Today's women's Final Four is packed with star power

The GIST: Record-setting viewership, stunning starpower, and a whole lot of hoopla later, the women’s March Madness tournament culminates this weekend. First up, tonight’s stacked Final Four lineup on ESPN, with two spots in Sunday’s 3 p.m. ET championship game on ABC on the line.

No. 3 NC State Wolfpack vs. No. 1 South Carolina Gamecocks, 7 p.m. ET: Three-peat Naismith Coach of the Year Dawn Staley’s undefeated Gamecocks are back in the Final Four for the fourth straight year — a run characterized by depth and dominance. South Carolina looks downright unstoppable, thanks in large part to standout senior Kamilla Cardoso and her average of 14 points and nine rebounds per game.

• That said, NC State is no stranger to pulling off upsets: They downed No. 2 Stanford and No. 1 Texas to reach their first Final Four since 1998. The Wolfpack player to watch? Sophomore Aziaha James, who dropped a career-high 27 points in the Elite Eight.

No. 3 UConn Huskies vs. No. 1 Iowa Hawkeyes, 9:30 p.m. ET: Huskies superstar Paige Bueckers vs. back-to-back Naismith Player of the Year Caitlin Clark — need we say more? Rallied by yet another historic Clark performance, the Hawkeyes avenged last year’s title-game loss to No. 3 LSU to reach their second straight and just third-ever Final Four.

• UConn, meanwhile, overcame a myriad of injuries to make a surprising and unlikely Final Four appearance. Their short bench could pose a problem, especially if they get into foul trouble, but the dynamic duo of Bueckers and Canadian Aaliyah Edwards have persevered before.

• The Huskies also have the edge on defense, but what can you even do to guard Clark? One thing’s for sure: The women’s game will be shining bright under those Friday night lights.