Will the Gamecocks’ depth be the difference? Can Iowa navigate out of ball pressure?
This was the way it always had to end: Iowa versus South Carolina. Caitlin Clark’s final chance at a national title against the undefeated Gamecocks, a rematch of the epic 2023 Final Four clash that catapulted Clark into superstardom.
South Carolina once again enters as the No. 1 overall seed, unbeaten this season and attempting to complete the 10th undefeated campaign in NCAA women’s history. Just like in 2022-23, the Gamecocks boast the best defensive rating in the country, per Her Hoop Stats, and the Hawkeyes have the best offense. The country’s deepest team faces the national player of the year for all the marbles.
Looking ahead to Sunday’s title game, it’s instructive to think back to last year’s contest. South Carolina took away Clark’s playmaking. The Gamecocks defenders stayed glued to Iowa’s shooters to avoid giving up a high volume of 3-pointers. That left the middle of the floor open, however, for Clark drives and pick-and-roll with Monika Czinano, and that two-player game could not be stopped. Without a one-on-one defender who could contain Clark, South Carolina ultimately needed to send help, but had already schemed not to.
The perimeter rotation has almost completely overhauled for the Gamecocks. Raven Johnson, the lone returner, is stronger and more physical at the point of attack. If she isn’t the first option on Clark, it will be Bree Hall, who smothered Aziaha James in South Carolina’s victory over NC State on Friday. Hall is agile and mobile while also possessing the requisite size to bother Clark.
What West Virginia proved, and what UConn was able to confirm, is that pressuring the ball can be an effective strategy against Clark and the Hawkeyes. Particularly without Molly Davis in the lineup, Iowa doesn’t have many sure-handed ballhandlers. In fact, her handle is probably the weakest part of Clark’s game. Speeding up their decision-making and cutting off Clark’s passing angles disrupts the Hawkeyes’ rhythm and forces them to rely on Clark’s individual brilliance.
