NCAAW College Basketball is quickly approaching the Final Four stages of the tournament. College basketball has captured the heart and minds across the nation.
As a matter of fact, more people are tuning in on the women’s side of the tournament. This could be a result of the building enthusiasm for women’s sports or the nationwide “Caitlin Clark Fever” the country seems to be experiencing. Whatever the case may be, women’s basketball is booming with excitement.
Here are a few storylines to follow going into the Final Four.
Paige Bueckers’ Remarkable Return
Seen above is Paige Bueckers, UConn’s star guard. She has led the team in their run this season, even with only six active players on their roster. Analysts counted the team out of the tournament following the Elite Eight, but they have persisted. Bueckers has led the Huskies back to the Final Four.
“Last year I was praying to be back at this stage… He sent me trials and tribulations. It was to build my character, it was to test my faith… we’re not even supposed to be here and here we are. A Godly miracle.”
Paige Bueckers’ post-game interview
The real story is Paige’s recovery. The guard suffered a fracture in a 2021 game against Notre Dame. The next year she would tear her ACL in a game of pickup basketball. She required three surgeries and was out of all media coverage and spotlight.
Now, she is back and making waves in the college basketball world. She has led her team to big wins over Syracuse and Duke, putting up 24 points over the Blue Devils. With two more years of NCAA eligibility, Bueckers can continue to build her name in the college space before a potential WNBA career.
Freshman Class makes Big Splash
There have been multiple big names in the Class of 2027. These players are fresh and ready to start their college career on a good foot.
Before Iowa State was eliminated from the playoffs, Audi Crooks was the most-covered freshman across the nation. The rookie center had been a powerhouse in women’s basketball. She was the first player in NCAAW Basketball history to score 40 points in the tournament.
On the other side of the bracket, Juju Watkins has made a name for herself this tournament season. Out of the University of Southern California, she has been the most impressive player out of the PAC12. Her consistency has shown throughout the season. Watkins recorded double digits in every game of the regular season. Even figures such as Lebron James regard her one of the biggest names in NCAAW College Basketball.
Lastly, it would be unfair to talk about the frosh class without mentioning Mikaylah Williams. The LSU superstar has earn her spot in the starting lineup of a stacked roster. She is the team’s third leading scorer with an average of 15 points per game.
Kim Mulkey VS Washington Post
The flashy and fashionable coach from LSU has found herself in the limelight for controversy. Mulkey gave a written report during her press conference after the Sweet Sixteen matchup against Middle Tennessee State University.
This in itself is out of character for Mulkey. Usually, she delivers press conferences with honest and uncensored responses. In the report, she threatened to sue The Washington Post if they published a “false story.” Click here to see the press conference.
Kent Babb published the article to The Washington Post on March 30, 2024. The article called “The Kim Mulkey Way” detailed the controversial coaching tactics including using “shame as a frequent tool.”
Additionally, the article details the suspension of Kelli Griffin, a player from Mulkey’s former school Baylor. Mulkey issued an indefinite suspension following a falling out with a teammate and ex-girlfriend Morghan Medlock. Griffin claims this was the nail in the coffin on her basketball career. Medlock was not suspended.
“Caitlin Clark Fever”
There is no escaping Caitlin Clark in the sport media coverage. After surpassing Pete Maravich in most points in NCAA college basketball, she has been the hottest name in all of college basketball. A poll conducted by Seton Hall University says she is the most identifiable name in college sports; 47% of the general population can identify Clark.
The hometown hero brings new excitement to women’s basketball. Every game she plays in catches buzz. In the 2023 Championship rematch between LSU and Iowa, she put up nine 3s and a total of 41 points; Clark led her team in punching their ticket to the Final Four.
Like her or not, she is unstoppable right now.
Preparing for the Final Four
NCAAW College Basketball is hot right now, and these big names are taking the sport by storm. This is without mentioning names like Angel Reese and Flau’jae Johnson from LSU. Following their loss to Iowa on Monday night, Reese’s recap of the 2023-2024 season described how she has felt the pressure to perform.
“I’ve been through so much, I’ve seen so much… I’m still a human.. All this has happened since I won the national championship… and I haven’t been happy since then. And it sucks, but I still wouldn’t change, I wouldn’t change anything.”
Angel Reese during post-game press conference
The first game of the Final Four stage is April 5 at 7:00PM EST for the matchup of NC State and South Carolina. This is followed by Iowa VS UConn at 9:30PM EST. Who do you want to see in the 2024 Championship Game?
