FINALLY, IT'S FOUR!

By Joey Johnston

Finally, we have four.

The Road to Tampa Bay — a season-long quest — has made its final turn toward the finish line with the NCAA Women’s Final Four set for downtown Tampa’s Amalie Arena.

And from the looks of things, we have an epic weekend of basketball ahead.

Friday night’s ESPN menu:

It’s an all-SEC matchup in the first semifinal, matching the defending national champion South Carolina Gamecocks (34-3) against the Texas Longhorns (35-3), a storied program that is making its first Final Four appearance since 2003.

In the nightcap, it’s the Big Ten’s UCLA Bruins (34-2), making the program’s first Final Four trip, against the Big East’s UConn Huskies (35-3), who are seeking the program’s 12th national championship in its 24th Final Four under Coach Geno Auriemma.

The semifinal winners meet Sunday afternoon for the national title before an ABC-TV audience.

Star power?

This Final Four has the potential to sparkle with the likes of UCLA’s Lauren Betts (the 6-foot-7 dominant force), UConn’s Paige Bueckers (coming off games of 40 and 31 points), Texas’s Madison Booker (the SEC Player of the Year) and South Carolina’s deep collection of lethal standouts.

Tampa Bay will become the first community to host its fourth Women’s Final Four (along with 2008, 2015 and 2019), a source of pride, but also a call to action, an opportunity to produce the most memorable event yet.

It’s the fourth South Carolina-Texas game this season (with the Gamecocks leading 2-1, including a 64-45 victory in the SEC Championship Game). What makes the difference this time?

How will UConn defend Betts? How will UCLA shadow Bueckers?

And speaking of the sparkle …

Once again, it’s Tampa Bay’s time to shine. By the time the teams arrive in time for Thursday’s workouts and news conferences at Amalie Arena, the Final Four proceedings will be at a fever pitch. Whether you’re strolling along the Riverwalk, visiting a favorite restaurant or holding tickets for the weekend, you’re bound to get caught up in the excitement.

Finally, it’s four.