Girls’s March Insanity 2024: Reseeding the spherical of 32

The 2024 girls’s NCAA event ought to have maybe been performed on a blackboard. There’s that a lot chalk throughout it after the primary spherical wrapped up.

Greater-seeded groups went 31-1 within the first spherical. No bracket has performed so true to kind for the reason that NCAA event expanded in 1994. For individuals who like to select a couple of upsets, the plan backfired this yr.

Congratulations to No. 11-seeded Center Tennessee, the one lower-seeded group allowed into the get together. And it took an 18-point comeback for the Blue Raiders to upset No. 6 seed Louisville. MTSU’s shocker got here in Friday’s third recreation. Not one shock got here since.

That does not imply that reseeding the spherical of 32 was a easy activity. Efficiency issues. To some extent, that is an train of fashion factors. So there was some motion.

Right here is how the bracket would look now if we might begin all of it once more with 32 groups.

No. 1 seeds

South Carolina Gamecocks
Authentic seed: No. 1 general (Area 1 in Albany)
First spherical: Defeated Presbyterian Blue Hose 91-39 (Friday)

South Carolina has now overwhelmed the Blue Hose twice this season by a median of 61 factors. Beginning guard Bree Corridor sitting out as a precautionary measure was the largest information from the sport. The damage is not anticipated to be critical, and Corridor, who averages 9.7 factors and three.2 rebounds per recreation, is anticipated to play within the NCAA event. Te-Hina Paopao regaining her capturing stroke was probably the most significant takeaway from Friday. After making 5 of 15 3-pointers on the SEC event, Paopao shot 4-for-7 and scored 18 factors, her highest level complete in additional than a month, in opposition to Presbyterian.

Up subsequent: vs. North Carolina (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, ABC)

Texas Longhorns
Authentic seed: No. 1 (Area 4 in Portland)
First spherical: Defeated Drexel Dragons 82-42 (Friday)

In a recreation during which the Longhorns had been simply larger, sooner and stronger than Drexel, Madison Booker elected to play distributor greater than scorer. The consequence was a 14-assist, two-turnover efficiency, which marks probably the most assists ever for a Texas participant within the NCAA event. Booker’s eight factors was her lowest scoring complete since a recreation in opposition to Lengthy Seaside State on Dec. 6, and it did not matter in any respect. Texas led by 15 factors halfway by the second quarter, and Drexel by no means acquired nearer.

Up subsequent: vs. Alabama (Sunday, 6 p.m. ET, ESPN)

USC Trojans
Authentic seed: No. 1 (Area 3 in Portland)
First spherical: Defeated Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Islanders 87-55 (Saturday)

McKenzie Forbes has been the Robin to JuJu Watkins’ Batman all season. However recently Forbes has determined to take the Batmobile out for a couple of spins herself. Forbes, who averaged 13.1 factors per recreation getting into the Pac-12 event, scored 17 within the semifinals in opposition to UCLA, after which, with Watkins struggling by the worst recreation of her younger profession, Forbes carried the Trojans to the convention championship with 26 factors in opposition to Stanford. The new streak carried over to the NCAA event, the place USC gained its first recreation since 2006. She equaled Watkins’ 23 factors in opposition to Texas A&M-Corpus Christi however did it on fewer photographs and in fewer minutes. As a No. 1 seed, USC was already among the many favorites to get to Cleveland. With two superheroes, the ceiling is perhaps even increased.

Up subsequent: vs. Kansas (Monday, 10 p.m. ET, ESPN)

Iowa Hawkeyes
Authentic seed: No. 1 (Area 2 in Albany)
First spherical: Defeated Holy Cross Crusaders 91-65 (Saturday)

For anybody involved that Caitlin Clark did not have a Caitlin Clark-type recreation in opposition to Holy Cross, let’s evaluate. In final yr’s first spherical in opposition to SE Louisiana, Clark’s numbers had been 26 factors, 9 of 14 discipline objectives, 3-for-6 on 3-pointers, 7 rebounds, 12 assists and 5 turnovers in 29 minutes. Saturday’s stat line in opposition to the Crusaders: 27 factors, 8 of 19 discipline objectives, 3-for-9 on 3-pointers, 5 rebounds, 10 assists and 6 turnovers in 32 minutes. Positive, final yr’s numbers had been barely higher, however not appreciably. This was primarily the identical recreation for Clark. We all know what she went on to do the remainder of the 2023 NCAA event. In different phrases: Nothing to see right here. The outlook for Clark and Iowa transferring ahead is simply high quality.

Up subsequent: vs. West Virginia (Monday, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN)

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No. 2 seeds

Stanford Cardinal
Authentic seed: No. 2 (Area 4 in Portland)
First spherical: Defeated Norfolk State Spartans 79-50 (Friday)

Cameron Brink and Kiki Iriafen are two of probably the most dependable gamers within the nation. Win or lose, these two are producing. Stanford’s championship hopes relaxation with how nicely the backcourt performs. That’s the reason the capturing of Hannah Bounce and Elena Bosgana in opposition to Norfolk State was such a promising signal. They had been every 4-of-6 from 3-point vary and mixed for 31 factors. The Cardinal can transfer into the Candy 16 with out good guard play, however it might be asking an excessive amount of of Brink and Iriafen to hold them past that.

Up subsequent: vs. Iowa State (Sunday, 10 p.m. ET, ESPN)

Ohio State Buckeyes
Authentic seed: No. 2 (Area 3 in Portland)
First spherical consequence: Defeated Maine Black Bears 80-57 (Friday)

Celeste Taylor gained ACC defensive participant of the yr at Duke final season. She earned the identical honor within the Large Ten with the Buckeyes this yr. Now the 2 faculties play one another for the appropriate to go to the Candy 16. Taylor’s defensive abilities had been on show in opposition to the Black Bears with six steals, spearheading a press that compelled 22 Maine turnovers. Taylor additionally had six rebounds and 5 assists and was environment friendly offensively, scoring 12 factors on simply 4 photographs. Apparently, Taylor had 10 steals for the Blue Devils of their second-round loss to Colorado a yr in the past and got here to Ohio State with hopes of higher postseason fortune. Now she would possibly undergo Duke to make it occur.

Up subsequent: vs. Duke (Sunday, midday ET, ESPN)

Notre Dame Combating Irish
Authentic seed: No. 2 (Area 1 in Albany)
First spherical: Defeated Kent State Golden Flashes 81-67 (Saturday)

With simply six gamers at her disposal, Niele Ivey is brief on our bodies however not expertise. Her massive three of Hannah Hidalgo, Sonia Citron and Maddy Westbeld has been carrying Notre Dame for a month, and the successful streak is as much as 9 video games with the win over the Golden Flashes. After Hidalgo and Westbeld carried Notre Dame to an ACC event title, Citron took the lead in opposition to Kent State. Whereas the opposite two struggled, Citron performed all 40 minutes and scored 29 factors on 13-for-20 capturing. As injured gamers Olivia Miles, Kylee Watson and Cassandre Prosper watched from the sideline, Hidalgo, Westbeld and Natalija Marshall every completed the sport with 4 fouls. It is one thing to observe with the Irish going ahead because the video games get extra bodily.

Up subsequent: vs. Ole Miss (Monday, 2 p.m. ET, ESPN)

UConn Huskies
Authentic seed: No. 3 (Area 3 in Portland)
First spherical: Defeated Jackson State Woman Tigers 86-64 (Saturday)

Who wants depth when three starters can rating over 20 factors? On his seventieth birthday, Geno Auriemma used simply six gamers for all however 10 minutes, and the Huskies nonetheless cruised as anticipated. Paige Bueckers (28), Ashlynn Shade (26) and Aaliyah Edwards (20) mixed for 86% of UConn’s factors. Nonetheless enjoying out of place due to UConn’s depleted roster, Bueckers continues to thrive as one of the environment friendly gamers within the nation. That 6-foot Bueckers was fifth within the Large East in blocked photographs per recreation (1.4) stays one of many extra outstanding stats of the season. She had one in opposition to the Tigers.

Up subsequent: vs. Syracuse (Monday, 6 p.m. ET, ESPN)

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No. 3 seeds

LSU Tigers
Authentic seed: No. 3 (Area 2 in Albany)
First spherical: Defeated Rice Owls 70-60 (Friday)

Aside from Center Tennessee’s upset of Louisville, probably the most shocking recreation of the primary day was the Tigers struggling in opposition to a Rice group that completed the common season in sixth place within the AAC. Kim Mulkey referred to as her group’s efficiency “ugly” and “egocentric.” LSU’s 24 turnovers was the largest subject. That Angel Reese and Hailey Van Lith mixed to shoot simply 3-of-14 from the sector was one other. Past cleansing up these areas in opposition to Center Tennessee, regulate how the Tigers defend the Blue Raiders’ shooters. MTSU has three guards who all shoot above 35% from the 3-point line. LSU ranks simply 107th within the nation at defending the three.

Up subsequent: vs. Center Tennessee (Sunday, 3 p.m. ET, ABC)

UCLA Bruins
Authentic seed: No. 2 (Area 2 in Albany)
First spherical: Defeated California Baptist Lancers 84-55 (Saturday)

Whereas the Bruins solidly took care of enterprise in opposition to the Lancers, the uncertainty across the well being of Lauren Betts drops them down a seed line. Betts missed Saturday’s recreation with a foot damage. Whereas the stories are that she is anticipated again for Monday’s recreation in opposition to Creighton, it creates an excessive amount of of a query mark for UCLA transferring ahead. The Bruins aren’t the identical group with out Betts, or even when the 6-7 sophomore is not 100%. The Bruins went 2-2 with out her in the midst of Pac-12 play. The excellent news is that sophomore Gabriela Jaquez, who changed Betts within the beginning lineup, scored 17 factors in opposition to the Lancers.

Up subsequent: vs. Creighton (Monday, 8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN2)

Oregon State Beavers
Authentic seed: No. 3 (Area 1 in Albany)
First spherical: Defeated Japanese Washington Eagles 73-51 (Friday)

Raegan Beers’ 19 factors and 9 rebounds had been important to the Beavers’ first NCAA event win in three years. The well being of her ankle is the important thing to Oregon State successful any extra. The 6-4 third-team All-American ahead went down grabbing her proper ankle late within the third quarter in opposition to Japanese Washington. She left the court docket and did not play once more. A damaged nostril stored her out of 4 video games in late February. Oregon State went 1-3 with out her. The early indicators level to Beers with the ability to play Sunday, however Nebraska and Alexis Markowski change into a tough matchup with out Beers and her 17.7 factors and 10.4 rebounds per recreation.

Up subsequent: vs. Nebraska (Sunday, 4 p.m. ET, ESPN)

NC State Wolfpack
Authentic seed: No. 3 (Area 4 in Portland)
First spherical: Defeated Chattanooga Mocs 64-45 (Saturday)

Wes Moore has the glory of getting coached Chattanooga to its solely NCAA event win in 2004. He now has the excellence of handing the Mocs their seventeenth NCAA event loss. Moore coached Chattanooga from 1998 to 2013 and missed the postseason solely twice. He has missed it solely as soon as in 11 seasons in Raleigh. Saturday’s reunion was highlighted by protection and a 19-point second half from the Wolfpack’s Aziaha James, who has been NC State’s solely constant offensive participant late within the season. The Wolfpack have not shot higher than 45% in a recreation since Feb. 18 in opposition to Georgia Tech.

Up subsequent: vs. Tennessee (Monday, 4 p.m. ET, ESPN)

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No. 4 seeds

Indiana Hoosiers
Authentic seed: No. 4 (Area 1 in Albany)
First spherical: Defeated Fairfield Stags 89-56 (Saturday)

Regardless of practically each increased seed successful on this first spherical, advancing within the NCAA event can by no means be taken as a right. Indiana appeared wholesome, and that was the perfect factor that got here out of Saturday’s convincing win. Mackenzie Holmes was the largest concern. She appeared to maneuver nicely after injuring her knee late within the common season. Her 13 factors and three blocks in 27 minutes had been a great signal. Sydney Parrish and Lilly Meister, who had additionally been banged up, performed 27 and 11 minutes, respectively. Due to Sara Scalia’s capturing (5-for-10 on 3-pointers) and 27 factors, the Hoosiers had little bother with the 31-2 Stags after halftime.

Up subsequent: vs. Oklahoma (Monday, 6:30 p.m. ET, ESPN2)

Kansas State Wildcats
Authentic seed: No. 4 (Area 2 in Albany)
First spherical consequence: Defeated Portland Pilots 78-65 (Friday)

Statistically, Gabby Gregory took a step backward this season, going from 18.5 factors per recreation in 2023 to 9.3 PPG. Nonetheless, she took a much bigger step ahead Friday with a season-high 22 factors, lifting the Wildcats to the fifth win of their previous six NCAA event appearances. Her Hoop Stats ranks Kansas State because the eighth-best protection within the nation, nevertheless it was the offense, which additionally acquired 21 factors from main scorer Ayoka Lee, that carried the Wildcats in opposition to a Portland group that simply would not go away. Kansas State’s 78 factors was probably the most in eight NCAA event video games below coach Jeff Mittie and probably the most for this system since 2003.

Up subsequent: vs. Colorado (Sunday, 2 p.m. ET, ESPN)

Virginia Tech Hokies
Authentic seed: No. 4 (Area 3 in Portland)
First spherical: Defeated Marshall Thundering Herd 92-49 (Friday)

That Virginia Tech set a program file for probably the most factors scored in an NCAA event recreation with out Elizabeth Kitley, who was formally introduced out of the NCAA event Thursday with a torn ACL suffered March 3 — and with Georgia Amoore scoring simply 9 factors — may need been extra outstanding than Friday’s two massive comebacks by Center Tennessee and Iowa State. With 13 days off since their final recreation within the ACC event, the Hokies had extra time to follow and put together with out Kitley — and it confirmed. Virginia Tech’s hopes of reaching the Last 4 stay slim with out the three-time ACC participant of the yr, however the outlook does not look as bleak after Kitley’s substitute, Clara Strack, scored 17 factors and junior Matilda Ekh broke out of a three-game scoreless funk with 21 factors in opposition to the Thundering Herd.

Up subsequent: vs. Baylor (Sunday, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN)

Gonzaga Bulldogs
Authentic seed: No. 4 (Area 4 in Portland)
First spherical: Defeated UC Irvine Anteaters 75-56 (Saturday)

After a season-low 10 factors within the first quarter, it might have been comprehensible for the Bulldogs to start having flashbacks to their disappointing loss within the WCC championship recreation in opposition to Portland. The dangerous feeling and the poor play disappeared shortly, although. Gonzaga dominated the ultimate half-hour behind Yvonne Ejim’s 25 factors and 14 rebounds. The Zags try to make their first Candy 16 since 2015. Utah is up subsequent for the Bulldogs, who went 3-1 in opposition to the Pac-12 this season, together with 2-0 in opposition to NCAA event groups Stanford and Arizona.

Up subsequent: vs. Utah (Monday, 10:30 p.m. ET, ESPN2)

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No. 5 seeds

Colorado Buffaloes
Authentic seed: No. 5 (Area 2 in Albany)
First spherical: Defeated Drake Bulldogs 86-72 (Friday)

Drake should not really feel alone. Jaylyn Sherrod is just too fast for many groups. She was actually too fast for the Bulldogs. Six of her seven discipline objectives had been layups, and he or she assisted on 5 less difficult buckets for teammates. Sherrod pushed the ball up the ground and acquired round Drake defenders to the tune of 16 factors and eight assists, serving to Colorado overcome a sluggish begin to transfer to the second spherical for the second straight March. The Buffs damage the smaller Bulldogs inside, notably within the second and third quarters, after they mixed to make 20 of 31 discipline objectives. Additionally they posted a 39-18 rebounding benefit. The dimensions of Kansas State’s 6-6 Lee ought to present a distinct problem within the subsequent spherical.

Up subsequent: vs. Kansas State (Sunday, 2 p.m. ET, ESPN)

Utah Utes
Authentic seed: No. 5 (Area 4 in Portland)
First spherical: Defeated South Dakota State Jackrabbits 68-54 (Saturday)

LSU was rightly celebrated because the nationwide champion 49 weeks in the past, however in each title run there’s a second or a recreation that will get neglected or forgotten however was a turning level. That recreation for the Tigers a yr in the past was Utah within the Candy 16. Nobody performed LSU more durable than the Utes, who had been a play or two away from successful and altering your complete 2023 NCAA event. Utah took step one to rectifying that disappointment by controlling, if by no means dominating, the Jackrabbits. Alissa Pili, who scored 14 factors in that recreation final March in Greenville, led the way in which Saturday with 26 factors. Her matchup with Gonzaga’s Ejim is perhaps probably the most under-the-radar particular person battle for the second spherical.

Up subsequent: vs. Gonzaga (Monday, 10:30 p.m. ET, ESPN2)

Oklahoma Sooners
Authentic seed: No. 5 (Area 1 in Albany)
First spherical: Defeated Florida Gulf Coast Eagles 73-70 (Saturday)

When a major-conference group can beat Florida Gulf Coast, the response appears to be extra aid than satisfaction. That was the look on Jennie Baranczyk’s face after her Sooners survived a last-second 3-point try by the Eagles’ Uju Ezeudu that would have tied the rating. “We’re transferring on, and that is what counts,” Baranczyk mentioned throughout her postgame interview when she was having bother describing how the Sooners beat FGCU. Virginia Tech and Washington State could not do it within the first around the previous two NCAA tournaments. The Sooners barely did it. Oklahoma did not lead till late within the third quarter and wanted some massive performs by Skylar Vann within the fourth quarter to hold on.

Up subsequent: vs. Indiana (Monday, 6:30 p.m. ET, ESPN2)

Tennessee Woman Vols
Authentic seed: No. 6 (Area 4 in Portland)
First spherical: Defeated Inexperienced Bay Phoenix 92-63 (Saturday)

One thing clicked with Rickea Jackson towards the tip of the common season, and Tennessee is reaping the advantages. Maybe it is the sense of urgency that her collegiate profession is coming to an finish or that the video games are larger, however Jackson, already an All-American, has taken her recreation to a different stage. Her 26 factors in 29 minutes in opposition to Inexperienced Bay marked the sixth time prior to now seven video games she has scored 22 or extra factors. Jackson’s elevation has the Woman Vols’ offense clicking higher than it has all season. In consequence, Tennessee emerged as one of the spectacular groups of the opening spherical. The Woman Vols’ 58.7% discipline objective capturing was a season excessive, and so they did it in opposition to a Phoenix group that yields its opponents 38.7% on the season.

Up subsequent: vs. NC State (Monday, 4 p.m. ET, ESPN)

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No. 6 seeds

Baylor Bears
Authentic seed: No. 5 (Area 3 in Portland)
First spherical: Defeated Vanderbilt Commodores 80-63 (Friday)

Earlier this week, Baylor sophomore Darianna Littlepage-Buggs struck an NIL cope with Raid — after which on Friday the Bears wasted little time exterminating Vanderbilt. Littlepage-Buggs did her half with 11 factors, 5 rebounds and 4 assists, nevertheless it was classmate Bella Fontleroy who led a balanced assault with 19 factors. Eight Bears scored. Sharing the ball is when Baylor is at its greatest. The Bears rank twenty second within the nation in assisted shot fee.

Up subsequent: vs. Virginia Tech (Sunday, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN)

Syracuse Orange
Authentic seed: No. 6 (Area 3 in Portland)
First spherical: Defeated Arizona Wildcats 74-69 (Saturday)

The legend of Dyaisha Honest added one other chapter. In a season during which she handed the three,000-point plateau and took the Orange from a predicted ninth-place end within the ACC to a No. 6 seed, she now has this system file for many factors (32) scored in an NCAA event recreation. She scored the ultimate 13 factors for Syracuse, and it got here after being carried off the court docket late within the third quarter with what appeared like a probably critical leg damage. When she returned to the court docket, Honest dominated and introduced the Orange again in a recreation that they’d trailed in practically your complete approach.

Up subsequent: vs. UConn (Monday, 6 p.m. ET, ESPN)

Nebraska Cornhuskers
Authentic seed: No. 6 (Area I in Albany)
First spherical: Defeated Texas A&M Aggies 61-59 (Friday)

If not for the within play of Alexis Markowski and the stability of freshman Logan Nissley, the Cornhuskers may need been one other sufferer of a large comeback Friday. They gave away a 17-point result in the Aggies. Nissley’s two clutch free throws with 14 seconds left gave Nebraska again a one-point lead it had misplaced seconds earlier. That and Markowski’s 16 factors and 6 rebounds in the end delivered this system’s first NCAA event win in 10 years. The group that almost outshot Iowa within the Large Ten event title recreation and ranks thirteenth within the nation in made 3-pointers was an uncharacteristic 6-of-21 from 3-point vary.

Up subsequent: vs. Oregon State (Sunday, 4 p.m. ET, ESPN)

Iowa State Cyclones
Authentic seed: No. 7 (Area 4 in Portland)
First spherical: Defeated Maryland Terrapins 93-86 (Friday)

JuJu Watkins, Hannah Hidalgo, Madison Booker, MiLaysia Fulwiley, Mikaylah Williams. These are the incredible freshmen who’ve gotten many of the consideration this season and the group that’s purported to elevate the game into its subsequent wave. Add Audi Crooks to the record. Crooks turned the primary participant of any yr to attain 40 factors on 90% capturing in an NCAA event recreation. Forty factors additionally tied for the second-most in an NCAA event debut. It was all a part of Iowa State erasing a 20-point second-quarter deficit, the second-biggest comeback in girls’s NCAA event historical past. This got here after Maryland performed its greatest first half of the season — a great begin, however the recreation ended as the primary opening-round loss for the Terps below Brenda Frese.

Up subsequent: vs. Stanford (Sunday, 10 p.m. ET, ESPN)

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No. 7 seeds

Duke Blue Devils
Authentic seed: No. 7 (Area 3 in Portland)
First spherical: Defeated Richmond Spiders 72-61 (Friday)

Kara Lawson would possibly need to file all of her halftime speeches. No matter she mentioned Friday labored to perfection. Her Blue Devils appeared out of kinds within the first half. They allowed eight 3-pointers by the Spiders, scored simply 5 second-quarter factors themselves and trailed by 9 at halftime. Inside 4 minutes into the third quarter, the rating was tied. Richmond made simply two 3s the remainder of the sport. It did not rank with the epic comebacks of Iowa State and Center Tennessee, however Duke’s turnaround at each ends of the ground was simply as swift.

Up subsequent: vs. Ohio State (Sunday, midday ET, ESPN)

Ole Miss Rebels
Authentic seed: No. 7 (Area 1 in Albany)
First spherical: Defeated Marquette Golden Eagles 67-55 (Saturday)

The method is easy however profitable. Coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin has one philosophy: Play protection, and play it arduous. Coach Yo’s defense-first method has taken the Rebels from 9-22 in her first yr in 2019 to a few consecutive NCAA event appearances, the previous two of which have included victories. The most recent was a suffocation of Marquette’s offense, particularly within the second half. The Golden Eagles scored simply 21 factors after halftime. How the aggressiveness and size of Madison Scott, Kennedy Todd-Williams and Marquesha Davis will match up with the vitality of Notre Dame’s Hidalgo is likely one of the extra intriguing storylines of the second spherical.

Up subsequent: vs. Notre Dame (Monday, 2 p.m. ET, ESPN)

Creighton Bluejays
Authentic seed: No. 7 (Area 2 in Albany)
First spherical: Defeated UNLV Woman Rebels 87-73 (Saturday)

Creighton’s semifinal loss to Georgetown within the Large East event was one of many extra stunning outcomes of Champ Week. The dangerous feeling did not linger for the veteran Bluejays. Essentially the most prolific 3-point-making group within the Large East, at 8.8 per recreation, torched UNLV with 15. Regardless of the Woman Rebels’ domination within the paint (46-24), Creighton seniors Lauren Jensen and Morgan Maly simply stored making 3-pointers and by no means let UNLV again within the recreation after a 12-point lead on the half. Jensen and Maly, who had been the second- and third-leading scorers on Creighton’s 2022 Elite Eight group, mixed to make 9-for-15 from 3-point vary.

Up subsequent: vs. UCLA (Sunday)

North Carolina Tar Heels
Authentic seed: No. 8 (Area 1 in Albany)
First spherical: Defeated Michigan State Spartans 59-56 (Friday)

The Tar Heels’ win over Michigan State was a microcosm of the season: strong protection, inconsistent offense and one other shut recreation. After UNC dominated for 38 minutes by holding the second-best offense within the Large Ten 27 factors beneath its scoring common, a livid rally by the Spartans made issues fascinating. It took the seventeenth rebound for Alyssa Ustby off a missed free throw by teammate Deja Kelly to make sure a 3rd straight yr of a minimum of one NCAA event victory for North Carolina. Ustby acquired the Tar Heels off to that good begin, making her first 4 photographs, and by no means took her foot off the gasoline, ending with 16 factors, 6 assists and three blocks to associate with these 17 boards.

Up subsequent: vs. South Carolina (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, ABC)

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No. 8 seeds

Center Tennessee Blue Raiders
Authentic seed: No. 11 (Area 2 in Albany)
First spherical: Defeated Louisville Cardinals 71-69 (Friday)

Convention USA participant of the yr Savannah Wheeler flipped a swap within the second half that ignited her Blue Raiders and concurrently turned out the lights on Louisville. She scored 20 of her 22 factors within the second half after trying overwhelmed by the Cardinals guards within the first, and helped finish the Blue Raiders’ nine-game NCAA event dropping streak. She did have assist. Jalynn Gregory, who is perhaps one in all CUSA’s greatest gamers subsequent yr, had 22 factors, and 6-6 Anastasiia Boldyreva, who ranks sixth within the nation in blocks, put collectively an 11-point, 12-rebound, 3-block efficiency. Boldyreva’s size shall be an fascinating matchup for LSU’s entrance line Sunday.

Up subsequent: vs. LSU (Sunday, 3 p.m. ET, ABC)

West Virginia Mountaineers
Authentic seed: No. 8 (Area 2 in Albany)
First spherical: Defeated Princeton Tigers 63-53 (Saturday)

Protection and JJ Quinerly had been the right method for the Mountaineers in opposition to Princeton. The Tigers appeared like the higher group your complete first half, main by as many as 9. Mark Kellogg addressed the protection at halftime, and the sport flipped. West Virginia compelled 10 third-quarter Princeton turnovers and turned a two-point deficit right into a nine-point lead. Then Quinerly took over. The junior scored 18 of her 29 factors within the second half. That method now will get put to a a lot completely different check within the second spherical with Iowa and Clark awaiting on their residence flooring.

Up subsequent: vs. Iowa (Monday, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN)

Alabama Crimson Tide
Authentic seed: No. 8 (Area 4 in Portland)
First spherical: Defeated Florida State Seminoles 82-74

The Crimson Tide rely closely on senior Sarah Ashlee Barker, however they proved Friday that they do not all the time need to. Barker fouled out after enjoying simply 11 minutes and scoring six factors, but Alabama was nonetheless in a position to take management of an in depth, entertaining recreation within the third quarter to win an NCAA event recreation for the primary time in three years. The surprising increase got here from Karly Weathers changing third-leading scorer Jessica Timmons, who had season-ending knee surgical procedure two weeks in the past. Weathers, who entered the NCAA event averaging 4.7 factors per recreation, scored 18.

Up subsequent: vs. Texas (Sunday, 6 p.m. ET, ESPN)

Kansas Jayhawks
Authentic seed: No. 8 (Area 3 in Portland)
First spherical: Defeated Michigan Wolverines 81-72 OT (Saturday)

Zakiyah Franklin is a key playmaker of the Kansas assault, however she wasn’t a big-time scorer this season. In her fifth yr in Lawrence, she had scored 20 factors simply twice throughout the season so far. Like many of the Jayhawks veterans, she deferred to freshman S’Mya Nichols, the membership’s main scorer (15.2 PPG). However Kansas wanted Franklin’s scoring Saturday, and each one in all her 22 factors — which included a game-tying 3-pointer with 12 seconds left in regulation — to beat Michigan. Kansas, winner of the WNIT a yr in the past, will get to the second spherical for the second time in three seasons regardless of being outplayed for 3 quarters. A 23-14 fourth quarter and dominant time beyond regulation moved the Jayhawks alongside.

Up subsequent: vs. USC (Monday, 10 p.m. ET, ESPN)