Tonight's outcome between UConn and Notre Dame will come down to style and pace

It will be UCONN and Notre Dame in the championship. The semifinals saw two games, contrasting in pace and ‘drama'. The scores:

Notre Dame 66 South Carolina 65
UCONN 81 Maryland 58

In the opener Notre Dame and South Carolina were involved in a faster paced affair.

Possessions: Notre Dame 71 South Carolina 70
Offensive efficiency: South Carolina 93 Notre Dame 92

South Carolina won. The efficiency. Studies have shown the team leading in efficiency wins the game 95-97% of the time. To add to Dawn Staley's disappointment of being ever so close, the Gamecocks had the slightest edge in offensive efficiency.

The factor(s) of note: Notre Dame had an excellent 14% TO rate. South Carolina led 37-26 in offensive rebounding percentage. That edge extended possessions and contributed to the Gamecocks outscoring the Irish 48-32 in the paint.

UCONN broke open an 11 point half time lead early after intermission and never looked back. The pace and efficiency.

Possessions: Maryland 64, UCONN 62
Efficiency: UCONN 131 Maryland 91

Huskies, the only team of the four to hit the century mark in offensive efficiency and they dominated on that end.

The factor(s) of note: UCONN ‘swept' the Four Factors. Outstanding was their eFG percentage of 61%. UCONN shot 8 of 22 from three for 36%. A scary note, Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis was not a factor as the UCONN standout was a quiet 1 of 8 (4 points) from the floor. She was heard in other areas handing out a game high 7 assists against one turnover.

A'ja Wilson, a 6-5 freshman, starred for South Carolina scoring a team high 20 points within outstanding 30 efficiency. Brianna Stewart of UCONN had the highest efficiency of the two semifinals at 33. Stewart scored a game high 25 points adding 3 assists and 4 blocks. She shot 7 of 13 from the floor.

The championship featuring Muffet McGraw's 36-2 Notre Dame and UCONN coached by Geno Auriemma, going for national title number 10, has a host of storylines. A priority will be action in the lane.

As noted South Carolina had success against the Irish in the paint. UCONN enjoyed a 40-26 edge over Maryland in that close scoring proximity. Interior defense will be a priority for ND. Stay tuned for a good one.