Picks, predictions for all 32 Champ Week girls’s tournaments

Catch your breath but? The ultimate regular-season weekend for Energy 5 conferences in girls’s school basketball was filled with damaged data (by way of Caitlin Clark), prolonged win streaks (courtesy of South Carolina) and a few eyebrow-raising outcomes (see: the ACC and Pac-12).

Champ Week is right here, and it is formally the time of yr when coaches inform their gamers to compartmentalize the common season: It is prior to now. For higher or for worse, no matter they did up till now has little bearing on how they will carry out within the postseason, when the strain is actually on and the lights are brightest.

Given how a lot of an unpredictable trip the previous 4 months have been, with consistency usually troublesome for groups to come back by, we may very well be in for an actual curler coaster of a Champ Week. The primary video games tip off Tuesday within the Horizon League and Solar Belt Convention. The Energy 5 tournaments kick off with early rounds Wednesday for the ACC, Large Ten, Pac-12 and SEC, and Thursday for the Large 12.

ESPN’s Charlie Creme and Alexa Philippou break down what to observe for within the Energy 5 convention tournaments and what’s at stake for March Insanity, after which be a part of Michael Voepel in predicting which groups will win all 32 match championships.

Extra protection:
Bracketology | NCAA match schedule | Girls’s Match Problem

Which convention match can have essentially the most impression on what occurs within the NCAA match?

Creme: The SEC match can have main bubble implications. With its assortment of prime groups, the Pac-12 is perhaps essentially the most compelling and thrilling. However for impression on the NCAA match, it is the ACC.

Virginia Tech’s possibilities at a No. 1 seed is perhaps gone after dropping to Virginia on Sunday, however the Hokies may now have one thing to show in Greensboro, North Carolina. Regaining a maintain on a No. 2 seed or hanging on to a top-16 spot altogether relying on the well being of Elizabeth Kitley may very well be at stake.

NC State wants a very good week in Greensboro to make sure not less than a No. 3 seed. Being a 3-seed is a monumental distinction from a No. 4. A 4-seed means probably assembly a No. 1 within the regional semifinal. For instance, that might imply enjoying South Carolina with the Gamecocks on almost a full week of relaxation.

Then there’s Notre Dame and Syracuse. Each are combating for top-16 spots to host first- and second-round NCAA match video games. The Irish have already moved into top-16 place due to a powerful end to the common season, however it is not assured. There’s work to be carried out in Greensboro. The Orange are simply on the skin wanting in and want a push this week and somewhat assist across the nation. Two wins will most likely be crucial to present Syracuse an opportunity.

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Which mid-major convention race has essentially the most impression on the sphere?

Creme: Ivy Insanity on March 15-16 can be required viewing for all bubble groups. Princeton is a sure NCAA match group as both the Ivy’s computerized bid or an at-large.

Columbia is a a lot much less probably at-large group, however the Lions beat the Tigers of their earlier assembly. In the event that they do it once more within the ultimate of the Ivy match, the league can be sending two groups to March Insanity, and Columbia would basically be taking the spot of a bubble group. Proper now that appears like an SEC group, most likely one that does not final lengthy at that match in Greenville, South Carolina.

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Which Energy 5 group has essentially the most to realize throughout its convention match?

Creme: Any group combating for a spot within the prime 16 qualifies. Attending to host video games within the NCAA match is a big benefit: having your followers available, not having to journey, not having to start out the postseason in an odd area.

Along with Notre Dame and Syracuse, Kansas State has rather a lot on the road within the Large 12 match. Not solely can the Wildcats put themselves again within the prime 16 by profitable in Kansas Metropolis, they’ll erase a foul style from the final month of the season. At one level, Kansas State was in place to make a run on the Large 12 regular-season title. Then the Wildcats went 4-5 from Jan. 31 on, with just one vital win (in extra time at house towards West Virginia).

Kansas State wants a shot of confidence as a lot because it wants a pair extra house video games. Profitable the Large 12 match may accomplish each.

In response to ESPN Analytics, these are the favorites to win every Energy 5 convention’s upcoming match:

ACC: Notre Dame (38.3%)
Large 12: Texas (60.0%)
Large Ten: Iowa (38.5%)
Pac-12: Stanford (47.7%)
SEC: South Carolina (72.6%)

— Alexa Philippou (@alexaphilippou) March 4, 2024

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Which of the present prime 16 seeds in Bracketology has essentially the most to lose in Champ Week?

Creme: Colorado was a No. 1 seed within the NCAA match choice committee’s first reveal 2½ weeks in the past. The Buffaloes at the moment are combating to remain within the prime 16. They managed to outlive 4 straight losses and get slotted at No. 13 general within the second reveal on Feb. 29 as a result of all these losses have been to different top-16 groups.

However the buffer is gone after they misplaced at house to Washington State on Saturday. An early exit within the Pac-12 match — even when it involves a very good group in Oregon State within the quarterfinals — will bounce the Buffs from a seed within the prime 16.

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How safe are the present projected No. 1 seeds within the NCAA match discipline?

Creme: Solely South Carolina enters Champ Week utterly safe in its spot on the highest line. Ohio State may have wrapped up a No. 1 seed with a win at Iowa on Sunday. However with the Hawkeyes profitable comfortably in Clark’s ultimate regular-season house recreation, the Buckeyes should now flip in a very good efficiency on the Large Ten match. They usually may need to win it; in the event that they have been to lose to Iowa once more within the championship recreation, the Hawkeyes would have a declare to a No. 1 seed.

If Stanford and UCLA attain the Pac-12 title recreation, Ohio State could be pushed to a No. 2 seed.

The Pac-12 may contribute to a number of situations. UCLA ought to safe a No. 1 seed simply by reaching the finals — as a result of doing so would probably require wins over Utah within the quarterfinals and USC within the semis. That’s sufficient high quality wins to maintain the Bruins proper the place they’re. The Bruins have additionally misplaced to each the Utes and Trojans this season. Ought to that occur once more, UCLA would probably fall from the highest line, particularly if Stanford received the title, the Buckeyes or Hawkeyes received the Large Ten and the Texas Longhorns captured the Large 12 match.

The Cardinal do not have fairly as troublesome a street as UCLA to the Pac-12 ultimate, however a loss to Oregon State in a possible semifinal assembly would probably price them a No. 1 seed.

USC may nonetheless be in line for a prime seed. If the Trojans are topped Pac-12 champs, they may unseat one in all their convention colleagues if Texas does not win the Large 12.

It is uncommon that this many candidates for No. 1 seeds are nonetheless in play heading into Champ Week. However it’s additionally becoming for a season that has offered extra change close to the highest — after South Carolina — than has been seen in years.

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What matchups can we most need to see within the Energy 5 convention tournaments?

Philippou: After Sunday’s showdown, all of us may use Ohio State-Iowa, Half III. The 2 heavyweights may meet once more within the match’s title recreation on a impartial flooring in Minneapolis 5 days from now (Ohio State is the No. 1 seed, Iowa the No. 2). Different video games on the listing:

Stanford vs. Oregon State: This potential Pac-12 match semifinal pitting the Nos. 1 and 4 seeds may present us our first actual Cameron Brink-Raegan Beers matchup of the season. Brink missed Spherical 1 and Beers missed Spherical 2, each as a consequence of short-term accidents. USC-UCLA, one other potential semifinal, would not be too shabby, both.

LSU vs. South Carolina: Their recreation was tight when the groups met in January in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, which may make this potential championship between the SEC’s prime two seeds attention-grabbing. However it’s robust to ascertain the undefeated Gamecocks dropping, particularly of their house state.

Texas vs. Oklahoma: The Longhorns, the Large 12 match’s No. 2 seed, should need one other shot at No. 1 seed Oklahoma after the Sooners overcame a 15-point deficit Wednesday to beat Texas and clinch the Large 12 regular-season title with a late 3-pointer from Lexy Keys. I might join yet one more recreation to reinforce that soon-to-be-SEC rivalry.

Predicting the winners for all 32 convention tournaments

Convention tournaments listed within the order during which computerized NCAA berths can be clinched.

Ohio Valley Convention

Ford Heart (Evansville, Indiana)
Saturday, March 9, 3 p.m., ESPN+

Creme: Southern Indiana
Philippou: Southern Indiana
Voepel: Southern Indiana

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Large Ten

Goal Heart (Minneapolis)
Sunday, March 10, midday ET, CBS/Paramount+

Creme: Ohio State
Philippou: Iowa
Voepel: Iowa

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Southern Convention

Harrah’s Cherokee Heart (Asheville, North Carolina)
Sunday, March 10, midday ET, ESPN+

Creme: Chattanooga
Philippou: Chattanooga
Voepel: Chattanooga

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ACC

Greensboro Coliseum (Greensboro, North Carolina)
Sunday, March 10, 1 p.m. ET, ESPN

Creme: Notre Dame
Philippou: Notre Dame
Voepel: NC State

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SEC

Bon Secours Wellness Enviornment (Greenville, South Carolina)
Sunday, March 10, 3 p.m. ET, ESPN

Creme: South Carolina
Philippou: South Carolina
Voepel: South Carolina

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Atlantic 10

Henrico Sports activities & Occasions Heart (Henrico, Virginia)
Sunday, March 10, 4 p.m. ET, ESPN2

Creme: Richmond
Philippou: Saint Joseph’s
Voepel: VCU Rams

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Pac-12

MGM Grand Backyard Enviornment (Las Vegas)
Sunday, March 10, 5 p.m. ET, ESPN

Creme: UCLA
Philippou: UCLA
Voepel: Stanford

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Large South

Qubein Heart (Excessive Level, North Carolina)
Sunday, March 10, 6 p.m. ET, ESPN2

Creme: Excessive Level
Philippou: Excessive Level
Voepel: Excessive Level

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Solar Belt

Pensacola Bay Heart (Pensacola, Florida)
Monday, March 11, 2 p.m. ET, ESPNU

Creme: Marshall
Philippou: Marshall
Voepel: Troy

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Large East

Mohegan Solar Enviornment (Uncasville, Connecticut)
Monday, March 11, 7 p.m. ET, FS1

Creme: UConn
Philippou: UConn
Voepel: UConn

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Horizon League

Indiana Farmers Coliseum (Indianapolis)
Tuesday, March 12, midday ET, ESPNU

Creme: Inexperienced Bay
Philippou: Inexperienced Bay
Voepel: Cleveland State

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West Coast Convention

Orleans Enviornment (Las Vegas)
Tuesday, March 12, 4 p.m. ET, ESPNU

Creme: Gonzaga
Philippou: Gonzaga
Voepel: Gonzaga

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Summit League

Denny Sanford PREMIER Heart (Sioux Falls, South Dakota)
Tuesday, March 12, 4:30 p.m. ET, CBSSN

Creme: South Dakota State
Philippou: South Dakota State
Voepel: South Dakota State

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Large 12

T-Cellular Heart (Kansas Metropolis, Missouri)
Tuesday, March 12: 9 p.m. ET, ESPN2

Creme: Texas
Philippou: Texas
Voepel: Oklahoma

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Large Sky

Idaho Central Enviornment (Boise, Idaho)
Wednesday, March 13, 5 p.m. ET, ESPNU

Creme: Jap Washington
Philippou: Jap Washington
Voepel: Northern Arizona

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American Athletic Convention

Dickies Enviornment (Fort Value, Texas)
Wednesday, March 13, 7 p.m. ET, ESPNU

Creme: North Texas
Philippou: Temple
Voepel: North Texas

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Mountain West

Thomas & Mack Heart (Las Vegas)
Wednesday, March 13, 10:30 p.m. ET

Creme: UNLV
Philippou: UNLV
Voepel: UNLV

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Southland

Legacy Heart (Lake Charles, Louisiana)
Thursday, March 14, 5 p.m. ET, ESPNU

Creme: Lamar
Philippou: Lamar
Voepel: Lamar

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America East

Campus web site
Friday, March 15, 5 p.m. ET, ESPNU

Creme: Maine
Philippou: Vermont
Voepel: Maine

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Mid-American Convention

Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse (Cleveland)
Saturday, March 16, 11 a.m. ET, CBSSN

Creme: Toledo
Philippou: Ball State
Voepel: Toledo

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Western Athletic Convention

Orleans Enviornment (Las Vegas)
Saturday, March 16, 1:30 p.m. ET, ESPNU

Creme: California Baptist
Philippou: Grand Canyon
Voepel: Grand Canyon

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Metro Atlantic Athletic Convention

Jim Whelan Boardwalk Corridor (Atlantic Metropolis, New Jersey)
Saturday, March 16, 3:30 p.m. ET, ESPNU

Creme: Fairfield
Philippou: Fairfield
Voepel: Fairfield

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Mid-Jap Athletic Convention

Scope Enviornment (Norfolk, Virginia)
Saturday, March 16, 4 p.m. ET, ESPN+

Creme: Norfolk State
Philippou: Norfolk State
Voepel: Norfolk State

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Southwestern Athletic Convention

Bartow Enviornment (Birmingham, Alabama)
Saturday, March 16, 4:30 p.m. ET

Creme: Jackson State
Philippou: Jackson State
Voepel: Jackson State

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Convention USA

Propst Enviornment (Huntsville, Alabama)
Saturday, March 16, 4:30 p.m. ET, CBSSN

Creme: Center Tennessee
Philippou: Center Tennessee
Voepel: Center Tennessee

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Ivy League

Levien Gymnasium (New York)
Saturday, March 16, 5 p.m. ET, ESPNEWS

Creme: Princeton
Philippou: Princeton
Voepel: Princeton

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Large West

Greenback Mortgage Heart (Henderson, Nevada)
Saturday, March 16, 6 p.m. ET

Creme: UC Irvine
Philippou: UC Irvine
Voepel: Hawaii

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Atlantic Solar

Campus web site
Saturday, March 16, TBD, ESPN+

Creme: FGCU
Philippou: FGCU
Voepel: FGCU

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Northeast Convention

Campus web site
Sunday, March 17, midday ET, ESPNU

Creme: Sacred Coronary heart
Philippou: Sacred Coronary heart
Voepel: Sacred Coronary heart

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Patriot League

Campus web site
Sunday, March 17, midday ET, CBSSN

Creme: Boston College
Philippou: Holy Cross
Voepel: Boston College

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Coastal Athletic Affiliation

Leisure & Sports activities Enviornment (Washington)
Sunday, March 17, 2 p.m. ET, CBSSN

Creme: Stony Brook
Philippou: Stony Brook
Voepel: Stony Brook

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Missouri Valley Convention

Vibrant Enviornment on the Mark (Moline, Illinois)
Sunday, March 17: 2 p.m. ET, ESPN2

Creme: Belmont
Philippou: Drake
Voepel: Drake