The women’s NCAA tournament has been electrified by Iowa senior forward Caitlin Clark’s stellar performance, with the in-state product leading her Hawkeyes to secure a spot in the Final Four. On Monday night, powered by Clark’s 41 points that included nine made three-pointers against LSU, Clark solidified her status as the sure-fire WNBA draft’s No. 1 overall pick (by the Indiana Fever).
In the bigger picture of women’s basketball as a whole, the anticipation surrounding Clark and the Hawkeyes has significantly boosted viewership, making Iowa’s games a must-watch event during March Madness.
The potential clash between Iowa and other top teams like UConn, featuring star player Paige Bueckers, promises to keep audiences engaged. Boosted by the combination of high stakes and vibrant personalities, the women’s NCAA tournament has been thriving, with increasing ratings and visibility.
Meanwhile, in a historic moment for NCAA basketball, both the men’s and women’s teams from the University of Connecticut and North Carolina State University have advanced to their respective Final Fours, while in the Division Two ranks, Minnesota State University (Mankato, MN) achieved a rare feat in the 2023-2024 season, with the Mavericks women’s basketball program winning the Division Two national championship on Friday night in St. Joseph, Missouri, followed by the MSU men winning the national title the following afternoon in Evansville, Indiana.
In the women’s national semifinals on Friday night in Cleveland, Ohio, North Carolina State will play unbeaten South Carolina, followed by Clark’s Iowa Hawkeyes playing Paige Buecker’s Connecticut Huskies.
In the men’s national semifinals on Saturday night in Glendale, Arizona, the Purdue Boilermakers play the North Carolina State Wolfpack, with the Alabama Crimson Tide playing the UConn Huskies.