In the buildup for the No. 1 vs. No. 2 showdown, UConn coach Geno Auriemma couldn't put a number of how many questions he was asked about the rise of the South Carolina program and importance of the game. However, one inquiry stands above all the others and that came earlier in the day when he was asked if the game was a litmus test one for his team.

He thought about how many big games the trio of Breanna Stewart, Moriah Jefferson and Morgan Tuck have played since their arrival including three national championship games (two for Tuck) and could only chuckle.

Auriemma wasn't sure what else would happen but he rather certain that the aforementioned trio would be good to go. All they did was combine to score UConn's first 28 points, Stewart had a double-double while Jefferson and Tuck combined to hold Tiffany Mitchell and Alaina Coates to a 5 of 18 shooting performance.

"I appreciate them more every day because sometimes I start to blink and I realize they aren't going to be out there and I really appreciate them," Auriemma said. "Some of the plays they made are unbelievable. Some of the shots Stewie makes, the way Moriah gets in the lane, just how tough  Tuck is on one leg. I just can't say enough about those guys, they are pretty special guys."

Nobody is more appreciative of what Jefferson and Tuck have done at UConn than Stewart.

"A lot of people overlook what Morgan and Moriah have done and it is just as much of an impact that they have made and we would't be in this position without those two," Stewart said. "I just appreciate playing with them and tying to enjoy this last year as much as possible."

UConn improved to 19-3 in No. 1 vs. No. 2 games including a 6-0 mark since the arrival of Stewart, Jefferson and Tuck.

"I am not surprised about what happened tonight, I knew we were playing a great team, we knew we were playing a team that is almost unbeatable on their home court and they are probably going to go back to the Final Four like they did last year because they are good," Auriemma said. "When my guys know that the challenge is huge, those three seniors usually come up huge. The fun part is really the look in their eyes when they are getting ready to play in a game like this is really quite different than any other time.

"When it is the biggest moment, you can tell the way we practice the day before, the way shootaround goes, the way they look when we are watching film, when we are talking to them in the huddle, there is a whole different vibe. It makes me different, it makes me feel like back in the old days and the (assistant) coaches too. There was a little bit of stuff flowing through all of us and when two teams like this play, you are actually more nervous at home than you are on the road. I am really proud of our team tonight."

A couple of numbers jumped out at me.

First, South Carolina came into the game leading the country averaging 24.1 attempted free throws per game however the Gamecocks had seven attempts through three quarters.

Also, the rebound totals were dead even 35-35 with UConn actually getting more offensive rebounds and the Huskies also had more blocked shots that the Gamecocks.

The biggest numbers might have been 40, 40, 39 and 33 and those are the minutes played by returning starters Stewart, Jefferson, Kia Nurse and Tuck.

Auriemma said after the game that of the younger players, Gabby Williams was the one who contributed the most. He said he could have played Saniya Chong but each time he looked at who he would have to take out and opted to play it safe.