The popularity of women’s college basketball has been on the rise, with many high-profile games drawing significant viewership numbers. A recent rematch of the NCAA Division I women’s basketball national championship between LSU and Iowa broke records with over 12 million viewers tuning in. Last year’s championship game between LSU and Iowa had already attracted nearly 10 million viewers, but this year’s game between Iowa and UConn shattered records with 14.2 million viewers, making it the most-watched college basketball game in ESPN history, for both men’s and women’s games. The game, which peaked at around 17 million viewers, featured intense competition and thrilling moments.
The Final Four matchup between South Carolina and North Carolina State also drew a significant audience, with an average of 7.1 million viewers tuning in to watch South Carolina emerge victorious. The game showcased some of the sport’s top stars and provided viewers with a thrilling contest. However, controversy arose late in the game when UConn’s Aaliyah Edwards was called for an illegal screen on Iowa’s Gabbie Marshall with just 3.9 seconds remaining and Iowa leading by one point. This controversial call resulted in a turnover for UConn, and they were unable to regain possession, ultimately leading to their defeat.
Following the controversial call in the Final Four matchup, there was some dissatisfaction among players and fans due to the lack of an explanation from the referees. Aaliyah Edwards, the player who was called for the foul, expressed frustration at not being provided with an explanation for the call. Despite the controversy surrounding the call, Iowa and South Carolina will face off in the NCAA women’s national championship game, which is set to take place on Sunday at 3 p.m. ET. The championship game promises to be another exciting and highly-anticipated matchup that could potentially set new viewership records.
Overall, women’s college basketball continues to captivate audiences across the nation, with high-profile games drawing millions of viewers and generating significant interest in the sport. The recent rematch between Iowa and UConn broke records for viewership, with 14.2 million viewers tuning in to watch the intense competition unfold. Additionally, the Final Four matchup between South Carolina and North Carolina State attracted a sizable audience, further highlighting the growing popularity of women’s college basketball. Despite controversial calls and moments in games, the sport’s appeal continues to grow, and fans eagerly anticipate the next thrilling matchup on the court.
