How To Watch: South Carolina vs Iowa

South Carolina's Women's Basketball team and the Iowa Hawkeyes are set to play in this weekend's most anticipated basketball matchup.

Author:
Arvon Bacon
Publish date:
Mar 31, 2023 6:15 PM EDT

The time has come for the season's most anticipated women's basketball matchup. The matchup will include the best defensive team in No. 1 seed South Carolina, led by the two-time Naismith Defensive Player of the Year in Aliyah Boston, and the best scoring team in No.2 seed Iowa, who houses National Player of the Year Caitlin Clark.

South Carolina, to this point, has cruised past their challengers, defeating every tournament opponent by 11 points or more. Overwhelming length and defense have been the primary catalysts to their victories, as the Gamecocks have allowed 50.8 points on average per contest while also winning the rebound battle by an average margin of plus 18.3. Kamilla Cardoso has also been a vital cog in this recent stretch, mainly due to her dominance on the offensive and defensive boards, tallying 8.4 rebounds per game, second to only Aliyah Boston.

In contrast, the Iowa Hawkeyes have averaged 88.3 points per game behind the hot hand of Caitlin Clark, the Naismith Player of the Year award winner who tallied her 11th career triple-double in Iowa's Elite Eight win over Louisville, recording 41 points, 10 rebounds 12 assists. In addition to Clark, the Hawkeyes have an array of weapons around her, particularly Monika Czinano and McKenna Warnock.

Czinano averages 17.2 PPG and 6.6 RPG and will likely be matched with Aliyah Boston for what should be an intriguing frontcourt matchup. McKenna Warnock will be another name to remember for this premier matchup, as she averages 11 points and 6 rebounds per game while shooting 39 percent from three.

The clash of these two giants will be must-see TV Friday; according to Vegas, the Gamecocks are favored to keep their winning streak alive, with the spread listed around 12 points.