As the deadline approaches for submitting Women’s March Madness brackets, it’s time to think about potential winners for this year’s NCAA Championship. Crafting a solid bracket involves a blend of stats, data, and a bit of gut feeling. Remember, no one ever nails the perfect bracket, so it’s all about enjoying the process!
Choosing an upset is no easy feat. You’ve got to juggle the risks, being aware that early round choices could shape the rest of your bracket. Here are three potential upset picks for the 2026 Women’s March Madness.
No. 11 Fairfield defeats No. 6 Notre Dame (Round 1)
This matchup is pretty intriguing, especially with how Notre Dame’s season has unfolded. The Fighting Irish lost some crucial players to the transfer portal last spring, including Olivia Miles, who is poised for a high WNBA draft pick next month. These losses pushed Notre Dame into a rebuilding phase, causing them to slide out of the top 25 rankings intermittently, and they currently sit at No. 22.
After falling to Duke in the ACC Tournament Championship, Notre Dame enters March Madness as the No. 6 seed, but they are not in the top 16. Conversely, Fairfield, the No. 11 seed, comes in as an underdog, buoyed by their recent victory in the MAAC tournament, which could give them the momentum they need.
One issue for Notre Dame is their reliance on Hanna Hidalgo. If Fairfield manages to neutralize Hidalgo’s influence, this could lead to an exciting game.
No. 9 USC defeats No. 8 Clemson (Round 1)
It’s tough to label any of the nine matchups as true “upsets” given how close the No. 8 and No. 9 seedings are, but the first round often serves up some exhilarating games. If you’re looking to add a few upset choices to your bracket, this might be the place.
USC saw a drop from last season’s Final Four to this year’s No. 8 seed, primarily because they’ve been without JuJu Watkins, who’s recovering from ACL surgery following an injury during last year’s tournament. Still, the Trojans have some bright spots, especially with freshman star Jazzy Davidson leading the team in various stats, including points and rebounds.
Postseason play often reveals the best in standout athletes, so it will be interesting to see how Davidson handles the pressure of her first NCAA Tournament.
No. 10 Tennessee defeats No. 7 North Carolina State (Round 1)
This matchup is quite compelling. Both North Carolina State and Tennessee had high hopes before the season started, but neither has met expectations, landing as the No. 7 and No. 10 seeds. This might not be where they envisioned themselves, but it’s definitely a chance to show their true potential.
Tennessee has faced its share of difficulties this season due to injuries and internal team issues. They’ve had to manage disciplinary actions and keep some players away, which has had a negative impact on their performance. What better way to silence critics than by pulling off an upset in the NCAA Tournament? This will be a crucial test for coach Kim Caldwell.
On the NC State side, Camille Pierre was a key addition from the transfer portal last summer, and her contributions could be vital for their success. She’s currently leading the team in scoring and rebounds and has experience that could make all the difference. This contest is definitely one to watch in the first round.
