The 2023 women’s NCAA tournament is the gift that keeps on giving. So often the potential dream matchups so many envision on Selection Sunday never materialize.
This year, the bracket delivered. The Iowa–South Carolina national semifinal is the ultimate contrast in styles and gets its stage Friday (9 p.m. ET, ESPN) in the Final Four in Dallas.
Offense vs. defense. Caitlin Clark vs. Aliyah Boston. One team realizing a dream vs. another looking to make history.
Iowa is the highest-scoring team in the country. South Carolina allows the fewest points. And while Boston, the Gamecocks’ 6-foot-5 All-American forward, and Clark, the Hawkeyes’ point guard fresh off a 41-point triple-double, won’t be matched up against one another, having the presumptive national player of the year front-runner this season (Clark) on the same floor with last year’s winner (Boston) seems a fitting way to conclude a two-year debate about who is the better player.
The Gamecocks aren’t just trying to beat Iowa, Virginia Tech or LSU at the Final Four. They are vying to become the 10th team to complete a perfect season and fourth program to win back-to-back championships. Staley’s…
