As the No. 1 overall seed in the women’s NCAA tournament, South Carolina and head coach Dawn Staley are gearing up to potentially finish off an undefeated season. This team had a chance last year to achieve perfection but came up just short against Iowa in the Final Four. While the Hawkeyes secured the other No. 1 seed in the Albany Regional this time around, the two powerhouses would only potentially face off in the national championship game. USC, led by star freshman JuJu Watkins, is looking to capture their first undefeated season since 1986 as they head into the tournament as the top choice in the Portland Regional.
Staley’s squad has faced challenges throughout the season, including a close call in the SEC tournament semifinals where they needed a buzzer-beater to secure the win. Despite the close calls, the Gamecocks have always managed to come out on top. With Cardoso set to miss the opening game due to being ejected from the SEC title game, the team will be looking to their depth to carry them through the early rounds. Staley remains confident in her team’s ability to perform, emphasizing the importance of taking it one game at a time.
Joining South Carolina in the Albany Region are formidable opponents such as Notre Dame, Oregon State, and Indiana. Notre Dame, a No. 2 seed, will be looking to avenge their earlier loss to the Gamecocks this season. Meanwhile, in the Iowa region, teams like UCLA, defending champion LSU, and Kansas State pose significant challenges for the Hawkeyes as they look to advance. Texas, as the fourth No. 1 seed, will have to navigate a tough path that includes potential matchups against the likes of Stanford and NC State.
There have been significant changes to the tournament format this season, with two regional sites hosting the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight rounds. Albany, New York, and Portland, Oregon will be the locations for these critical matchups. The top four teams in each region will have the advantage of hosting the opening two rounds, providing an exciting and competitive atmosphere for fans and players alike. The tournament itself kicks off with the First Four games on Wednesday, followed by a full slate of games on Friday and Saturday.
With teams like Tennessee maintaining their streak of appearing in all 42 NCAA tournaments and newcomers like Presbyterian, California Baptist, Columbia, and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi making their first appearance, the field is diverse and filled with talent. The tournament selection committee faced tough decisions when finalizing the field of 68, with schools like Penn State, Washington State, Miami, and Villanova just missing out on the opportunity. The representation across conferences is also noteworthy, with the ACC and SEC leading the way with eight teams each, followed closely by the Big Ten, Pac-12, and Big 12.
The stage is set for an exciting and competitive women’s NCAA tournament, with top seeds like South Carolina, Iowa, and Texas looking to make their mark and potentially clinch the national championship. The road ahead is filled with challenges, but these teams have proven themselves throughout the season and are ready to battle it out on the court. Fans can expect thrilling matchups, upsets, and unforgettable moments as the tournament unfolds.
Leave a Reply