We’re inching ever closer to March Madness, and Peter Keating decided to take a look at some of the teams in the women’s game which might be flying a bit under the radar, including one team which is a surprising addition to that category.
That’s right, even with the circle of true potential contenders widening from the traditional elite in the women’s game, Peter shines a spotlight on the UConn Huskies, who last weekend crushed South Carolina in impressive fashion to snap the Gamecocks’ 71-game home winning streak.
HUSKIES WIN
HUSKIES WIN
HUSKIES WIN@WellsFargo pic.twitter.com/ojvwynWFFI— UConn Women’s Basketball (@UConnWBB) February 16, 2025
Peter points out that UConn might be the best or second-best team in the country, some 50 points better than average. When it comes to UConn’s big win last weekend, Peter says he’s never seen a Dawn Staley-coached team play like it was slow or uncoordinated as they did against the Huskies. And a key takeaway for Peter from that game was that finally Azzi Fudd has come into her own.
Azzi Fudd with a big time performance vs. South Carolina 🔥
– 28 points
– 11-22 FG
– 6-10 3FG
– 5 rebounds pic.twitter.com/8E6WadvyF0— UConn Women’s Basketball (@UConnWBB) February 16, 2025
Fudd has been with the Huskies for several years now, but her collegiate career has been marred by injuries. In fact, in three-and-a-half years together, Fudd and UConn superstar Paige Bueckers have only played in 35 games together. Well, not only are they playing together now and at a high level, but Sarah Strong has also emerged for the Huskies as one of the best players in the entire country. Despite all that, Peter points out that UConn is only No. 5 in the ESPN power rankings and is only projected to be a No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament. Meanwhile, over at DraftKings Sportsbook, the Huskies are currently +300 to win the national title, good for a tie with South Carolina, which they just dismantled on their home floor.
Despite all the other great teams this season, Peter says UConn should be at the top of everybody’s list when it comes to national championship contenders.
Watch or listen to the whole show below and make sure to keep an eye on the Underdogs podcast feeds on Apple and Spotify as well as the new Underdogs YouTube page for future episodes!
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NHL Second Half Preview and Women’s College Basketball Sleepers
Can the Carolina Hurricanes (finally) find a way to make a deep run? Are the Rangers even going to make the playoffs this year? “Underdogs” host Peter Keating and The Athletic’s Peter Baugh preview Thursday’s NHL 4-Nations Championship and break down which teams you should keep an eye on in the second half of the regular season. Plus, Peter picks his favorite women’s college hoops underdogs to watch before March!
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Be sure to check out more episodes of Underdogs on the Underdogs YouTube page and subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts! You can also follow Peter on X at @PeterKeatingNJ and Jordan at @JordanBrenner.
