March Madness has hit Dallas.
Here are five things you need to know about Women’s Final Four weekend, from March 31-April 2, as well as game times and events at American Airlines Center and other Dallas locations.
1. South Carolina looking to two-step in Texas
For all the achievements and accolades of the players, teams and coaches, everything at the Dallas Women’s Final Four begins and probably ends with South Carolina, the unbeaten defending champions who are favored to repeat.
It would be the third title for the Gamecocks under coach Dawn Staley and the second in Dallas, where they cut down the nets in 2017 after beating Mississippi State.
2. Iowa and Caitlin Clark vs. South Carolina
Standing in South Carolina’s way in the national semifinals is Caitlin Clark, a 6-foot junior guard who’s doing things no other college basketball player has done, and her Hawkeye teammates.
3. LSU has Texas ties
LSU coach Kim Mulkey has three championship rings from her time at Baylor and would love one at her new school.
LSU freshman and DeSoto alum S’Myah Smith is the only local athlete remaining in the women’s tournament. LSU defeated 2-seed Utah in the Sweet 16 and 9-seed Miami to go to the Final Four.
To see a full list of local women’s hoopers who are (or were) in the tourney, click here.
4. Historic firsts for Virginia Tech
Virginia Tech hasn’t lost in two months and made school history reaching its first Final Four with a win over Ohio State. In addition, coach Kenny Brooks became the third Black male coach to take a team to the Final Four in women’s basketball history.
5. Final Four tickets aren’t free, but Saweetie concert is
Even before the field was set Monday, NCAA Women’s Final Four tickets were more expensive than Men’s on the resale market.
For the Women’s Final Four, one all-session ticket will give fans access to the two semifinal games as well as the national championship game. In addition, fans have the option of adding tickets to the Division II and III national championships to the all-session package.
All tickets will be available for purchase at NCAA.com/WBBTickets.
To learn more about tickets for the Women’s Final Four, click here.
The NCAA Women’s Final Four weekend will offer plenty of entertainment. Fan festivals and other activities are free, and you don’t need a game ticket to attend. Event venues are all in or near downtown Dallas and are accessible by ride-share, DART rail or bus service, and a free shuttle operated by Buick.
The weekend will include an open practice, a parade, a concert headlined by Saweetie and more.
To see the full event list, plus where and when to register, click here.
Game times*
Friday, March 31
Semifinal No. 1: (3) LSU (32-2) vs. (1) Virginia Tech (31-4), 6 p.m.
Semifinal No. 2: (2) Iowa (30-6) vs. (1) South Carolina (36-0), 8:30 p.m. (approximately)
Saturday, April 1
Women’s Division III national championship game, 11 a.m.
Women’s Division II national championship game, 2:30 p.m. (approximately)
Sunday, April 2
NCAA national championship game, 2:30 p.m.
* all games will be played at American Airlines Center
To see the weekend’s full event schedule, click here.
Top stories about the women’s tournament
— NCAA Women’s Final Four: Which team has the most players with Texas ties?
— Women’s Final Four odds: See who is favored to win in Dallas
— Fit check: See photos of LSU coach Kim Mulkey’s best (?) outfits over the years
— 5 things to know about LSU coach Kim Mulkey, including her legendary stint at Baylor
— Mavericks’ Kyrie Irving surprises South Carolina’s Aliyah Boston, answers FaceTime call
Twitter: @SportsDayDFW
Find more college sports coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.