Can the success of South Carolina and Caitlin Clark’s impact continue to grow women’s sports?

CLEVELAND, OHIO — The University of South Carolina women’s basketball and head coach Dawn Staley completed an undefeated season and captured their third national title in program history after defeating Iowa 87-75 on Sunday, April 6. It also was the first undefeated season since the UCONN Huskies did it back in 2016.

Staley also joined elite company by winning her third title as a coach. Her name now stands alongside Geno Auriemma, Pat Summitt, Kim Mulkey and Tara VanDerveer. The Gamecocks also have won two of the last three women’s national titles and have 109-3 record over the last three seasons.

It was no surprise that the Gamecocks were the favorites all season, but it was a surprise on who they were able to get the job done with this season. South Carolina is always loaded with talent and no one felt sorry that Staley lost all five starters from last season’s Final Four team, one which included Player of the Year and No.1 overall pick Aliyah Boston.

Staley had the tall task of replacing those starters and that production from Boston. She did just that and got to work immediately after losing to this same Iowa team on last season. Sophomore guard Raven Johnson also got to work. She was ridiculed last year for the Hawkeyes choosing not to guard her on the perimeter because of her poor shooting numbers.

Johnson improved those numbers and was the main reason the Gamecocks was able to avenge their lost from a season ago. After Caitlin Clark scored a tournament record of 18 points by any player in the first quarter of Sunday’s title game, Johnson held her to just 12 points in the final three quarters and had three key steals from Clark. Also, freshmen bench players Milaysia Fulwiley and Tessa Johnson combined to score 28 of the team’s 37 total bench points.

The Gamecock’s win was very impressive, but it was more than just a story about perseverance and great coaching. It was a story about how women’s sports is just as crucial as men. The game had 18.7 million viewers, in large part because of the story lines, but also because of the product that was on the floor. The men’s game has been diluted with NIL, transfer portal and the one-and-done system. While the women’s game continuously grow because it stars stick around and fans are able to see them grow and get better each season, like Clark, who Staley gave kudos to in her post-game speech.

“I personally want to thank Caitlin Clark for lifting up our sport. She carried a heavy load for our sport,” Staley said. “She’s going to lift that league (WNBA) up as well. Caitlin Clark if you’re out there you’re one of the GOATs of our game. We appreciate you.”

Clark did just that with her play over the last several seasons. She was often referred to as the “female Steph Curry.” Not only did the Iowa Star help lift the game, but the overall play in women’s basketball was just better this season. From JuJu Watkins at the University Southern California dominating as a freshman to UCONN’s Paige Bueckers comeback story and great tournament run, and of course, Angel Reese and her LSU teammates.

The women’s game is continuously growing while the men’s game is leaving much to be desired at this point. Hopefully, the last few seasons of success on the college level can translate to the professional level. The WNBA is still a junior varsity team compared to the NBA and their star power, but the gap is starting to close somewhat. If the women’s game continues to flourish then maybe ticket sales and merchandise sales will rise so that the WNBA have a place to hold all of the talent upcoming over the next few years.