The NCAA women’s national championship game is set, and we are hours away from the highly anticipated tip-off between the No. 1 seeds Iowa Hawkeyes and the South Carolina Gamecocks in Cleveland.
The Hawkeyes punched their ticket to the program’s second championship game ever after surviving the UConn Huskies in a 71-69 thrilling Final Four game.
Paige Bueckers and the UConn Huskies seemed to have found a way to stop Caitlin Clark from taking over the game in her expected fashion. However, Clark still managed to record impressive stats with 21 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists. Hawkeyes Hannah Stuelke contributed to the thrilling victory with a remarkable performance with 23 points.
South Carolina has continued their impressive run this season, remaining unbeaten and making it to the championship game for the third time in seven years. In the Final Four game against NC State, they secured a decisive 78-59 victory. Kamilla Cardoso had an outstanding performance, scoring 22 points and grabbing 11 rebounds against the Wolfpack to continue their championship campaign.
Women’s College Basketball:Why women’s March Madness feels more entertaining than men’s NCAA Tournament
Iowa vs. South Carolina predictions
ESPN: Six out of eight ESPN talent pick South Carolina
ESPN’s Andrea Adelson, Charlie Creme, Kevin Pelton, Alexa Philippou and Michael Voepel predict who will win the NCAA Championship.
Barnes writes: “After going back and forth, I think South Carolina gets it done. The team is young, but Staley has spread the minutes over the team all season, leading to everyone accumulating meaningful minutes up and down the bench. At the end of the day, one or two stops might make the difference. South Carolina gets the edge for me on that.”
Creme writes: “South Carolina is still the best team. If Summitt was right and rebounding wins championships, this should be the Gamecocks’ to lose. None of the other three teams is close to South Carolina’s level on the glass, and the Gamecocks can do it in waves of depth. Staley has options all over the floor. Those are the reasons South Carolina wins its third championship.”
Hurd writes: “South Carolina has the deepest and highest-producing bench in the country. The Gamecocks have logged the fewest individual minutes of any team remaining in the tournament. Any combination of Gamecocks players could lead the team in any given game. It’s been South Carolina’s calling card all season.”
Pelton writes: “The last month has made it clear the Gamecocks are unbeaten but beatable. Still, this has been the best team all season and is a heavy favorite Friday.”
Philippou writes: “South Carolina. Raven Johnson and the rest of the Gamecocks aren’t going to drop their rematch against the team that spoiled their undefeated season and national championship run last year.”
Trotter writes: “The Hawkeyes have the best player in Clark. But the Gamecocks have the best team. Clark would have to deliver another otherworldly performance. She’s obviously capable of just that. But in the end, South Carolina will prove to be too much.”
Sporting News: Iowa 84, South Carolina 82
Caleb Tallman writes: “It may not be pretty; it may have moments that seem like the Gamecocks are ready to run away with it, but somehow, some way Caitlin Clark powers Iowa to their first National Championship ever.”
Greenville News: South Carolina 89, Iowa 85
Evan Gerike writes: “This is far from the same South Carolina team that Iowa defeated last season. It has a chip on its shoulder — it was the last time the Gamecocks lost. In a matchup between the two best teams in the country, South Carolina will find yet another way to come out on top.”
Iowa vs. South Carolina: Odds, spread and lines for March Madness
The Gamecocks are favorites to defeat the Hawkeyes in Sunday’s National Championship game, according to the BetMGM college basketball odds. Looking to wager? Check out the best mobile sports betting apps offering sports betting promos in 2024.
Odds as of Saturday.
- Spread: South Carolina (-6.5)
- Moneylines: South Carolina (-270); Iowa (+220)
- Over/under: 161
How to watch Iowa vs. South Carolina: TV, streaming and schedule
When: Sunday, April 7 at 3:00 p.m. ET
Where: Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, Cleveland, Ohio
Cable TV: ESPN
Streaming: ESPN+
Stream the game:Catch the highly anticipated Iowa vs. South Carolina game with an ESPN+ subscription
How to watch NCAA Women’s Basketball March Madness 2024
All games will be broadcast across ABC and ESPN. Here are additional streaming options to watch all the action on your devices.
How to watch March Madness:Watch all tournament games with a subscription to fuboTV
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