I think you are being a bit of a UCONN biased fan in this particular analysis. Benches are not " even." When was the last game that ICE scored 9.2 points? And we have one person vs their three. And Shade and Arnold are not UCONN advantages. Probably the reverse but, at best " even." You are underrating the USC players here. Another intangible ( which also favors USC ) is that many of their starters
are " graduates." Ours are freshmen. I think this game is an upset if UCONN wins. And it will take a better combined effort than we have thus far seen. This, from a really tired team.
Let's see now:
1. Ashlynn Shade vs Kaitlyn Davis - ADVANTAGE - UCONN...hmmm Kaitlyn, 3 points, 9 rebounds, 1 assist. 5 fouls; Ashlynn, 5 points, 6 rebounds, 4 fouls...Maybe a push at this position...in a close game like this one...you could argue a very slight advantage for UConn.
2. KK Arnold vs Kayla Padilla - ADVANTAGE - UCONN...and, Kayla, 3 points, 2 assists, 3 steals; KK, 4 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist. Again even though KK got into foul trouble her impact on the game with her defense did give her a slight advantage.
3. Paige Bueckers vs MacKenzie Forbes - ADVANTAGE - UCONN, MacKenzie played over her average. She had 24 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 block. Paige, had 28 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 steals, 2 blocks. I think I got that one right.
4. I don't think I underrated the USC players. Ju Ju was every bit as good as advertised. I had it as an ADVANTAGE - USC. It took a team effort to defend her and she still was able to get 29 points, 10 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, and 2 blocks. Nika got into foul trouble early but, she still managed 8 points, 5 rebounds, 8 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block. I had that one right too...ADVANTAGE to the freshman phenom.
5. Aaliyah Edwards vs Rayah Marshall...I had it as ADVANTAGE - UCONN. Rayah had 11 points, 11 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block. Aaliyah had 24 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 block. I think I had this one right too.
6. Bench...I had it as ADVANTAGE - EVEN - Our bench came through with 11 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, and 1 block. USC's bench had 3 points and 2 rebounds. I guess I got that one wrong...I should have called it ADVANTAGE - UCONN.
You were right, however, in that I am a homer and I am guilty of being a bit of a UConn-biased fan. But, truthfully, it is hard not to be. I love my Huskies.