- Three No. 1 seeds (UCLA, Texas, South Carolina) face No. 2 UConn in Tampa
- Paige Bueckers averages 35 PPG, projected as top WNBA draft pick
- South Carolina aims for first repeat title since UConn’s 2013-16 dynasty
- UCLA’s Lauren Betts dominates with 75% field goal accuracy
The 2024 Women’s Final Four brings unprecedented firepower to Tampa’s Amalie Arena, featuring three teams with three or fewer losses this season. Defending champion South Carolina (34-3) seeks its seventh consecutive victory against Texas (35-3), while UCLA (34-2) battles a surging UConn (35-3) squad led by Paige Bueckers’ 40-point tournament performances. Analysts project this could become the most-watched semifinal in NCAA women’s basketball history, fueled by 22% year-over-year growth in March Madness viewership.
Tampa’s $4.3 billion sports tourism industry stands to gain significantly from the event, building on its Super Bowl LV hosting success. Local hotels report 93% occupancy rates – a 15% increase over last year’s regional finals. “This showcases our ability to host premier women’s sporting events,” said Tampa Mayor Jane Castor during Thursday’s press conference.
Bueckers’ 35-point tournament average positions her as the Huskies’ linchpin, with scouts noting her 58% three-point accuracy in clutch moments. South Carolina counters with Kamilla Cardoso’s 14.8 rebounds per game – a defensive anchor crucial against Texas’ 82.1 PPG offense. UCLA’s Betts brings unprecedented efficiency, converting 18 of her last 24 post moves during the Elite Eight.
The NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) era’s impact looms large, with Final Four athletes collectively holding $2.1 million in active endorsements. Nike’s recent 12% sales bump in women’s basketball gear underscores the tournament’s commercial momentum. “These athletes aren’t just playing for trophies – they’re reshaping sports marketing,” noted ESPN analyst Rebecca Lobo.
Friday’s Texas-South Carolina rematch promises tactical fireworks, as the Longhorns seek to overcome two regular-season losses. Coach Schaefer’s defensive adjustments limited opponents to 61.3 PPG – a strategy tested against the Gamecocks’ 47.2% team shooting accuracy. UConn’s Geno Auriemma eyes his 12th national title, leveraging Bueckers’ 8.4 assists per game to dismantle UCLA’s top-ranked perimeter defense.