Best photos of the Hawkeyes’ Final Four practices

The Iowa Hawkeyes (30-6, 15-3 Big Ten) are just about set to tip off in their second all-time Final Four appearance. The opponent is a juggernaut in undefeated and defending national champion South Carolina (36-0, 16-0 SEC).

It’s been a fun week already with Hawkeye star Caitlin Clark receiving the Naismith Trophy, Associated Press’ National Player of the Year award and getting recognized as the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association’s Wade Trophy Winner.

Ultimately, though, everyone is hoping for two more wins and a chance to leave American Airlines Center and Dallas, Texas, with the program’s first national championship.

“Well, we are extremely excited to represent Hawkeye nation here at the women’s Final Four. We know we have an incredible challenge ahead of us, but at the same time, everybody loves an underdog. So hopefully a lot of people will be cheering for us.

“I’ve been coming to the Final Four for a long, long time, but my seats are finally going to be pretty good tonight. So I’m excited about that. Excited also about Caitlin obviously being named the AP Player of the Year today. One of my assistants, Coach Jan Jensen, will also be getting the Assistant Coach of the Year Award. So a lot of great things happening. I’m just trying to convince my team 40 minutes of basketball and a lifetime of memories, and that’s all we have to focus on,” Iowa head women’s basketball coach Lisa Bluder said of the battle against the Gamecocks.

The Hawkeyes’ practices are officially in the books and there’s really just one thing left to do tomorrow night. Tip off is set for 8:30 p.m. on ESPN. Beforehand, here’s a look inside Iowa’s practices at American Airlines Center.