For the first time, the women's college basketball national championship drew more viewers than the men's this year, with 18.87 million viewers tuning in for the women's game and 14.82 million for the men's game.

By the Numbers
  • Women's championship game viewership: 18.87 million
  • Men's championship game viewership: 14.82 million
Yes, But

Despite impressive viewership numbers, neither Iowa nor Purdue managed to secure a national championship win.

State of Play
  • South Carolina's perfect season with a 38-0 record culminated in a victory against Iowa at the women's national championship.
  • UConn secured their second consecutive men's national title with a win over Purdue, led by standout performances from Tristen Newton and Stephon Castle.
  • Big Ten teams reaching the final games is a positive sign for the conference, even though a national title win eluded them.
What's Next

Post-season projections in college basketball remain uncertain given the evolving landscape with factors like the transfer portal and NIL, making it challenging to predict future outcomes accurately.

Bottom Line

The women's college basketball championship game attracted more viewers this year, showcasing the growing popularity of the sport, while UConn and South Carolina emerged victorious in the men's and women's championships. The Big Ten's presence in the final games signifies strength for the conference, despite the lack of title wins, underscoring the competitiveness in college basketball's landscape today.