My experience at the Final Four
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The Super Bowl, the Masters, the FIFA World Cup, March Madness. Those are just a few annual sporting events that people pay attention to whether, they are fans of the specific sport or not.
I was fortunate enough to attend the culmination of the women’s NCAA March Madness Tournament at the Final Four in Tampa, Fla., from April 4-6.
Three No. 1 seeded teams – UCLA, Texas and South Carolina – and No. 2 seeded Connecticut took to the hardwood on April 4 to earn their spot in the 2025 national championship game. I was lucky enough to be one of nearly 20,000 fans to attend the national championship on April 6, when UConn faced off against South Carolina to discover this season’s top team.
Huskies vs. Gamecocks, Auriemma vs. Staley, title 12 vs. title four. It was an amazing year to attend one of the biggest events in women’s sports, where some of the best female athletes’ skills were on full display under the bright lights.
There were many incredible moments that happened during the weekend including being there in-person to see UConn win their 12th women’s basketball national championship, seeing the best women’s basketball player in the nation play her final college game and getting to meet amazing people.
On the prior Friday afternoon, when I arrived in Tampa, it was game time. I made my way to Amelia Arena, which is also home to the National Hockey League’s Stanley Cup-winning Tampa Bay Lightning.
First up was the battle of two No. 1-seeded teams in South Carolina vs. Texas. Going into the game, I knew this one would be close. The game was tight until just after halftime. South Carolina led at halftime, then they pulled away in the third to lead big and went on to secure a second straight chance to be national champs.
The second game of the day UConn – the only No. 2 seed in the Final Four – taking on UCLA. Seeing the momentum the Huskies had built throughout the tournament, I figured they had a solid chance of winning. At halftime, I knew I was right because they had a 20-point lead and only continued to dominate in the second half.
After watching UConn’s performance against UCLA, I knew they were going to win it all. They were playing free. They were playing as a true team. Free flowing and effortlessly, they made their way to the national championship game.
On April 5, I got to go to open practice, where both teams had 45 minutes in front of the fans. Seeing the differences in both teams’ practices, it only further solidified that hunch that UConn was winning their 12th title.
South Carolina came out for practice first and was very loose. Too loose. Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley made her rounds and waved to fans as their assistant coaches began to run practice. As their practice was winding down, the players and Staley began dancing on the court.
When UConn came to the floor, the tone shifted. The Huskies came to the court and immediately treated it like any other practice. They started with a dynamic warmup, then even did sprints before shooting around.
It’s not bad to have fun in practice or to be loose before a big game, but at the same time you don’t want to lose focus. South Carolina is a very good team and will be for years to come, but UConn is a whole other animal
I was lucky enough to get a front-row seat for the practices right behind each school’s pep band, which added to the hype leading up to the big game.
Sunday morning rolled around, and the Florida sun was beaming down outside and the lights were just as bright inside as the stage was set for the national championship. Being outside the arena, you could tell it was a big-game feel.
There was lots of fans in South Carolina maroon, but even more in UConn navy blue. And those UConn fans were already doing chants as if it were a home game for them.
The arena was buzzing as tip-off approached, and once the game started the fans got even louder.
As you would expect in a big game, it was close early and felt like either team had a viable chance at winning. It remained close through halftime, then UConn did what they do best.
The Huskies came out of halftime and showed why head coach Geno Auriemma had led the program to 11 national titles and was on the cusp of title No. 12.
They pulled away in the third quarter behind a sea of navy blue Huskies fans that packed the arena like they would at home in Connecticut.
UConn’s big three of Paige Bueckers, Azzi Fudd and freshman standout Sarah Strong put on an absolute clinic combining for 57 of UConn’s 85 points in the national championship and it was remarkable to see in person. Bueckers is a star, but Strong will be one to watch in the future.
Before the buzzer echoed through the arena, the fans were already on their feet cheering on the Huskies as they witnessed more history being made as Auriemma and the Huskies secured a championship dozen, breaking the record they already held.
Once I returned home, I hadn’t had enough and had to rewatch the game on television. One thing that stood out to me after seeing the game in-person then watching it on TV is just how loud it was in the arena. The game on TV just doesn’t do it justice for the overall atmosphere of the big game.
Watching sports on TV is great, but nothing beats the live experience.
I encourage everyone to go watch sports in-person because whether it’s getting to see confetti rain down on national champions or hearing the crack of a baseball bat or just getting to be with a community that supports a team, nothing will ever beat live sports.
Cannon Crompton is sports editor of the Cherokee Scout.