The clash between No. 3 NC State and the undefeated South Carolina is set to kick off the 2024 Women’s Final Four in Cleveland on Friday night at 7 p.m. ET, with the Wolfpack aiming for a significant upset.
TREND
South Carolina, boasting a flawless 36-0 record, is the clear favorite with an 11.5-point spread. This has led to an interesting trend where 73% of spread-line bets at ESPNBet and BetMGM favor NC State.
Interest in the Wolfpack’s +550 moneyline remains high, with 87% of bets and 57% of the wagered amount placed on their victory.
However, BetRivers presents a different scenario with 69% of the money backing the Gamecocks’ spread line and 84% favoring their -1115 moneyline.
At BetMGM, South Carolina’s spread line has attracted 14.1% of all Women’s Final Four bets, making it the second most popular selection in terms of ticket volume.
PROPS
Opting for Saniya Rivers to Score Over 11.5 Points (-130 at BetMGM) is a popular prop bet for this matchup. The junior guard for the Wolfpack holds an average of 12.7 points per game this season and is coming off an 11-point performance against Texas.
Targeting Over 140.0 Points has gained traction with 77% of total bets and 62% of the total amount wagered. NC State averages 77.3 points in the last three games, while South Carolina maintains an impressive average of 82 points across four games.
THE NEWS
Although South Carolina remains undefeated, Coach Dawn Staley‘s team has shown vulnerability in March.
The Gamecocks faced challenging scenarios, including a buzzer-beater three-pointer from Kamilla Cardoso against Tennessee and a close victory against Indiana in the Sweet 16. They also had to exert effort to secure a win over Oregon State in the Elite Eight.
Similar to the men’s basketball program’s surprising Final Four advancement, NC State (31-6) has maintained a determined attitude throughout the season.
Despite initially projected to finish low in the ACC preseason poll and absence from the AP Top 25 Poll, the Wolfpack made a name for themselves by defeating strong opponents like UConn, Colorado, Louisville, and Notre Dame.
Coach Wes Moore‘s team secured notable wins over Stanford and Texas in the Portland 4 Regional, marking their first Final Four appearance since 1998.
“We feel kind of like the party crashers,” Moore said. “I don’t know that we got an invitation to this thing, but we’re here. So it’s exciting.”
Both South Carolina and NC State have triumphed over AP Top 25 teams nine times this season, sharing the top spot in the nation.
Entering their sixth Final Four under Staley, the Gamecocks boast the nation’s top defense, led by Cardoso, a WNBA prospect standing at 6-foot-7 and contributing significantly in points, rebounds, and blocks.
Regarding the upcoming game, Moore emphasizes the importance of shooting accuracy to challenge South Carolina’s robust defense.
For South Carolina, containing Aziaha James, a standout player averaging 24.2 points per game in the NCAA Tournament, presents a significant challenge.
Rivers, a former part of South Carolina’s championship team before joining NC State, also adds to the intrigue of this matchup with her notable contributions to the Wolfpack this season.
“We need to shoot the ball well,” Moore said. “We need to hit some 3s, loosen that defense up a little and widen the defense out. The better you shoot the 3, the bigger those gaps get in the defense. We need to do that.”
In their last encounter in 2021, South Carolina clinched a victory against NC State in the season opener.
KEY STAT
NC State may face a challenge in South Carolina’s deep roster, with nine players averaging at least 15 minutes and six points per game, enabling a well-rounded playstyle for the Gamecocks.
THEY SAID IT
“It’s kind of hard to apply what happened last season to this team. It’s just a completely different team. I know we all want the same thing,” Gamecocks junior Bree Hall said. “We’re just so focused on us and want to win every game.”
