in each conference after teams are eliminated in the Play-In Tournament.
• Game 1 of the NBA Finals scheduled for Wednesday, June 3.

Which NBA teams have been eliminated from the playoffs?

Eastern Conference

• Brooklyn Nets
• Chicago Bulls
• Indiana Pacers
• Milwaukee Bucks
• Washington Wizards

Western Conference

• Dallas Mavericks
• Memphis Grizzlies
• New Orleans Pelicans
• Sacramento Kings
• Utah Jazz

PHOENIX — Paige Bueckers returned to Team USA basketball camp on Wednesday, April 1, weeks after competing with the U.S. women’s national team at the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup Qualifying tournament in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

There was uncertainty of whether there would even be a 2026 WNBA season the last time Team USA gathered in early March, but players are “very excited” to have a new WNBA CBA in place as they practiced in Phoenix this weekend ahead of the Women’s NCAA Tournament Final Four.

“I think as players, we all wanted to play,” Bueckers said on Wednesday. “But there was a mix of standing on what we believed in and what we thought people before us have built for us to deserve and have to earned for us.”

Bueckers said revenue sharing and salary increases were the main priorities to her personally, in addition to housing provisions and retirement pay for the players that laid the groundwork before her.

“From the way that the game is expanded, we want our earnings to expand as well. So we’re really happy and excited with the way things turned out and we’re really, really glad that we stood on,” Bueckers said. “Looking forward to the future, that’s what we want for the next generation and the next classes coming up, that the game is considerably built and we get what we deserve from that.”

With the new WNBA CBA officially in place, the league’s 30th season can move forward with its condensed schedule ahead of the season tip-off on May 8. The expansion draft will be held on Friday, April 3, followed by the free agency window and WNBA draft.

New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu expects “some really big waves” in free agency, although it won’t be coming from her or Breanna Stewart. Ionescu said she plans to return to New York, stating she’s “where I’m supposed to be.” Stewart announced on a podcast that she’s also returning to the Liberty.

“I mean we’re in a really good spot because we have our core coming back and I feel like that’s something that we can kind of hang our hats on,” Ionescu said. “We obviously have a new coaching staff that’s coming in, which is going to be a lot of new change… Continuing to add new pieces is going to be really exciting as well to see how we can continue to get back to a championship team.”

As for other teams, Ionescu said she expects free agency to be “quick hitting” on the tight window.

“I think it’s going to be difficult because you’re kind of forcing players and teams to make decisions really quickly,” Ionescu said. “Obviously GMs and teams have been doing their homework ahead of time and understanding that they kind of had to prepare for a quick flip in a short amount of time with decisions being made in free agency being such a short window. But I do think we’re going to see a lot of change because I think people are not going to have as much time to sit and think and go talk to teams and visit.”

Ionescu knew a new CBA deal would be struck “at some point,” but noted she’s grateful it was sooner rather than later following “the best offseason of my career.”

“Very thankful from everyone that helped at all angles from the NBA side, (commissioner) Adam Silver to (WNBA commissioner) Cathy (Englebert) and her team to our side at the (WNBPA) players,” Ionescu added. “It really took a village and everyone collectively working towards a common goal, which is to have a season and to give the players what they deserve… I believe now we have a really amazing opportunity to lay down the foundation for the next generation of players to come in and get what they deserve.”

Ionescu said she’s feeling “really healthy” heading into the season.

“Just continuing to find ways that I can get better,” she said. :Obviously a new coaching staff is being able to get with Chris (DeMarco) a few times, work out, understand ways that I’m going to be positioned in the offense and how I can implement that into my training in the off season before we start helps as well. I’d say how much I’ve trained my ability to train, rehab, do everything. This off season has been kind of like none other, and so I’m excited to get out there and start.”

Reach USA TODAY National Women’s Sports Reporter Cydney Henderson at chenderson@gannett.com and follow her on X at@CydHenderson.

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The month of March might have come to a close, but the madness of the 2026 Women’s NCAA Tournament is marching into April with the Final Four in Phoenix rapidly approaching.

The remaining four teams — No. 1 UConn, No. 1 UCLA, No. 1 Texas and No. 1 South Carolina — have been powered to the Final Four by superstar talent. We’re talking about UConn’s Sarah Strong, UCLA’s Lauren Betts, Texas’ Madison Booker and South Carolina’s Raven Johnson.

But the national title might come down to an unsung hero that steps up when the lights are the brightest. Here’s a look at a player from each team that must make an impact when it matters most for their team to hoist a trophy:

Agot Makeer, South Carolina

South Carolina is back in the Final Four for the sixth consecutive year, but the key to defeating the reigning champion UConn Huskies might come down to an 18-year-old freshman coming off the bench. Agot Makeer, a 6-foot guard from Canada, was limited to 5.8 points across 26 games this season after dealing with various injuries. But Makeer has made an impact during March Madness and quickly became “a vital piece to our success,” South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley said.

Makeer scored double-digit points off the bench in four consecutive tournament games, including a career-high 18 points in No. 1 South Carolina’s Elite 8 rout of No. 3 TCU. She’s averaging 14.8 points in the tournament, nearly tripling her scoring average, while shooting an efficient 55.6% from the field. “I’m in a flow right now,” said Makeer, who only had three double-digit games all season heading into the 2026 NCAA Tournament.

It’s more than just her offense. Makeer uses her length and size to be a disruptive defender and is averaging nearly three steals in March Madness.

Blanca Quiñonez, UConn

UConn’s depth has been its strength all season long, with Sarah Strong confidently stating, “No other team has a bench like us.” Freshman Blanca Quiñonez has been the biggest X-factor coming off the bench. Quiñonez scored 20 points in UConn’s Elite 8 win over No. 6 Notre Dame, where she knocked down a career-high four 3-pointers in the win. The 6-foot-2 guard from Ecuador has reached double-digit scoring in four consecutive March Madness games and is shooting 9-of-19 (47.4%) from deep.

Quiñonez also grabbed a career-high eight rebounds, highlighting her ability to impact the game in many different ways. UConn has won 54 games in a row and will be pivotal to extend the win streak as defenses zero in on Sarah Stong and Azzi Fudd.

Angela Dugalić, UCLA

Angela Dugalić opted to come off the bench and the decision has paid dividends for both the Bruins and the Big Ten Women’s Basketball Sixth Player of the Year. Dugalić is a 6-foot-4 forward, but has the skillset of a guard. She creates instant mismatches, spreads the floor and brings a different level of intensity that “our team was really feeding off of,” head coach Cori Close said after UCLA’s Elite 8 comeback win over No. 3 Duke. Dugalić finished with 15 points and six rebounds in the win, making her third double-digit game in March Madness. She’s also posted two double-doubles in the Round of 64 and Sweet 16. UCLA is one win away from its first national championship appearance in program history.

Kyla Oldacre, Texas

“You win with guard play, but you win championships with guard play and size,” Texas head coach Vic Schaefer. That statement is especially true heading into the Final Four. Schaefer will deploy Kyla Oldacre to contain UCLA’s 6-foot-7 center Lauren Betts in the paint. Oldacre has come off the bench for Texas, but has averaged over twenty minutes through the tournament. The 6-foot-6 center is coming off a 12-point, 11-rebound double-double in Texas’ Elite 8 blowout of No. 2 Michigan, her sixth double-double of the season.

Reach USA TODAY National Women’s Sports Reporter Cydney Henderson at chenderson@gannett.com and follow her on X at@CydHenderson.

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The final cases have been made for the 2026 World Cup. Now, Mauricio Pochettino will have to decide.

The U.S. men’s national team made its closing arguments to Pochettino during the March window, which ended with a 5-2 loss to Belgium and a 2-0 reverse against Portugal.

Though the USMNT was ultimately humbled by two top-10 teams, there were some moments of optimism as several players boosted their stock. There were, of course, others who didn’t fare as well.

Now Pochettino will monitor form and fitness over the next two months, which will culminate in his World Cup roster being announced on May 26.

Below are the 26 players we see Pochettino naming for his World Cup roster:

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Goalkeepers: Matt Freese, Patrick Schulte, Matt Turner

In the mix: Chris Brady, Diego Kochen, Roman Celentano, Jonathan Klinsmann, Zack Steffen

Pochettino raised some eyebrows when he gave Turner the start against Belgium after Freese had started the previous 12 matches. Turner performed admirably, making a few strong saves, but wasn’t flawless — particularly on Belgium’s opener.

Though Pochettino declared there was an “open competition” at goalkeeper ahead of the Portugal game, he gave Freese the start and the New York City FC goalkeeper did well enough to presumably retain his place.

The battle for the third goalkeeper spot seems wide open, with Schulte, Celentano and Brady the most likely candidates.

Defenders: Max Arfsten, Sergiño Dest, Alex Freeman, Mark McKenzie, Tim Ream, Chris Richards, Antonee Robinson, Miles Robinson, Auston Trusty

In the mix: Joe Scally, Kristoffer Lund, Tristan Blackmon, Walker Zimmerman, Noahkai Banks, John Tolkin

The USMNT back line is in way more flux than Pochettino would like this close to the World Cup. Only Richards seems assured of a starting role. Ream is still the favorite to start at left center back next to him (assuming Pochettino sticks with a back three), but is far from a sure thing at age 38 and after some uneven displays.

The right center back role is also up in the air. Miles Robinson may have entered March slightly ahead but couldn’t play because of injury. Freeman and McKenzie are also candidates.

The big question mark is Banks, who looks to have the quality to start for the USMNT right now — even at age 19. But after he turned down a March call-up and his potential first USMNT cap, it’s hard to see him on the World Cup squad right now.

Dest is another player in doubt due to an injury that has him on track to recover right around the time Pochettino will name his World Cup roster. Any setback would spell the end of his hopes and open the door for Scally to make the team.

Trusty may have played his way onto the squad with his display against Portugal. With so much uncertainty, the Celtic man could even be a candidate to displace Ream in the starting lineup.

Midfielders: Tyler Adams, Sebastian Berhalter, Johnny Cardoso, Diego Luna, Weston McKennie, Gio Reyna, Tanner Tessmann, Malik Tillman

In the mix: Yunus Musah, Cristian Roldan, Aidan Morris, Gianluca Busio, Jack McGlynn, Luca de la Torre, Sean Zawadzki, Timmy Tillman

There is fierce competition in central midfield, which will inevitably result in some deserving players missing out. Pochettino said last week he was “suffering two months in advance” when thinking about picking his midfield spots.

Adams, McKennie and Tillman seem like the only real locks here, and all three appear to be strong bets to start multiple games at the World Cup.

In defensive midfield, Tessmann looks like a safe bet due to his strong season at Lyon and his ability to play center back. It would be surprising, but not shocking, to see him play in the back line at the World Cup.

Behind him, Cardoso, Roldan and Berhalter may be in a battle for two spots. Cardoso played well against Belgium before departing due to a minor injury. If he stays fit and in form with Atlético Madrid, it’s hard to see him being left off — despite an unimpressive track record with the USMNT.

That leaves two Pochettino favorites, Roldan and Berhalter, fighting for one spot. There isn’t much to separate them, but we’ll give Berhalter the slight edge as he enjoyed more playing time in March and is a set-piece threat.

Behind Tillman, Reyna and Luna could both get the nod — or they could be battling for one spot at the No. 10.

Pochettino didn’t give Reyna much playing time in March but his presence on the roster, in the midst of a period with almost no club playing time, suggests he’s got an inside track on a World Cup spot if healthy.

Luna has endeared himself to Pochettino and even though he missed the March window with injury, the Real Salt Lake man should have just enough to make this squad.

Forwards: Brenden Aaronson, Patrick Agyemang, Folarin Balogun, Christian Pulisic, Ricardo Pepi, Tim Weah

In the mix: Josh Sargent, Alex Zendejas, Haji Wright

Pulisic, Weah and Balogun are the three locks and most likely to form the team’s starting front line against Paraguay on June 12. Weah does have the ability to shift back and play as more of a wingback, but the Marseille man is more effective in an advanced role.

Behind that trio, it gets very tight. Pepi, Agyemang and Wright may be battling for two spots. Pochettino doesn’t appear to have much faith in Pepi, who has been prolific at the club level but — partially due to injury — has barely featured under the Argentine. Even a healthy Pepi barely saw the field in March, putting his World Cup spot in doubt.

Wright and Agyemang have both had excellent seasons in the Championship, but the former missed March camp with injury while the latter played in both games — scoring against Belgium. We would give Agyemang the slight edge here, as his large frame makes him the kind of late-game specialist the U.S. could utilize if chasing a goal.

The battle between Aaronson and Zendejas is also tight. Aaronson has failed to do much under Pochettino but is having a solid campaign at Leeds. Zendejas continues to shine at Club América but wasn’t called in for the March roster.

In the end we’ll give Aaronson the nod due to his inclusion over Zendejas in March. Another possible curveball here would be Wright making the squad over both of them due to his ability to play both as a striker and a winger.

USMNT World Cup roster projection

Goalkeepers (3): Matt Freese, Patrick Schulte, Matt Turner

Defenders (9): Max Arfsten, Sergiño Dest, Alex Freeman, Mark McKenzie, Tim Ream, Chris Richards, Antonee Robinson, Miles Robinson, Auston Trusty

Midfielders (8): Tyler Adams, Sebastian Berhalter, Johnny Cardoso, Diego Luna, Weston McKennie, Gio Reyna, Tanner Tessmann, Malik Tillman

Forwards (6): Brenden Aaronson, Patrick Agyemang, Folarin Balogun, Christian Pulisic, Ricardo Pepi, Tim Weah

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