LSU vs Iowa Elite Eight March Madness matchup has fans desperately waiting for tip off with Angel Reese set to renew Caitlin Clark rivalry - a year after her infamous ring celebration

At a time where the popularity of women's college basketball is near an all-time high, the biggest game of the year might not be the national championship game - but rather the Elite Eight matchup between Iowa and LSU tonight.

It's a national championship rematch from the season prior - sadly being played before we even get to the Final Four. But the interest in it could make this the most watched women's college basketball game in history.

Tipping off in Albany, New York tonight at 7:00pm ET, the re-match is set to be a close one - with bookmakers setting the lines at -1.5 in favor of the Iowa Hawkeyes.

Two of the biggest names in the sport - Caitlin Clark of Iowa and Angel Reese of LSU - will renew their on court rivalry that flared up in last year's title clash.

Reese drew some controversy for her trash talking and her gestures - including pointing to her ring finger and doing the John Cena 'You can't see me' motion with her hand. 

Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese will renew their rivalry in the Elite Eight on Monday night

It's a rematch of last year's title game where Reese and the Tigers beat Clark and the Hawkeyes

But what defines part of this rivalry is the willingness of both Clark and Reese to dish out trash talk equally.

Clark, who this year became the all-time leading scorer in the NCAA's history, has been seen screaming excited profanity in triumph throughout the tournament. Reese waved 'goodbye' to an opponent who fouled out and hyped up the crowd in this version of March Madness as well.

While Reese was receiving criticism in last year's title game, Clark was defending her. They both reiterated that they respect each other and that any perceived animosity is just a display of their level of competitiveness.

'Me and Caitlin Clark don't hate each other. I want everybody to understand that. It's just a super competitive game,' Reese said Sunday in Albany. 

'Once I get between those lines, there's no friends. I have plenty of friends on the court that I talk to outside of the game, but like when I get between those lines, we're not friends. 

'We're not buddies. I'm going to talk trash to you. I'm going to do whatever it takes to get in your head the whole entire game, but after the game we can kick it.' 

Clark said something similar: 'Me and Angel have always been great competitors. Obviously she played in the Big Ten for a while to begin her career, and that's what makes women's basketball so fun is you have great competition, and that's what we've had all year long. I think Angel would say the same.' 

The two are breaking down barriers and helping to change the definition of how women who are athletes 'should' behave on the court. By showing the same competitiveness that wouldn't garner any arguments of bad sportsmanship from men, Clark and Reese could arguably be credited with a movement for future self-expression on the court.

Social media is prepared for a game that will be competitive on the court, but could turn into something much darker when it comes to social media interactions

But the reaction to it off the court could be vastly different.

Social media reaction for the game may possibly turn hostile. Sure, the play on the court could be a cause for that - but like last year's title game, race could be a factor considering the vastly different ethnic makeups of the two teams. Of Iowa's 14 players, three are black. Compare that to LSU - who has only two white players on their squad of 12.

That's not to be a commentary on bias in recruiting. Rather, it paints a broad picture into how the two teams may be seen by the public before tipoff.

Jokes on social media of Twitter turning toxic and how this could turn into 'Race War 2' show how this rivalry has been painted in the past. It could leave an ugly stain on this contest - but it won't keep people away from their screens as a game worth more than its occasion tips off.

But the play on the court should be fantastic. Alongside Clark are players like Hannah Stuelke and Gabbie Marshall. Reese will have Flau'jae Johnson and Aneesah Morrow to run with.

And of course, there's the coaches on the sidelines. Iowa has been helmed by Lisa Bluder for 24 years and is looking for a second crack at a title. LSU's Kim Mulkey has been stealing plenty of headlines for her reactions to articles being published about her or her team.

This shouldn't be an Elite Eight game. It should be in the Final Four or the national championship. But that's the luck of the draw. In order to fight for a title, they'll have to go through each other. Only time will tell who gets out on the other side.