In March Madness, the Women Still Have More Stars and More People Watching – With Juju Watkins of USC as Number 1
March Madness is here, and all eyes are on the biggest stars in college basketball. But this year, the spotlight is shining even brighter on the women’s tournament. Once again, the women’s game is bringing in more attention, bigger personalities, and higher viewership.
The biggest names in college basketball will take the court in the women’s tournament. Juju Watkins of USC and Paige Bueckers of UConn are the players to watch. The loss of Caitlin Clark has left a gap, but new stars are ready to take over.
Last year, the women’s national championship game brought in more viewers than the men’s. It was a historic moment. The question now is: can the women’s game keep the momentum going?
Juju Watkins of USC Is the Star of March Madness
Juju Watkins is the name on everyone’s mind. The USC freshman has dominated all season. She is the future of women’s basketball. Her talent, leadership, and scoring ability make her the biggest star in the tournament.
Watkins recently made history. She became the first woman college athlete to sign an endorsement deal with Fanatics. This proves how much the women’s game is growing. Watkins is not just a great player—she is a brand.
USC enters the tournament with high expectations. Watkins has led them to one of their best seasons in years. She scores at will, plays elite defense, and controls the game. Her presence alone makes USC a serious contender for the national title.
If Watkins leads USC deep into the tournament, the ratings will follow. Fans are excited. The media is focused. Everyone wants to see what she will do next.
March Madness: Women’s Viewership Continues to Rise
Last year was a turning point for women’s college basketball. The national championship between Iowa and South Carolina drew more viewers than the men’s final. It was the first time in history that had ever happened.
Many factors contributed to this. Caitlin Clark became a superstar. The game was broadcast on a major network. The matchup was exciting and full of storylines.
Now, the question is whether women’s basketball can keep growing. Experts believe the answer is yes. Kevin Hull, a sports media professor at South Carolina, says women’s sports are in a great place.
“I’m hard-pressed to believe they’re going to reach the Caitlin Clark number again because that was a comet that probably won’t be repeated this year,” Hull said. “But they’re going to get a really good number again. It’s a great time to be in women’s sports.”
Women’s basketball has never been stronger. More people are watching. The games are more competitive. The talent is at an all-time high.
March Madness: The Men’s Game Lacks Big Stars
The biggest challenge for the men’s tournament this year is the lack of major stars. Outside of Duke’s Cooper Flagg, there are no true household names.
Flagg is a great player. He has a massive following. But after him, who else?
The men’s game has always had an advantage. It has deeper talent pools. And it has more NCAA backing. It has a longer history. However, none of that guarantees big viewership.
Last year, Purdue’s Zach Edey was the biggest star in men’s college basketball. He was dominant on the court. But he did not capture the attention of casual fans. The same problem exists this year.
Meanwhile, the women’s game has players like Watkins and Bueckers. They are not only elite athletes, but they also have huge social media followings. Fans feel connected to them. They create excitement.
This difference matters. In today’s world, social media drives viewership. Players who can engage with fans off the court are the ones who bring in big audiences.
Women’s Basketball Continues to Break Barriers
Women’s sports have been on the rise for years. The growth of the WNBA, the success of the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team, and the rise of college basketball have all contributed.
One major turning point came in 2021. That year, ESPN broadcast every game of the women’s NCAA Tournament nationally for the first time. It was a huge step forward.
Another key moment came when Sedona Prince exposed the disparities between the men’s and women’s tournaments. Her viral video showed how the women’s teams had far worse facilities than the men’s. It forced a conversation. It pushed the NCAA to treat women’s basketball more fairly.
Changes followed. The NCAA began using the “March Madness” branding for the women’s tournament. The media started covering women’s games more seriously. TV contracts improved.
This season, for the first time, women’s teams will receive payments for making the NCAA Tournament. The NCAA announced that teams would now get “units,” just like men’s teams. It is another sign of progress.
South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley has been vocal about the need for equal treatment.
“A lot of it has to do with us being treated like a sport now,” Staley said. “When you treat us like a sport, you will get a return on your investment.”
March Madness 2025: What to Expect
This year’s tournament will test whether last year’s record-breaking viewership was a one-time event or the beginning of a long-term trend.
The early signs are promising.
A December matchup between Watkins and Bueckers averaged 2.2 million viewers. That made it the second-most-watched women’s game ever on Fox.
ESPN’s ratings for women’s college basketball were up 3% this year. Compared to two years ago, they are up 41%.
The excitement is building. A potential rematch between Watkins and Bueckers in the regional finals could bring in a massive audience. If South Carolina reaches the championship game again, expect even bigger numbers.
Sports media experts believe women’s basketball is here to stay.
“I’m pretty confident in saying that the days of the men’s Final Four dwarfing the women’s—double, three-times viewership—those days are long gone,” Hull said. “It wouldn’t surprise me if the women’s gets more. There’s buzz now, and the TV networks are treating it as a big deal.”
The Future of Women’s College Basketball
This year’s tournament could set another record. If the women’s championship game outdraws the men’s again, it will prove that last year was not a fluke.
Juju Watkins has the chance to become the face of college basketball. She is already a superstar. If she leads USC to a championship, her legacy will be set.
Paige Bueckers is also on a mission. She has battled injuries but is back at the top of her game. If she can lead UConn to a title, it will only add to her growing legend.
The next three weeks will be thrilling. The stars are ready. The fans are engaged. Women’s college basketball is at its peak.
The stage is set. March Madness 2025 could be the biggest yet.
