Women’s March Madness Final Four Preview
As the Women’s March Madness tournament reaches the Final Four stage, fans are eagerly anticipating two captivating matchups that will determine which teams will compete for the national championship. Each game features a No. 1 seed facing off against a No. 3 seed, promising intense competition and high stakes.
No. 1 South Carolina vs. No. 3 N.C. State
Season Recap: South Carolina enters the semifinals with an impressive undefeated record of 36-0, capturing the SEC tournament championship along the way. Their dominant performance in the early rounds of the tournament culminated in a decisive victory over Oregon State, securing their fourth consecutive Final Four appearance. On the other hand, N.C. State made a statement by defeating both No. 2 Stanford and No. 1 Texas en route to their second-ever Final Four.
X-factor: Senior center Kamilla Cardoso has been a standout player for South Carolina, averaging 14.1 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks per game. Meanwhile, Aziaha James has been a key contributor for N.C. State, leading the team in scoring with 16.7 points per game.
Player to Watch: Raven Johnson has emerged as a pivotal player for South Carolina this season, showcasing her skills with a standout performance against Indiana. For N.C. State, former Gamecock Saniya Rivers will be a player to watch as she faces her former team in a highly anticipated matchup.
No. 1 Iowa vs. No. 3 UConn
Season Recap: Iowa comes into the semifinals with a 33-4 record and a third consecutive Big Ten title under their belt. Noteworthy is their victory over defending champion LSU, avenging their loss in the 2023 final. UConn, with a record of 33-5, secured their fourth consecutive Big East title and overcame USC in a tightly contested game to reach the Final Four after a brief hiatus.
X-factor: Caitlin Clark has been a standout player for Iowa, delivering a spectacular 41-point performance against LSU. Meanwhile, UConn has benefited from the exceptional skills of Paige Bueckers, averaging 28 points, nine rebounds, five assists, and 3.3 steals per game.
Player to Watch: Kate Martin of Iowa has elevated her performance this season, providing consistent scoring and rebounding for her team. Aaliyah Edwards of UConn has been a force to be reckoned with, impressing with her scoring and rebounding abilities throughout the tournament.
Image/Photo credit: source url