How South Carolina, Iowa stack up in epic women's Final Four semifinal

Iowa (30-6) is led by 2023 National Player of the Year Clark, who has received comparisons to the greatest players in the sport's history. 

Women's tournament TV ratings have shattered previous highs. Per Sports Media Watch,, Elite Eight games on ESPN averaged 2.2 million viewers, up 43% from the previous year. The Louisville-Iowa matchup led the way with a peak viewership of 2.5 million – more than any NBA game on ESPN this season.

Here's what you should know about the epic semifinal matchup:

How South Carolina wins

The top-seeded Gamecocks have steamrolled through most of their schedule, with overtime wins against Stanford and Mississippi their most challenging games. Boston averages 13.2 points and 9.8 rebounds per game — numbers below last season's — but the team hasn't missed a beat.

"I don't think everybody could be in Aliyah's position and thrive like she's been thriving," Staley told ESPN about the senior.

South Carolina relies on a suffocating defense that allows 51.1 points per game. Per ESPN, it "might have the best defense the sport has ever seen."

South Carolina also has one of the tallest teams in women's college hoops, with 10 players 6 feet or taller. The Gamecocks use their length, especially on the wings, to overwhelm opponents. 

If the Gamecocks defense is on its game, limiting Clark's stellar passing, Iowa doesn't have a chance. Per OddsChecker, South Carolina is a heavy favorite.

How Iowa wins

Shoot lights-out, hope Clark goes off and maybe pray.

For starters, Iowa — which shoots nearly 38% from three — must shoot at least that well to win. If guard Gabbie Marshall gets hot from long distance, that would help Iowa pull off an upset.

Clark is third in the country in scoring (27.3 PPG) and leads the NCAA in assists (8.6 APG). She keys the fast-paced attack of Iowa, which boasts the nation's highest-scoring offense (87.6 PPG).

Clark's swagger on the court draws the ire of opponents but love from fellow athletes and fans. Will that swagger rattle South Carolina? Probably not.

In a 97-83 win over Louisville in the Elite Eight, Clark went off for a 41-point triple-double — the first in the men's or women's tournament. At the final buzzer, she tossed the game ball to her dad.

"I hope they got out of the arena in time, so the NCAA can't chase 'em down," Clark told the media postgame. 

"But I told 'em to run," she added, laughing. "I'll get it later at the hotel."

She'll need a similar show-stopping effort against South Carolina for Iowa to have any chance Friday (9 p.m. ET, ESPN).