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The GIST: The Tigers hoisting their first-ever program natty trophy after besting Iowa 102–85 yesterday capped off a tourney full of firsts, including on- and off-court record-setting and an undeniable, palpable hype surrounding the women’s game. Welcome to the party.

Championship game recap: LSU definitely brought the confidence and the buckets, putting up the most points ever scored in the women’s title game. Leading the way? Senior Jasmine Carson, who came off the bench (!!!) and dropped a team-high 22 points.

• Iowa’s superstar Caitlin Clark (30 points) broke records of her own, namely for most points scored in a single women’s or men’s tourney but spent much of the game on the sidelines due to questionable foul calls.

• Speaking of, controversial refereeing was unfortunately a major factor in this one. LSU star Angel Reese notched an NCAA record 34th double-double despite also playing limited minutes, plus two Iowa starters fouled out. Brutal.

Looking ahead: Yesterday’s biggest stars, Reese and Clark, both just completed their third collegiate seasons, meaning they’ll be battling (and trash talking) for at least one more year.

• And LSU head coach Kim Mulkey will be looking to cement her on-court legacy after leading the Tigers to a title in just her second year at the helm. Now if only she could turn her own sh!t around off the court.

Zooming out: Record-breaking viewership, an all-time attendance record, sky-high demand for tickets — as if we needed further proof, this tourney demonstrated once again that women’s sports are the moment. That said, coverage of and fan reaction to LSU’s swagger (plus No. 1 overall seed South Carolina’s play) has been tainted by misogynoir.

• As WNBA legend Sue Bird said after Friday’s Final Four, “We’re watching history.” Now it’s up to allies, fans and media to record it fairly.

The GIST: Perhaps the weirdest men’s March Madness tourney on record will meet its chaotic end when the No. 4 UConn Huskies and No. 5 San Diego State Aztecs hit the court tonight at 9:20 p.m. ET on CBS. Queue up the music — it’s time for one last dance.

Final Four recap: San Diego State’s Saturday slay of No. 9 Florida Atlantic was one for the ages. The Aztecs deployed their trademark lockdown defense to storm back from a 14-point second-half deficit, then guard Lamont Butler drilled an epic buzzer-beater to send his squad to the title game. Madness at its finest.

• The other Final Four matchup was much less exciting. UConn led from start to finish in their 72–59 spanking of No. 5 Miami. That 13-point margin of victory was the Huskies’ narrowest of the tourney, a testament to their dominance all Madness long.

Tonight’s championship: UConn’s offense has been out of this world, but they haven’t met a defense like San Diego State’s yet — the Aztecs are holding March Madness opponents to a measly 60 points per game. Unstoppable force meets immovable object.

• Keep eyes on UConn forward Adama Sonogo, who’s been the heart of the Huskies’ offense, and Darrion Trammell, San Diego State’s point guard who has captured hearts (and buckets) throughout the tourney.

• The Huskies are seeking their fifth national championship and first since 2014; the Aztecs have never even made it past the Sweet 16. But in a tournament this wild, it’s unclear how much experience even matters. It is so on.

🏀 Purdue’s Zach Edey won the Naismith and AP men’s Player of the Year awards, perhaps as consolation for being embarrassingly bounced from the tournament.

🏀 The men’s Coach of the Year prizes are split: Kansas State’s Jerome Tang took home the Naismith honor, while Marquette’s Shaka Smart bagged the AP’s.

🥍 Unranked Michigan men’s lacrosse pulled off a huge upset on Saturday, toppling No. 2 Maryland 16–11 for the Wolverines' first-ever program win over the Terrapin dynasty.

🥍 Before March 19th, No. 3 UNC women’s lax had won 47 straight regular-season games, but with Saturday’s 16–12 loss to No. 12 Notre Dame, they’ve dropped two of their last four.

🤸 The eight women’s gymnastics teams who survived this weekend’s regionals will keep dancing at the April 13th national semifinal. Shockingly, No. 3 Michigan is not one of them.

🤕 No. 2 Florida standout Trinity Thomas also may not compete at nationals — the reigning national all-around champ was injured Friday, jeopardizing her perfect-10 record pursuit.

🥎 This weekend’s Women’s College World Series rematch left no doubt about the nation’s supreme team: No. 1 Oklahoma swept No. 8 Texas, including yesterday’s run-rule dub.

With March Madness wrapping up, many graduating college hoopers will be asking themselves “what’s next?” Talk about relatable.

The GIST’s job board is here to help. Thinking about a gig in sports? There are positions with leagues, teams, tech and media companies (to name a few), so there’s truly something for every skill set. Count it.

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