Lisa Bluder explains mindset ahead of national championship, reveals key matchup

Iowa and South Carolina are set to do battle for the 2024 NCAA Championship on Sunday afternoon.

The Hawkeyes’ confidence has been at an all-time high as of late, and are playing their best basketball of the season at the perfect time. Head coach Lisa Bluder’s belief in her team stems from the experience they’ve had as a group making deep runs in March.

After all, Iowa is the last team to beat the Gamecocks, who haven’t lost a single game this season. Based on that, Bluder explained her mindset coming into the national title game.

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“You know that you can, that you’ve done it before,” Bluder told ESPN’s Holly Rowe ahead of tip-off. “We know it’s an incredibly difficult challenge. But we don’t have to beat them in a series out of five. It’s just one 40-minute game. Team is feeling good. They’re confident and loose, and I think that’s the best way to go into this type of game.”

All eyes will be on Caitlin Clark during Sunday’s championship game, but the key matchup Bluder has her eyes on is 6-foot-2 sophomore Hannah Stuelke going against Kamilla Cardoso, one of the nation’s top forwards this season. Cardoso, who is 6-foot-7, averages 14.3 points per game along with 9.5 rebounds.

“That’s a tough matchup for anybody let alone a young sophomore,” Bluder said. “So we’re gonna have to give her some help.”

Whether that means drawing double teams to Cardoso or allowing other forwards like Sydney Affolter or Addison O’Grady to play extended minutes remains to be seen, but keeping the 6-foot-7 senior at bay is going to be a priority for the Hawkeyes on Sunday.

Still, regardless of the outcome — Bluder said that the success Iowa has enjoyed over the past two seasons has not been taken for granted.

“We’re all grateful to be here. I mean, we get to play in the national championship game,” Bluder continued. “And that’s such an honor. I mean, our game is so good. The coaches are amazing. The players are elite and we get to have this opportunity today. So we’re going to try to give the best show we can.”

Tip-off between Iowa and South Carolina is scheduled for 3 p.m. ET and will air live on ABC. The Hawkeyes are 7.5-point underdogs against the undefeated Gamecocks.