Women's Basketball

The 53-year-old Fernandez spent the past 25 seasons leading the women’s team at the University of South Florida.

Fernandez, who spent 25 years leading the Bulls and made 10 NCAA Tournament appearances, reportedly will be named head coach of the Dallas Wings. Michele Woods-Baxter will take over in the interim.

Azzi Fudd was named the Final Four's Most Outstanding Player and Paige Bueckers capped her stellar career with the Huskies’ first championship since 2016 at Tampa's Amalie Arena.

On "The Florida Roundup," two Jacksonville City Council members talk about a city ordinance that mandates jail time for immigrants without legal status. Plus, the St. Johns County schools superintendent discusses managing a rising population.

The subplots include South Carolina looking to repeat as champions, and likely No. 1 WNBA pick Paige Bueckers' last attempt at a national title.

On "Florida Matters," we speak to area officials about luring happenings like the NCAA Women's Final Four and Firestore Grand Prix of St. Pete to Tampa and St. Petersburg.

The Huskies and Longhorns won their regional finals to earn trips to Amalie Arena. The national semifinals are slated for Friday, with the national championship game on Sunday.

The basketball will be championship caliber, of course, but don't forget the week's fan festival, concert in the park, pregame parties, and speakers brought in to help empower and equip women in sports and business.

The national semifinals are scheduled for 7 and 9:30 p.m. Friday at Amalie Arena, with the national championship at 3 p.m. Sunday.

The Bulls trailed by one after the first quarter, but the Volunteers took control with a 29-9 run before halftime to easily advance in the NCAA women's basketball tournament.

The tournament featured its highest attendance ever to go along with stellar TV ratings in every round. The timing couldn’t be better for the sport. It all could lead to women’s basketball getting a separate TV deal when the contract expires next summer.

USF twice cut the deficit to nine in the second half, but they couldn’t get any closer.