SOUTH BEND − Spring break in Florida means the chance for college kids to kick back, unwind and just relax.
No pressure, right?
Not for a few dozen this weekend in Tampa, or as they like to call it this week — CHAMP-a.
It's Final Four weekend in the city they like to call "The Big Guava" with four teams arriving midweek for the chance to win an NCAA Women's Tournament national championship. Two of the four programs know well what this feels like, what this tastes like. Two others hope to find out.
Who gets a chance to enjoy a weekend in Florida and who will be headed home?
Women's March Madness Final Four predictions
∎ No. 2 Connecticut over No. 1 UCLA: How does a newbie Final Four program beat one that has been to 16 of the last 17? UCLA won't find out.
∎ No. 1 Texas over No. 1 South Carolina: Wellness checks have been needed in each of the last three NCAA games for the fan base of the defending national champions. On Friday, a conference colleague and its defense sends the Gamecocks home.
Women's March Madness Championship prediction
∎ No. 2 Connecticut over No. 1 Texas: Wouldn't it be fitting for Geno Auriemma to win his 12th national championship and walk off into the a Gulf of Mexico sunset? Big Guava, indeed.
Follow South Bend Tribune and NDInsider columnist Tom Noie on X (formerly Twitter): @tnoieNDI. Contact Noie at tnoie@sbtinfo.com
This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: March Madness predictions as NCAA Women's Tournament field is down to Sweet16
