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Iowa-LSU Matchup Most Bet Women’s College Basketball Game Ever?

James Bisson

Last Updated: April 3, 2024 10:34 AM EDT • 1 min 34 sec read.

Mikaylah Williams #12 of the LSU Tigers and Caitlin Clark #22 of the Iowa Hawkeyes fight for the ball as we look at the details surrounding how sportsbooks benefitted from the Iowa-LSU Elite Eight game.
Mikaylah Williams #12 of the LSU Tigers and Caitlin Clark #22 of the Iowa Hawkeyes fight for the ball on April 01, 2024 in Albany, New York. Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images via AFP.

It turns out that fans weren't the only ones who benefitted from a pair of exciting Elite Eight matchups in the women's 2024 NCAA Tournament on Monday. The clashes between Iowa-LSU and UConn-USC were also a boon for some of our best sports betting sites. 

BetMGM trading manager Seamus Magee said, "LSU vs. Iowa was the most bet women's basketball game ever, and UConn vs. USC was top 3." Multiple sportsbooks in the American market report brisk wagering activity on the game.

Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese put on quite a show in a rematch of last year's national championship game. Overall, betting on the game surprised all analysts, as did viewership interest. 

Both bet365 and DraftKings reported Tuesday that Monday's clash was the most bet women's college basketball game ever. BetMGM said that it was the most bet-on women's sporting event ever.

Just how big was Iowa-LSU for sportsbooks?

According to prominent sportsbooks in the U.S. legal sports wagering scene, women's basketball dominated Monday night's betting activity. There was plenty on the Monday night wagering menu, including six NBA games, highlighted by league-best Boston Celtics versus the Kevin Durant-led Phoenix Suns, and 14 MLB games.

A FanDuel spokesperson confirmed that "LSU vs. Iowa was the No. 1 betting event on FanDuel yesterday, ahead of all NBA, MLB and NHL games. UCONN vs. USC was the third highest of the day."

“Both women’s NCAA tournament games last night outperformed all six NBA games in total bets and handle,” BetMGM Trading Manager Seamus Magee said in an email.

Caesars said the game was "the biggest women's college basketball game we've ever booked."

FanDuel reported a 28% year-over-year spike in betting between the Elite Elight action on Monday night and the championship game between LSU and Iowa last season.

Looking forward to the Final Four

Thanks to Caitlin Clark and the newfound frenzy around women's hoops, a whole lot more eyes will be on the women's Final Four. Unbeaten South Carolina will face NC State at 7 p.m. ET, followed by UConn versus Iowa in the nightcap.

South Carolina opened as an 11.5-point favorite for Friday night's game in Cleveland. The Gamecocks are likely favorites to win it all and have had a dominant tournament. Iowa is a 2.5-point favorite to advance to the final.

It will be something to watch and potentially a good couple of days for our best sports betting apps. Wagering activity on the games is expected to shatter records.

Written By:
James Bisson
James Bisson is the Editor-in-Chief of Sportsbook Review. He has been a writer, reporter and editor for more than 20 years, and his work has appeared in more than 200 publications across North America. His first book, “100 Greatest Canadian Sports Moments”, was a hardcover best-seller in Canada in 2008. He has written more than 50 sportsbook reviews and dozens of other sportsbook-related content articles. James has also been quoted as a sports betting expert in USA Today and Sports Illustrated.