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Only three games remain in the 2024 NCAA women’s basketball tournament, and they all have the potential to be thrillers. This year’s bracket features four intriguing remaining teams—top-ranked South Carolina, NC State, Iowa and UConn—and the action at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland will be intense.
Thanks in no small part to the presence of Iowa superstar Caitlin Clark, ticket prices for the women’s Final Four are now double the cost of those for the men’s bracket, according to the Associated Press.
“”I think it’s been a special year for women’s basketball,” Clark said, per CNN’s Thomas Schlachter.
Clark isn’t the only star fans will get to follow in Cleveland this weekend, and there should be plenty of drama as the four remaining squads vie for a spot in Sunday’s final.
Here, you’ll find a look at all the scheduling information, odds and game previews for the women’s Final Four.
Friday, April 5
3. NC State vs. 1. South Carolina
Time: 7 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN
Tickets: Vivid Seats
Odds and Over/Under: South Carolina -11.5, 139.5 Points
3. UConn vs. 1. Iowa
Time: 9:30 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN
Tickets: Vivid Seats
Odds and Over/Under: Iowa -2.5, 162.5 Points
Sunday, April 7
National Championship
Time: 3 p.m. ET
TV: ABC
Tickets: Vivid Seats
*Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook
If there’s a game that might become lopsided this weekend, it’s this one. That’s not meant as a knock against NC State, which has surged behind the strong play of standout guard Aziaha James (24.3 points per game).
South Carolina, which remains undefeated, has just been that dominant in the season and through the tournament. The Gamecocks won the national championship in 2022 before losing to Iowa in last year’s Final Four. They can’t repeat, but they stand a good chance of winning two titles in three years.
The Gamecocks have played some of the best team basketball in the tournament, which is a testament to head coach Dawn Staley. South Carolina’s bench depth could be a problem for NC State, and a potent offensive lineup—headlined by Kamilla Cardoso, Te-Hina Paopao, Raven Johnson and MiLaysia Fulwiley certainly will be.
South Carolina has six players averaging more than nine points per game, and the team averages 85.6 points per game as a unit.
None of this means that a blowout is inevitable. James has shown the ability to take over games, and NC State has a sound defense (12th in opposing field goal percentage) that can provide a chance.
The Gamecocks are heavy favorites, but the potential for an upset is part of what makes this Final Four so exciting.
It’s easy to frame the Iowa-UConn matchup as a battle between stars Clark and Paige Bueckers—and that will be one of the top storylines of Friday.
Clark has become a transcendent star in women’s basketball, but it’s important to remember that Bueckers and UConn ended Clark’s first tournament run in the Sweet 16. An ACL injury kept Bueckers out last year, but she’s back for her third Final Four appearance.
Bueckers (28 points per game) is just as capable of dominating as Clark. Aaliyah Edwards is a terrific second option for the Huskies, though injuries have heavily impacted their depth.
UConn head coach Geno Auriemma is used to managing things at this stage and should find a way to get the most out of a short-handed squad. The big question is whether the Huskies can slow Clark, who dropped 41 points in Monday’s win over Angel Reese and LSU.
It’s a matchup that favors Iowa, as UConn’s perimeter defense (36th in opposing three-point percentage) is solid but not elite. Clark’s range and consistency should allow the Hawkeyes to take advantage.
UConn is a tremendous team, though, and this one could go either way. It could also be a grueling game that has a lasting impact with a short turnaround to Sunday.
*Stats via Sports Reference.
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