Women's NCAA Tournament: Powerful storylines, players to watch in Final Four

Women's college basketball has been experiencing a surge in popularity, and the NCAA tournament has showcased some of the best games and players the sport has to offer. The 2024 Women's Final Four will take place at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse in Cleveland, Ohio, on Friday, April 7.

There are several storylines and players to watch in this year's Final Four. Here are some of the key aspects to look out for:

Paige Bueckers and Caitlin Clark: Two standout guards who are favorites to win the Naismith Player of the Year award. They will go head-to-head when No. 3 UConn faces No. 1 Iowa in the semifinals. Their matchup will be a highlight event, and their respective performances will likely determine their team's fate.

UConn's Journey: Despite several injuries, UConn maintained an impressive season and earned a No. 3 seed in the tournament. Geno Auriemma, the Huskies' coach, admitted that he didn't expect UConn to be in this year's Final Four, giving credit to the team's resilience and toughness.

NC State's Party Crashers: No. 3 seed NC State has beaten higher-seeded teams, Stanford and Texas, on their road to the Final Four. The team embraces their underdog role, which seems to motivate them to keep pushing forward. They will face top-seeded South Carolina in the semifinals.

South Carolina's Dominance: As the overall top seed in the tournament, South Carolina has been unbeatable all season, with a record of 36-0. The Gamecocks will face NC State in the semifinals.

Press conference quotes: During Thursday's media day, coaches and players from each team provided insights into their mindset and game strategies. UConn's Auriemma joked about his initial disappointment not to face South Carolina in the finals, acknowledging the difficulty of the task ahead. Wes Moore, the coach of NC State, shared his excitement about his team's chances and outlined their game plan against South Carolina.

This year's Women's Final Four promises an exciting matchup with premier players and teams. With the increased media attention and viewership of the women's tournament, these games will continue to showcase the excitement and talent of women's college basketball.