Women’s tournament soars to new heights, with basketball records broken in playing and viewership. 

One of the many highlights of March is watching postseason basketball. The first couple of days of March Madness, I’m simply unproductive with everything else. Coinciding with the end of school before spring break, March Madness takes over the world, or at least the sport’s world. Between the women’s and men’s tournament, there are a combined 134 games to watch over the course of three weeks. Add in the first round games tipping off around every 30 minutes and there is plenty of entertainment to watch over spring break.

I spent my spring break watching March Madness. One clear pattern emerged: the women’s tournament was more exciting and produced more blockbuster must see showdowns. I follow women’s college basketball a lot closer than the men’s side to begin with, but this year felt even more different than previous years. When looking at the headlines the next morning, the headlines were dominated by Caitlin Clark, Kim Mulkey, Angel Reese, Paige Bueckers, and Cameron Brink, to name a few. There might’ve been an upset from the men’s tournament worthy of being a headline story, but they were dominated by the women’s tournament

Women’s basketball seems to be getting national attention at the right time. A big reason is the players. We’re seeing scoring and viewership records being broken left and right with Caitlin Clark. Paige Bueckers has lived up to the name of being the biggest recruit in years. Juju Watkins has emerged as the next biggest thing in women’s college basketball, after winning WBCA’s Freshman of the Year award along with countless others. Players like these are changing the game and capturing the attention of the nation.

With March Madness now over, one thing is certain: women’s college basketball is bigger than the men’s side right now. The women’s tournament final had a higher viewership than the men’s tournament final for the first time ever, and star players are breaking records and capturing the eyes of a nation.

Elliott’s Top 5 March Madness Games:

Iowa vs. LSU (Women’s)

A rematch of the 2023 national championship produced nothing short of a blockbuster. Breaking the record for the most viewed women’s basketball game ever at 12.3 million viewers, this matchup had everything. Caitlin Clark vs. Angel Reese. Lisa Bluder vs. Kim Mulkey. A fast paced and high scoring affair created one of the best basketball games I’ve ever watched.

South Carolina vs. Iowa (Women’s)

Record breaking. That’s simply the only way to summarize this game. Breaking the record for the most viewed women’s college basketball game ever at 18.7 million viewers. Dawn Staley led the Gamecocks to a perfect season, recording a 38-0 record, just the tenth team to do so. Staley secured her third national championship title, while putting up an impressive 109-3 record over the past three years. Iowa put up a fight, but Caitlin Clark’s 30 points weren’t enough to lead the Hawkeyes’ to the win.

Iowa vs. UConn (Women’s)

Paige Bueckers and Caitlin Clark faced off in an instant classic. UConn led for the majority of the first half, and at certain points, it looked like it might be a blowout. However, Iowa fought back. A strong third quarter, led by Caitlin Clark, helped Iowa lift themselves over the Huskies. While UConn closed it to a one point game, late in the fourth quarter, a foul forced a turnover and gave the ball to the Hawkeyes to end the game.

UConn vs. USC (Women’s)

Two of the hottest names in women’s college basketball, Paige Bueckers and Juju Watkins, faced off. Watching Bueckers drive to the basket and make big defensive plays created for another fast paced affair. Watkins scored 29 points despite being double teamed for most of the game, but she made the most of it. This battle of two leaders created an intense and close matchup, making it fun to watch.

South Carolina vs. Oregon St. (Women’s)

Dawn Staley and the undefeated Gamecocks faced an intense battle against Scott Rueck and the Beavers. With the Beavers being led by Reagan Beers, the Beavers put up a valiant fight, but a disastrous third quarter threw the towel in the bin for an incredible turnaround for the Beavers, who improved their win total by 14 compared to last year.

Honorable Mentions:

Oregon vs. South Carolina (Men’s)

The Ducks knew they had a battle on their hands against the Gamecocks entering the night. However, Dana Altman is a coach who always seems to find a way to win games late in the season and make a run in the tournament. The underdog Ducks found a way to dismantle South Carolina and take care of business in an exciting show.

Oregon St. vs. Nebraska (Women’s)

There’s just something exciting about watching Scott Rueck lead the Beavers through a grueling matchup against a former Duck (Jaz Shelley). Led by Talia von Oelhoffen, the Beavers emerged victorious in a game described as a chess match by Rueck.

By Elliott Hunt