NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament Showing Rising Interest in Women's Basketball Thanks To Caitlin Clark
There is a massive spike in popularity in women's basketball right now, with NBA stars, legends, and experts all agreeing it is an exciting time for the sport. This is shown in the recent NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament Elite 8 game between Iowa and LSU that featured a rematch between top WNBA prospects Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese, the two biggest stars in women's college basketball right now.
Reese and LSU defeated Clark and Iowa in the finals of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament last year. However, after a record-breaking season from Clark, Iowa got its revenge, and many are seeing that Clark and Reese's rivalry will continue at a professional level.
While the future looks bright for the women's division, be it the NCAA or the WNBA, the Iowa vs. LSU rematch during the Elite Eight also made history as the most-watched women's college basketball game ever, further proving that there is a surge in interest about women's sports.
According to Axios, that one game alone pulled in 12.3 million viewers, peaking at 16.1 million viewers. It has also become the second most-watched college basketball game on ESPN ever, across all platforms, right behind the men's 2012 tournament.
Women's basketball has skyrocketed in popularity and risen in TV ratings in recent years thanks to stars like Clark and Reese, as well as South Carolina's Aliyah Boston. The popularity of women's basketball has almost doubled in viewership since 1992, when the all-time college women's basketball had the most viewers, which was at 8.1 million.
Undefeated South Carolina State will play NC State in one of the Women's Final 4 games, while Caitlin Clark aims to extend Iowa's winning streak against UConn next. ESPN will broadcast both games, with the South Carolina vs. NC State game happening on Friday at 7:00 PM ET while the next game happens at 9:30 PM ET.
READ MORE: NCAA Basketball Tournament Final 4 Decided After 11th-Ranked NC State Upsets Powerhouse Duke
Angel Reese Reveals What She Told Rival Caitlin Clark After NCAA Elite 8 Game
Following LSU's loss to Iowa, Angel Reese was seen talking to her rival, Caitlin Clark. This led to people speculating about what they were actually talking about. However, Reese set the record straight soon after.
"She just told me, 'Continue to be a great player,'" said the LSU star. "And I told her, 'Continue to be a great player, as well, and keep elevating the game and go win it.'"
Despite fan speculations, the two rising women's basketball stars have maintained that they do not have any beef at all.
Luka Doncic Calls Caitlin Clark the Women's Steph Curry After NCAA Elite 8 Performance
Caitlin Clark took over for Iowa and scored 41 points to lead her school to victory against LSU. She has since gained several fans as even Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic chimed in and was all praises for her performance.
"[She's] the women's Steph Curry," said the Slovenian. "She can shoot it better than me."
This article is owned by Latin Post.
Written by: Rick Martin
WATCH: CAITLIN CLARK CEMENTS WHAT GREATNESS IS! - Stephen A. puts EMPHASIS on Iowa's win | First Take - ESPN