UW Women's Basketball confident about return trip to the Final Four

SEATTLE, Wash. — When the Washington Huskies Women’s Basketball Team made the Final Four as a #7 seed during last year’s NCAA Tournament it was seen as an aberration to many outside the program.

"I think a lot of people wanted to think that was a fluke," Washington head-coach Mike Neighbors said. "I heard that a lot during the offseason. That it was a fluke year, blah, blah, blah.”

Second straight Sweet 16

But now, heading into Friday’s Sweet 16 game against Mississippi State, this year’s Huskies have a chance to return to their second straight Final Four.

Led by all NCAA all-time leading scorer Kelsey Plum and senior center Chantel Osahor the Huskies sport a (29-5) overall record, and also return Katie Collier as starters from last year’s Final Four team that ended their Cinderella run with a 80-59 loss to Syracuse.

This season Washington ranks fifth in the nation in points per game at 85.6, and fourth in the nation in average scoring margin at 21.9 points per game.

Senior Leadership

The Husky’s senior leadership has seen them defeat #14 seeded Montana State 91-63 in the first round, and #6 seeded Oklahoma 108-82 in the second round.

The second round win against Oklahoma gave Washington the most wins in a season in Husky history, and the team’s 108 points were the sixth most in school history.

After their win against Oklahoma, Chantel Osahor was adamant about the importance of junior guard Natalie Romeo and freshmen guard Aarion McDonald. “I say all the time, if we can get Natalie and Aari doing stuff they did tonight, we are unbeatable. What they did and when you and Katie (Collier) and Heather (Corral) to the mix, it is something special to watch out there” said Osahor.

Looking Ahead

The Huskies play the #2 seed Mississippi State Bulldogs at 4 p.m. on Friday at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City. A win would see the Huskies play the winner of Baylor-Louisville in the Elite 8 on Sunday for a spot in the Final Four in Dallas.

Mississippi State sports a (31-4) record overall and defeated #15 seed Troy 110-69 in the first round of this year’s tournament and #7 DePaul 92-71 in the second round. Last season, Mississippi State lost 98-38 to the eventual champion University of Connecticut Huskies in the Sweet 16.

Earlier this season the Bulldogs beat both Oregon 75-63, who Washington lost to 70-69 in the Pac-12 Tournament, and USC 76-72, who Washington beat twice this season.

The Final Step

Plum has seemingly crossed off every record during her college career, but knows winning the National Championship is the ultimate goal for every college player. Asked about this time of year Kelsey Plum said, “It’s March Madness. It’s going to be competitive. It’s going to be tight — that’s why it’s fun.”

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