By — Schuyler Dixon, Associated Press Schuyler Dixon, Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/8-things-to-know-about-this-years-record-breaking-womens-ncaa-tournament Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter 8 things to know about this year’s record-breaking Women’s NCAA Tournament Nation Apr 3, 2023 10:40 AM EST DALLAS (AP) — This year’s record-breaking women’s NCAA Tournament featured breakout stars, upsets and capped off with the flamboyant Kim Mulkey leading LSU to its first basketball championship. Mulkey’s unforgettable outfits were just one of several memorable moments. There was Caitlin Clark’s 40-point triple-double in the Elite Eight game, the drama of South Carolina’s quest to complete the latest undefeated season and two No. 1 seeds being knock off before the Sweet 16. LSU Lady Tigers forward LaDazhia Williams (0) shoots the ball against the Iowa Hawkeyes during the NCAA Womens Basketball Final Four National Championship. Photo by Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports It led to the highest attendance ever in the tournament’s history to go along with stellar TV ratings in every round. The timing couldn’t be better for the sport. It all could lead to women’s basketball getting a separate TV deal when the contract expires next summer. Here’s a look at some of the top moments from the tournament. Dazzling Clark Clark set an NCAA Tournament record by scoring 191 points over Iowa’s six games, surpassing Sheryl Swoopes’ 177 points for Texas Tech in 1993 — and Glen Rice’s 184 for Michigan in the 1989 men’s tournament. Before 30 points in the championship game, the 6-foot Iowa-born Clark was the first player in the women’s tournament with back-to-back 40-point games. That included her 11th career triple-double in the regional final against Louisville, before another 41 points against previously undefeated South Carolina in the national semifinal game. Iowa Hawkeyes guard Caitlin Clark (22) brings the ball up court against the LSU Lady Tigers in the second half during the final round of the Women’s Final Photo by Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports History denied South Carolina was trying to become the 10th women’s team to run through a season undefeated and the first school to win consecutive titles since UConn won four straight from 2013-16. The Gamecocks were denied that chance, losing to Iowa in the Final Four behind a stellar effort from Clark. READ MORE: A look at the unexpected Final Four lineup in the NCAA men’s tournament End of an era UConn’s run of 14 consecutive Final Four appearance came to an end in the Elite Eight when Ohio State forced the Huskies into 18 first-half turnovers with full-court pressure defense. The Huskies hadn’t missed playing in the national semifinals since 2007. New format The NCAA changed its regional format this year going to two sites instead of the traditional four. It got strong reviews from players and coaches and fans alike. There ended up being a record attendance for that round with more fans showing up in Seattle — which had no team within 1,300 miles of the venue — than Greenville, South Carolina. Fiery fashionista Mulkey is never hard to miss on the sideline with her feisty approach and reactions to referees and her players. The coach’s flamboyant attire takes her presence to a different level, and her Final Four outfits certainly stood out. LSU Lady Tigers head coach Kim Mulkey reacts to an official’s call in the game against the LSU Lady Tigers in the first half during the final round of the Women’s Final Four NCAA tournament. Photo by Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports For the national semifinal game, Mulkey arrived in a carnation pink top with a flower-like puffs along the entire sleeves, a designer-made top similar to what her 2-year-old granddaughter wore. Even the LSU mascot was spotted in pink attire. The coach wore a sparkly, golden, tiger-striped outfit during the championship game. Her team were the golden girls, winning the first basketball championship in school history. ’Canes were cooking Miami did more than just be part of history by knocking out No. 1 seed Indiana before the Sweet 16. The Hurricanes under coach Katie Meier ousted Villanova and ended national scoring leader Maddy Siegrist’s career to reach the Elite Eight for the first time. The champs from LSU ended Miami’s run with a muddy 54-42 win in the regional finals. Thirst for firsts Virginia Tech was a first-time participant in the Final Four, which had a pair of first-time finalists after LSU beat the top-seeded Hokies and Clark’s Hawkeyes ousted undefeated defending national champion South Carolina. It was already guaranteed before the final that the champion would be something other than a No. 1 seed for the first time since 2011. READ MORE: The opportunities and challenges of endorsement deals for student athletes Upsetting performances Stanford and Indiana both fell in the second round becoming the second pair of No. 1 seeds to not make the Sweet 16 since the tournament expanded to 64 teams in 1994. It also happened in 1998. The Cardinal were stymied on their home court by Mississippi’s defense. They never led the second-round game and had their streak of 14 consecutive Sweet 16 appearances ended. The Hoosiers lost at Assembly Hall the next night, when Miami’s Destiny Harden made the game-winning shot with 3.5 seconds left. AP Sports Writer Stephen Hawkins and AP Basketball Writer Doug Feinberg contributed to this story. A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now By — Schuyler Dixon, Associated Press Schuyler Dixon, Associated Press
DALLAS (AP) — This year’s record-breaking women’s NCAA Tournament featured breakout stars, upsets and capped off with the flamboyant Kim Mulkey leading LSU to its first basketball championship. Mulkey’s unforgettable outfits were just one of several memorable moments. There was Caitlin Clark’s 40-point triple-double in the Elite Eight game, the drama of South Carolina’s quest to complete the latest undefeated season and two No. 1 seeds being knock off before the Sweet 16. LSU Lady Tigers forward LaDazhia Williams (0) shoots the ball against the Iowa Hawkeyes during the NCAA Womens Basketball Final Four National Championship. Photo by Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports It led to the highest attendance ever in the tournament’s history to go along with stellar TV ratings in every round. The timing couldn’t be better for the sport. It all could lead to women’s basketball getting a separate TV deal when the contract expires next summer. Here’s a look at some of the top moments from the tournament. Dazzling Clark Clark set an NCAA Tournament record by scoring 191 points over Iowa’s six games, surpassing Sheryl Swoopes’ 177 points for Texas Tech in 1993 — and Glen Rice’s 184 for Michigan in the 1989 men’s tournament. Before 30 points in the championship game, the 6-foot Iowa-born Clark was the first player in the women’s tournament with back-to-back 40-point games. That included her 11th career triple-double in the regional final against Louisville, before another 41 points against previously undefeated South Carolina in the national semifinal game. Iowa Hawkeyes guard Caitlin Clark (22) brings the ball up court against the LSU Lady Tigers in the second half during the final round of the Women’s Final Photo by Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports History denied South Carolina was trying to become the 10th women’s team to run through a season undefeated and the first school to win consecutive titles since UConn won four straight from 2013-16. The Gamecocks were denied that chance, losing to Iowa in the Final Four behind a stellar effort from Clark. READ MORE: A look at the unexpected Final Four lineup in the NCAA men’s tournament End of an era UConn’s run of 14 consecutive Final Four appearance came to an end in the Elite Eight when Ohio State forced the Huskies into 18 first-half turnovers with full-court pressure defense. The Huskies hadn’t missed playing in the national semifinals since 2007. New format The NCAA changed its regional format this year going to two sites instead of the traditional four. It got strong reviews from players and coaches and fans alike. There ended up being a record attendance for that round with more fans showing up in Seattle — which had no team within 1,300 miles of the venue — than Greenville, South Carolina. Fiery fashionista Mulkey is never hard to miss on the sideline with her feisty approach and reactions to referees and her players. The coach’s flamboyant attire takes her presence to a different level, and her Final Four outfits certainly stood out. LSU Lady Tigers head coach Kim Mulkey reacts to an official’s call in the game against the LSU Lady Tigers in the first half during the final round of the Women’s Final Four NCAA tournament. Photo by Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports For the national semifinal game, Mulkey arrived in a carnation pink top with a flower-like puffs along the entire sleeves, a designer-made top similar to what her 2-year-old granddaughter wore. Even the LSU mascot was spotted in pink attire. The coach wore a sparkly, golden, tiger-striped outfit during the championship game. Her team were the golden girls, winning the first basketball championship in school history. ’Canes were cooking Miami did more than just be part of history by knocking out No. 1 seed Indiana before the Sweet 16. The Hurricanes under coach Katie Meier ousted Villanova and ended national scoring leader Maddy Siegrist’s career to reach the Elite Eight for the first time. The champs from LSU ended Miami’s run with a muddy 54-42 win in the regional finals. Thirst for firsts Virginia Tech was a first-time participant in the Final Four, which had a pair of first-time finalists after LSU beat the top-seeded Hokies and Clark’s Hawkeyes ousted undefeated defending national champion South Carolina. It was already guaranteed before the final that the champion would be something other than a No. 1 seed for the first time since 2011. READ MORE: The opportunities and challenges of endorsement deals for student athletes Upsetting performances Stanford and Indiana both fell in the second round becoming the second pair of No. 1 seeds to not make the Sweet 16 since the tournament expanded to 64 teams in 1994. It also happened in 1998. The Cardinal were stymied on their home court by Mississippi’s defense. They never led the second-round game and had their streak of 14 consecutive Sweet 16 appearances ended. The Hoosiers lost at Assembly Hall the next night, when Miami’s Destiny Harden made the game-winning shot with 3.5 seconds left. AP Sports Writer Stephen Hawkins and AP Basketball Writer Doug Feinberg contributed to this story. A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now