South Carolina cemented its third straight Final Four appearance with Monday night’s 86-75 win over Maryland. The victory set up a matchup basketball fans all hoped to see.
The two leading National Player of the Year candidates will square off when Aliyah Boston leads the undefeated Gamecocks into action again Caitlin Clark’s Iowa Hawkeyes. Everyone is eagerly anticipating Friday night’s marquee matchup.
“Caitlin Clark vs. Aliyah Boston. Iowa vs. South Carolina. A dream Final Four matchup,” The Athletic’s Nicole Auerbach wrote.
Caitlin Clark vs. Aliyah Boston. Iowa vs. South Carolina. A dream Final Four matchup!
— Nicole Auerbach (@NicoleAuerbach) March 28, 2023
“Best offense vs best defense. Clark vs Boston. Iowa vs South Carolina in the Final Four. It doesn’t get any bigger than this,” Colin Cahill said.”
Best offense vs best defense.
Clark vs Boston
Iowa vs South Carolina in the Final 4.
It doesn’t get any bigger than this.
— Colin Cahill (@colincahill13) March 28, 2023
“Iowa v. South Carolina is gonna be amazing,” Sports Illustrated‘s Chris Herring predicted.
Iowa v. South Carolina is gonna be amazing
— Chris Herring (@Herring_NBA) March 28, 2023
“South Carolina vs Iowa may be the NCAAW game of the century,” Sportsnet’s Hayley McGoldrick wrote. “Friday is going to be a very, very good day.”
south carolina vs iowa may be the NCAAW game of the century. friday is going to be a very, very good day
— Hayley McGoldrick (@GoldieOnSports) March 28, 2023
“This might be the most watched women’s college basketball game ever,” SportsGrid’s Ben Stevens speculated. “A March masterpiece.”
Aliyah Boston vs. Caitlin Clark.
Last year’s National Player of the Year vs. this year’s National Player of the Year.
South Carolina vs. Iowa on Friday at 9pm ET.
This might be the most watched women’s college basketball game ever.
A March masterpiece.
— Ben Stevens (@BenScottStevens) March 28, 2023
Per The Athletic’s Richard Deitsch, UConn and Notre Dame set a women’s college basketball ratings record when 3 million people watched Breanna Stewart lead the Huskies to a Final Four win over Skylar Diggins’ Fighting Irish.
More people might tune in for this game.
Clark has become appointment viewing by averaging 27.3 points, 8.6 assists, and 7.3 rebounds per game. The junior posted 41 points, 12 assists, and 10 rebounds (her fifth triple-double this season) in Sunday’s Elite Eight win over Louisville.
Boston has led the defending national champions to a perfect season with 12.9 points per game on a 56.2 field-goal percentage and 9.8 rebounds. The senior forward tallied 22 points and 10 boards Monday night.
The dream matchup between Iowa and South Carolina starts Friday at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN.