Own the group chat with The Weekender, highlighting the biggest stories in college sports, standout writing from Eleven Warriors, and a glance at what’s next.
HISTORIC CHAMPIONS CROWNED IN COLLEGE BASKETBALL
When the dust settled on the 2023-24 NCAA men’s and women’s basketball seasons, a pair of familiar programs were showered in confetti and collected the ultimate prize.
On the women’s side, legendary head coach Dawn Staley captured her third national championship at the helm of the South Carolina program with an 87-75 victory over Caitlin Clark and Iowa on April 7. The Gamecocks finished the season with a flawless 38-0 record, becoming the 10th team to go undefeated in women’s college basketball — and the first since Connecticut in 2015-16.
Star center Kamilla Cardoso led the Gamecocks with 17 points and 15 rebounds against the Hawkeyes, while freshman guard Tessa Johnson recorded a career-high 19 points off the bench in the win. Iowa star Caitlin Clark — the NCAA’s all-time leading scorer — led all players with 30 points.
One day after South Carolina made history, Dan Hurley’s Connecticut Huskies wrote themselves into the record books. With a 75-60 win over Purdue on Monday, the Huskies became just the seventh team to win back-to-back NCAA men’s basketball titles and the first since Florida in 2006-07.
Connecticut was led by the trio of guards Stephon Castle and Tristen Newton and 7-2 center Donovan Clingan, who combined for 46 points en route to the win. Purdue didn’t get much production outside of 7-4 center Zach Edey, and he finished his final collegiate game with 37 points and 10 rebounds.
SPRING GAME HAPPENINGS FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY
Ohio State’s spring camp ended on Saturday with the annual spring game, in which Team Scarlet (offense) prevailed over Team Gray (defense) 34-33. But, there were several other teams in action on Saturday.
Alabama fans caught their first glimpse of the post-Nick Saban Crimson Tide, as the program faced impactful losses via the transfer portal following the all-time great’s retirement this off-season. With new head coach Kalen DeBoer in tow, the Crimson Tide’s offense prevailed over its defense 34-28 with Saban in attendance. Incumbent starting quarterback Jalen Milroe had an up-and-down day, completing three of nine passes for 100 yards.
Utah quarterback Cam Rising returned to the field at Rice-Eccles Stadium on Saturday, after missing all of last season with a knee injury, and lit up the Utes' defense to the tune of 208 yards and two touchdowns.
Dimes to Dorian @crising7 @dorian_singer1 pic.twitter.com/eso99Jlhwd
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) April 13, 2024
Outside of Ohio State, only two other Big Ten teams — Penn State and Purdue — were in action on Saturday. The Nittany Lions saw some encouraging developments from quarterback Drew Allar, who threw for 202 yards and a touchdown to lead the White team over Blue 27-0.
CALIPARI RIDES THE COACHING CAROUSEL
The John Calipari era at Kentucky is over.
The three-time Naismith Coach of the Year agreed to a five-year deal to helm the Arkansas men’s basketball program, after former Razorbacks coach Eric Musselman took the head coaching job at USC.
Calipari led the Wildcats to four Final Four appearances and the 2012 NCAA title while capturing a 410-123 record during his 15-year tenure in Lexington, Ky. However, the Wildcats have failed to reach the Final Four since 2015, and have not made it out of the first weekend of the NCAA Tournament since 2019.
To fill the void left by Calipari, Kentucky hired former BYU head coach Mark Pope — who played on the Wildcats’ 1996 national championship team. During his nine-year head coaching career, which also includes a stop at Utah Valley, Pope has amassed a 187-108 record.
ICYMI
Ohio State’s talented collection of quarterbacks took center stage during the Buckeyes’ annual spring game on Saturday and the duo of Will Howard and Devin Brown appeared to separate themselves in the competition for the starting job.
OHIO STATE GOLFER NEAL SHIPLEY CLINCHES LOW AMATEUR HONORS, MAKES THE CUT AT THE MASTERS
Ohio State golfer Neal Shipley has made a name for himself at The Masters in Augusta, Ga., as the only amateur to make the cut during the world’s most prestigious golf tournament.
Ohio State offensive coordinator Chip Kelly has made quite the impression within the Woody Hayes Athletic Center since joining Ryan Day’s staff in February.
WHAT’S NEXT?
- 139 Days: OSU football’s season opener vs. Akron
- 230 Days: The Game
