As a big sports fan, there are certain times of the year when I get a little more giddy than usual.

With March Madness having recently concluded, I was able to sit back and watch about a month’s worth of men’s and women’s college basketball games. Yes, I had March Madness fever once again this year as South Carolina and Connecticut won the women’s and men’s titles, respectively.

As an Alabama fan, I was pleasantly surprised how far my Crimson Tide got on the men’s side of the tourney. If I had been a true homer, I would have picked them to go all the way. As it stood, I had North Carolina winning it all in my pool. So much for that pick.

Women’s basketball jumped leaps and bounds this season

While I enjoy watching the men’s game, I’m much more of a fan of the women’s game when March Madness rolls around.

Stop and think about all the hype the game has seen this season and notably as we headed into March.

You of course had Iowa star and the face of the women’s game in Caitlin Clark. 

It is safe to say Clark was one of those generational players. Her ability to dictate the outcome of a game is worth buying a ticket alone or sitting down in front of your television.

Before a devastating ACL injury, University of Connecticut star Paige Bueckers was the Caitlin Clark of the women’s game. Bueckers was the Associated Press Player of the Year and also took home the Naismith College Player of the Year award in 2021

After missing a season to rehab, Bueckers was right back this season to being a dominant force in the sport. A redshirt junior, Bueckers has indicated she plans to forgo the WNBA Draft and return to the Huskies next season.

While they may not have the marquee individual player like Iowa and Connecticut, respectively, the University of South Carolina women’s basketball team has been nothing short of dominant this season and last for that matter. The Gamecocks were an astounding 72-1 over the last two seasons headed into the Final Four weekend. They capped off the season by not only winning the national title, but going a perfect 38-0. Local product Te-Hina Paopao from La Jolla Country Day School was a key contributor to the team’s success.

That said, the college hoops season goes into hibernation now for a few months until fall practices kick off.

While Clark is headed to the WNBA this coming season, there is plenty of talent coming back for 2024-25 in the women’s collegiate game. 

Bueckers will lead a star-studded cast in Storrs, Conn. Closer to home, USC freshman sensation JuJu Watkins will be back for another go of it in Los Angeles as the Trojans move from the Pac-12 to the Big 10. Even while losing some key talent once again, South Carolina should be loaded for the 2024-25 campaign. With some great incoming freshmen nationwide and other notable returnees, the women’s game should be in good hands come fall.

With another March Madness in the rearview mirror, my sports attention will turn to the NHL playoffs, the French Open and other interests over the coming weeks and months.

Meantime, if you have a youngster at home here in the greater San Diego area like Paopao proved to be with skills when it comes to shooting, dribbling or rebounding a basketball, you might want to keep encouraging them to stick with the sport.

One day they might make their own March Madness memories.

Photo credit: https://www.facebook.com/MarchMadnessWBB