\u2b05\ufe0f Final Four recap<\/h3>\n
Before we dive into tonight\u2019s game, <\/strong>let\u2019s take a quick look back at Friday\u2019s sellout crowd<\/a> semis.<\/p>\n The first semifinal was a back-and-forth battle<\/strong>, but LSU turned it on late, outscoring Virginia Tech 29\u201313 in the fourth quarter to overcome a 13-point deficit en route to the 79\u201372 win. Call an ambulance\u2026but not for them<\/a>.<\/p>\n Then the nightcap <\/strong>more<\/strong><\/em> than lived up to the hype. <\/strong>Buoyed by a hot start, No. 1 South Carolina\u2019s foul trouble<\/a>, and, oh yeah, a second consecutive 41-point showing (!!!) from superstar Caitlin Clark, No. 2 Iowa did what many thought was impossible, handing the defending champ Gamecocks their first loss in 389 days, a 77\u201373 L.<\/p>\n SOURCE: IOWA WOMEN\u2019S BASKETBALL\/TWITTER<\/p>\n <\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n The GIST: <\/strong>Caitlin Clark\u2019s goal this year? Taking her team to the Final Four. Now the sensation has brought them a step further, playing in their first-ever title game. It\u2019s a massive step for the program and an even largerr leap for women\u2019s hoops. Nothing better than parity<\/a>.<\/p>\n How they got here: <\/strong>The Big Ten<\/a> champs have been on an absolute heater in March, topping their opponents by an average of over 17 points per game. Their four-point Final Four win was their closest, but undoubtedly their most impressive, as the Hawkeyes slowed a strong South Carolina attack and<\/em> balled out against a tough defense.<\/p>\n Keys to success: <\/strong>Like the Gamecocks, LSU is also a physical squad, so it will be crucial for Iowa to keep their bigs on the court, maintain their presence in the paint and spread the floor in order to let Clark cook. If it ain\u2019t broke\u2026<\/p>\n SOURCE: TOM PENNINGTON\/GETTY IMAGES<\/p>\n <\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n The GIST: <\/strong>You may find her \u2019fits almost as questionable<\/a> as her politics<\/a>, but head coach Kim Mulkey\u2019s getting it done on the sidelines, leading LSU to their first-ever title game in just her second season at the helm.<\/p>\n How they got here: <\/strong>Boosted by a weak early season schedule<\/a> and plenty of confidence, LSU went undefeated until mid-February when they ran into, who else, South Carolina. As for their NCAA tourney, they\u2019ve had to dig deep to take down fellow top-ranked foes, dealing with poor shooting nights and foul trouble to survive and advance.<\/p>\n Keys to success: <\/strong>It\u2019s easier said than done, but find a way to stop Clark. Limiting just one area of her multifaceted game could keep things close. Otherwise, the Tigers need to take advantage of their height, getting the ball down low<\/a> and scoring after securing offensive rebounds.<\/p>\n SOURCE: RON JENKINS\/GETTY IMAGES<\/p>\n <\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Caitlin Clark, Iowa: <\/strong>Because of course. The Naismith and AP Player of the Year has everyone talking about her jaw-dropping scoring abilities and swagger<\/a>. During Friday\u2019s semis, she became just the sixth player in NCAA history to score 1,000 points in a single season, and now she\u2019s a mere 17 points away from breaking the all-time single tourney record. Must-watch.<\/p>\n Angel Reese, LSU: <\/strong>SEC<\/a> single-season double-double<\/a> record holder and SEC single-season rebounds record holder \u2014 no stat is safe when the Bayou Barbie<\/a> is on the floor. With her strength and crafty moves down low, she can take over a game in the paint, and now she\u2019s coming for that ring.<\/p>\n Monika Czinano, Iowa: <\/strong>When Clark\u2019s dishing it off, chances are she\u2019s looking for Czinano. The fifth-year senior has commanded the post<\/a> this season with over 17 points per game. That said, if anyone\u2019s prone to foul trouble, it\u2019s Czinano, and she\u2019ll face a major challenge in guarding LSU\u2019s Reese.<\/p>\n Alexis Morris, LSU: <\/strong>The senior clearly didn\u2019t want her career to end without a chance for a trophy: She played every <\/em>minute in LSU\u2019s Final Four win, posting a game-high 27 points. From being cut by Mulkey at Baylor and transferring three times to ultimately reunite<\/a> with coach Mulkey, a win would be the perfect storybook ending for this Texas kid.<\/p>\n Kate Martin, Iowa: <\/strong>Amid the Hawkeyes\u2019 electric offensive showing on Friday night, Martin dazzled on defense, holding South Carolina\u2019s high-scoring standouts at bay. She might not score many points, but her pressure on the other side of the floor could be a major factor, especially against LSU\u2019s crafty offense.<\/p>\n Flau\u2019jae Johnson, LSU: <\/strong>The freshman didn\u2019t show any signs of rookie jitters in the semis, notably coming up with a massive defensive stop and score<\/a> to swing the momentum in LSU\u2019s favor in the fourth quarter. And we already know the rapper<\/a> lives for the big stage. Expect to see some poetry in motion tonight.<\/p>\n SOURCE: ANDY LYONS\/GETTY IMAGES<\/p>\n <\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Put on your Sunday best because this afternoon\u2019s 3:30 p.m. ET championship game<\/strong> will be the first women\u2019s title showdown on ABC in the U.S., while Canadian viewers can tune in on TSN.<\/p>\n\n
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\ud83e\udd85 No. 2 Iowa<\/h3>\n
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\ud83d\udc05 No. 3 LSU<\/h3>\n
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\ud83d\udcaa Players to watch<\/h3>\n
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\ud83d\udcfa How to tune in<\/h3>\n
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