(NewsNation) — Cleveland is on the brink of hosting what might be the most anticipated women’s NCAA Final Four in history.
The undefeated University of South Carolina will face off Friday against North Carolina State University, while the University of Connecticut Huskies aim to defeat the University of Iowa Hawkeyes.
The surge in popularity of women’s basketball is thanks in no small part to the performances of players like Angel Reese, Juju Watkins and Caitlin Clark.
Clark, the superstar from Iowa, is a triple threat reshaping basketball history and captivating fans with her mesmerizing shot.
Wednesday’s highly anticipated showdown against LSU drew an average of 12.3 million viewers, making it the most-watched women’s college basketball game in history. Analysts predict Friday’s numbers could surpass that record.
According to TicketIQ data, the average price for this year’s semifinals is nearly $2,000 — up about 190% compared to last year.
Fans aren’t just fixated on Clark. There’s also UConn’s Paige Bueckers, who has been averaging more than 20 points per game during March Madness following a comeback from a torn ACL that forced her to miss last year’s season.
Then you have the N.C. State Wolfpack, who made it to the Final Four for the first time since 1998. However, they face the obstacle of the South Carolina Gamecocks, who haven’t lost a game since last year’s Final Four and are on the verge of a perfect season.
Denise Curry, a two-time Olympian and 1984 gold medalist, is astonished. A UCLA legend, Curry earned All-American honors three times in the ’80s.
“I think it’s been an upward trajectory for a long time, but the last couple years it’s been just another level as far as fan interest, media interests, the players that are playing,” Curry said.
South Carolina-N.C. State tips off at 7 p.m. ET Friday, with Clark and the Hawkeyes following at 9:30 p.m. ET.