Jackson State women vs UConn in March Madness: Score prediction for 2024 NCAA Tournament

Jackson State women’s basketball coach Tomekia Reed look to match wits against Hall of Fame UConn basketball coach Geno Auriemma in the first round of the Portland 3 Region NCAA Tournament on Saturday (noon, ABC) at the Gampel Pavilion in Storrs, Connecticut.

"I am extremely happy to be here today," Reed said. "This time last year we missed this opportunity, and I am just thankful to have a special team to win our conference tournament to go dance in February and March."

Reed, in her sixth season, has taken the No.14 seed Tigers to new heights. Jackson State, which two weeks ago received a vote in the Associated Press women’s basketball Top 25 poll for the first time in program history, is making its third NCAA Tournament appearance in four years.

Here is our scouting report of the two teams and a score prediction for Jackson State (26-6) looking to pulling off an upset of the No. 3 seed Huskies (29-5).

Can JSU make Paige Bueckers play both ends?

Paige Bueckers, who won the Naismith and Wooden awards as a freshman in 2021, is one of the best players in the country. She is averaging 21.3 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.7 assists this season after missing the 2022-23 season and half of 2021-22 because of knee injuries. She also is averaging 30.9 minutes per game, second most on the team.

The Tigers need to challenge Bueckers on both ends of the floor, never giving her a rest.

The Huskies have only eight healthy players, and that is if star forward Aaliyah Edwards (17.9 points, 9.3 rebounds per game) is available after breaking her nose in the quarterfinals of the Big East Conference tournament last weekend. A fatigued Bueckers could be a factor for the Tigers, who two years ago almost upset LSU in the first round of the NCAA tournament.

When it is has the ball, Jackson State must make Bueckers making move around screens and fight through the picks. When UConn is on offense, the Tigers should put the athletic Ti’lan Boler and Miya Crump, both 6-foot-1, on the 6-foot Bueckers. Jackson State could put Angel Jackson, who is 6-6, on her at times. The Tigers must make it difficult for Bueckers to shoot over height.

Jackson State coach Tomekia Reed cannot be intimidated by a legend

Reed must exude confidence in herself and the team as she matches wits with Auriemma, who has 1,209 wins and 11 national championships in 39 seasons as the Huskies' coach. She cannot pick up technical fouls or lose her composure if things go bad.

This game should be no big deal for Reed after coaching against Kim Mulkey of LSU in the 2022 NCAA Tournament and against Vic Schaefer of Texas in the regular season. Reed has to follow the motto on the team’s hoodies "Built for This."

JSU WOMEN FACES UCONN IN NCAA TOURNAMENT Jackson State women's basketball to face UConn to open March Madness in 2024 NCAA Tournament

Jackson State has to hit the 3-point shot

Jackson State has to have a better-than-average game with its 3-point shooting. The Tigers have averaged 5.3 3-pointers per game and converted only 28.7% percent of its attempts, but it needs the outside game to open the driving lanes.

It won't be easy against UConn, which has allowed opponents to convert only 27.9% of their attempts.

Score prediction

Jackson State 73, UConn 69: UConn may be without Edwards, a top five WNBA projected draft pick, but even if she plays, her minutes likely will be limited. Jackson, the two-time SWAC defensive player of the year, should feel confident in matching up with Edwards.

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Jackson State women vs UConn prediction: March Madness, NCAA pick