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Ahead of the showdown, Stephen A. Smith warned Caitlin Clark of a grave threat. The Iowa Hawkeyes had a clean run throughout the season, losing only four games. Nevertheless, they almost fumbled out in the Final Four against the Connecticut Huskies tonight, winning by a one-point margin. Next up, they take on the South Carolina Gamecocks in the Finals. Speaking of the game, A. Smith highlighted the Dawn Staley effect.

In the latest episode of the Stephen A. Smith Show, the veteran analyst warned Caitlin Clark of the unexplored terrain. Unlike the Hawkeyes, the Gamecocks didn’t lose a single game this season. He also put forward an important question ahead of the tip-off. Smith said, “Is Caitlyn Clark gonna lose a second straight national title?… Or Dawn Staley gonna get knocked off in back-to-back years in the Final Four?” 

However, before putting forward these questions, Smith revealed South Carolina’s coach Dawn Staley’s insane record in the last two years. Staley’s girls won 73 of their last 74 games and lost one in last year’s Final Four against Caitlin Clark & Co. So the veteran analyst left his audience scratching their heads with a question. Will Staley seek revenge for the 2023 Final Four denial? Yes, she did after winning against the NC State Wolfpack. But she has one more game left to sweep the revenge.

Caitlin Clark & Co. almost slipped away from the tournament tonight. Except for the controversial, offensive foul call on UConn’s Aliyah Edwards, the Iowa side’s path to the Finals was in danger. Even superstar LeBron James expressed his frustration with the call.

Nevertheless, the stage is set for the Finals. Ahead of it, Stephen A. Smith picked up the mic to warn the hoops community not to underestimate Staley. He added, “We have to start talking about Dawn Staley in the same light as the late great Pat Summitt… Geno Auriemma.” Moreover, he predicted the final match hours before the Final Four games.

 

Iowa vs South Carolina: Who will win the NCAA title?

The South Carolina side has already won two championships under coach Dawn Staley in 2017 and 2022. On the other hand, Iowa Hawkeyes have never won a championship in their history. In the last season, the team came closer to laying their hands on the trophy, but unfortunately, they lost against the LSU Tigers.

In this season, Caitlin Clark began from where she left in the last season, scoring an average of 32 points with 9 assists per game. She also recorded an impressive shooting percentage from the perimeter at 38. Despite the lethal stats of the rising superstar, the South Carolina team is one step ahead of the Hawkeyes. Ahead of the Final Four match-up, the Gamecocks secured the top of the betting board at -200, as per Fox Sports. 

Will the Hawkeyes defy the odds and win their first title? Let us know in the comments.