With the final 16 teams set for the Women’s March Madness Tournament, the excitement is palpable. This year’s format splits the teams into four regions, hosted in Fort Worth and Sacramento. The Sweet Sixteen and Elite Eight rounds will unfold at these locations, leading to the Final Four in Phoenix the following week.
Let’s break down each region.
1st place University College vs. 4th place North Carolina
North Carolina made it to the Sweet Sixteen after a nail-biter against Maryland, while UW’s route looked a bit smoother. The No. 1 seed Huskies decisively beat No. 9 Syracuse 98-45 on Monday, thanks to an impressive 31-0 start and 65 points in the first half. They head into this matchup as clear favorites, though North Carolina State will need an extraordinary effort to pull off an upset.
2nd place Vanderbilt vs. 6th place Notre Dame
Notre Dame might be a slightly lower seed than their skills suggest, but their surprising victory over Ohio State in the Round of 32 was notable. The Fighting Irish have had a rollercoaster season, but Hannah Hidalgo can be a game-changer when she’s on. They’ll be facing a tough Vanderbilt squad, which also boasts a strong scorer, Mikayla Blakes. This match could be one to watch closely.
1st place Texas vs. 5th place Kentucky
Texas overwhelmed Oregon in the round of 32, posting an impressive 100 points—a notable offensive effort since they’re typically more defensive-minded. Staying in Texas for the Sweet Sixteen, and possibly the Elite Eight, could give them a nice confidence boost. Meanwhile, Kentucky is a young team that just scraped past West Virginia in a close game, which should add to their motivation against a powerhouse like Texas.
2nd place Michigan vs. 3rd place Louisville
The University of Michigan’s squad of standout sophomores has propelled them to new heights recently. They hosted their first-round game successfully, defeating North Carolina State University 92-63, thanks to star performances from Olivia Olson, Saira Swords, and Mila Holloway. Louisville edged Alabama by just a point to reach the Sweet Sixteen, making this game another exciting matchup to look forward to.
1st place UCLA vs 4th place Minnesota
One of the tournament’s highlights so far has been Minnesota’s Amaya Battle, who made a buzzer-beating shot to secure a victory against the Gophers, thrilling fans in a packed arena. But they face a formidable challenge against UCLA, the region’s top seed, which has experienced less drama in their path. Still, there might just be an upset brewing here.
A clash between one of the best defenses and one of the top offenses is on the horizon. LSU’s Flau’Jae Johnson aims to prolong their March Madness journey while looking at a clear path to the Final Four. In contrast, Duke had a rocky start this season but found their footing and won the ACC tournament, needing a solid defense to contend with LSU’s fast-paced style.
1st place South Carolina vs. 4th place Oklahoma
South Carolina has only lost three games this season—two to Texas and one to Oklahoma—which adds an intriguing layer to this Sweet Sixteen matchup. They convincingly defeated USC 101-61, but Oklahoma’s considerable post size could pose a challenge.
No. 3 TCU vs. No. 10 Virginia
Virginia stunned No. 2 Iowa State in an exhilarating double-overtime match, marking a significant upset in the tournament. This underdog story, with a No. 10 seed reaching the Sweet Sixteen, adds to the excitement of March. They’ll need all their confidence heading into the game against TCU to see if their Cinderella run can continue.
