Iowa State and LSU will meet Monday night in a rematch of last year’s national championship for a spot in the Final Four of the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament.
And there has never been more attention for either team.
Caitlin Clark and the Hawkeyes look to build momentum with the sharpshooter and end a great season. Needless to say, Clark leads the all-time scoring list this season, and even if she does manage to win a championship, her greatness will be debated for quite some time.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
LSU’s Angel Reese reacts in front of Iowa’s Caitlin Clark during the second half of the NCAA Women’s Final Four Championship in Dallas on April 2, 2023. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez, File)
LSU enters the game with the media spotlight burning brighter than ever. Coach Kim Mulkey had to protect her players from wild opinions. Much of that opinion was in a since-edited Los Angeles Times column that described the players as “dirty debutants.” But other than that, the Tigers have immense firepower and are looking to repeat as champions.
Basketball fans will also wonder if the Elite Eight matchup will match the intensity of last year’s national championship. Angel Reese was confident in himself as he gave Clark his ring finger at the end of the match. On Sunday, she insisted there was no animosity between her and the top guard.
“I don’t think people understand that it’s not personal,” Reese said. “When I step out from between those lines and I see you walking down the street, I’m like, ‘Hey, girl, what’s up? Let’s go play.’ I think you’re just taking it as it is. Me and Caitlin Clark don’t hate each other. I want everyone to understand that. This is just a super competitive game. ”
LSU guard Frauge Johnson and forward Angel Reese react during a game against UCLA in the Sweet 16 round of the NCAA Tournament on Saturday, March 30, 2024 in Albany, New York. (AP Photo/Mary Altafer)
Court blunder Mars NCAA women’s tournament game between Texas and North Carolina State
Clark agreed that trash talk is part of the game.
“We both want to win more than anything, and that’s the way you should be when you’re in a situation like this as a competitor, whether it’s the national championship or the Elite Eight,” she added.
It will be a matchup between two of the best players in the country.
Reese leads the team with 18.7 points and 13.2 rebounds per game. Haley Van Lith leads the team with 3.2 assists per game.
Iowa State guard Caitlin Clark brings the ball up the court against Colorado during the Sweet Sixteen round of the NCAA Tournament on Saturday, March 30, 2024 in Albany. (AP Photo/Hans Pennink)
Clark leads the team in nearly every major statistical category with 31.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, 8.9 assists and 1.8 steals per game. Center Shannon Goodman is averaging 0.6 blocks per game.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Iowa-LSU is scheduled to tip off at 7:15 p.m. ET.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Follow Fox News Digital X sports broadcast and subscribe Fox News Sports Huddle Newsletter.
