Current:Home > InvestCaitlin Clark, Iowa set conference tournament viewership record after beating Nebraska -VisionFunds
Caitlin Clark, Iowa set conference tournament viewership record after beating Nebraska
View
Date:2025-04-16 03:13:46
Fans can't get enough of Caitlin Clark.
Iowa's Big Ten championship win over Nebraska on Sunday was the most-watched conference tournament game on any network in women's college basketball history, CBS Sports reported on Tuesday.
The network said that the game, where the Hawkeyes won 94-89 for their third straight Big Ten title behind 34 points and 12 assists from Clark, had an average of 3.021 million viewers. The audience peaked when the game went into overtime and 4.450 million people tuned in.
The matchup was the most-watched game of the day, which also featured the SEC championship where South Carolina outlasted LSU after a scuffle in the fourth quarter to win their eighth conference title in 10 years.
The Athletic's Richard Deitsch compared the numbers between the women's Big Ten championship and the storied rivalry between Duke and North Carolina's men's basketball teams. The Blue Devils and Tar Heels faced off on Saturday in the regular season finale. North Carolina won at Cameron Indoor, clinching the regular season ACC crown. Deitsch said that game, which was aired on ESPN, had an average of 3.076 million viewers.
WOMEN'S BRACKET MADNESS: Enter USA TODAY's women's tournament bracket contest for a chance at $1 million prize.
The Big Ten Network also reported that Iowa amassed more than 1 million viewers for both its semifinal and quarterfinal games in the conference tournament. It's the first time the network has seen two women's games pass the 1 million mark. The 1.075 million fans that tuned in for the semifinal against Michigan made the game the most-watched women's sports event and second overall in the network's history.
Clark − with other stars such as LSU's Angel Reese, former South Carolina star Aliyah Boston and Stanford's Cameron Brink − have helped elevate the profile of women's basketball. Last year's Final Four saw record viewership on ESPN with an average of 5.5 million and peak of 6.6 million people watching Iowa versus South Carolina. When Clark broke Pete Maravich's all-time scoring record earlier this month in a game against Ohio State, an average of 3.4 million fans tuned in, making it the most-watched women's college basketball game in FOX's history.
The Hawkeyes clinched a berth in the NCAA tournament with the championship win. They will learn their seeding for the competition on Selection Sunday.
veryGood! (27)
Related
- Where will Elmo go? HBO moves away from 'Sesame Street'
- Disney World and other Orlando parks to reopen Friday after Hurricane Milton shutdown
- Utah candidates for Mitt Romney’s open US Senate seat square off in debate
- Martha Stewart Reveals She Cheated on Ex-Husband Andy Stewart in the Most Jaw-Dropping Way
- Trump issues order to ban transgender troops from serving openly in the military
- Tech CEO Justin Bingham Dead at 40 After 200-Ft. Fall at National Park in Utah
- Justin Timberlake Shares Update Days After Suffering Injury and Canceling Show
- JoJo Siwa, Miley Cyrus and More Stars Who’ve Shared Their Coming Out Story
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Hi Hi!
- Why Full House's Scott Curtis Avoided Candace Cameron Bure After First Kiss
Ranking
- Pressure on a veteran and senator shows what’s next for those who oppose Trump
- Judge blocks Penn State board from voting to remove a trustee who has sought financial records
- How important is the Port of Tampa Bay? What to know as Hurricane Milton recovery beings
- 10 players to buy low and sell high: Fantasy football Week 6
- The Daily Money: Spending more on holiday travel?
- Chicago Fed president sees rates falling at gradual pace despite hot jobs, inflation
- Alaska US Rep. Peltola and Republican opponent Begich face off in wide-ranging debate
- Fall in Love With These Under $100 Designer Michael Kors Handbags With an Extra 20% off Luxury Styles
Recommendation
Who's hosting 'Saturday Night Live' tonight? Musical guest, how to watch Dec. 14 episode
Influencer Cecily Bauchmann Apologizes for Flying 4 Kids to Florida During Hurricane Milton
How important is the Port of Tampa Bay? What to know as Hurricane Milton recovery beings
Police seize $500,000 of fentanyl concealed in carne asada beef at California traffic stop
Pressure on a veteran and senator shows what’s next for those who oppose Trump
While Dodgers are secretive for Game 5, Padres just want to 'pop champagne'
DirecTV has a new free streaming service coming. Here's what we know
'It's gone': Hurricane Milton damage blows away retirement dreams in Punta Gorda