#7 Tales of the unbeaten — NCAA Div. I Women’s Basketball

REAL SPORTS Most Important Moments in Sports 2014 edition

For the first time in NCAA basketball history, two undefeated women’s teams — the University of Connecticut and Notre Dame — met to decide the 2014 national champion. But like so many title games, regardless of sport, this game was quickly made lopsided after UConn went on an 18-5 run in the second half after leading by seven at the half. The Huskies dominated the board, compiling a 53-31 advantage, including 22 offensive rebounds.

In championship games, where confidence and belief in oneself and the team can be as important as the skills of the players and team, UConn’s history likely cast a long shadow on the minds of the Notre Dame players and coaches — this was the Huskies’ third undefeated season after all. Plus, in eight previous title-game appearances, UConn had never lost and had won three in the preceding five years before securing this one, its fourth in six years.

Couple this with the UConn men’s team winning the championship the day before, the expectations were there for Coach Geno Auriemma and his team to repeat what had only been done once before — a school’s men’s and women’s programs both winning the championship. Connecticut did it in 2004.

UConn coach Geno Auriemma at Stanford on November 17, 2014 (c) 2014 John Todd

It was UConn's 15th Final Four appearance, Notre Dame's fourth. Of the other Final Four teams, Stanford it was the 12th time, Maryland's fourth [RS]

Publisher's note: Want to learn more about the UConn and Notre Dame rivalry, check out this 2014 ESPN NCAA Women's Final Four rivalry feature.