Women’s Final Four Preview
by @btdavis25

Coming off one of the most historic nights in women’s basketball history, four teams arrive in Cleveland looking to leave with a championship in tow.

While South Carolina, Iowa and Connecticut are not surprised to be in the Final Four, North Carolina State is looked upon as the Cinderella of the group.
Can Caitlin Clark put the finishing touches on a memorable season? Can South Carolina join a select group as an unbeaten champion? Can UConn add on to a storied history? Can North Carolina State add an underdog title run to go along with the men’s? These questions will be answered beginning Friday.

Here is a closer look at Friday’s games:

South Carolina (36-0) vs. North Carolina State (31-6), 7 p.m., EST
The Gamecocks are two wins from becoming the first undefeated champion since UConn in 2016. South Carolina may not have an individual star on the same level as Caitlin Clark and Paige Buechers, but its completeness as a team makes them the favorite. Dawn Staley has stamped herself as one of the best coaches in the game as she goes for her third title with the Gamecocks. They are a classic inside-outside team. The inside force is 6-foot-7 Kamilla Cardoso. Last year, 3-point shooting proved to be the Gamecocks' undoing. This season, it is a major strength. Te-Hina Paopao may be the best long-range shooter not playing for Iowa. She is second in the country at 46.3 percent. Freshman guard dynamo MiLaysia Fulwiley provides a spark off the bench.

The Wolfpack has made their Cinderella run thanks to the play of guard Aziah James, who has become a star during the tournament. She contributed 27 points, six rebounds and four assists in their 76-66 region final victory over Texas. Center River Baldwin is expected to battle Cardoso in the paint. This game may be decided by South Carolina’s deeper bench.
Pick: Since a one-point win over Tennessee in the SEC Tournament, South Carolina has won four of their next six games by double digits. The Wolfpack may keep this interesting for a while, but the Gamecocks’ depth will see them through.

South Carolina, 82-70.
Connecticut (33-5) vs. Iowa (33-4), 9 p.m., EST

While most of the nation was captured by the Angel Reese-Clark matchup, the Clark and Buechers have history of their own. Buechers defeated Clark in the Sweet 16 in her first tournament run and the two were teammates on Team USA. Clark has 70 points and 27 assists in the Hawkeyes’ last two wins over Colorado and LSU. A majority of the country wants to see her end her college career with a championship. UConn has the size on the perimeter to give Clark problems in Buechers and Nika Muhl. Iowa’s supporting cast may prove vital with Gabbie Marshall and Kate Martin more than capable of scoring on the inside or from beyond the arc. Lost among Clark’s 41-point performance against LSU, Martin added 21 of her own.

This may be Geno Auriemma’s best coaching performance in his vaunted career. The Huskies, while not a Cinderella by a long shot, was the third seed in their region. Buechers has been the driving force for UConn, scoring 20 or more points in every game of the tournament. Her running mate, Aaliyah Edwards, who has committed to the WNBA Draft, will be the inside presence and a tough matchup for Iowa’s Hannah Stuelke. Fatigue may be a factor as Edwards, Muhl and Bueckers played all 40 minutes against USC.

Pick: While this matchup won’t probably bring in the TV numbers as Iowa-LSU did, it will still be an attractive one. UConn has the talent and the pedigree to not be underestimated, but Clark wants the chance to put the perfect finish to her storybook career. Iowa, 88-82.