Ranking the Sweet Sixteen teams in women’s NCAA basketball for March Madness

March 25, 2026

Women’s March Madness Sweet Sixteen Teams

We’re gearing up for an exciting phase of Women’s March Madness. The top 16 seeds are leaving their home courts and heading for neutral grounds to compete in the next rounds. Interestingly, the teams still in the running for the national title are a mix of expected and surprising contenders. Regardless, they all earned their keep in this tournament.

Here’s a breakdown of the women’s college basketball Sweet Sixteen strength rankings:

1. UConn (1 seed, Fort Worth 1 region)

UConn is enjoying an undefeated season and claims the top seed overall. Their dominating performance included a stunning 65-12 lead against Syracuse in the first half during the Round of 32. It’s hard to argue against their prowess so far.

2. Texas State (1 seed, Fort Worth 3 Region)

While many of the top seeds seem fairly matched, Texas standout teams include strong victories over both UCLA and South Carolina this season, capped off by a win against South Carolina to take home the SEC Championship.

3. UCLA (1 seed, Sacramento 2 region)

The competition is tight. Texas has taken down South Carolina twice along with a win against UCLA. Speaking of UCLA, they have a significant size advantage over various teams, with Lauren Betts dominating the paint for the Bruins.

4. South Carolina (1 seed, Sacramento 4 Region)

South Carolina might face a challenging Sweet Sixteen opponent, but dismissing their capabilities would be a mistake. The combo of Tanya Latson and Raven Johnson in the backcourt has been lethal, and they even racked up an impressive 101 points in their last game.

5. Michigan State (2 seed, Fort Worth 2 region)

Michigan has something many teams lack: depth. Their three sophomore starters can rack up points, and their fast-paced play often catches opponents off guard. They must steer clear of scoring droughts to maintain their momentum in the tournament, but they’re riding a wave of high energy into Fort Worth.

6. LSU (2 seed, Sacramento 2 Region)

LSU is known for its high-scoring games and speedy gameplay. Their strategy typically revolves around putting points on the board, and Flau’Jae Johnson’s quickness and shooting skills offer a significant edge, allowing the team to build leads quickly.

7. Vanderbilt (2 seed, Fort Worth 1 region)

With Mikayla Blakes on their roster, Vanderbilt is in a solid position. The sophomore has a versatile scoring ability and can significantly influence games. The team’s coach, Shea Ralph, has rich tournament experience as a former assistant and player at UConn.

8. Oklahoma State (4 seed, Sacramento 4 Region)

Oklahoma’s Regan Beals and freshman Aliyah Chavez have shown they can secure crucial wins. In a thrilling game against South Carolina, it was Chavez who managed to tie things and push the match into overtime. That kind of experience should bolster their confidence facing South Carolina again in the Sweet Sixteen.

9. TCU (3rd seed, Sacramento Region 4)

TCU boasts an incredible talent in Olivia Miles, who is a triple-double machine. Expected to be a top-five pick in this year’s WNBA Draft, she’s focused on pushing her team to the Final Four before making that leap.

10. Duke (Sacramento Region 2, 3 seed)

Duke started the season sluggishly, not even making the rankings initially, but they’ve found their groove heading into March. Their strong defense tends to frustrate opponents, making them an intriguing team to watch.

11. Notre Dame (6th seed, Fort Worth 1 region)

Despite a less-than-ideal season, Notre Dame often shines in March. With Hannah Hidalgo, one of the top two-way guards in the nation, joining the squad, there’s potential for upsets in the Sweet Sixteen.

12. Minnesota (4th seed, Sacramento 2nd Region)

Over the past few years, Minnesota’s program has shown steady growth and is now looking to reach the Sweet Sixteen for the first time since the mid-2000s, which is particularly exciting given that several core players hail from Minnesota.

13. Louisville (3 seed, Fort Worth 3 Region)

After a challenging overtime loss to Duke in the ACC Tournament Championship, the Cardinals entered the tournament looking strong. Their last victory was a nail-biter against Alabama, where they showcased their ability to seize control in crucial moments.

14. Kentucky (5th seed, Fort Worth 3 region)

Kenny Brooks has revitalized the Kentucky program similarly to his success at Virginia Tech. His current team managed to pull off an upset against Big-12 Tournament champion West Virginia, demonstrating their potential.