Why UConn women had extra rest day ahead of Final Four

PHOENIX — UConn women’s basketball had 4 days between its Elite Eight win in Spokane, Washington, and its Final Four recreation in Tampa, Florida, final season.

Ahead of the most important video games of the 12 months, the Huskies had to not solely journey from one nook of the nation to the other but additionally squeeze in recreation preparation and a circus of media and NCAA obligations throughout the condensed window.

This 12 months, for the primary time since 2019, the Huskies arrived on the Final Four a day early and truly had time for rest with a full day off – together with spending Monday poolside underneath the Arizona solar.

“It was very relaxing,” stated junior level guard KK Arnold. “The sun was out, something I’ve been asking for since winter started.”

UConn is the No. 1 general seed on this 12 months’s match, and as a reward, performed its regional video games (Sweet 16 and Elite Eight) on Friday and Sunday as an alternative of Saturday and Monday, permitting for an extra day of rest ahead of the Final Four.

With most groups enjoying their 39^th recreation of the season in Friday’s nationwide semifinals, that extra time for rest is essential to assist gamers get better from the Elite Eight and put together their our bodies for the season’s largest check.

“Anyone would want the extra day,” stated assistant coach Morgan Valley. “… You get to rest, and then you get to, you know, worry about the game a little extra longer, instead of kind of a compressed schedule in terms of planning for your next opponent.”

The extra-day incentive for the No. 1 general seeded group began within the 2024 NCAA Tournament after South Carolina coach Dawn Staley complained that it was unfair her 2023 No. 1 general seeded Gamecocks solely had 4 days of rest between the Elite Eight and Final Four, whereas Iowa (which beat South Carolina within the nationwide semifinals) was a 2-seed and had 5 days of rest.

Having that extra time not solely permits extra time for recreation prep but additionally provides groups a day to get settled and breathe earlier than starting the continuous circus of Final Four obligations.

This 12 months, UConn defeated Notre Dame within the Elite Eight on Sunday in Fort Worth. The group spent Sunday night time in Texas earlier than leaving Monday morning for Phoenix. The Huskies had all of Monday off because it was a journey day, and spent the time without work the courtroom enjoyable.

“It was nice to just have that off day as a travel day. Get here, get settled, get used to the time zone again,” stated sophomore Allie Ziebell. “So, it’s been good. I feel like we’ve had two or three really good practices so far.”

Sarah Strong stated her legs have been drained following the Huskies’ win over the Fighting Irish. The sophomore performed 38 minutes within the Sweet 16 in opposition to North Carolina and 39 in opposition to Notre Dame two days later. Because of the two-site regional format, the Huskies had a shootaround earlier than its Sweet 16 recreation at 6 a.m. final Friday earlier than holding a 9 a.m. pre-Elite Eight press convention the next day.

“Everyone’s a little extra tired, a little beat up, a little sore. So, just to get through all of that, the fatigue, and I feel like it’s super, super mental at this point,” stated Azzi Fudd final Saturday between UConn’s Sweet 16 and Elite Eight. “… Right now, I could have used an extra hour of sleep. That extra day of rest goes a long way, and just even playing all season, our bodies hurt.”

Usually, when UConn performs its Elite Eight recreation on Monday, it leaves from its regional metropolis late Monday night time and arrives on the Final Four early Tuesday morning. This 12 months, UConn spent Tuesday training after getting a full night time’s rest in Phoenix the night time earlier than.

On Wednesday, the Huskies once more received in one other full follow earlier than doing a full day of NCAA and ESPN content material and media obligations. The entire group additionally spent a portion of the afternoon attending the Naismith Player of the Year press convention to assist Sarah Strong.

When requested on Thursday if the extra day had an impression, sophomore Kayleigh Heckel stated not solely was it vital, however that she feels the Huskies are ready for Friday’s Final Four.

“I think it was super important for us,” she stated. “I think that obviously, at this time of the season, everyone’s kind of tired, kind of bumped and bruised and stuff. … We’re really ready for tomorrow. Body-wise, mentally wise, I think that we’re really ready.”

Some Huskies stated the extra day didn’t make a distinction of their pre-Final Four prep.

“I didn’t really think it made a difference,” stated Ashlynn Shade.

Added Fudd on Thursday: “The extra day of rest was really nice, definitely needed. … but it doesn’t matter how many days you get, you know, you just need to come prepared for whatever your schedule looks like that following day. But definitely getting an extra day to get in, settle, adjust to the time change, getting to enjoy the sun for a second was all really nice.”

The Huskies spent Thursday once more training and taking part in pre-Final Four media and press conferences. They’ll get in a shootaround early Friday earlier than their 7 p.m. ET national semifinal against South Carolina.

“We can be going like thi, just kind of going thing to thing and not really relaxing,” stated Arnold, clapping her fingers collectively. “But I feel like this week we kind of had an opportunity to just kind of get our stuff done, handle business, and then kind of relax and enjoy each other’s presence.”