The NCAA women’s basketball Final Four is almost here, with No. 1 South Carolina set to face off against No. 3 N.C. State, and No. 1 Iowa taking on No. 3 UConn in Cleveland on Friday night. N.C. State managed to defeat both No. 1 Texas and No. 2 Stanford to reach the Final Four, with five players averaging at least 10 points per game. However, they face a tough challenge against a South Carolina team known for its strong defense and high-scoring offense. Iowa, led by top scorer Caitlin Clark, also faces a tough matchup against UConn, known for their stellar defense and key players like Paige Bueckers.
N.C. State finds themselves in a David vs. Goliath matchup against South Carolina, the last undefeated team in women’s basketball this season. With a defense that allows only 56 points per game and a high-scoring offense, South Carolina appears to be the team to beat in the Final Four. Iowa, known for their high-octane scoring led by Caitlin Clark, will need to step up their defense to match up against UConn, who allow an average of only 56.8 points per game.
Iowa coach Geno Auriemma will be expected to come up with a plan to contain Caitlin Clark and her scoring abilities. Freshman JuJu Watkins and McKenzie Forbes scored high in USC’s loss to UConn, but struggled with poor shooting percentages. Despite struggling with injuries last season, UConn appears to be back in form and ready to take on Iowa in the Final Four. South Carolina coach Dawn Staley expressed surprise at her team’s undefeated status and strong performance, crediting hard work and dedication from the coaching staff and players for their success.
In the Final Four matchups, N.C. State faces an uphill battle against South Carolina’s strong defense and high-scoring offense, while Iowa will need to improve their defense to match up against UConn’s formidable lineup. South Carolina’s Kamilla Cardoso has been dominant on both ends of the court, averaging double figures in points and rebounds per game. With potential matchups against strong opponents like Iowa’s Caitlin Clark looming, the Final Four promises to be an exciting and competitive showdown for the NCAA women’s basketball championship.
