Potential national championship rematch set for Elite 8 if Iowa Hawkeyes can win

If Iowa takes care of its own business, a national championship rematch is set for the Elite 8 against LSU.

The Iowa Hawkeyes have their own business to worry about first.

But, if top-seeded Iowa (31-4, 15-3 Big Ten) does manage to beat No. 5 seed Colorado (24-9, 11-7 Pac-12) for a second season in a row in the Sweet 16, then it’s a national championship rematch versus the third-seeded LSU Tigers (31-5, 13-3 SEC).

LSU managed to outlast No. 2 seed UCLA (27-7, 13-5 Pac-12) down the stretch, winning, 78-69.

After building a 10-point lead just before halftime, UCLA battled all the way back and tied the contest heading into the fourth quarter. From there, the Tigers and Bruins traded the lead six times.

It was LSU that ended the game on a 16-4 run, though.

LSU was led by sophomore guard Flau’jae Johnson’s 24 points on 7-of-11 shooting. The Savannah, Ga., native knocked down a pair of 3-pointers and finished with 12 rebounds to secure a double-double.

Three other Tigers finished in double figures. Junior guard Aneesah Morrow added 17 points, junior forward Angel Reese collected a double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds and freshman guard Mikaylah Williams finished with 12 points.

UCLA was led by sophomore center Lauren Betts’ 14 points and 17 rebounds and by sophomore guard Kiki Rice’s 13 points.

The reigning national champions march on and will face either Iowa or Colorado. LSU beat Iowa in the 2023 national championship game, 102-85.

Jasmine Carson was a massive spark of the Tigers in that game, coming off the bench to knock down 5-of-6 3-pointers. LSU knocked down 11-of-17 treys as a team.

Alexis Morris and Ladazhia Williams scored 21 and 20 points, respectively. Meanwhile, Reese added 15 points, 10 rebounds, five assists, three steals and a block.

Reese was named the Final Four’s Most Outstanding Player.

Iowa was led by Caitlin Clark’s 30 points and eight assists. The West Des Moines product connected on a national championship record eight made 3-pointers.

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