The 2024 NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament has been one of the most-watched events in women's college basketball history, and we are now down to the final game. It's the Iowa Hawkeyes vs. the undefeated South Carolina Gamecocks for all the marbles.

Two of the nation's top three offenses will be on the game's biggest stage at 3 p.m. ET on Sunday in what should be a championship showdown for the ages. Not only will this game draw national attention, it will practically have the feel of a Super Bowl by the time it gets under way. Everyone wants to see what happens when NCAA all-time scoring leader Caitlin Clark and her Iowa Hawkeyes teammates take on an undefeated powerhouse in the Gamecocks.

Iowa vs. South Carolina Odds, Spread, Moneyline, Over/Under – March Madness Betting Lines 4/7

Moneyline: Iowa Hawkeyes +225, South Carolina Gamecocks -260
Spread: Iowa +6.5 (-110), South Carolina -6.5 (-110)
Total: Over/Under 160.5 points  

Iowa vs. South Carolina Injury Report

Neither team has any key injuries to report.

Iowa vs. South Carolina Prediction and Picks 

South Carolina’s undefeated season is hardly a fluke. The Gamecocks rank third in the nation in scoring, averaging 85.4 points per game, and they have played suffocating defense in holding opponents to 56.1 points per game. Other schools have gone unbeaten in women’s college basketball history, but no team ever had it tougher than South Carolina, which is playing in the most talented era the sport has ever had.

Iowa's run to the tournament finale has sometimes been referred to as the "Caitlin Clark Revenge Tour", after the Hawkeyes lost to Louisiana State in last year's title game. In terms of revenge, though, Iowa has already enjoyed it in beating the Tigers in this year’s Elite Eight. The Hawkeyes then went on to squeak past Connecticut in the Final Four on Friday night.

Now, Iowa finds itself in a game just as eagerly anticipated as its matchup with LSU a year ago. The mountain in front of it is no less intimidating because South Carolina, apart from Clark's two-guard spot, is better than Iowa at every position this season, and the Gamecocks will remind fans of that on Sunday. Clark has gone up against some tough, competitive defenses already this year, but the Gamecocks will certainly be her hardest test yet.

On Friday night against Connecticut, Iowa had a few stretches in which its offense disappeared. If that happens against South Carolina, the Hawkeyes can forget about winning. This Gamecocks offense is a well-oiled machine that rarely slows down. Iowa utilizes its bench well, but South Carolina’s depth will be too much for the Hawkeyes, just like it was for NC State in the semifinals.

Indeed, South Carolina's deep bench was what enabled the Gamecocks to pull away from the Wolfpack in the third quarter on Sunday, outscoring NC State 29-6 in those 10 minutes. Iowa forward Hannah Stuelke has had an amazing 2023-24 season and has a bright pro future ahead of her, but South Carolina's 6-foot-7 center Kamilla Cardoso will be an absolute matchup nightmare for her on Sunday. Iowa will simply have no answer for Cardoso. Of course, guarding Clark won't exactly be easy for the Gamecocks either, but I suspect that South Carolina can slow her down at the very point when it begins to assert its dominance and widen the lead.

Clark is going to score a lot of points on Sunday, but the Gamecocks' guards are physical and tough defensively, and they will make life difficult for Clark when matched up against her. Give me South Carolina laying the points in this one to complete a perfect season.

The Pick: South Carolina -6.5 (-110)

Last year’s national championship game between Iowa and LSU produced a total of 187 points. This year’s title game returns 85 of those points, since Iowa is back for a second straight year. The total is currently set at 160.5 points, and I love the over here. Both teams rank among the nation's top three in scoring -- with Iowa averaging 91.4 points per game and South Carolina averaging 85.4. This total therefore comes in quite lower than I expected.

I know South Carolina’s defense is stout and will suffocate Caitlin Clark and Co., but suffocating the Hawkeyes for all four quarters is something that has never been done this season, because Iowa's offense is lethal. Of course, South Carolina’s offense isn’t much less productive, and I don’t see the Iowa defense stopping these Gamecocks. As mentioned earlier, Kamilla Cardoso is going to be a real problem for the Hawkeyes, who won’t be able to contain her.

With Cardoso on the floor, it’s virtually an automatic two points for the Gamecocks every trip down the court. If Iowa looks to double-team the big center, then South Carolina's guards will knock down 3-pointers. If Iowa goes with the double-team and allows uncontested shots from beyond the arc, the Gamecocks will make them pay because South Carolina ranks third in the nation when it comes to 3-point shooting percentage.

Get your popcorn ready and enjoy the show, because this game will feature nonstop action. Expect both teams to give it their all in the hope of cutting down the nets.

The Pick: Over 160.5 (-110)

Odds are subject to change*

WELCOME OFFER: Bet $50 Get $200 if your first bet wins. Download Betway Sportsbook today!

Bet on March Madness at Betway

Find season-long NCAAB odds on the Betway sportsbook. You'll find all the latest spreads, totals, money lines and over/under. Missed tip off? No problem, Betway also offers live betting. All your NCAAB betting needs are covered at our online sportsbook.

Visit Betway’s NCAAB picks page for picks and predictions throughout the season.