UConn guard Paige Bueckers (5) pulls up for a basket against Southern California guard Avery Howell (23) and center Rayah Marshall (13) in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024, in Hartford, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)

UConn guard Paige Bueckers is guarded by Southern California guard Kennedy Smith, right, in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024, in Hartford, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)

UConn forward Sarah Strong, left, pulls down a rebound as Southern California guard Kennedy Smith and UConn guard Morgan Cheli, bottom right, defend in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024, in Hartford, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)

Iowa State guard Emily Ryan, left, guards UConn guard Paige Bueckers in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024, in Uncasville, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)

Southern California guard JuJu Watkins (12) dribbles around UConn guard Paige Bueckers (5) as Southern California forward Kiki Iriafen (44) defends in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024, in Hartford, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)

Southern California iguard JuJu Watkins, center, splits between the defense of UConn guard Ashlynn Shade, left, and guard Azzi Fudd, right, in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024, in Hartford, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)