NCAAB
Sports Interaction Staff
April 3, 2024

Iowa (1) vs. UConn (3) Final Four Prediction: Women’s March Madness Odds

This Women’s NCAA Tournament contest tips off at 9:30 PM ET on ESPN, and should prove to be another ratings smash for women’s basketball.

Monday night’s thriller between Iowa and LSU was the most-watched women’s college basketball game on record, according to ESPN. The game averaged 12.3 million viewers, making it the most-watched college b-ball game, men’s or women’s, to ever air on ESPN platforms.

Iowa vs. UConn Betting Odds

Pointspread

Iowa -120 -2
Connecticut 100 +2

The matchup between the Huskies and the Hawkeyes naturally revolves around Paige Bueckers and Caitlin Clark, given their growing popularity as players and their on-court dominance. Clark has been putting on a clinic over her last two games, putting up an impressive 70 points and 27 assists in wins against Colorado and LSU.

On the UConn side, Paige Bueckers led the charge in securing a 80-73 victory over USC in the Elite Eight, with a 28-point performance that steered the Huskies to their 23rd national semifinal appearance. Teammate Aaliyah Edwards also contributed in a huge way, with 24 points and six rebounds against the Trojans.

Iowa Hawkeyes

Caitlin Clark and her top-seeded Iowa Hawkeyes have secured their spot in the Women’s NCAA Tournament Final Four, triumphing over LSU in a thrilling rematch of last year’s championship game during the Elite Eight. Now, all eyes are on Clark and the Hawkeyes as they prepare to face off against the formidable UConn Huskies in Cleveland, with a coveted spot in the finals on the line.

There’s a reason that Caitlin Clark is the world’s focus in this year’s tournament. Her simply stellar play so far has been unprecedented. In that game against LSU, her stat line of 41 points, 12 assists, and seven rebounds earned her the well-deserved title of Most Outstanding Player in the regional tournament.

Throughout the game, Clark shattered multiple NCAA tournament records, including surpassing Temeka Johnson to claim the record for most career assists. Additionally, she eclipsed Diana Taurasi and Taylor Robertson to become the all-time leader in career three-pointers made in NCAA tournament history, while also etching her name in the annals of tournament lore as the first player to achieve three career 40-point games.

Caitlin Clark (IOWA): Points

Over -120 +33
Under -110 +33

UConn Huskies

The UConn Huskies earned their place in the 23rd Final Four in program history following an impressive 80-73 victory over No. 1 seed USC. This marks their 15th appearance in the final weekend in the last 16 years.

Last year, the Huskies missed out on the Final Four, a rare occurrence that most attributed to Paige Bueckers’ absence (she tore her ACL.) However, the redshirt junior guard has returned with a vengeance. Her most recent performance marked her seventh consecutive game with 20+ points, while also securing a double-double with 10 rebounds.

“It’s been a very rewarding journey,” Bueckers told press. “The tough times have shaped me and strengthened my faith, instilling a deeper appreciation for life and gratitude for every opportunity that comes my way.”

UConn’s defensive strategy led by Nika Mühl may pose a challenge to the high-scoring Iowa team. That said, the Huskies’ focus on protecting the paint leaves them especially vulnerable to 3-pointers, an area where Iowa (and their star player) excels – shooting above 36 percent from beyond the arc.