2024 NCAA Tournament Thread

[The Sultan]

Hardly anybody watches chick bb.

Austin Karp
@AustinKarp

The @MarchMadnessWBB final between @GamecockWBB and @IowaWBB drew a women's hoops record 18.5 million viewers on ABC/ESPN (includes Bird/Taurasi alt-cast).

Big-time football type of figure here.

Same number as @CFBPlayoff semifinal between Washington & Texas this past season

[RJax55]

Austin Karp
@AustinKarp

The @MarchMadnessWBB final between @GamecockWBB and @IowaWBB drew a women's hoops record 18.5 million viewers on ABC/ESPN (includes Bird/Taurasi alt-cast).

Big-time football type of figure here.

Same number as @CFBPlayoff semifinal between Washington & Texas this past season

Will be interesting to see what tonight's game pulls. Last year's title game drew a record low 14.7 million viewers. I'm assuming tonight's viewership will jump given the match-up, but it might not beat the women's number from yesterday.

[The Sultan]

Will be interesting to see what tonight's game pulls. Last year's title game drew a record low 14.7 million viewers. I'm assuming tonight's viewership will jump given the match-up, but it might not beat the women's number from yesterday.

In 2022, UNC v. Kansas drew 18.1 million and the semifinal between Duke and UNC drew 18.5 million.

I know Purdue is better ratings-wise than SDSU, but I really doubt it will beat those games above. Especially when its on TNT and the tip time isn't until 9:20 Eastern.

[oldwarrior81]

The Women's Championship game drew 18.7 million viewers, according to ESPN.

The broadcast peaked at a whopping 24 million viewers, the network said.

It marks the largest audience for any basketball game (men's or women's, college or professional) since 2019.

[tower912]

That is a lot of gamblers.

[WhiteTrash]

That is a lot of gamblers.

Set a record in Vegas and on-line.

[Dr. Blackheart]

Set a record in Vegas and on-line.

Blew it away in fact

https://www.espn.com/sports-betting/story/_/id/39901527/south-carolina-iowa-was-most-bet-women-college-basketball-game

[Jockey]

Austin Karp
@AustinKarp

The @MarchMadnessWBB final between @GamecockWBB and @IowaWBB drew a women's hoops record 18.5 million viewers on ABC/ESPN (includes Bird/Taurasi alt-cast).

Big-time football type of figure here.

Same number as @CFBPlayoff semifinal between Washington & Texas this past season

I may be the 'god of hyperbole', but Clark has done more for the sport of women's basketball than any other athlete has done for theirs since Tiger.

And that's not hyperbole.

[Uncle Rico]

I may be the 'god of hyperbole', but Clark has done more for the sport of women's basketball than any other athlete has done for theirs since Tiger.

And that's not hyperbole.

No, it's just the gambling.  You can finally gamble on women's basketball for the first time ever this year.

[Uncle Rico]

In 2022, UNC v. Kansas drew 18.1 million and the semifinal between Duke and UNC drew 18.5 million.

I know Purdue is better ratings-wise than SDSU, but I really doubt it will beat those games above. Especially when its on TNT and the tip time isn't until 9:20 Eastern.

I'd think tonight's game does much better than last year?  Compelling matchup and at this point, Edey is a known quantity to casuals.  Not near the level of Caitlin Clark, but probably enough to get some extra eyeballs.

[The Sultan]

I'd think tonight's game does much better than last year?  Compelling matchup and at this point, Edey is a known quantity to casuals.  Not near the level of Caitlin Clark, but probably enough to get some extra eyeballs.

It will do better than last year. But I doubt it will do better than 2022.

[Uncle Rico]

It will do better than last year. But I doubt it will do better than 2022.

Two blue bloods in '22.

UConn is a blue blood in resume, not for TV necessarily

[Goose]

Late start will hurt the ratings, imo. It is a great matchup and I hope I make it up for the whole game. My son wins a nice sized pool with a UConn win, but he is hedging by taking Purdue money line. Good night for the kid.

[Jockey]

No, it's just the gambling.  You can finally gamble on women's basketball for the first time ever this year.

Partially, maybe.

But she has permanently changed the women's game. Steph Currt did the same - we just didn't know it as it was happening.

This time we see it in real time because we've been there before.

[Uncle Rico]

Partially, maybe.

But she has permanently changed the women's game. Steph Currt did the same - we just didn't know it as it was happening.

This time we see it in real time because we've been there before.

I was joking.  For some reason, people can't handle a woman's athlete transcending their sport and are looking for some other reason the sport had a great year.

Ratings will drop next year but the sport is in a great place and has a lot of new fans who will stick around.

I think we're entering a golden age for women's sports.  We're multiple generations from Title IX now.  Access and visibility is larger than ever.  Think sponsors aren't taking notice?  The money will only increase.

[MuggsyB]

Really surprised the spread is -7.5.  You would think Smith will play better tonight?  Anyway, I hope UCONN finds a way and gets the win. 

[jesmu84]

Why TF is this game at 920?

[jesmu84]

Edey is Purdue, right?

If Purdue doesn't have Edey, no way they're very good.

If uconn is without Clingan (or any other single player), they're still very very good.

[jesmu84]

Per Twitter 2:1 Purdue fans in arena

[MuggsyB]

Why TF is this game at 920?

Isn't it always the same time every year? 

[Uncle Rico]

Per Twitter 2:1 Purdue fans in arena

I mean, UConn is playing for their 6th title in 25 years.  Must get boring

[tower912]

Like the eclipse, it is unlikely that we will see a talented 7'4 player and a talented 7'2 player squaring off in a national championship for a long time.

[Tyler COLEk]

Really surprised the spread is -7.5.  You would think Smith will play better tonight?  Anyway, I hope UCONN finds a way and gets the win.

I'm in the camp that thinks 7.5 is about right. Uniquely difficult matchup for Edey means that Purdue's backcourt must at at least hang with UConn's. I just don't think they're capable of that.

[PGsHeroes32]

Spencer looks great early and Clingan making impact.

Rest of team looks a little jittery. Big shot from Newton there.

[NickelDimer]

Incredible start for Edey