The women's NCAA Tournament national title game we all deserved is here, as the Iowa Hawkeyes take on the odds-on favorites to win March Madness before the tournament even started, the South Carolina Gamecocks.
Can Caitlin Clark solidify herself as the GOAT, ending her collegiate career with a national title? Or will South Carolina pull off the perfect season and get revenge for their last loss to Iowa in the Final Four and finish Caitlin’s career by hoisting the trophy themselves?
Either way, the stakes for Iowa vs South Carolina couldn’t be higher, so let’s preview and break down this epic clash and find our Iowa vs South Carolina picks, predictions and best bets for the game!
Iowa +6.5 — 1 Unit
Over 159.5 — 1 Unit (Bet to 160.5)
Iowa 1H +3.5 — .5 Units
Raven Johnson Over 9.5 points — 1 Unit
Sunday, April 7, 3 p.m. ET, ABC
Iowa (W) Odds | ||
---|---|---|
Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+6.5 -110 |
159.5 -110o / -110u |
+196 |
South Carolina (W) Odds | ||
---|---|---|
Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-6.5 -110 |
159.5 -110o / -110u |
-240 |
Odds via Caesars. Get up-to-the-minute NCAAW odds here.
This matchup last year vaulted Caitlin Clark and the Iowa Hawkeyes into a different level of superstardom. As 10-point dogs, Clark knocked off the greatest statistical defense of the last decade while scoring 41 points and dishing out 9 assists. It was one of the biggest upsets we have seen on the women’s side in years.
Last year, Iowa knew they were outmatched inside and played zone to force the Gamecocks into 3s. South Carolina shot 4-of-20 from behind the arc, ultimately killing so many possessions for Dawn Staley’s group.
Last year’s Gamecocks shot 31.2% from 3 on the season. The Gamecocks are now fifth in the country in 3P% with the help of two players.
The transfer from Oregon, Te-Hina PaoPao, has helped dramatically changed that narrative. She ranks 14th in the entire country shooting 46% on 5 attempts per game, and point guard Raven Johnson has improved from 24% to 36.8% from deep. The game plan the Hawkeyes utilized in last year’s matchup simply won’t be as effective.
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Iowa survived a scare from UConn and had their second worst 3-point shooting game of the tournament, shooting 28% from three. As I’ve shared before, the Hawkeyes simply don’t have two poor shooting performances in a row. I expect them to come out firing and to put some pressure on the Gamecocks.
South Carolina has mismatches all over the floor. Kamilla Cardoso is simply too big to contain, and has incredible touch around the rim. With shooters surrounding her on the perimeter, we should see scoring in bunches for the Gamecocks.
All in all, I like Iowa to keep it close, and hopefully we see some absolute fireworks in an incredible game.
Iowa +6.5 — 1 Unit
Over 159.5 — 1 Unit (Bet to 160.5)
Iowa 1H +3.5 — .5 Units
Raven Johnson Over 9.5 points — 1 Unit
Raven has talked publicly about how Caitlin Clark waving her off has fueled her 3 point improvement. She’s made big shots all tournament and I expect her to be a huge factor today.
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