The newspaper’s Howie Kussoy breaks down Sunday’s women’s NCAA Tournament championship game between top-seeded Iowa and South Carolina.
back coat
South Carolina’s Raven Johnson is a veteran point guard who ranks third in the nation in assist-to-turnover ratio (3.1).
The sophomore improved his performance in the NCAA Tournament, recording 23 assists and three turnovers, while also making 7-of-13 3-pointers.
Teammate Tehina Paopao ranks third in the nation in 3-point percentage (46.2). Iowa State senior Gabby Marshall is the heart of the Hawkeyes’ defense and generates momentum on a regular basis.
Sidney Affolter is an efficient and aggressive attacking threat. Plus, there’s Caitlin Clark.
You may be familiar with her work.
corner: Iowa
front coat
There are no more discrepancies in this game.
The biggest difference from last year’s matchup is Iowa’s loss of 6-foot-3 Monica Zinano.
Without her, the Hawkeyes’ only true frontcourt player is the often timid Hannah Stuelke. He scored 23 points against UW, but played an underclassman role against more physical opponents.
Enter 6-7 Camila Cardoso, who is expected to be a top-four pick in the WNBA draft.
The Gumcocks rank third nationally in rebounding and should control the paint against Iowa, giving LSU a 23-6 edge on offense in the Elite Eight.
corner: South Carolina
bench
After losing two starters en route to last year’s title game and watching starter Molly Davis go down in the final game of the regular season, Iowa State’s lack of depth may be the cause of its downfall. do not have.
Clark isn’t the only one being asked to do everything imaginable. In the national semifinals, the Hawkeyes used each starter for at least 37 minutes.
The Shamcocks will compete with one of the deepest and most talented benches in the nation.
In the most recent win against North Carolina State, Ashlyn Watkins had 20 rebounds.
In the Elite Eight, reserve Tessa Johnson led the team in scoring.
corner: South Carolina
coach
Iowa’s Lisa Bruder has won 533 games and only one losing season in her 24 years as head coach at Iowa since 1992.
The 62-year-old is a calm and positive presence, but he doesn’t get enough credit for coaching the nation’s highest-scoring team and giving Clark the freedom to change sports.
However, she had never reached the Final Four until Clark’s arrival and did not fare well in her first title match.
Dawn Staley will be playing in her sixth Final Four and third national championship game. Staley’s past two appearances ended with South Carolina finding the net.
corner: South Carolina
X factor
Clark is a superstar.
Kate Martin is the leader in Iowa.
The sixth-year captain does a little bit of everything for the Hawkeyes as their most physical defender, 3-point threat and emotional spark. Against LSU, he scored 21 points, leading Iowa back to the Final Four.
University of South Carolina freshman Mylaysia Fulwilly is the team’s biggest wild card.
The SEC Tournament Most Valuable Player ranks second on the team in points scored in under 19 minutes per game (11.8), but has been held to single-digit points in three straight games.
prediction
South Carolina was the best team all season.
They were the best team for three consecutive seasons.
They have the best defense and deepest bench, high-end talent, great shooting and championship experience.
All of this was true last year, when Clark dropped 41 points in South Carolina’s only loss of the past two seasons.
It will take a similarly amazing performance from Clark for the University of Iowa to pull off another upset and win the school’s first national championship.
Will she do it? Probably not.
But who should bet on her now?
Iowa 78, South Carolina 77
