Tag: Iowa women’s basketball

Takeaways as Iowa falls to LSU in the Women’s NCAA championship game

Iowa fought hard but ultimately fell short against LSU. Nonetheless, this season was magical. Takeaways from the Hawkeyes’ hard-fought loss.

Caitlin Clark. Angel Reese. Monika Czinano. Alexis Morris.

Those are stars of women’s college basketball. They should be on the court and deciding the biggest game of the year. Scratch that, arguably the most watched and anticipated game in Women’s NCAA Tournament history.

That’s how it should go. Until it didn’t. And it didn’t due to the officials completely losing control of the game, the moment being too big for them, and ultimately stealing the spotlight from two teams that deserved so much better.

Ultimately, Iowa didn’t do enough defensively and that cost them in the end. There is no denying LSU shot the ball lights out and that is where the credit does come into play. Regardless of the refs having absolutely no idea how to handle this moment, the Tigers made big shot after big shot.

That doesn’t change how special and magical this season was for the Hawkeyes. The ride they went on, the players that shined, and the moments that happened are all part of the joy.

Here are the biggest takeaways from the National Championship that deserved so much better than it got.

Iowa will have to overcome these LSU stats to become national champions

In order to become national champions, Iowa will need to overcome these LSU stats.

Iowa women’s basketball finally did it! Your Hawkeyes are heading to their first national championship game! They became the first team in over a year to beat defending national champion South Carolina.

Conventional box score knowledge would tell you the Gamecocks should have won this game. South Carolina had nearly double the rebounds as the Hawkeyes, 49-25, and made their money on second-chance points. In an extreme rarity, South Carolina had more offensive rebounds (26) than defensive rebounds.

The size advantage Dawn Staley’s squad held over the Hawkeyes was evident. At times, South Carolina made Iowa look like middle schoolers in comparison to the Monstars wearing red.

Despite getting vastly outrebounded and not even shooting lights out from deep, the Hawkeyes were pulled out this tight contest. Caitlin Clark led the way with a Kobe-like 41-point performance, aided by the threat of Iowa’s shooters to hit from downtown. Those 3s didn’t always fall, but South Carolina knew it couldn’t just leave lethal shooters such as Gabbie Marshall open from 3.

It was a David vs. Goliath performance for Lisa Bluder’s squad, and they’it will have to do it again if it hopes to become national champions. The LSU Tigers also possess great size. Ten players are listed as 5-foot-10 or taller, and the Tigers are led by dominant big Angel Reese.

Prior to the start of the Final Four, the Tigers averaged 16 more rebounds than their opponents on a given night. LSU ranked third nationally in total rebounds and offensive rebounds per game behind just Troy and South Carolina. The Tigers came into Dallas averaging 46.6 rebounds and 17.1 offensive boards per contest.

LSU is another team that looks to beat up its opponent inside, opting to drive and crash the glass rather than settling for the jumper. The Tigers have not shot particularly well in recent tournament games, but have played tough defense and dominated the glass. Just like SC, they will make you work for every single bucket, every single rebound.

If Iowa can hold its own on the glass — particularly the offensive glass — the Hawkeyes are likely going to be cutting down nets in Dallas and hoisting a national championship trophy.

It all takes place at 2:30 CT on ABC.

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Follow Jacob on Twitter: @Jacobkeppen

Iowa’s Final Four game drew record-breaking ratings, ESPN’s most-viewed game in 15 years

The ratings are in and Iowa’s Final Four game drew huge numbers. The Hawkeyes are part of ESPN’s most-viewed game in 15 years, men or women.

Friday night’s Final Four matchup was arguably the most anticipated women’s college basketball game in recent history. The game delivered on its lofty expectations and then some. The Iowa Hawkeyes took down previously undefeated South Carolina and will face LSU in their shot at the national championship.

The game had star power, Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston, to go with high-stakes. The game came down to the final minute and the ratings proved the sports world was tuned in.

The Iowa-South Carolina game was the catalyst that made this season’s women’s semifinals the most viewed in ESPN’s history. It is also the most-viewed semifinal game on record.

The Hawkeyes drew 5.5 million viewers on average with a peak rating of 6.6 million viewers. These ratings are the third most-viewed women’s college basketball game to date. The women’s Final Four games are also the most-viewed games in the history of ESPN+, ESPN’s subscription streaming service.

The most impressive tidbit may be that this game is now the most-viewed NCAA basketball game on ESPN since 2008 when the Duke and North Carolina men squared off.

For some context to how massive these numbers are, the two Duke versus North Carolina men’s matchups this season, college basketball’s premier rivalry, drew an average of 2.74 million viewers. Iowa’s Final Four game practically doubled the ratings of the Duke versus North Carolina rivalry.

Sunday afternoon has the Iowa Hawkeyes and LSU Tigers tipping off for the national championship and it should see another big number when the ratings come out.

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Follow Riley on Twitter: @rileydonald7

When will Caitlin Clark be eligible for the WNBA Draft?

Just how long will it be before Iowa women’s basketball star Caitlin Clark can play in the WNBA?

Iowa women’s basketball superstar Caitlin Clark is taking the sports world by storm.

After her explosive 2023 women’s NCAA tournament Final Four performance, she helped her Hawkeyes reach Sunday’s national title game against LSU.

If Clark’s team is victorious, it would be Iowa’s first-ever championship in women’s basketball. The team has only made two Final Four appearances, this year and in 1993.

Many will wonder if Clark will turn an all-time women’s college hoops career into an WNBA career after this season, but that won’t come until 2024 at the earliest.

Clark isn’t eligible to declare for the 2023 WNBA Draft since she is still a junior with Iowa.

However, she could opt to stay with the program after the 2023-24 season if she chooses to use the extra year of eligibility granted to NCAA athletes because of the COVID-19 pandemic, per Sporting News.

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Whenever she does want to go pro, it’s incredibly likely she’d be the highly coveted top pick in the WNBA Draft.

Until then, she’ll be lighting up the scoreboard in Johnson County, Iowa.

Kevin Durant calls Caitlin Clark incredible ahead of Final Four, talks Iowa Hawkeyes

NBA superstar Kevin Durant talks about Caitlin Clark’s performance, the Hawkeyes’ cohesiveness, and more ahead of their Final Four matchup.

Kevin Durant is the newest voice to join the hype surrounding Iowa Hawkeyes’ star guard Caitlin Clark and the magical run that has the Hawkeyes in the Final Four.

Durant went on his podcast, “The ETCs,” to discuss what the Hawkeyes are doing and didn’t hesitate to stamp his knowledge on what is happening.

Durant’s podcast stems from Boardroom, a news outlet covering anything from sports to culture to entertainment that was founded by Kevin Durant and Rich Kleiman in 2019. Hearing Durant talk about the Iowa Hawkeyes women’s basketball team and what is happening highlights just how national the attention is that they are demanding. Durant joins LeBron James — not only two of the best basketball players on the planet — but in recent talks surrounding Caitlin Clark.

Their recent podcast discusses the Hawkeyes’ performance, Caitlin Clark, their team comradery and more. Check out Durant’s thoughts on the Hawkeyes as the tip against No. 1 South Carolina in the Final Four approaches.

Hawkeyes Final Four facts: Get to know the South Carolina Gamecocks

The Hawkeyes get their shot at South Carolina in the Final Four. Here is a breakdown of the Gamecocks’ season, top players, and coaching.

The stage is set. In their second-ever NCAA Final Four appearance, the Iowa Hawkeyes are tasked with dethroning reigning champions South Carolina.

That’s right folks, South Carolina. We are now in the big leagues facing the best of the best for a chance at the National Championship. The Gamecocks have dominated this March Madness, blowing out Norfolk State and Southern Florida before defeating tough opponents in UCLA and Maryland.

This is what Dawn Staley’s team has done all season. As the top team in the nation, they’ve dominated the teams that they should put into the dirt while constantly locking in to defeat the tougher opponents. For how tough their road to the Final Four has been, they haven’t faced a team soaring quite like the Hawkeyes yet.

Iowa took that massive loss to Maryland at the end of the season personally. After that 96-68 loss to the Terps, the Hawks have rattled off eight straight victories. They’ve seemingly hit that next level this postseason, set to prove that their second seed doesn’t mean a thing. They’re out to win the whole thing.

If star guard Caitlin Clark has her way, she will cut down the nets when it’s all said and done. The likely Player of the Year exploded in the Hawkeyes’ Elite Eight matchup against Louisville, with the first-ever 40-point triple-double in an NCAA Tournament game.

On the other side is the mighty undefeated South Carolina Gamecocks. Led by Dawn Staley and reigning Player of the Year Aliyah Boston, they aren’t keen on giving up their crown just yet. They want a repeat.

Ahead of possibly the biggest matchup in NCAA women’s basketball history, here is a look at South Carolina.

GOAT Talk: LeBron James, Dick Vitale, Jay Williams, and more sound off on Caitlin Clark

Caitlin Clark is transcending sports right now with her play. She has drawn praise from the best of the best, most recently Lebron James.

The world of sports had its eyes on the Iowa Hawkeyes and Caitlin Clark last night when she lit it on fire with her all-time performance. The entire universe took note of her performance and had quite a lot to say about it.

Her Elite Eight triple-double made its way to the King himself, LeBron James. One of the greatest basketball players on the planet (we will save how great for another conversation) chiming in about Iowa women’s basketball truly says volumes about what is happening. Kudos from the King is rare and it also shows how the women’s game is seeing its deserved growth.

It didn’t stop with LeBron, though. There was commentary from some of the game’s greats in broadcasting, former college stars, NBA stars, and many more. Caitlin Clark has become a household name in the United States and one of the most recognizable faces in sports right now.

Final Four: Here come the Hawkeyes! The biggest takeaways from Iowa’s Elite 8 win

Final Four bound! The Iowa Hawkeyes’ magical season continues with their Elite Eight victory. Here are the biggest takeaways.

Your Iowa Hawkeyes are headed to the Final Four!

This season has been an incredible ride already but it has leveled up from something fun to thrusting itself into the history books and memories as one of the best seasons ever for a Hawkeyes’ squad.

In what was essentially like playing another game at Carver-Hawkeye Arena last night due to the support from Iowa fans, the Hawkeyes put on a show to make the trip worthwhile. The 97-83 win over Louisville in the Elite Eight sends the Iowa Hawkeyes to the Final Four in Dallas. It just their second time advancing this far into the tournament and the first since 1993.

The incredible part about this game was that it took everyone. There were contributions across the board and some to dive deeper into but all deserve their flowers. Monika Czinano once again showed her dominance in the paint with a masterclass on footwork.

Kate Martin is a glue piece that makes this team go and her contributions can’t be forgotten. Hannah Stuelke played significant minutes and played them well in the biggest moment of her young career. Assistant coach Jan Jensen, coaching with a heavy heart, dug deep and helped lead this family of Hawkeyes to a Final Four.

There are countless takeaways to discuss from this performance, but here are five of the biggest takeaways from the Hawkeyes’ Elite Eight victory over Louisville.

Inhale, exhale: Social media exhales as Iowa Hawkeyes advance to Elite 8

It wasn’t easy, it wasn’t without stress, but it was done. Social media exhales as the Iowa Hawkeyes advance to the NCAA Tournament Elite 8.

Sound the alarm Hawkeye Nation, the Iowa Hawkeyes women’s basketball team is going to the Elite Eight!

It wasn’t an easy win and nobody expected it to be. This is the Sweet 16. Every team deserves its place amongst the 16 best in the nation, especially a very tough Colorado squad. You knew the Buffaloes were going to make Iowa work for every bucket and every rebound in this one. This was a test of will as much as it was a test of skill and Iowa was able to come out on top 87-77. It is the Hawkeyes’ second Elite 8 appearance since 2019.

In what somehow seemed like an off game at times, star point guard Caitlin Clark led the way with 31 points and eight assists. The law office of Clark and Czinano was open late this Friday night with Monika Czinano adding 15 points and seven rebounds.

While the focus will always be on the Iowa superstar duo, heavy contributions from McKenna Warnock (12 points) and Kate Martin (16 points) cannot go overlooked.

Without those key plays from the entire squad, Iowa does not win this game and advance to the Elite 8. They appear to truly be ready for the occasion.

The crown jewel of the Hawkeyes’ program, all eyes were on Clark and Co. for this one. Here are the best social media reactions from the Hawkeyes massive victory over Colorado.

Keep on dancing! 5 takeaways as the Iowa Hawkeyes advance to the Elite 8

Survive and advance! That is exactly what the Iowa Hawkeyes did tonight against Colorado. Takeaways as the Hawkeyes advance to the Elite 8.

Survive and advance! That’s the name of the game and that is exactly what the Iowa Hawkeyes found a way to do tonight in their Sweet 16 battle against the Colorado Buffaloes. The Hawkeyes are headed to the Elite 8 and it wasn’t without a little sweat but that is what makes it fun.

The Buffaloes hung tough with the Hawkeyes for quite a while, even holding a 40-39 lead at halftime and never quite went away. They made Iowa work for this one and earn every single point. The Colorado stingy defense reared its head for a while against Iowa and made them work for points at times.

Down the stretch, the Hawkeyes found a way to dig deep and pull away. It wasn’t easy, there were good performances, there are areas to improve, but ultimately, Iowa is in the Elite 8 and that is the sole goal.

Here are the five takeaways from Iowa’s Sweet 16 victory over the Colorado Buffaloes.