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South Carolina vs Iowa: 2023 Women’s NCAA Tournament Final Four game preview, TV schedule

By Tristan Freeman

Mar 26, 2023; Seattle, WA, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes guard Caitlin Clark (22) reacts against the Louisville Cardinals in the second half at Climate Pledge Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 26, 2023; Seattle, WA, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes guard Caitlin Clark (22) reacts against the Louisville Cardinals in the second half at Climate Pledge Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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South Carolina remains unbeaten in the Women’s NCAA Tournament Final Four, two wins away from a perfect season. Can Caitlin Clark and Iowa stop them?

TV schedule: Friday, March 31st. 9:00 pm ET (approx), ESPN

Arena: American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas

There are just four teams left in the Women’s NCAA Tournament, with one clear favorite among them. And that’s South Carolina (35-0), who has just four games that were within single-digits all season. They’ve been dominant all season and has a great chance of not only finishing with an unblemished record but also winning back-to-back national titles.

After beating Norfolk State, South Florida and UCLA in the Big Dance, the Gamecocks took on 2 seed Maryland in the Elite 8. It was a game that looked competitive early on, with South Carolina down six points after the first quarter. Yet the defense, which ranks No. 1 nationally, held the Terrapins to just nine points in the next 10 minutes to take the lead.

Coach Dawn Staley and South Carolina went on to win 86-75, led by 22 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists from National Player of the Year, Aliyah Boston. Guards Zia Cooke and Brea Beal combined for 34 points on the perimeter as well. This team now has seven wins against ranked opponents and are just two wins away from another national title.

Usually, South Carolina has the best players on the court. But their opponent has a historically great player and is a elite offensive team in Iowa (30-6). The Hawkeyes are the No. 1 scoring team in the country, led by All-American. Caitlin Clark (27.3 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 8.6 apg). She has already set numerous records throughout her career, including her recent game.

Iowa defeated Southeastern Louisiana, Georgia, and Colorado to get to a matchup with Louisville in the Elite 8. It was a 5-point game at the half, before a 30-point 3rd quarter gave the Hawkeyes the lead and the eventual 97-83 win. Clark sparked the run, finishing with 41 points, 10 rebounds and 12 assists on 8/14 shooting from three-point range. She became the first person in NCAA Tournament history to have a 40-point triple-double.

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This is the ultimate battle between the best offense and best defense in women’s college basketball. South Carolina does have the defenders to bother Clark in Brea and Cooke but the star Hawkeye is going to get hers. Can Iowa prevent the Gamecocks from scoring easy as well? This is going to be a good one and appoitment TV. It’s hard to predict an upset for the Gamecocks but if anyone can do it, it’s Clark. This game reminds me of Kentucky vs Wisconsin on the men’s side in 2015 and I’m going to call the upset here too.

Prediction: Iowa 76, South Carolina 71

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