SOUTH CAROLINA (36-0)
HHS Rank: 1
Strengths: Defensively, Gamecocks are in a class by themselves. With the 6-foot-7Kamilla Cardoso protecting the basket, South Carolina is holding opponents to an effective field goal percentage of 36.4, the top defensive mark in the nation. Gamecocks aren’t quite as dominant on the offensive glass as last year, but they’re playing at a faster tempo and have become more efficient overall on offense. An inability to shoot 3-pointers cost them in the Final Four last year, but that’s no longer a weakness with South Carolina making them at a 39% clip in 2023-24.
Weaknesses: Gamecocks shoot just 69% from the line and don’t do a particularly good job getting there.
In This Tournament: That improvement from beyond the arc came in handy for the Gamecocks in their one close game. They shot 8of 16in a 79-75win over Indiana in the Sweet 16.
IOWA (33-4)
HHS Rank: 2
Strengths: You can see how Caitlin Clark impacts the team stats. Iowa ranks No. 1in offensive rating and effective field goal percentage. Hawkeyes are also at the top in 2-point field goal percentage, with Clark’s passing ability setting up easy opportunities for teammates.
Weaknesses: This is the weakest defensive team left, even when you account for Iowa’s fast pace. Hawkeyes are 22nd in the country in defensive rating. They’ll be counting on simply outscoring their opponents more than shutting them down.
In This Tournament: Only West Virginia, in the second round, has been able to slow down Iowa’s offense, and that came on a night the Hawkeyes shot 5of 22from 3-point range. Clark had only three assists in that game.
UCONN (32-5) HHS Rank: Strengths:
3
Huskies are well balanced, ranking fifth in offensive rating and second in defensive rating. Opponents are shooting only 36% from the field against them. Weaknesses. UConn doesn’t get to the line often. Huskies average 15.3 attempts per game, and every other Final Four team is at 18.9or better.
In This Tournament: UConn has held all four foes under 34% from the field. Huskies finally got to the line a good amount against USC in regional final, but they shot just 17of 27.
N.C. STATE (31-6)
HHS Rank: 14
Strengths: Wolfpack have the fourth-lowest foul rate in the nation, although given South Carolina’s spotty free throw shooting, that might not be much of an advantage in their semifinal. N.C. State has also done a good job on the defensive boards, which could be more important.
Weaknesses: Wolfpack are just 25th in offensive rating. They aren’t great at forcing turnovers or getting offensive rebounds, and for a team with fairly middling shooting percentages, inability to create extra chances could be a problem.
In This Tournament: Outside shooting was big for the Wolfpack the last two games. N.C. State went 16 of 35from 3-point range against Texas and Stanford. Wolfpack, however, had only four offensive rebounds against the Longhorns, six against Stanford and three in the second around against Tennessee.