Few teams in America enter the Thunderdome that is March Madness with the type of hype the Iowa Hawkeyes have garnered, thanks to the Herculean exploits of guard Caitlin Clark.
The senior out of Dowling Catholic in West Des Moines has a throng of fans, especially young girls, and is the source of much interest in Iowa sports betting.
Clark’s list of accolades is enormous, so we will just say Clark is now the NCAA’s all-time scoring leader (men’s and women’s basketball). Her four-year total of 3,771 points surpassed LSU legend Pete Maravich’s previous record of 3,667 points between 1967-68 and 1969-70.
With another Big Ten Tournament championship already secured, the Hawkeyes aim for their first national championship trophy.
ESPN BET Iowa is riding high on Iowa’s chances this spring — with the second-best title odds (+475) of any team in the nation, behind South Carolina’s -130.
Using Sports-Reference.com, IowaBets.com — your source for Iowa betting apps — examined the past 10 years of outcomes for teams landing in the No.2 spot in the Associated Press poll going into the NCAA Tournament. Based on this data, the Iowa women’s team has a 60% chance of at least reaching the Final Four — 30% of teams lost in Final Four, 20% lost in Championship game, 10% of teams won the NCAA Tournament. Note: This does not include the 2019-2020 season.
NCAA Tournament: How Far Does No. 2-Ranked Team Go?
| Tournament Outcome | Results |
| Lost Final Four | 30% |
| Lost Championship | 20% |
| Lost Sweet 16 | 20% |
| Lost Elite Eight | 10% |
| Lost Second Round | 10% |
| Won Tournament | 10% |
|
🔥 Check out the Fanatics Iowa sportsbook, the newest sportsbook in the state!
21+. New customers in AZ, CO, CT, DC, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MO, NC, NJ, NY, OH, PA, TN, VA, VT, WV, or WY. Must toggle on this promotion in your bet slip and wager $5+ cash on any market (min. odds -500) within 7 days of account opening to receive $200 in FanCash. Promotional FanCash expires 7 days from issuance (at 11:59pm ET). Terms, including FanCash terms apply-see Fanatics Sportsbook app. Gambling Problem? Call or Text 1-800-GAMBLER, 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-888-532-3500 (VA).
One in 10 at No. 2 Has Won Title
The team ranked No. 2 entering the event has gone on to win the tournament 10% of the time, which is the same percentage as the number of teams that have flamed out in the second round and Elite Eight rounds.
The highest percentage of second-ranked teams (30%) wound up losing in the Final Four. Twenty percent lost in the championship game and Sweet 16.
One thing that should calm Iowa fans’ nerves is the fact Clark and company have been among the hottest teams in the nation all year long, with a 29-4 mark overall and six consecutive wins dating back to their victory over Illinois on Feb. 25.
Throw in Iowa’s three wins in as many days at the 2024 Big Ten Tournament, capped off by a 94-89 overtime thriller over Nebraska on Sunday, and you have all the data points you need to know Lisa Bluder’s squad enters March Madness as primed and ready to roll as any team in the nation.
The issue is March is known for anything but its ease of navigation, with a litany of teams ensnarled by someone that got hot at the right time. Anything can happen once the ball is tipped in the 68-team tournament.
GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET (AZ, CO, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MD, MI, MO, NC, NJ, OH, PA, TN, VA) or 1-800-BETS OFF (IA). Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ). Call 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN). CALL 1-877-770-STOP (LA). 21+ only (18+ in KY). Please gamble responsibly. Must be present in AZ/CO/IA/IL/IN/KS/KY/LA (select parishes)/MD/MI/MO/NC/NJ/OH/PA/TN/VA. Licensee partner Amelia Belle Casino. Minimum $10 deposit required. Minimum odds -500 or greater. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. New customers only. T&Cs, time limits and exclusions apply.
No. 2 Teams NCAA Tournament Results
| Season | Team | Outcome |
| 2022-23 | Indiana | Lost in second round |
| 2021-22 | Stanford | Lost in Final Four |
| 2020-21 | Stanford | Won championship |
| 2018-19 | UConn | Lost in Final Four |
| 2017-18 | Baylor | Lost in Sweet 16 |
| 2016-17 | Notre Dame | Lost in Elite Eight |
| 2015-16 | Notre Dame | Lost in Sweet 16 |
| 2014-15 | Notre Dame | Lost in championship |
| 2013-15 | Notre Dame | Lost in championship |
| 2012-13 | Notre Dame | Lost in Final Four |
|
💰 We broke down Iowa star Caitlin Clark's NIL Deal value.
Must be 21+ and physically present in AZ, CO, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MO, NJ, NY, NC, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV, WY or Washington, DC. New users only. Must register using eligible promo code. First wager after registration must qualify. Min. Odds: -500. Max. Bonus Bet: $250. Awarded as non-withdrawable Bonus Bet that expires 14 days after receipt. Bonus Bet amount not returned for winning bets. Void where prohibited. See http://Caesars.com/promos for full terms. Know When To Stop Before You Start®. Gambling Problem? CO, IL, KY, MD, MI, MO, NJ, OH, TN, VA, WV, WY, KS (Affiliated with Kansas Crossing Casino), ME (Licensed through the Mi’kmaq Nation, Penobscot Nation, and Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, federally recognized tribes located in the State of Maine), NC (Licensed through Tribal Casino Gaming Enterprise), PA (Affiliated with Harrah's Philadelphia): If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) or MD: visit http://mdgamblinghelp.org or WV: visit http://1800gambler.net ; AZ: Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP; IN: Call 1-800-9-WITH-IT; IA: Call 1-800-BETSOFF; LA (Licensed through Horseshoe Bossier City and Caesars New Orleans), Washington, DC (OLG Class A licensed Operator): Call 1-800-522-4700. ©2025, Caesars Entertainment Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER DC, LA: Call 1-800-522-4700 MA: Call 1-800-327-5050 or visit http://gamblinghelplinema.org NY: Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369)
Since 2013, the No. 2-ranked team in the final regular season AP poll has lost in the championship game twice (Notre Dame in 2014 and 2015), with three teams losing in the Final Four (Notre Dame in 2013, UConn in 2019 and Stanford in 2022) and two more falling in the Sweet 16 (Notre Dame in 2016 and Baylor in 2018).
The only No. 2 team to win it all was Stanford (2020-21).
For Clark and the Hawkeyes, the Last Dance of women’s basketball’s heartland heroes begins later this month, with Iowa looking to bring home a national championship at long last in the final year of Clark’s legendary run in Iowa City.
If you are considering a wager on Clark and Iowa, make sure to us Iowa sportsbook promo codes.
Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET (Available in the US) Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY) Call 1-800-327-5050 (MA), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-981-0023 (PR), Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (KS, NV), 1-800-270-7117 for confidential help (MI). 21+ only. Please Gamble Responsibly. See http://BetMGM.com for Terms. First Bet Offer for new customers only (if applicable). Subject to eligibility requirements. Bonus bets are non-withdrawable and Expire in 7 Days. In partnership with Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel. This promotional offer is not available in DC, Mississippi, New York, Nevada, Ontario, or Puerto Rico.
![quote]( "quote")
