Among the chalk from the primary two days of the NCAA event has been erased. However not a lot.
Two No. 5 seeds and a No. 7 broke by to the Candy 16. And the highest 4 seeds superior to the regional semifinals in two areas — Albany 1 and Portland 4.
The true story of the ladies’s NCAA event are the comebacks and shut calls. LSU and Duke every needed to overcome double-digit deficits within the second spherical. Iowa, UCLA, Indiana, Stanford, Colorado and Baylor all trailed within the second half earlier than clinching a spot within the Candy 16. UConn bought a late scare from Syracuse.
Certain, the outcomes have principally adopted the seeds. That does not imply all of it was simple.
The one actually massive upset of the second spherical — No. 7 Duke bouncing No. 2 Ohio State in Columbus — shook up the seeds a bit as we reseed the sector forward of the regional semifinals. The No. 1s are the identical, however Iowa was near falling off the highest line with its squeaker at house in opposition to West Virginia.
The excellent news about few upsets within the first 4 days is that the following 4 recreation days might be historic. LSU vs. UCLA and Oregon State vs. Notre Dame, with Texas vs. Stanford and Iowa vs. the Tigers or the Bruins doubtlessly on the horizon. A recreation with Paige Bueckers and JuJu Watkins on the identical courtroom can be a must-see.
Absorb how the brand new bracket would look with some fine-tuning — and prepare to tip it off once more Friday.
No. 1 seeds
South Carolina performs flawless basketball in rout of UNC
The Gamecocks are on to the Candy 16 after dominating North Carolina in an 88-41 win.
South Carolina Gamecocks
Authentic seed: No. 1 total (Area 1 in Albany)
NCAA event outcomes: Defeated 16-seed Presbyterian 91-39; defeated 8-seed North Carolina 88-41
Daybreak Staley mentioned after Sunday’s recreation in opposition to North Carolina that it was the Gamecocks’ finest efficiency in a very long time. Aside from its two victories over Kentucky, Sunday’s 47-point win is South Carolina’s largest margin of victory over a Energy 5 opponent this season. It is exhausting to think about the Gamecocks taking part in any higher than hanging that lopsided win on the Tar Heels after beating them by simply seven early within the season. It is also exhausting to think about anybody beating the Gamecocks in the event that they play at this degree. For many of the season, the dialogue of South Carolina’s finest participant was about Kamilla Cardoso and Te-Hina Paopao. The reply as we speak is likely to be MiLaysia Fulwiley. The freshman, who was additionally the MVP of the SEC event, racked up 20 factors with 4 3-pointers, 9 rebounds, 3 steals and three blocks, and she or he has led South Carolina in scoring in three of its previous 4 video games.
Up subsequent: vs. 4-seed Indiana (Friday, 5 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Texas Longhorns
Authentic seed: No. 1 (Area 4 in Portland)
NCAA event outcomes: Defeated 16-seed Drexel 82-42; defeated 8-seed Alabama 65-54
Madison Booker’s transition from ahead to level guard after Rori Harmon’s damage is exceptional sufficient. That she is aware of precisely what her group wants of her recreation to recreation is savvy and basketball IQ that few gamers have, not to mention a freshman taking part in in her first NCAA event. She took simply 11 photographs and located teammates to the tune of 14 assists in opposition to Drexel. Within the win over Alabama, she appeared for her shot instantly and scored eight of her 21 factors within the first quarter, together with the Longhorns’ first two buckets in a recreation during which they by no means trailed.
Up subsequent: 4-seed Gonzaga (Friday, 10 p.m. ET, ESPN)
USC Trojans
Authentic seed: No. 1 (Area 3 in Portland)
NCAA event outcomes: Defeated 16-seed Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 87-55; defeated 8-seed Kansas 73-55
The final time USC was within the Candy 16, JuJu Watkins wasn’t born but. However she has definitely given rebirth to this system. Her 28 factors led the way in which Sunday, but it surely was the 5 factors late within the third quarter that mattered most. A recreation that USC had utterly managed was one way or the other slipping away. 9 straight factors by Kansas lower the Trojan result in one. A 3-pointer by Watkins, adopted by two free throws, restored the cushion. Watkins then assisted on Kayla Padilla’s 3-pointer early within the fourth. The lead was again to 10 and USC was on its method the Candy 16 for the primary time since 1994.
Up subsequent: 5-seed Baylor (Saturday, 5:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Iowa holds off West Virginia in a nail-biter to achieve Candy 16
Caitlin Clark’s record-breaking efficiency propels Iowa to victory in a hard-fought battle, setting the stage for a Candy 16 matchup in opposition to Colorado.
Iowa Hawkeyes
Authentic seed: No. 1 (Area 2 in Albany)
NCAA event outcomes: Defeated Holy Cross 91-65; defeated West Virginia 64-54
A sigh of aid was felt throughout Iowa when the Hawkeyes survived West Virginia. Caitlin Clark performs on. Her 32 factors did not come simply, because the Mountaineers outlined the sport’s type: bodily and plodding. That Clark equaled her season low with simply three assists attests to simply how good West Virginia’s gameplan was. It wasn’t till a 12-2 run within the remaining two minutes — sparked by a Sydney Affolter 3-point play and cemented by six Clark free throws — {that a} win in Clark’s remaining recreation at Carver-Hawkeye Enviornment can be assured. Alongside the way in which, Clark handed Kelsey Plum yet one more time, setting the report for many factors in a single season. Iowa’s subsequent opponent, Colorado, represents one other veteran, bodily group — one the Hawkeyes beat in final yr’s Candy 16.
Up subsequent: vs. 5-seed Colorado (Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC)
No. 2 seeds
Notre Dame Preventing Irish
Authentic seed: No. 2 (Area 1 in Albany)
NCAA event outcomes: Defeated 15-seed Kent State 81-67; defeated 7-seed Ole Miss 71-56
With solely six wholesome gamers, the strategy is straightforward for Notre Dame: Depend on your finest gamers for manufacturing and keep out of foul hassle. To date, so good for the Irish, who’ve now gained 10 consecutive video games even with the slim roster. Hannah Hidalgo, Maddy Westbeld and Sonia Citron have scored 71% of Notre Dame’s factors by two video games, and nobody has fouled out but. Actually, Notre Dame solely put Ole Miss on the free throw line 11 instances in a recreation it dominated from begin to end. Led by Hidalgo and her nation-leading 4.6 steals per recreation, Notre Dame is a top-10 protection in factors allowed per play and has gotten higher within the postseason.
Up subsequent: 3-seed Oregon State (Friday, 2:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Paige Bueckers’ 32-point recreation helps UConn to thirtieth straight Candy 16
UConn star Paige Bueckers drops 32 factors to go along with 10 rebounds and 6 assists because the Huskies defeat Syracuse 72-64.
UConn Huskies
Authentic seed: No. 3 (Area 3 in Portland)
NCAA event outcomes: Defeated 14-seed Jackson State 86-64; defeated 6-seed Syracuse Orange 72-64
Is the shadow of Caitlin Clark so giant that it one way or the other has rendered Paige Bueckers underrated? Bueckers, coming off an ACL damage that sidelined her for all the 2022-23 season, is having a greater season than she did as a freshman in 2020-21, when she was the consensus nationwide participant of the yr (and the identical yr Clark started her profession at Iowa). And Bueckers has been even higher in two event video games, averaging 30.0 factors on 56.8% taking pictures. Throw 11.5 rebounds, 6.5 assists and three.5 steals in there too. No participant, besides maybe Clark, has contributed extra to a pair of wins than Bueckers, who can be taking part in in her third Candy 16 and the thirtieth straight for the Huskies.
Up subsequent: vs. 7-seed Duke (Saturday, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Stanford Cardinal
Authentic seed: No. 2 (Area 4 in Portland)
NCAA event outcomes: Defeated 15-seed Norfolk State 79-50; defeated 7-seed Iowa State 87-81 OT
In final yr’s second spherical, Stanford misplaced at house and failed to attain even 50 factors. Sunday at Maples Pavilion, the Cardinal gained a second-round recreation during which one among their gamers virtually bought to 50 by herself. With 41 factors and 16 rebounds, Kiki Iriafen carried Stanford into this system’s twenty ninth Candy 16 with a win over Iowa State in what was an on the spot traditional. All-American Cameron Brink was in foul hassle your entire recreation and fouled out in regulation with simply eight factors. That left issues to Iriafen, who missed solely two photographs within the fourth quarter and time beyond regulation and had 17 factors in that point. It marked the primary 40-point recreation for Iriafen, however she had scored over 30 twice this season, together with 36 in an in depth win over Oregon State in a recreation Brink missed. The Pac-12’s most improved participant has 58 factors by two video games.
Up subsequent: vs. 3-seed NC State (Friday, 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Kiki Iriafen’s 41 leads Stanford previous Iowa State in OT thriller
Stanford outlasts Iowa State in an time beyond regulation thriller to advance to the Candy 16 of the ladies’s NCAA event.
UCLA Bruins
Authentic seed: No. 2 (Area 2 in Albany)
NCAA event outcomes: Defeated 15-seed California Baptist 84-55; defeated 7-seed Creighton Bluejays 67-63
Two issues have change into evident in regards to the Bruins over the previous month: They are not on the similar degree they had been in November and December; and they’re nonetheless adequate, notably on protection, to get to the primary Ultimate 4 in program historical past. In fact, the caveat exists that the trail to Cleveland is blocked with LSU after which presumably Iowa. UCLA’s protection, which utterly shut down an excellent taking pictures, veteran Creighton group, primarily bought the Bruins by to a second consecutive Candy 16. Having a wholesome and constantly productive Lauren Betts, who had 20 factors in opposition to the Bluejays, is the opposite key. At 6-foot-7, she’s UCLA’s differentiator. No group left within the event besides South Carolina with Kamilla Cardoso has a participant that measurement and potential influence.
Up subsequent: 3-seed LSU (Saturday, 1 p.m. ET, ABC)
No. 3 seeds
LSU Tigers
Authentic seed: No. 3 (Area 2 in Albany)
NCAA event outcomes: Defeated 14-seed Rice 70-60; defeated 11-seed Center Tennessee 83-56
Kim Mulkey described a sluggish effort within the first spherical in opposition to Rice as “dangerous” and “ugly.” She might need described the primary half in opposition to Center Tennessee the identical method. Simply over a minute into the second half, the Convention USA champs led 41-32. Then LSU’s expertise took over in a flash and the outlook bought significantly better for the Tigers. Ten straight factors, 5 of which got here from freshman Mikaylah Williams, gave LSU the lead — and it was all Tigers from that time. The protection of the nationwide title was again on observe. Flau’jae Johnson led the way in which with 21 factors, and 76 of LSU’s 83 factors got here from 4 gamers: Johnson, Williams, Angel Reese and Aneesah Morrow.
Up subsequent: 2-seed UCLA (Saturday, 1 p.m. ET, ABC)
NC State Wolfpack
Authentic seed: No. 3 (Area 4 in Portland)
NCAA event outcomes: Defeated 14-seed Chattanooga 64-45; defeated 6-seed Tennessee 79-72
Maybe it wasn’t the Wolfpack offense struggling the previous few video games as a lot as they only wanted to get extra from Saniya Rivers. In opposition to the Woman Vols, they did. Rivers did not hit double figures in any of NC State’s three ACC event video games and, regardless of 16 factors within the first spherical in opposition to Chattanooga, she nonetheless did not seem like herself. However she did in tallying 20 factors, 6 rebounds and three blocks in opposition to the Woman Vols. The Wolfpack’s 44.8 discipline objective proportion was its highest since Feb 18. That included 61% taking pictures in a primary half during which NC State appeared like a unique group than it did in spherical one. The guard trio of Rivers, Aziaha James and Zoe Brooks mixed for 58 factors Monday, and the Wolfpack appeared extra just like the group that had convincing wins over fellow Candy 16 members Colorado, UConn, Notre Dame and Duke earlier this season.
Up subsequent: 2-seed Stanford (Friday, 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Oregon State Beavers
Authentic seed: No. 3 (Area 1 in Albany)
NCAA event outcomes: Defeated 14-seed Jap Washington 73-51; defeated 6-seed Nebraska 61-51
In March 2023, Talia von Oelhoffen was having surgical procedure to restore her knee whereas her group missed the NCAA event for the second straight yr. Quick-forward 12 months and she or he scored 19 factors and had eight assists to get the Beavers to their first Candy 16 in 5 years. As an early qualifying freshman, von Oelhoffen joined Oregon State in January 2021 (throughout what ought to have been her second semester of her senior yr of highschool) and have become the group’s fourth-leading scorer. She had a complete of 10 factors in NCAA event video games in opposition to Florida State and South Carolina. Now she’s the elder stateswoman on an even-better group that depends closely on two freshmen and two sophomores. One of many sophomores, Raegan Beers, is Scott Rueck’s finest participant, however von Oelhoffen, together with her expertise, is likely to be his most essential.
Up subsequent: vs. 3-seed Notre Dame (Friday, 2:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Indiana Hoosiers
Authentic seed: No. 4 (Area 1 in Albany)
NCAA event outcomes: Defeated 13-seed Fairfield 89-56; defeated 5-seed Oklahoma 75-68
Indiana, probably the greatest taking pictures groups within the nation, was pushed frequently by Oklahoma and finally needed to flip to protection. The Hoosiers are third within the nation in 2-point discipline objective proportion however missed 18 layups. They’re the leaders in 3-point proportion however missed 13-of-16 3s. This wasn’t imagined to be the method to get Indiana to a 3rd Candy 16 in 4 years. It was merely the profitable one. Mackenzie Holmes, who carried the Hoosiers on offense, disrupted two Sooners photographs and made a late steal within the game-deciding 10-0 run. Holmes scored 29 factors, 20 within the second half, in a recreation that was tied 10 instances and had 21 lead adjustments.
Up subsequent: vs. 1-seed South Carolina (Friday, 5 p.m. ET, ESPN)
No. 4 seeds
Reigan Richardson fuels Duke comeback with 28 factors
Reigan Richardson and Duke claw again from a double-digit deficit to upset Ohio State within the spherical of 32.
Gonzaga Bulldogs
Authentic seed: No. 4 (Area 4 in Portland)
NCAA event outcomes: Defeated 13-seed UC Irvine 75-56; defeated 5-seed Utah 77-66
The third-best 3-point taking pictures group within the nation hadn’t appeared prefer it currently. Gonzaga was simply 12-for-43 from past the arc in its final two video games. The droop ended in opposition to the Utes. The Zags equaled these 12 made 3s on simply 22 makes an attempt, taking pictures themselves into the applications first Candy 16 since 2015. That was the primary yr below present head coach Lisa Fortier after she had taken over for Kelly Graves. Sisters Kayleigh Truong and Kaylynne Truong — taking part in for the final time in McCarthey Athletic Heart in Spokane — mixed to hit seven 3-pointers, and put up Yvonne Ejim had 17 factors to increase her streak of video games scoring in double figures to 39.
Up subsequent: 1-seed Texas (Friday, 10 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Duke Blue Devils
Authentic seed: No. 7 (Area 3 in Portland)
NCAA event outcomes: Defeated 10-seed Richmond 72-61; defeated 2-seed Ohio State 75-63
Center Tennessee and Iowa State have the most important comebacks on this NCAA event, however the Blue Devils are the true comeback youngsters. Down 9 on the half, they steamrolled Richmond within the second half of their first-round assembly. Then Duke fell behind Ohio State by 16 within the second quarter Sunday solely to outscore the Buckeyes 43-27 on their house flooring within the second half to win going away. It was the second greatest upset of a event that has been marked by a lot chalk. Sophomore Reigan Richardson was Duke’s main scorer within the common season — at 12.4 PPG. She has greater than doubled that (26.5 PPG) on 21-for-36 taking pictures in two video games. Richardson was a second-team All-ACC honoree, however she joins Iriafen because the breakout stars of the event.
Up subsequent: 3-seed UConn
Baylor Bears
Authentic seed: No. 5 (Area 3 in Portland)
NCAA event outcomes: Defeated 12-seed Vanderbilt 80-63; defeated 4-seed Virginia Tech 75-72
Jada Walker picked an opportune night time to have the sport of her profession. And he or she truly had the sport of her profession in a single half. In two years at Kentucky and one at Baylor, Walker had by no means scored 26 factors in a recreation, not to mention in a single half. On Sunday, these included a half-court 3-pointer on the third-quarter buzzer and Baylor’s remaining 9 factors. The junior level guard completed with 28 factors and three assists. With out Walker’s clutch play, the Bears wouldn’t have survived a Hokies group taking part in with out star Elizabeth Kitley to get to their first Candy 16 below Nicki Collen.
Up subsequent: 1-seed USC (Saturday, 5:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Colorado Buffaloes
Authentic seed: No. 5 (Area 2 in Albany)
NCAA event outcomes: Defeated 12-seed Drake 86-72; defeated Kansas State 63-50
How good was Colorado’s protection in opposition to Kansas State? The Buffaloes did not rating for the primary 6:18 of the fourth quarter of a decent recreation — and nonetheless gained by double figures. They put the clamps on Wildcats star Ayoka Lee (10 factors, 9 photographs) all recreation lengthy and compelled 22 turnovers, but it surely was the mere 15 factors Colorado allowed within the second half that gained the sport. That bought the Buffs to their second straight Candy 16 after not having made it this far within the NCAA event in 20 years.
Up subsequent: 1-seed Iowa (Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC)
Among the chalk from the primary two days of the NCAA event has been erased. However not a lot.
Two No. 5 seeds and a No. 7 broke by to the Candy 16. And the highest 4 seeds superior to the regional semifinals in two areas — Albany 1 and Portland 4.
The true story of the ladies’s NCAA event are the comebacks and shut calls. LSU and Duke every needed to overcome double-digit deficits within the second spherical. Iowa, UCLA, Indiana, Stanford, Colorado and Baylor all trailed within the second half earlier than clinching a spot within the Candy 16. UConn bought a late scare from Syracuse.
Certain, the outcomes have principally adopted the seeds. That does not imply all of it was simple.
The one actually massive upset of the second spherical — No. 7 Duke bouncing No. 2 Ohio State in Columbus — shook up the seeds a bit as we reseed the sector forward of the regional semifinals. The No. 1s are the identical, however Iowa was near falling off the highest line with its squeaker at house in opposition to West Virginia.
The excellent news about few upsets within the first 4 days is that the following 4 recreation days might be historic. LSU vs. UCLA and Oregon State vs. Notre Dame, with Texas vs. Stanford and Iowa vs. the Tigers or the Bruins doubtlessly on the horizon. A recreation with Paige Bueckers and JuJu Watkins on the identical courtroom can be a must-see.
Absorb how the brand new bracket would look with some fine-tuning — and prepare to tip it off once more Friday.
No. 1 seeds
South Carolina performs flawless basketball in rout of UNC
The Gamecocks are on to the Candy 16 after dominating North Carolina in an 88-41 win.
South Carolina Gamecocks
Authentic seed: No. 1 total (Area 1 in Albany)
NCAA event outcomes: Defeated 16-seed Presbyterian 91-39; defeated 8-seed North Carolina 88-41
Daybreak Staley mentioned after Sunday’s recreation in opposition to North Carolina that it was the Gamecocks’ finest efficiency in a very long time. Aside from its two victories over Kentucky, Sunday’s 47-point win is South Carolina’s largest margin of victory over a Energy 5 opponent this season. It is exhausting to think about the Gamecocks taking part in any higher than hanging that lopsided win on the Tar Heels after beating them by simply seven early within the season. It is also exhausting to think about anybody beating the Gamecocks in the event that they play at this degree. For many of the season, the dialogue of South Carolina’s finest participant was about Kamilla Cardoso and Te-Hina Paopao. The reply as we speak is likely to be MiLaysia Fulwiley. The freshman, who was additionally the MVP of the SEC event, racked up 20 factors with 4 3-pointers, 9 rebounds, 3 steals and three blocks, and she or he has led South Carolina in scoring in three of its previous 4 video games.
Up subsequent: vs. 4-seed Indiana (Friday, 5 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Texas Longhorns
Authentic seed: No. 1 (Area 4 in Portland)
NCAA event outcomes: Defeated 16-seed Drexel 82-42; defeated 8-seed Alabama 65-54
Madison Booker’s transition from ahead to level guard after Rori Harmon’s damage is exceptional sufficient. That she is aware of precisely what her group wants of her recreation to recreation is savvy and basketball IQ that few gamers have, not to mention a freshman taking part in in her first NCAA event. She took simply 11 photographs and located teammates to the tune of 14 assists in opposition to Drexel. Within the win over Alabama, she appeared for her shot instantly and scored eight of her 21 factors within the first quarter, together with the Longhorns’ first two buckets in a recreation during which they by no means trailed.
Up subsequent: 4-seed Gonzaga (Friday, 10 p.m. ET, ESPN)
USC Trojans
Authentic seed: No. 1 (Area 3 in Portland)
NCAA event outcomes: Defeated 16-seed Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 87-55; defeated 8-seed Kansas 73-55
The final time USC was within the Candy 16, JuJu Watkins wasn’t born but. However she has definitely given rebirth to this system. Her 28 factors led the way in which Sunday, but it surely was the 5 factors late within the third quarter that mattered most. A recreation that USC had utterly managed was one way or the other slipping away. 9 straight factors by Kansas lower the Trojan result in one. A 3-pointer by Watkins, adopted by two free throws, restored the cushion. Watkins then assisted on Kayla Padilla’s 3-pointer early within the fourth. The lead was again to 10 and USC was on its method the Candy 16 for the primary time since 1994.
Up subsequent: 5-seed Baylor (Saturday, 5:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Iowa holds off West Virginia in a nail-biter to achieve Candy 16
Caitlin Clark’s record-breaking efficiency propels Iowa to victory in a hard-fought battle, setting the stage for a Candy 16 matchup in opposition to Colorado.
Iowa Hawkeyes
Authentic seed: No. 1 (Area 2 in Albany)
NCAA event outcomes: Defeated Holy Cross 91-65; defeated West Virginia 64-54
A sigh of aid was felt throughout Iowa when the Hawkeyes survived West Virginia. Caitlin Clark performs on. Her 32 factors did not come simply, because the Mountaineers outlined the sport’s type: bodily and plodding. That Clark equaled her season low with simply three assists attests to simply how good West Virginia’s gameplan was. It wasn’t till a 12-2 run within the remaining two minutes — sparked by a Sydney Affolter 3-point play and cemented by six Clark free throws — {that a} win in Clark’s remaining recreation at Carver-Hawkeye Enviornment can be assured. Alongside the way in which, Clark handed Kelsey Plum yet one more time, setting the report for many factors in a single season. Iowa’s subsequent opponent, Colorado, represents one other veteran, bodily group — one the Hawkeyes beat in final yr’s Candy 16.
Up subsequent: vs. 5-seed Colorado (Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC)
No. 2 seeds
Notre Dame Preventing Irish
Authentic seed: No. 2 (Area 1 in Albany)
NCAA event outcomes: Defeated 15-seed Kent State 81-67; defeated 7-seed Ole Miss 71-56
With solely six wholesome gamers, the strategy is straightforward for Notre Dame: Depend on your finest gamers for manufacturing and keep out of foul hassle. To date, so good for the Irish, who’ve now gained 10 consecutive video games even with the slim roster. Hannah Hidalgo, Maddy Westbeld and Sonia Citron have scored 71% of Notre Dame’s factors by two video games, and nobody has fouled out but. Actually, Notre Dame solely put Ole Miss on the free throw line 11 instances in a recreation it dominated from begin to end. Led by Hidalgo and her nation-leading 4.6 steals per recreation, Notre Dame is a top-10 protection in factors allowed per play and has gotten higher within the postseason.
Up subsequent: 3-seed Oregon State (Friday, 2:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Paige Bueckers’ 32-point recreation helps UConn to thirtieth straight Candy 16
UConn star Paige Bueckers drops 32 factors to go along with 10 rebounds and 6 assists because the Huskies defeat Syracuse 72-64.
UConn Huskies
Authentic seed: No. 3 (Area 3 in Portland)
NCAA event outcomes: Defeated 14-seed Jackson State 86-64; defeated 6-seed Syracuse Orange 72-64
Is the shadow of Caitlin Clark so giant that it one way or the other has rendered Paige Bueckers underrated? Bueckers, coming off an ACL damage that sidelined her for all the 2022-23 season, is having a greater season than she did as a freshman in 2020-21, when she was the consensus nationwide participant of the yr (and the identical yr Clark started her profession at Iowa). And Bueckers has been even higher in two event video games, averaging 30.0 factors on 56.8% taking pictures. Throw 11.5 rebounds, 6.5 assists and three.5 steals in there too. No participant, besides maybe Clark, has contributed extra to a pair of wins than Bueckers, who can be taking part in in her third Candy 16 and the thirtieth straight for the Huskies.
Up subsequent: vs. 7-seed Duke (Saturday, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Stanford Cardinal
Authentic seed: No. 2 (Area 4 in Portland)
NCAA event outcomes: Defeated 15-seed Norfolk State 79-50; defeated 7-seed Iowa State 87-81 OT
In final yr’s second spherical, Stanford misplaced at house and failed to attain even 50 factors. Sunday at Maples Pavilion, the Cardinal gained a second-round recreation during which one among their gamers virtually bought to 50 by herself. With 41 factors and 16 rebounds, Kiki Iriafen carried Stanford into this system’s twenty ninth Candy 16 with a win over Iowa State in what was an on the spot traditional. All-American Cameron Brink was in foul hassle your entire recreation and fouled out in regulation with simply eight factors. That left issues to Iriafen, who missed solely two photographs within the fourth quarter and time beyond regulation and had 17 factors in that point. It marked the primary 40-point recreation for Iriafen, however she had scored over 30 twice this season, together with 36 in an in depth win over Oregon State in a recreation Brink missed. The Pac-12’s most improved participant has 58 factors by two video games.
Up subsequent: vs. 3-seed NC State (Friday, 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Kiki Iriafen’s 41 leads Stanford previous Iowa State in OT thriller
Stanford outlasts Iowa State in an time beyond regulation thriller to advance to the Candy 16 of the ladies’s NCAA event.
UCLA Bruins
Authentic seed: No. 2 (Area 2 in Albany)
NCAA event outcomes: Defeated 15-seed California Baptist 84-55; defeated 7-seed Creighton Bluejays 67-63
Two issues have change into evident in regards to the Bruins over the previous month: They are not on the similar degree they had been in November and December; and they’re nonetheless adequate, notably on protection, to get to the primary Ultimate 4 in program historical past. In fact, the caveat exists that the trail to Cleveland is blocked with LSU after which presumably Iowa. UCLA’s protection, which utterly shut down an excellent taking pictures, veteran Creighton group, primarily bought the Bruins by to a second consecutive Candy 16. Having a wholesome and constantly productive Lauren Betts, who had 20 factors in opposition to the Bluejays, is the opposite key. At 6-foot-7, she’s UCLA’s differentiator. No group left within the event besides South Carolina with Kamilla Cardoso has a participant that measurement and potential influence.
Up subsequent: 3-seed LSU (Saturday, 1 p.m. ET, ABC)
No. 3 seeds
LSU Tigers
Authentic seed: No. 3 (Area 2 in Albany)
NCAA event outcomes: Defeated 14-seed Rice 70-60; defeated 11-seed Center Tennessee 83-56
Kim Mulkey described a sluggish effort within the first spherical in opposition to Rice as “dangerous” and “ugly.” She might need described the primary half in opposition to Center Tennessee the identical method. Simply over a minute into the second half, the Convention USA champs led 41-32. Then LSU’s expertise took over in a flash and the outlook bought significantly better for the Tigers. Ten straight factors, 5 of which got here from freshman Mikaylah Williams, gave LSU the lead — and it was all Tigers from that time. The protection of the nationwide title was again on observe. Flau’jae Johnson led the way in which with 21 factors, and 76 of LSU’s 83 factors got here from 4 gamers: Johnson, Williams, Angel Reese and Aneesah Morrow.
Up subsequent: 2-seed UCLA (Saturday, 1 p.m. ET, ABC)
NC State Wolfpack
Authentic seed: No. 3 (Area 4 in Portland)
NCAA event outcomes: Defeated 14-seed Chattanooga 64-45; defeated 6-seed Tennessee 79-72
Maybe it wasn’t the Wolfpack offense struggling the previous few video games as a lot as they only wanted to get extra from Saniya Rivers. In opposition to the Woman Vols, they did. Rivers did not hit double figures in any of NC State’s three ACC event video games and, regardless of 16 factors within the first spherical in opposition to Chattanooga, she nonetheless did not seem like herself. However she did in tallying 20 factors, 6 rebounds and three blocks in opposition to the Woman Vols. The Wolfpack’s 44.8 discipline objective proportion was its highest since Feb 18. That included 61% taking pictures in a primary half during which NC State appeared like a unique group than it did in spherical one. The guard trio of Rivers, Aziaha James and Zoe Brooks mixed for 58 factors Monday, and the Wolfpack appeared extra just like the group that had convincing wins over fellow Candy 16 members Colorado, UConn, Notre Dame and Duke earlier this season.
Up subsequent: 2-seed Stanford (Friday, 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Oregon State Beavers
Authentic seed: No. 3 (Area 1 in Albany)
NCAA event outcomes: Defeated 14-seed Jap Washington 73-51; defeated 6-seed Nebraska 61-51
In March 2023, Talia von Oelhoffen was having surgical procedure to restore her knee whereas her group missed the NCAA event for the second straight yr. Quick-forward 12 months and she or he scored 19 factors and had eight assists to get the Beavers to their first Candy 16 in 5 years. As an early qualifying freshman, von Oelhoffen joined Oregon State in January 2021 (throughout what ought to have been her second semester of her senior yr of highschool) and have become the group’s fourth-leading scorer. She had a complete of 10 factors in NCAA event video games in opposition to Florida State and South Carolina. Now she’s the elder stateswoman on an even-better group that depends closely on two freshmen and two sophomores. One of many sophomores, Raegan Beers, is Scott Rueck’s finest participant, however von Oelhoffen, together with her expertise, is likely to be his most essential.
Up subsequent: vs. 3-seed Notre Dame (Friday, 2:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Indiana Hoosiers
Authentic seed: No. 4 (Area 1 in Albany)
NCAA event outcomes: Defeated 13-seed Fairfield 89-56; defeated 5-seed Oklahoma 75-68
Indiana, probably the greatest taking pictures groups within the nation, was pushed frequently by Oklahoma and finally needed to flip to protection. The Hoosiers are third within the nation in 2-point discipline objective proportion however missed 18 layups. They’re the leaders in 3-point proportion however missed 13-of-16 3s. This wasn’t imagined to be the method to get Indiana to a 3rd Candy 16 in 4 years. It was merely the profitable one. Mackenzie Holmes, who carried the Hoosiers on offense, disrupted two Sooners photographs and made a late steal within the game-deciding 10-0 run. Holmes scored 29 factors, 20 within the second half, in a recreation that was tied 10 instances and had 21 lead adjustments.
Up subsequent: vs. 1-seed South Carolina (Friday, 5 p.m. ET, ESPN)
No. 4 seeds
Reigan Richardson fuels Duke comeback with 28 factors
Reigan Richardson and Duke claw again from a double-digit deficit to upset Ohio State within the spherical of 32.
Gonzaga Bulldogs
Authentic seed: No. 4 (Area 4 in Portland)
NCAA event outcomes: Defeated 13-seed UC Irvine 75-56; defeated 5-seed Utah 77-66
The third-best 3-point taking pictures group within the nation hadn’t appeared prefer it currently. Gonzaga was simply 12-for-43 from past the arc in its final two video games. The droop ended in opposition to the Utes. The Zags equaled these 12 made 3s on simply 22 makes an attempt, taking pictures themselves into the applications first Candy 16 since 2015. That was the primary yr below present head coach Lisa Fortier after she had taken over for Kelly Graves. Sisters Kayleigh Truong and Kaylynne Truong — taking part in for the final time in McCarthey Athletic Heart in Spokane — mixed to hit seven 3-pointers, and put up Yvonne Ejim had 17 factors to increase her streak of video games scoring in double figures to 39.
Up subsequent: 1-seed Texas (Friday, 10 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Duke Blue Devils
Authentic seed: No. 7 (Area 3 in Portland)
NCAA event outcomes: Defeated 10-seed Richmond 72-61; defeated 2-seed Ohio State 75-63
Center Tennessee and Iowa State have the most important comebacks on this NCAA event, however the Blue Devils are the true comeback youngsters. Down 9 on the half, they steamrolled Richmond within the second half of their first-round assembly. Then Duke fell behind Ohio State by 16 within the second quarter Sunday solely to outscore the Buckeyes 43-27 on their house flooring within the second half to win going away. It was the second greatest upset of a event that has been marked by a lot chalk. Sophomore Reigan Richardson was Duke’s main scorer within the common season — at 12.4 PPG. She has greater than doubled that (26.5 PPG) on 21-for-36 taking pictures in two video games. Richardson was a second-team All-ACC honoree, however she joins Iriafen because the breakout stars of the event.
Up subsequent: 3-seed UConn
Baylor Bears
Authentic seed: No. 5 (Area 3 in Portland)
NCAA event outcomes: Defeated 12-seed Vanderbilt 80-63; defeated 4-seed Virginia Tech 75-72
Jada Walker picked an opportune night time to have the sport of her profession. And he or she truly had the sport of her profession in a single half. In two years at Kentucky and one at Baylor, Walker had by no means scored 26 factors in a recreation, not to mention in a single half. On Sunday, these included a half-court 3-pointer on the third-quarter buzzer and Baylor’s remaining 9 factors. The junior level guard completed with 28 factors and three assists. With out Walker’s clutch play, the Bears wouldn’t have survived a Hokies group taking part in with out star Elizabeth Kitley to get to their first Candy 16 below Nicki Collen.
Up subsequent: 1-seed USC (Saturday, 5:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Colorado Buffaloes
Authentic seed: No. 5 (Area 2 in Albany)
NCAA event outcomes: Defeated 12-seed Drake 86-72; defeated Kansas State 63-50
How good was Colorado’s protection in opposition to Kansas State? The Buffaloes did not rating for the primary 6:18 of the fourth quarter of a decent recreation — and nonetheless gained by double figures. They put the clamps on Wildcats star Ayoka Lee (10 factors, 9 photographs) all recreation lengthy and compelled 22 turnovers, but it surely was the mere 15 factors Colorado allowed within the second half that gained the sport. That bought the Buffs to their second straight Candy 16 after not having made it this far within the NCAA event in 20 years.
Up subsequent: 1-seed Iowa (Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC)
Among the chalk from the primary two days of the NCAA event has been erased. However not a lot.
Two No. 5 seeds and a No. 7 broke by to the Candy 16. And the highest 4 seeds superior to the regional semifinals in two areas — Albany 1 and Portland 4.
The true story of the ladies’s NCAA event are the comebacks and shut calls. LSU and Duke every needed to overcome double-digit deficits within the second spherical. Iowa, UCLA, Indiana, Stanford, Colorado and Baylor all trailed within the second half earlier than clinching a spot within the Candy 16. UConn bought a late scare from Syracuse.
Certain, the outcomes have principally adopted the seeds. That does not imply all of it was simple.
The one actually massive upset of the second spherical — No. 7 Duke bouncing No. 2 Ohio State in Columbus — shook up the seeds a bit as we reseed the sector forward of the regional semifinals. The No. 1s are the identical, however Iowa was near falling off the highest line with its squeaker at house in opposition to West Virginia.
The excellent news about few upsets within the first 4 days is that the following 4 recreation days might be historic. LSU vs. UCLA and Oregon State vs. Notre Dame, with Texas vs. Stanford and Iowa vs. the Tigers or the Bruins doubtlessly on the horizon. A recreation with Paige Bueckers and JuJu Watkins on the identical courtroom can be a must-see.
Absorb how the brand new bracket would look with some fine-tuning — and prepare to tip it off once more Friday.
No. 1 seeds
South Carolina performs flawless basketball in rout of UNC
The Gamecocks are on to the Candy 16 after dominating North Carolina in an 88-41 win.
South Carolina Gamecocks
Authentic seed: No. 1 total (Area 1 in Albany)
NCAA event outcomes: Defeated 16-seed Presbyterian 91-39; defeated 8-seed North Carolina 88-41
Daybreak Staley mentioned after Sunday’s recreation in opposition to North Carolina that it was the Gamecocks’ finest efficiency in a very long time. Aside from its two victories over Kentucky, Sunday’s 47-point win is South Carolina’s largest margin of victory over a Energy 5 opponent this season. It is exhausting to think about the Gamecocks taking part in any higher than hanging that lopsided win on the Tar Heels after beating them by simply seven early within the season. It is also exhausting to think about anybody beating the Gamecocks in the event that they play at this degree. For many of the season, the dialogue of South Carolina’s finest participant was about Kamilla Cardoso and Te-Hina Paopao. The reply as we speak is likely to be MiLaysia Fulwiley. The freshman, who was additionally the MVP of the SEC event, racked up 20 factors with 4 3-pointers, 9 rebounds, 3 steals and three blocks, and she or he has led South Carolina in scoring in three of its previous 4 video games.
Up subsequent: vs. 4-seed Indiana (Friday, 5 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Texas Longhorns
Authentic seed: No. 1 (Area 4 in Portland)
NCAA event outcomes: Defeated 16-seed Drexel 82-42; defeated 8-seed Alabama 65-54
Madison Booker’s transition from ahead to level guard after Rori Harmon’s damage is exceptional sufficient. That she is aware of precisely what her group wants of her recreation to recreation is savvy and basketball IQ that few gamers have, not to mention a freshman taking part in in her first NCAA event. She took simply 11 photographs and located teammates to the tune of 14 assists in opposition to Drexel. Within the win over Alabama, she appeared for her shot instantly and scored eight of her 21 factors within the first quarter, together with the Longhorns’ first two buckets in a recreation during which they by no means trailed.
Up subsequent: 4-seed Gonzaga (Friday, 10 p.m. ET, ESPN)
USC Trojans
Authentic seed: No. 1 (Area 3 in Portland)
NCAA event outcomes: Defeated 16-seed Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 87-55; defeated 8-seed Kansas 73-55
The final time USC was within the Candy 16, JuJu Watkins wasn’t born but. However she has definitely given rebirth to this system. Her 28 factors led the way in which Sunday, but it surely was the 5 factors late within the third quarter that mattered most. A recreation that USC had utterly managed was one way or the other slipping away. 9 straight factors by Kansas lower the Trojan result in one. A 3-pointer by Watkins, adopted by two free throws, restored the cushion. Watkins then assisted on Kayla Padilla’s 3-pointer early within the fourth. The lead was again to 10 and USC was on its method the Candy 16 for the primary time since 1994.
Up subsequent: 5-seed Baylor (Saturday, 5:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Iowa holds off West Virginia in a nail-biter to achieve Candy 16
Caitlin Clark’s record-breaking efficiency propels Iowa to victory in a hard-fought battle, setting the stage for a Candy 16 matchup in opposition to Colorado.
Iowa Hawkeyes
Authentic seed: No. 1 (Area 2 in Albany)
NCAA event outcomes: Defeated Holy Cross 91-65; defeated West Virginia 64-54
A sigh of aid was felt throughout Iowa when the Hawkeyes survived West Virginia. Caitlin Clark performs on. Her 32 factors did not come simply, because the Mountaineers outlined the sport’s type: bodily and plodding. That Clark equaled her season low with simply three assists attests to simply how good West Virginia’s gameplan was. It wasn’t till a 12-2 run within the remaining two minutes — sparked by a Sydney Affolter 3-point play and cemented by six Clark free throws — {that a} win in Clark’s remaining recreation at Carver-Hawkeye Enviornment can be assured. Alongside the way in which, Clark handed Kelsey Plum yet one more time, setting the report for many factors in a single season. Iowa’s subsequent opponent, Colorado, represents one other veteran, bodily group — one the Hawkeyes beat in final yr’s Candy 16.
Up subsequent: vs. 5-seed Colorado (Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC)
No. 2 seeds
Notre Dame Preventing Irish
Authentic seed: No. 2 (Area 1 in Albany)
NCAA event outcomes: Defeated 15-seed Kent State 81-67; defeated 7-seed Ole Miss 71-56
With solely six wholesome gamers, the strategy is straightforward for Notre Dame: Depend on your finest gamers for manufacturing and keep out of foul hassle. To date, so good for the Irish, who’ve now gained 10 consecutive video games even with the slim roster. Hannah Hidalgo, Maddy Westbeld and Sonia Citron have scored 71% of Notre Dame’s factors by two video games, and nobody has fouled out but. Actually, Notre Dame solely put Ole Miss on the free throw line 11 instances in a recreation it dominated from begin to end. Led by Hidalgo and her nation-leading 4.6 steals per recreation, Notre Dame is a top-10 protection in factors allowed per play and has gotten higher within the postseason.
Up subsequent: 3-seed Oregon State (Friday, 2:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Paige Bueckers’ 32-point recreation helps UConn to thirtieth straight Candy 16
UConn star Paige Bueckers drops 32 factors to go along with 10 rebounds and 6 assists because the Huskies defeat Syracuse 72-64.
UConn Huskies
Authentic seed: No. 3 (Area 3 in Portland)
NCAA event outcomes: Defeated 14-seed Jackson State 86-64; defeated 6-seed Syracuse Orange 72-64
Is the shadow of Caitlin Clark so giant that it one way or the other has rendered Paige Bueckers underrated? Bueckers, coming off an ACL damage that sidelined her for all the 2022-23 season, is having a greater season than she did as a freshman in 2020-21, when she was the consensus nationwide participant of the yr (and the identical yr Clark started her profession at Iowa). And Bueckers has been even higher in two event video games, averaging 30.0 factors on 56.8% taking pictures. Throw 11.5 rebounds, 6.5 assists and three.5 steals in there too. No participant, besides maybe Clark, has contributed extra to a pair of wins than Bueckers, who can be taking part in in her third Candy 16 and the thirtieth straight for the Huskies.
Up subsequent: vs. 7-seed Duke (Saturday, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Stanford Cardinal
Authentic seed: No. 2 (Area 4 in Portland)
NCAA event outcomes: Defeated 15-seed Norfolk State 79-50; defeated 7-seed Iowa State 87-81 OT
In final yr’s second spherical, Stanford misplaced at house and failed to attain even 50 factors. Sunday at Maples Pavilion, the Cardinal gained a second-round recreation during which one among their gamers virtually bought to 50 by herself. With 41 factors and 16 rebounds, Kiki Iriafen carried Stanford into this system’s twenty ninth Candy 16 with a win over Iowa State in what was an on the spot traditional. All-American Cameron Brink was in foul hassle your entire recreation and fouled out in regulation with simply eight factors. That left issues to Iriafen, who missed solely two photographs within the fourth quarter and time beyond regulation and had 17 factors in that point. It marked the primary 40-point recreation for Iriafen, however she had scored over 30 twice this season, together with 36 in an in depth win over Oregon State in a recreation Brink missed. The Pac-12’s most improved participant has 58 factors by two video games.
Up subsequent: vs. 3-seed NC State (Friday, 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Kiki Iriafen’s 41 leads Stanford previous Iowa State in OT thriller
Stanford outlasts Iowa State in an time beyond regulation thriller to advance to the Candy 16 of the ladies’s NCAA event.
UCLA Bruins
Authentic seed: No. 2 (Area 2 in Albany)
NCAA event outcomes: Defeated 15-seed California Baptist 84-55; defeated 7-seed Creighton Bluejays 67-63
Two issues have change into evident in regards to the Bruins over the previous month: They are not on the similar degree they had been in November and December; and they’re nonetheless adequate, notably on protection, to get to the primary Ultimate 4 in program historical past. In fact, the caveat exists that the trail to Cleveland is blocked with LSU after which presumably Iowa. UCLA’s protection, which utterly shut down an excellent taking pictures, veteran Creighton group, primarily bought the Bruins by to a second consecutive Candy 16. Having a wholesome and constantly productive Lauren Betts, who had 20 factors in opposition to the Bluejays, is the opposite key. At 6-foot-7, she’s UCLA’s differentiator. No group left within the event besides South Carolina with Kamilla Cardoso has a participant that measurement and potential influence.
Up subsequent: 3-seed LSU (Saturday, 1 p.m. ET, ABC)
No. 3 seeds
LSU Tigers
Authentic seed: No. 3 (Area 2 in Albany)
NCAA event outcomes: Defeated 14-seed Rice 70-60; defeated 11-seed Center Tennessee 83-56
Kim Mulkey described a sluggish effort within the first spherical in opposition to Rice as “dangerous” and “ugly.” She might need described the primary half in opposition to Center Tennessee the identical method. Simply over a minute into the second half, the Convention USA champs led 41-32. Then LSU’s expertise took over in a flash and the outlook bought significantly better for the Tigers. Ten straight factors, 5 of which got here from freshman Mikaylah Williams, gave LSU the lead — and it was all Tigers from that time. The protection of the nationwide title was again on observe. Flau’jae Johnson led the way in which with 21 factors, and 76 of LSU’s 83 factors got here from 4 gamers: Johnson, Williams, Angel Reese and Aneesah Morrow.
Up subsequent: 2-seed UCLA (Saturday, 1 p.m. ET, ABC)
NC State Wolfpack
Authentic seed: No. 3 (Area 4 in Portland)
NCAA event outcomes: Defeated 14-seed Chattanooga 64-45; defeated 6-seed Tennessee 79-72
Maybe it wasn’t the Wolfpack offense struggling the previous few video games as a lot as they only wanted to get extra from Saniya Rivers. In opposition to the Woman Vols, they did. Rivers did not hit double figures in any of NC State’s three ACC event video games and, regardless of 16 factors within the first spherical in opposition to Chattanooga, she nonetheless did not seem like herself. However she did in tallying 20 factors, 6 rebounds and three blocks in opposition to the Woman Vols. The Wolfpack’s 44.8 discipline objective proportion was its highest since Feb 18. That included 61% taking pictures in a primary half during which NC State appeared like a unique group than it did in spherical one. The guard trio of Rivers, Aziaha James and Zoe Brooks mixed for 58 factors Monday, and the Wolfpack appeared extra just like the group that had convincing wins over fellow Candy 16 members Colorado, UConn, Notre Dame and Duke earlier this season.
Up subsequent: 2-seed Stanford (Friday, 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Oregon State Beavers
Authentic seed: No. 3 (Area 1 in Albany)
NCAA event outcomes: Defeated 14-seed Jap Washington 73-51; defeated 6-seed Nebraska 61-51
In March 2023, Talia von Oelhoffen was having surgical procedure to restore her knee whereas her group missed the NCAA event for the second straight yr. Quick-forward 12 months and she or he scored 19 factors and had eight assists to get the Beavers to their first Candy 16 in 5 years. As an early qualifying freshman, von Oelhoffen joined Oregon State in January 2021 (throughout what ought to have been her second semester of her senior yr of highschool) and have become the group’s fourth-leading scorer. She had a complete of 10 factors in NCAA event video games in opposition to Florida State and South Carolina. Now she’s the elder stateswoman on an even-better group that depends closely on two freshmen and two sophomores. One of many sophomores, Raegan Beers, is Scott Rueck’s finest participant, however von Oelhoffen, together with her expertise, is likely to be his most essential.
Up subsequent: vs. 3-seed Notre Dame (Friday, 2:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Indiana Hoosiers
Authentic seed: No. 4 (Area 1 in Albany)
NCAA event outcomes: Defeated 13-seed Fairfield 89-56; defeated 5-seed Oklahoma 75-68
Indiana, probably the greatest taking pictures groups within the nation, was pushed frequently by Oklahoma and finally needed to flip to protection. The Hoosiers are third within the nation in 2-point discipline objective proportion however missed 18 layups. They’re the leaders in 3-point proportion however missed 13-of-16 3s. This wasn’t imagined to be the method to get Indiana to a 3rd Candy 16 in 4 years. It was merely the profitable one. Mackenzie Holmes, who carried the Hoosiers on offense, disrupted two Sooners photographs and made a late steal within the game-deciding 10-0 run. Holmes scored 29 factors, 20 within the second half, in a recreation that was tied 10 instances and had 21 lead adjustments.
Up subsequent: vs. 1-seed South Carolina (Friday, 5 p.m. ET, ESPN)
No. 4 seeds
Reigan Richardson fuels Duke comeback with 28 factors
Reigan Richardson and Duke claw again from a double-digit deficit to upset Ohio State within the spherical of 32.
Gonzaga Bulldogs
Authentic seed: No. 4 (Area 4 in Portland)
NCAA event outcomes: Defeated 13-seed UC Irvine 75-56; defeated 5-seed Utah 77-66
The third-best 3-point taking pictures group within the nation hadn’t appeared prefer it currently. Gonzaga was simply 12-for-43 from past the arc in its final two video games. The droop ended in opposition to the Utes. The Zags equaled these 12 made 3s on simply 22 makes an attempt, taking pictures themselves into the applications first Candy 16 since 2015. That was the primary yr below present head coach Lisa Fortier after she had taken over for Kelly Graves. Sisters Kayleigh Truong and Kaylynne Truong — taking part in for the final time in McCarthey Athletic Heart in Spokane — mixed to hit seven 3-pointers, and put up Yvonne Ejim had 17 factors to increase her streak of video games scoring in double figures to 39.
Up subsequent: 1-seed Texas (Friday, 10 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Duke Blue Devils
Authentic seed: No. 7 (Area 3 in Portland)
NCAA event outcomes: Defeated 10-seed Richmond 72-61; defeated 2-seed Ohio State 75-63
Center Tennessee and Iowa State have the most important comebacks on this NCAA event, however the Blue Devils are the true comeback youngsters. Down 9 on the half, they steamrolled Richmond within the second half of their first-round assembly. Then Duke fell behind Ohio State by 16 within the second quarter Sunday solely to outscore the Buckeyes 43-27 on their house flooring within the second half to win going away. It was the second greatest upset of a event that has been marked by a lot chalk. Sophomore Reigan Richardson was Duke’s main scorer within the common season — at 12.4 PPG. She has greater than doubled that (26.5 PPG) on 21-for-36 taking pictures in two video games. Richardson was a second-team All-ACC honoree, however she joins Iriafen because the breakout stars of the event.
Up subsequent: 3-seed UConn
Baylor Bears
Authentic seed: No. 5 (Area 3 in Portland)
NCAA event outcomes: Defeated 12-seed Vanderbilt 80-63; defeated 4-seed Virginia Tech 75-72
Jada Walker picked an opportune night time to have the sport of her profession. And he or she truly had the sport of her profession in a single half. In two years at Kentucky and one at Baylor, Walker had by no means scored 26 factors in a recreation, not to mention in a single half. On Sunday, these included a half-court 3-pointer on the third-quarter buzzer and Baylor’s remaining 9 factors. The junior level guard completed with 28 factors and three assists. With out Walker’s clutch play, the Bears wouldn’t have survived a Hokies group taking part in with out star Elizabeth Kitley to get to their first Candy 16 below Nicki Collen.
Up subsequent: 1-seed USC (Saturday, 5:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Colorado Buffaloes
Authentic seed: No. 5 (Area 2 in Albany)
NCAA event outcomes: Defeated 12-seed Drake 86-72; defeated Kansas State 63-50
How good was Colorado’s protection in opposition to Kansas State? The Buffaloes did not rating for the primary 6:18 of the fourth quarter of a decent recreation — and nonetheless gained by double figures. They put the clamps on Wildcats star Ayoka Lee (10 factors, 9 photographs) all recreation lengthy and compelled 22 turnovers, but it surely was the mere 15 factors Colorado allowed within the second half that gained the sport. That bought the Buffs to their second straight Candy 16 after not having made it this far within the NCAA event in 20 years.
Up subsequent: 1-seed Iowa (Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC)
Among the chalk from the primary two days of the NCAA event has been erased. However not a lot.
Two No. 5 seeds and a No. 7 broke by to the Candy 16. And the highest 4 seeds superior to the regional semifinals in two areas — Albany 1 and Portland 4.
The true story of the ladies’s NCAA event are the comebacks and shut calls. LSU and Duke every needed to overcome double-digit deficits within the second spherical. Iowa, UCLA, Indiana, Stanford, Colorado and Baylor all trailed within the second half earlier than clinching a spot within the Candy 16. UConn bought a late scare from Syracuse.
Certain, the outcomes have principally adopted the seeds. That does not imply all of it was simple.
The one actually massive upset of the second spherical — No. 7 Duke bouncing No. 2 Ohio State in Columbus — shook up the seeds a bit as we reseed the sector forward of the regional semifinals. The No. 1s are the identical, however Iowa was near falling off the highest line with its squeaker at house in opposition to West Virginia.
The excellent news about few upsets within the first 4 days is that the following 4 recreation days might be historic. LSU vs. UCLA and Oregon State vs. Notre Dame, with Texas vs. Stanford and Iowa vs. the Tigers or the Bruins doubtlessly on the horizon. A recreation with Paige Bueckers and JuJu Watkins on the identical courtroom can be a must-see.
Absorb how the brand new bracket would look with some fine-tuning — and prepare to tip it off once more Friday.
No. 1 seeds
South Carolina performs flawless basketball in rout of UNC
The Gamecocks are on to the Candy 16 after dominating North Carolina in an 88-41 win.
South Carolina Gamecocks
Authentic seed: No. 1 total (Area 1 in Albany)
NCAA event outcomes: Defeated 16-seed Presbyterian 91-39; defeated 8-seed North Carolina 88-41
Daybreak Staley mentioned after Sunday’s recreation in opposition to North Carolina that it was the Gamecocks’ finest efficiency in a very long time. Aside from its two victories over Kentucky, Sunday’s 47-point win is South Carolina’s largest margin of victory over a Energy 5 opponent this season. It is exhausting to think about the Gamecocks taking part in any higher than hanging that lopsided win on the Tar Heels after beating them by simply seven early within the season. It is also exhausting to think about anybody beating the Gamecocks in the event that they play at this degree. For many of the season, the dialogue of South Carolina’s finest participant was about Kamilla Cardoso and Te-Hina Paopao. The reply as we speak is likely to be MiLaysia Fulwiley. The freshman, who was additionally the MVP of the SEC event, racked up 20 factors with 4 3-pointers, 9 rebounds, 3 steals and three blocks, and she or he has led South Carolina in scoring in three of its previous 4 video games.
Up subsequent: vs. 4-seed Indiana (Friday, 5 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Texas Longhorns
Authentic seed: No. 1 (Area 4 in Portland)
NCAA event outcomes: Defeated 16-seed Drexel 82-42; defeated 8-seed Alabama 65-54
Madison Booker’s transition from ahead to level guard after Rori Harmon’s damage is exceptional sufficient. That she is aware of precisely what her group wants of her recreation to recreation is savvy and basketball IQ that few gamers have, not to mention a freshman taking part in in her first NCAA event. She took simply 11 photographs and located teammates to the tune of 14 assists in opposition to Drexel. Within the win over Alabama, she appeared for her shot instantly and scored eight of her 21 factors within the first quarter, together with the Longhorns’ first two buckets in a recreation during which they by no means trailed.
Up subsequent: 4-seed Gonzaga (Friday, 10 p.m. ET, ESPN)
USC Trojans
Authentic seed: No. 1 (Area 3 in Portland)
NCAA event outcomes: Defeated 16-seed Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 87-55; defeated 8-seed Kansas 73-55
The final time USC was within the Candy 16, JuJu Watkins wasn’t born but. However she has definitely given rebirth to this system. Her 28 factors led the way in which Sunday, but it surely was the 5 factors late within the third quarter that mattered most. A recreation that USC had utterly managed was one way or the other slipping away. 9 straight factors by Kansas lower the Trojan result in one. A 3-pointer by Watkins, adopted by two free throws, restored the cushion. Watkins then assisted on Kayla Padilla’s 3-pointer early within the fourth. The lead was again to 10 and USC was on its method the Candy 16 for the primary time since 1994.
Up subsequent: 5-seed Baylor (Saturday, 5:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Iowa holds off West Virginia in a nail-biter to achieve Candy 16
Caitlin Clark’s record-breaking efficiency propels Iowa to victory in a hard-fought battle, setting the stage for a Candy 16 matchup in opposition to Colorado.
Iowa Hawkeyes
Authentic seed: No. 1 (Area 2 in Albany)
NCAA event outcomes: Defeated Holy Cross 91-65; defeated West Virginia 64-54
A sigh of aid was felt throughout Iowa when the Hawkeyes survived West Virginia. Caitlin Clark performs on. Her 32 factors did not come simply, because the Mountaineers outlined the sport’s type: bodily and plodding. That Clark equaled her season low with simply three assists attests to simply how good West Virginia’s gameplan was. It wasn’t till a 12-2 run within the remaining two minutes — sparked by a Sydney Affolter 3-point play and cemented by six Clark free throws — {that a} win in Clark’s remaining recreation at Carver-Hawkeye Enviornment can be assured. Alongside the way in which, Clark handed Kelsey Plum yet one more time, setting the report for many factors in a single season. Iowa’s subsequent opponent, Colorado, represents one other veteran, bodily group — one the Hawkeyes beat in final yr’s Candy 16.
Up subsequent: vs. 5-seed Colorado (Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC)
No. 2 seeds
Notre Dame Preventing Irish
Authentic seed: No. 2 (Area 1 in Albany)
NCAA event outcomes: Defeated 15-seed Kent State 81-67; defeated 7-seed Ole Miss 71-56
With solely six wholesome gamers, the strategy is straightforward for Notre Dame: Depend on your finest gamers for manufacturing and keep out of foul hassle. To date, so good for the Irish, who’ve now gained 10 consecutive video games even with the slim roster. Hannah Hidalgo, Maddy Westbeld and Sonia Citron have scored 71% of Notre Dame’s factors by two video games, and nobody has fouled out but. Actually, Notre Dame solely put Ole Miss on the free throw line 11 instances in a recreation it dominated from begin to end. Led by Hidalgo and her nation-leading 4.6 steals per recreation, Notre Dame is a top-10 protection in factors allowed per play and has gotten higher within the postseason.
Up subsequent: 3-seed Oregon State (Friday, 2:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Paige Bueckers’ 32-point recreation helps UConn to thirtieth straight Candy 16
UConn star Paige Bueckers drops 32 factors to go along with 10 rebounds and 6 assists because the Huskies defeat Syracuse 72-64.
UConn Huskies
Authentic seed: No. 3 (Area 3 in Portland)
NCAA event outcomes: Defeated 14-seed Jackson State 86-64; defeated 6-seed Syracuse Orange 72-64
Is the shadow of Caitlin Clark so giant that it one way or the other has rendered Paige Bueckers underrated? Bueckers, coming off an ACL damage that sidelined her for all the 2022-23 season, is having a greater season than she did as a freshman in 2020-21, when she was the consensus nationwide participant of the yr (and the identical yr Clark started her profession at Iowa). And Bueckers has been even higher in two event video games, averaging 30.0 factors on 56.8% taking pictures. Throw 11.5 rebounds, 6.5 assists and three.5 steals in there too. No participant, besides maybe Clark, has contributed extra to a pair of wins than Bueckers, who can be taking part in in her third Candy 16 and the thirtieth straight for the Huskies.
Up subsequent: vs. 7-seed Duke (Saturday, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Stanford Cardinal
Authentic seed: No. 2 (Area 4 in Portland)
NCAA event outcomes: Defeated 15-seed Norfolk State 79-50; defeated 7-seed Iowa State 87-81 OT
In final yr’s second spherical, Stanford misplaced at house and failed to attain even 50 factors. Sunday at Maples Pavilion, the Cardinal gained a second-round recreation during which one among their gamers virtually bought to 50 by herself. With 41 factors and 16 rebounds, Kiki Iriafen carried Stanford into this system’s twenty ninth Candy 16 with a win over Iowa State in what was an on the spot traditional. All-American Cameron Brink was in foul hassle your entire recreation and fouled out in regulation with simply eight factors. That left issues to Iriafen, who missed solely two photographs within the fourth quarter and time beyond regulation and had 17 factors in that point. It marked the primary 40-point recreation for Iriafen, however she had scored over 30 twice this season, together with 36 in an in depth win over Oregon State in a recreation Brink missed. The Pac-12’s most improved participant has 58 factors by two video games.
Up subsequent: vs. 3-seed NC State (Friday, 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Kiki Iriafen’s 41 leads Stanford previous Iowa State in OT thriller
Stanford outlasts Iowa State in an time beyond regulation thriller to advance to the Candy 16 of the ladies’s NCAA event.
UCLA Bruins
Authentic seed: No. 2 (Area 2 in Albany)
NCAA event outcomes: Defeated 15-seed California Baptist 84-55; defeated 7-seed Creighton Bluejays 67-63
Two issues have change into evident in regards to the Bruins over the previous month: They are not on the similar degree they had been in November and December; and they’re nonetheless adequate, notably on protection, to get to the primary Ultimate 4 in program historical past. In fact, the caveat exists that the trail to Cleveland is blocked with LSU after which presumably Iowa. UCLA’s protection, which utterly shut down an excellent taking pictures, veteran Creighton group, primarily bought the Bruins by to a second consecutive Candy 16. Having a wholesome and constantly productive Lauren Betts, who had 20 factors in opposition to the Bluejays, is the opposite key. At 6-foot-7, she’s UCLA’s differentiator. No group left within the event besides South Carolina with Kamilla Cardoso has a participant that measurement and potential influence.
Up subsequent: 3-seed LSU (Saturday, 1 p.m. ET, ABC)
No. 3 seeds
LSU Tigers
Authentic seed: No. 3 (Area 2 in Albany)
NCAA event outcomes: Defeated 14-seed Rice 70-60; defeated 11-seed Center Tennessee 83-56
Kim Mulkey described a sluggish effort within the first spherical in opposition to Rice as “dangerous” and “ugly.” She might need described the primary half in opposition to Center Tennessee the identical method. Simply over a minute into the second half, the Convention USA champs led 41-32. Then LSU’s expertise took over in a flash and the outlook bought significantly better for the Tigers. Ten straight factors, 5 of which got here from freshman Mikaylah Williams, gave LSU the lead — and it was all Tigers from that time. The protection of the nationwide title was again on observe. Flau’jae Johnson led the way in which with 21 factors, and 76 of LSU’s 83 factors got here from 4 gamers: Johnson, Williams, Angel Reese and Aneesah Morrow.
Up subsequent: 2-seed UCLA (Saturday, 1 p.m. ET, ABC)
NC State Wolfpack
Authentic seed: No. 3 (Area 4 in Portland)
NCAA event outcomes: Defeated 14-seed Chattanooga 64-45; defeated 6-seed Tennessee 79-72
Maybe it wasn’t the Wolfpack offense struggling the previous few video games as a lot as they only wanted to get extra from Saniya Rivers. In opposition to the Woman Vols, they did. Rivers did not hit double figures in any of NC State’s three ACC event video games and, regardless of 16 factors within the first spherical in opposition to Chattanooga, she nonetheless did not seem like herself. However she did in tallying 20 factors, 6 rebounds and three blocks in opposition to the Woman Vols. The Wolfpack’s 44.8 discipline objective proportion was its highest since Feb 18. That included 61% taking pictures in a primary half during which NC State appeared like a unique group than it did in spherical one. The guard trio of Rivers, Aziaha James and Zoe Brooks mixed for 58 factors Monday, and the Wolfpack appeared extra just like the group that had convincing wins over fellow Candy 16 members Colorado, UConn, Notre Dame and Duke earlier this season.
Up subsequent: 2-seed Stanford (Friday, 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Oregon State Beavers
Authentic seed: No. 3 (Area 1 in Albany)
NCAA event outcomes: Defeated 14-seed Jap Washington 73-51; defeated 6-seed Nebraska 61-51
In March 2023, Talia von Oelhoffen was having surgical procedure to restore her knee whereas her group missed the NCAA event for the second straight yr. Quick-forward 12 months and she or he scored 19 factors and had eight assists to get the Beavers to their first Candy 16 in 5 years. As an early qualifying freshman, von Oelhoffen joined Oregon State in January 2021 (throughout what ought to have been her second semester of her senior yr of highschool) and have become the group’s fourth-leading scorer. She had a complete of 10 factors in NCAA event video games in opposition to Florida State and South Carolina. Now she’s the elder stateswoman on an even-better group that depends closely on two freshmen and two sophomores. One of many sophomores, Raegan Beers, is Scott Rueck’s finest participant, however von Oelhoffen, together with her expertise, is likely to be his most essential.
Up subsequent: vs. 3-seed Notre Dame (Friday, 2:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Indiana Hoosiers
Authentic seed: No. 4 (Area 1 in Albany)
NCAA event outcomes: Defeated 13-seed Fairfield 89-56; defeated 5-seed Oklahoma 75-68
Indiana, probably the greatest taking pictures groups within the nation, was pushed frequently by Oklahoma and finally needed to flip to protection. The Hoosiers are third within the nation in 2-point discipline objective proportion however missed 18 layups. They’re the leaders in 3-point proportion however missed 13-of-16 3s. This wasn’t imagined to be the method to get Indiana to a 3rd Candy 16 in 4 years. It was merely the profitable one. Mackenzie Holmes, who carried the Hoosiers on offense, disrupted two Sooners photographs and made a late steal within the game-deciding 10-0 run. Holmes scored 29 factors, 20 within the second half, in a recreation that was tied 10 instances and had 21 lead adjustments.
Up subsequent: vs. 1-seed South Carolina (Friday, 5 p.m. ET, ESPN)
No. 4 seeds
Reigan Richardson fuels Duke comeback with 28 factors
Reigan Richardson and Duke claw again from a double-digit deficit to upset Ohio State within the spherical of 32.
Gonzaga Bulldogs
Authentic seed: No. 4 (Area 4 in Portland)
NCAA event outcomes: Defeated 13-seed UC Irvine 75-56; defeated 5-seed Utah 77-66
The third-best 3-point taking pictures group within the nation hadn’t appeared prefer it currently. Gonzaga was simply 12-for-43 from past the arc in its final two video games. The droop ended in opposition to the Utes. The Zags equaled these 12 made 3s on simply 22 makes an attempt, taking pictures themselves into the applications first Candy 16 since 2015. That was the primary yr below present head coach Lisa Fortier after she had taken over for Kelly Graves. Sisters Kayleigh Truong and Kaylynne Truong — taking part in for the final time in McCarthey Athletic Heart in Spokane — mixed to hit seven 3-pointers, and put up Yvonne Ejim had 17 factors to increase her streak of video games scoring in double figures to 39.
Up subsequent: 1-seed Texas (Friday, 10 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Duke Blue Devils
Authentic seed: No. 7 (Area 3 in Portland)
NCAA event outcomes: Defeated 10-seed Richmond 72-61; defeated 2-seed Ohio State 75-63
Center Tennessee and Iowa State have the most important comebacks on this NCAA event, however the Blue Devils are the true comeback youngsters. Down 9 on the half, they steamrolled Richmond within the second half of their first-round assembly. Then Duke fell behind Ohio State by 16 within the second quarter Sunday solely to outscore the Buckeyes 43-27 on their house flooring within the second half to win going away. It was the second greatest upset of a event that has been marked by a lot chalk. Sophomore Reigan Richardson was Duke’s main scorer within the common season — at 12.4 PPG. She has greater than doubled that (26.5 PPG) on 21-for-36 taking pictures in two video games. Richardson was a second-team All-ACC honoree, however she joins Iriafen because the breakout stars of the event.
Up subsequent: 3-seed UConn
Baylor Bears
Authentic seed: No. 5 (Area 3 in Portland)
NCAA event outcomes: Defeated 12-seed Vanderbilt 80-63; defeated 4-seed Virginia Tech 75-72
Jada Walker picked an opportune night time to have the sport of her profession. And he or she truly had the sport of her profession in a single half. In two years at Kentucky and one at Baylor, Walker had by no means scored 26 factors in a recreation, not to mention in a single half. On Sunday, these included a half-court 3-pointer on the third-quarter buzzer and Baylor’s remaining 9 factors. The junior level guard completed with 28 factors and three assists. With out Walker’s clutch play, the Bears wouldn’t have survived a Hokies group taking part in with out star Elizabeth Kitley to get to their first Candy 16 below Nicki Collen.
Up subsequent: 1-seed USC (Saturday, 5:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Colorado Buffaloes
Authentic seed: No. 5 (Area 2 in Albany)
NCAA event outcomes: Defeated 12-seed Drake 86-72; defeated Kansas State 63-50
How good was Colorado’s protection in opposition to Kansas State? The Buffaloes did not rating for the primary 6:18 of the fourth quarter of a decent recreation — and nonetheless gained by double figures. They put the clamps on Wildcats star Ayoka Lee (10 factors, 9 photographs) all recreation lengthy and compelled 22 turnovers, but it surely was the mere 15 factors Colorado allowed within the second half that gained the sport. That bought the Buffs to their second straight Candy 16 after not having made it this far within the NCAA event in 20 years.
Up subsequent: 1-seed Iowa (Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC)
Among the chalk from the primary two days of the NCAA event has been erased. However not a lot.
Two No. 5 seeds and a No. 7 broke by to the Candy 16. And the highest 4 seeds superior to the regional semifinals in two areas — Albany 1 and Portland 4.
The true story of the ladies’s NCAA event are the comebacks and shut calls. LSU and Duke every needed to overcome double-digit deficits within the second spherical. Iowa, UCLA, Indiana, Stanford, Colorado and Baylor all trailed within the second half earlier than clinching a spot within the Candy 16. UConn bought a late scare from Syracuse.
Certain, the outcomes have principally adopted the seeds. That does not imply all of it was simple.
The one actually massive upset of the second spherical — No. 7 Duke bouncing No. 2 Ohio State in Columbus — shook up the seeds a bit as we reseed the sector forward of the regional semifinals. The No. 1s are the identical, however Iowa was near falling off the highest line with its squeaker at house in opposition to West Virginia.
The excellent news about few upsets within the first 4 days is that the following 4 recreation days might be historic. LSU vs. UCLA and Oregon State vs. Notre Dame, with Texas vs. Stanford and Iowa vs. the Tigers or the Bruins doubtlessly on the horizon. A recreation with Paige Bueckers and JuJu Watkins on the identical courtroom can be a must-see.
Absorb how the brand new bracket would look with some fine-tuning — and prepare to tip it off once more Friday.
No. 1 seeds
South Carolina performs flawless basketball in rout of UNC
The Gamecocks are on to the Candy 16 after dominating North Carolina in an 88-41 win.
South Carolina Gamecocks
Authentic seed: No. 1 total (Area 1 in Albany)
NCAA event outcomes: Defeated 16-seed Presbyterian 91-39; defeated 8-seed North Carolina 88-41
Daybreak Staley mentioned after Sunday’s recreation in opposition to North Carolina that it was the Gamecocks’ finest efficiency in a very long time. Aside from its two victories over Kentucky, Sunday’s 47-point win is South Carolina’s largest margin of victory over a Energy 5 opponent this season. It is exhausting to think about the Gamecocks taking part in any higher than hanging that lopsided win on the Tar Heels after beating them by simply seven early within the season. It is also exhausting to think about anybody beating the Gamecocks in the event that they play at this degree. For many of the season, the dialogue of South Carolina’s finest participant was about Kamilla Cardoso and Te-Hina Paopao. The reply as we speak is likely to be MiLaysia Fulwiley. The freshman, who was additionally the MVP of the SEC event, racked up 20 factors with 4 3-pointers, 9 rebounds, 3 steals and three blocks, and she or he has led South Carolina in scoring in three of its previous 4 video games.
Up subsequent: vs. 4-seed Indiana (Friday, 5 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Texas Longhorns
Authentic seed: No. 1 (Area 4 in Portland)
NCAA event outcomes: Defeated 16-seed Drexel 82-42; defeated 8-seed Alabama 65-54
Madison Booker’s transition from ahead to level guard after Rori Harmon’s damage is exceptional sufficient. That she is aware of precisely what her group wants of her recreation to recreation is savvy and basketball IQ that few gamers have, not to mention a freshman taking part in in her first NCAA event. She took simply 11 photographs and located teammates to the tune of 14 assists in opposition to Drexel. Within the win over Alabama, she appeared for her shot instantly and scored eight of her 21 factors within the first quarter, together with the Longhorns’ first two buckets in a recreation during which they by no means trailed.
Up subsequent: 4-seed Gonzaga (Friday, 10 p.m. ET, ESPN)
USC Trojans
Authentic seed: No. 1 (Area 3 in Portland)
NCAA event outcomes: Defeated 16-seed Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 87-55; defeated 8-seed Kansas 73-55
The final time USC was within the Candy 16, JuJu Watkins wasn’t born but. However she has definitely given rebirth to this system. Her 28 factors led the way in which Sunday, but it surely was the 5 factors late within the third quarter that mattered most. A recreation that USC had utterly managed was one way or the other slipping away. 9 straight factors by Kansas lower the Trojan result in one. A 3-pointer by Watkins, adopted by two free throws, restored the cushion. Watkins then assisted on Kayla Padilla’s 3-pointer early within the fourth. The lead was again to 10 and USC was on its method the Candy 16 for the primary time since 1994.
Up subsequent: 5-seed Baylor (Saturday, 5:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Iowa holds off West Virginia in a nail-biter to achieve Candy 16
Caitlin Clark’s record-breaking efficiency propels Iowa to victory in a hard-fought battle, setting the stage for a Candy 16 matchup in opposition to Colorado.
Iowa Hawkeyes
Authentic seed: No. 1 (Area 2 in Albany)
NCAA event outcomes: Defeated Holy Cross 91-65; defeated West Virginia 64-54
A sigh of aid was felt throughout Iowa when the Hawkeyes survived West Virginia. Caitlin Clark performs on. Her 32 factors did not come simply, because the Mountaineers outlined the sport’s type: bodily and plodding. That Clark equaled her season low with simply three assists attests to simply how good West Virginia’s gameplan was. It wasn’t till a 12-2 run within the remaining two minutes — sparked by a Sydney Affolter 3-point play and cemented by six Clark free throws — {that a} win in Clark’s remaining recreation at Carver-Hawkeye Enviornment can be assured. Alongside the way in which, Clark handed Kelsey Plum yet one more time, setting the report for many factors in a single season. Iowa’s subsequent opponent, Colorado, represents one other veteran, bodily group — one the Hawkeyes beat in final yr’s Candy 16.
Up subsequent: vs. 5-seed Colorado (Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC)
No. 2 seeds
Notre Dame Preventing Irish
Authentic seed: No. 2 (Area 1 in Albany)
NCAA event outcomes: Defeated 15-seed Kent State 81-67; defeated 7-seed Ole Miss 71-56
With solely six wholesome gamers, the strategy is straightforward for Notre Dame: Depend on your finest gamers for manufacturing and keep out of foul hassle. To date, so good for the Irish, who’ve now gained 10 consecutive video games even with the slim roster. Hannah Hidalgo, Maddy Westbeld and Sonia Citron have scored 71% of Notre Dame’s factors by two video games, and nobody has fouled out but. Actually, Notre Dame solely put Ole Miss on the free throw line 11 instances in a recreation it dominated from begin to end. Led by Hidalgo and her nation-leading 4.6 steals per recreation, Notre Dame is a top-10 protection in factors allowed per play and has gotten higher within the postseason.
Up subsequent: 3-seed Oregon State (Friday, 2:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Paige Bueckers’ 32-point recreation helps UConn to thirtieth straight Candy 16
UConn star Paige Bueckers drops 32 factors to go along with 10 rebounds and 6 assists because the Huskies defeat Syracuse 72-64.
UConn Huskies
Authentic seed: No. 3 (Area 3 in Portland)
NCAA event outcomes: Defeated 14-seed Jackson State 86-64; defeated 6-seed Syracuse Orange 72-64
Is the shadow of Caitlin Clark so giant that it one way or the other has rendered Paige Bueckers underrated? Bueckers, coming off an ACL damage that sidelined her for all the 2022-23 season, is having a greater season than she did as a freshman in 2020-21, when she was the consensus nationwide participant of the yr (and the identical yr Clark started her profession at Iowa). And Bueckers has been even higher in two event video games, averaging 30.0 factors on 56.8% taking pictures. Throw 11.5 rebounds, 6.5 assists and three.5 steals in there too. No participant, besides maybe Clark, has contributed extra to a pair of wins than Bueckers, who can be taking part in in her third Candy 16 and the thirtieth straight for the Huskies.
Up subsequent: vs. 7-seed Duke (Saturday, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Stanford Cardinal
Authentic seed: No. 2 (Area 4 in Portland)
NCAA event outcomes: Defeated 15-seed Norfolk State 79-50; defeated 7-seed Iowa State 87-81 OT
In final yr’s second spherical, Stanford misplaced at house and failed to attain even 50 factors. Sunday at Maples Pavilion, the Cardinal gained a second-round recreation during which one among their gamers virtually bought to 50 by herself. With 41 factors and 16 rebounds, Kiki Iriafen carried Stanford into this system’s twenty ninth Candy 16 with a win over Iowa State in what was an on the spot traditional. All-American Cameron Brink was in foul hassle your entire recreation and fouled out in regulation with simply eight factors. That left issues to Iriafen, who missed solely two photographs within the fourth quarter and time beyond regulation and had 17 factors in that point. It marked the primary 40-point recreation for Iriafen, however she had scored over 30 twice this season, together with 36 in an in depth win over Oregon State in a recreation Brink missed. The Pac-12’s most improved participant has 58 factors by two video games.
Up subsequent: vs. 3-seed NC State (Friday, 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Kiki Iriafen’s 41 leads Stanford previous Iowa State in OT thriller
Stanford outlasts Iowa State in an time beyond regulation thriller to advance to the Candy 16 of the ladies’s NCAA event.
UCLA Bruins
Authentic seed: No. 2 (Area 2 in Albany)
NCAA event outcomes: Defeated 15-seed California Baptist 84-55; defeated 7-seed Creighton Bluejays 67-63
Two issues have change into evident in regards to the Bruins over the previous month: They are not on the similar degree they had been in November and December; and they’re nonetheless adequate, notably on protection, to get to the primary Ultimate 4 in program historical past. In fact, the caveat exists that the trail to Cleveland is blocked with LSU after which presumably Iowa. UCLA’s protection, which utterly shut down an excellent taking pictures, veteran Creighton group, primarily bought the Bruins by to a second consecutive Candy 16. Having a wholesome and constantly productive Lauren Betts, who had 20 factors in opposition to the Bluejays, is the opposite key. At 6-foot-7, she’s UCLA’s differentiator. No group left within the event besides South Carolina with Kamilla Cardoso has a participant that measurement and potential influence.
Up subsequent: 3-seed LSU (Saturday, 1 p.m. ET, ABC)
No. 3 seeds
LSU Tigers
Authentic seed: No. 3 (Area 2 in Albany)
NCAA event outcomes: Defeated 14-seed Rice 70-60; defeated 11-seed Center Tennessee 83-56
Kim Mulkey described a sluggish effort within the first spherical in opposition to Rice as “dangerous” and “ugly.” She might need described the primary half in opposition to Center Tennessee the identical method. Simply over a minute into the second half, the Convention USA champs led 41-32. Then LSU’s expertise took over in a flash and the outlook bought significantly better for the Tigers. Ten straight factors, 5 of which got here from freshman Mikaylah Williams, gave LSU the lead — and it was all Tigers from that time. The protection of the nationwide title was again on observe. Flau’jae Johnson led the way in which with 21 factors, and 76 of LSU’s 83 factors got here from 4 gamers: Johnson, Williams, Angel Reese and Aneesah Morrow.
Up subsequent: 2-seed UCLA (Saturday, 1 p.m. ET, ABC)
NC State Wolfpack
Authentic seed: No. 3 (Area 4 in Portland)
NCAA event outcomes: Defeated 14-seed Chattanooga 64-45; defeated 6-seed Tennessee 79-72
Maybe it wasn’t the Wolfpack offense struggling the previous few video games as a lot as they only wanted to get extra from Saniya Rivers. In opposition to the Woman Vols, they did. Rivers did not hit double figures in any of NC State’s three ACC event video games and, regardless of 16 factors within the first spherical in opposition to Chattanooga, she nonetheless did not seem like herself. However she did in tallying 20 factors, 6 rebounds and three blocks in opposition to the Woman Vols. The Wolfpack’s 44.8 discipline objective proportion was its highest since Feb 18. That included 61% taking pictures in a primary half during which NC State appeared like a unique group than it did in spherical one. The guard trio of Rivers, Aziaha James and Zoe Brooks mixed for 58 factors Monday, and the Wolfpack appeared extra just like the group that had convincing wins over fellow Candy 16 members Colorado, UConn, Notre Dame and Duke earlier this season.
Up subsequent: 2-seed Stanford (Friday, 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Oregon State Beavers
Authentic seed: No. 3 (Area 1 in Albany)
NCAA event outcomes: Defeated 14-seed Jap Washington 73-51; defeated 6-seed Nebraska 61-51
In March 2023, Talia von Oelhoffen was having surgical procedure to restore her knee whereas her group missed the NCAA event for the second straight yr. Quick-forward 12 months and she or he scored 19 factors and had eight assists to get the Beavers to their first Candy 16 in 5 years. As an early qualifying freshman, von Oelhoffen joined Oregon State in January 2021 (throughout what ought to have been her second semester of her senior yr of highschool) and have become the group’s fourth-leading scorer. She had a complete of 10 factors in NCAA event video games in opposition to Florida State and South Carolina. Now she’s the elder stateswoman on an even-better group that depends closely on two freshmen and two sophomores. One of many sophomores, Raegan Beers, is Scott Rueck’s finest participant, however von Oelhoffen, together with her expertise, is likely to be his most essential.
Up subsequent: vs. 3-seed Notre Dame (Friday, 2:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Indiana Hoosiers
Authentic seed: No. 4 (Area 1 in Albany)
NCAA event outcomes: Defeated 13-seed Fairfield 89-56; defeated 5-seed Oklahoma 75-68
Indiana, probably the greatest taking pictures groups within the nation, was pushed frequently by Oklahoma and finally needed to flip to protection. The Hoosiers are third within the nation in 2-point discipline objective proportion however missed 18 layups. They’re the leaders in 3-point proportion however missed 13-of-16 3s. This wasn’t imagined to be the method to get Indiana to a 3rd Candy 16 in 4 years. It was merely the profitable one. Mackenzie Holmes, who carried the Hoosiers on offense, disrupted two Sooners photographs and made a late steal within the game-deciding 10-0 run. Holmes scored 29 factors, 20 within the second half, in a recreation that was tied 10 instances and had 21 lead adjustments.
Up subsequent: vs. 1-seed South Carolina (Friday, 5 p.m. ET, ESPN)
No. 4 seeds
Reigan Richardson fuels Duke comeback with 28 factors
Reigan Richardson and Duke claw again from a double-digit deficit to upset Ohio State within the spherical of 32.
Gonzaga Bulldogs
Authentic seed: No. 4 (Area 4 in Portland)
NCAA event outcomes: Defeated 13-seed UC Irvine 75-56; defeated 5-seed Utah 77-66
The third-best 3-point taking pictures group within the nation hadn’t appeared prefer it currently. Gonzaga was simply 12-for-43 from past the arc in its final two video games. The droop ended in opposition to the Utes. The Zags equaled these 12 made 3s on simply 22 makes an attempt, taking pictures themselves into the applications first Candy 16 since 2015. That was the primary yr below present head coach Lisa Fortier after she had taken over for Kelly Graves. Sisters Kayleigh Truong and Kaylynne Truong — taking part in for the final time in McCarthey Athletic Heart in Spokane — mixed to hit seven 3-pointers, and put up Yvonne Ejim had 17 factors to increase her streak of video games scoring in double figures to 39.
Up subsequent: 1-seed Texas (Friday, 10 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Duke Blue Devils
Authentic seed: No. 7 (Area 3 in Portland)
NCAA event outcomes: Defeated 10-seed Richmond 72-61; defeated 2-seed Ohio State 75-63
Center Tennessee and Iowa State have the most important comebacks on this NCAA event, however the Blue Devils are the true comeback youngsters. Down 9 on the half, they steamrolled Richmond within the second half of their first-round assembly. Then Duke fell behind Ohio State by 16 within the second quarter Sunday solely to outscore the Buckeyes 43-27 on their house flooring within the second half to win going away. It was the second greatest upset of a event that has been marked by a lot chalk. Sophomore Reigan Richardson was Duke’s main scorer within the common season — at 12.4 PPG. She has greater than doubled that (26.5 PPG) on 21-for-36 taking pictures in two video games. Richardson was a second-team All-ACC honoree, however she joins Iriafen because the breakout stars of the event.
Up subsequent: 3-seed UConn
Baylor Bears
Authentic seed: No. 5 (Area 3 in Portland)
NCAA event outcomes: Defeated 12-seed Vanderbilt 80-63; defeated 4-seed Virginia Tech 75-72
Jada Walker picked an opportune night time to have the sport of her profession. And he or she truly had the sport of her profession in a single half. In two years at Kentucky and one at Baylor, Walker had by no means scored 26 factors in a recreation, not to mention in a single half. On Sunday, these included a half-court 3-pointer on the third-quarter buzzer and Baylor’s remaining 9 factors. The junior level guard completed with 28 factors and three assists. With out Walker’s clutch play, the Bears wouldn’t have survived a Hokies group taking part in with out star Elizabeth Kitley to get to their first Candy 16 below Nicki Collen.
Up subsequent: 1-seed USC (Saturday, 5:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Colorado Buffaloes
Authentic seed: No. 5 (Area 2 in Albany)
NCAA event outcomes: Defeated 12-seed Drake 86-72; defeated Kansas State 63-50
How good was Colorado’s protection in opposition to Kansas State? The Buffaloes did not rating for the primary 6:18 of the fourth quarter of a decent recreation — and nonetheless gained by double figures. They put the clamps on Wildcats star Ayoka Lee (10 factors, 9 photographs) all recreation lengthy and compelled 22 turnovers, but it surely was the mere 15 factors Colorado allowed within the second half that gained the sport. That bought the Buffs to their second straight Candy 16 after not having made it this far within the NCAA event in 20 years.
Up subsequent: 1-seed Iowa (Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC)
Among the chalk from the primary two days of the NCAA event has been erased. However not a lot.
Two No. 5 seeds and a No. 7 broke by to the Candy 16. And the highest 4 seeds superior to the regional semifinals in two areas — Albany 1 and Portland 4.
The true story of the ladies’s NCAA event are the comebacks and shut calls. LSU and Duke every needed to overcome double-digit deficits within the second spherical. Iowa, UCLA, Indiana, Stanford, Colorado and Baylor all trailed within the second half earlier than clinching a spot within the Candy 16. UConn bought a late scare from Syracuse.
Certain, the outcomes have principally adopted the seeds. That does not imply all of it was simple.
The one actually massive upset of the second spherical — No. 7 Duke bouncing No. 2 Ohio State in Columbus — shook up the seeds a bit as we reseed the sector forward of the regional semifinals. The No. 1s are the identical, however Iowa was near falling off the highest line with its squeaker at house in opposition to West Virginia.
The excellent news about few upsets within the first 4 days is that the following 4 recreation days might be historic. LSU vs. UCLA and Oregon State vs. Notre Dame, with Texas vs. Stanford and Iowa vs. the Tigers or the Bruins doubtlessly on the horizon. A recreation with Paige Bueckers and JuJu Watkins on the identical courtroom can be a must-see.
Absorb how the brand new bracket would look with some fine-tuning — and prepare to tip it off once more Friday.
No. 1 seeds
South Carolina performs flawless basketball in rout of UNC
The Gamecocks are on to the Candy 16 after dominating North Carolina in an 88-41 win.
South Carolina Gamecocks
Authentic seed: No. 1 total (Area 1 in Albany)
NCAA event outcomes: Defeated 16-seed Presbyterian 91-39; defeated 8-seed North Carolina 88-41
Daybreak Staley mentioned after Sunday’s recreation in opposition to North Carolina that it was the Gamecocks’ finest efficiency in a very long time. Aside from its two victories over Kentucky, Sunday’s 47-point win is South Carolina’s largest margin of victory over a Energy 5 opponent this season. It is exhausting to think about the Gamecocks taking part in any higher than hanging that lopsided win on the Tar Heels after beating them by simply seven early within the season. It is also exhausting to think about anybody beating the Gamecocks in the event that they play at this degree. For many of the season, the dialogue of South Carolina’s finest participant was about Kamilla Cardoso and Te-Hina Paopao. The reply as we speak is likely to be MiLaysia Fulwiley. The freshman, who was additionally the MVP of the SEC event, racked up 20 factors with 4 3-pointers, 9 rebounds, 3 steals and three blocks, and she or he has led South Carolina in scoring in three of its previous 4 video games.
Up subsequent: vs. 4-seed Indiana (Friday, 5 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Texas Longhorns
Authentic seed: No. 1 (Area 4 in Portland)
NCAA event outcomes: Defeated 16-seed Drexel 82-42; defeated 8-seed Alabama 65-54
Madison Booker’s transition from ahead to level guard after Rori Harmon’s damage is exceptional sufficient. That she is aware of precisely what her group wants of her recreation to recreation is savvy and basketball IQ that few gamers have, not to mention a freshman taking part in in her first NCAA event. She took simply 11 photographs and located teammates to the tune of 14 assists in opposition to Drexel. Within the win over Alabama, she appeared for her shot instantly and scored eight of her 21 factors within the first quarter, together with the Longhorns’ first two buckets in a recreation during which they by no means trailed.
Up subsequent: 4-seed Gonzaga (Friday, 10 p.m. ET, ESPN)
USC Trojans
Authentic seed: No. 1 (Area 3 in Portland)
NCAA event outcomes: Defeated 16-seed Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 87-55; defeated 8-seed Kansas 73-55
The final time USC was within the Candy 16, JuJu Watkins wasn’t born but. However she has definitely given rebirth to this system. Her 28 factors led the way in which Sunday, but it surely was the 5 factors late within the third quarter that mattered most. A recreation that USC had utterly managed was one way or the other slipping away. 9 straight factors by Kansas lower the Trojan result in one. A 3-pointer by Watkins, adopted by two free throws, restored the cushion. Watkins then assisted on Kayla Padilla’s 3-pointer early within the fourth. The lead was again to 10 and USC was on its method the Candy 16 for the primary time since 1994.
Up subsequent: 5-seed Baylor (Saturday, 5:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Iowa holds off West Virginia in a nail-biter to achieve Candy 16
Caitlin Clark’s record-breaking efficiency propels Iowa to victory in a hard-fought battle, setting the stage for a Candy 16 matchup in opposition to Colorado.
Iowa Hawkeyes
Authentic seed: No. 1 (Area 2 in Albany)
NCAA event outcomes: Defeated Holy Cross 91-65; defeated West Virginia 64-54
A sigh of aid was felt throughout Iowa when the Hawkeyes survived West Virginia. Caitlin Clark performs on. Her 32 factors did not come simply, because the Mountaineers outlined the sport’s type: bodily and plodding. That Clark equaled her season low with simply three assists attests to simply how good West Virginia’s gameplan was. It wasn’t till a 12-2 run within the remaining two minutes — sparked by a Sydney Affolter 3-point play and cemented by six Clark free throws — {that a} win in Clark’s remaining recreation at Carver-Hawkeye Enviornment can be assured. Alongside the way in which, Clark handed Kelsey Plum yet one more time, setting the report for many factors in a single season. Iowa’s subsequent opponent, Colorado, represents one other veteran, bodily group — one the Hawkeyes beat in final yr’s Candy 16.
Up subsequent: vs. 5-seed Colorado (Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC)
No. 2 seeds
Notre Dame Preventing Irish
Authentic seed: No. 2 (Area 1 in Albany)
NCAA event outcomes: Defeated 15-seed Kent State 81-67; defeated 7-seed Ole Miss 71-56
With solely six wholesome gamers, the strategy is straightforward for Notre Dame: Depend on your finest gamers for manufacturing and keep out of foul hassle. To date, so good for the Irish, who’ve now gained 10 consecutive video games even with the slim roster. Hannah Hidalgo, Maddy Westbeld and Sonia Citron have scored 71% of Notre Dame’s factors by two video games, and nobody has fouled out but. Actually, Notre Dame solely put Ole Miss on the free throw line 11 instances in a recreation it dominated from begin to end. Led by Hidalgo and her nation-leading 4.6 steals per recreation, Notre Dame is a top-10 protection in factors allowed per play and has gotten higher within the postseason.
Up subsequent: 3-seed Oregon State (Friday, 2:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Paige Bueckers’ 32-point recreation helps UConn to thirtieth straight Candy 16
UConn star Paige Bueckers drops 32 factors to go along with 10 rebounds and 6 assists because the Huskies defeat Syracuse 72-64.
UConn Huskies
Authentic seed: No. 3 (Area 3 in Portland)
NCAA event outcomes: Defeated 14-seed Jackson State 86-64; defeated 6-seed Syracuse Orange 72-64
Is the shadow of Caitlin Clark so giant that it one way or the other has rendered Paige Bueckers underrated? Bueckers, coming off an ACL damage that sidelined her for all the 2022-23 season, is having a greater season than she did as a freshman in 2020-21, when she was the consensus nationwide participant of the yr (and the identical yr Clark started her profession at Iowa). And Bueckers has been even higher in two event video games, averaging 30.0 factors on 56.8% taking pictures. Throw 11.5 rebounds, 6.5 assists and three.5 steals in there too. No participant, besides maybe Clark, has contributed extra to a pair of wins than Bueckers, who can be taking part in in her third Candy 16 and the thirtieth straight for the Huskies.
Up subsequent: vs. 7-seed Duke (Saturday, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Stanford Cardinal
Authentic seed: No. 2 (Area 4 in Portland)
NCAA event outcomes: Defeated 15-seed Norfolk State 79-50; defeated 7-seed Iowa State 87-81 OT
In final yr’s second spherical, Stanford misplaced at house and failed to attain even 50 factors. Sunday at Maples Pavilion, the Cardinal gained a second-round recreation during which one among their gamers virtually bought to 50 by herself. With 41 factors and 16 rebounds, Kiki Iriafen carried Stanford into this system’s twenty ninth Candy 16 with a win over Iowa State in what was an on the spot traditional. All-American Cameron Brink was in foul hassle your entire recreation and fouled out in regulation with simply eight factors. That left issues to Iriafen, who missed solely two photographs within the fourth quarter and time beyond regulation and had 17 factors in that point. It marked the primary 40-point recreation for Iriafen, however she had scored over 30 twice this season, together with 36 in an in depth win over Oregon State in a recreation Brink missed. The Pac-12’s most improved participant has 58 factors by two video games.
Up subsequent: vs. 3-seed NC State (Friday, 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Kiki Iriafen’s 41 leads Stanford previous Iowa State in OT thriller
Stanford outlasts Iowa State in an time beyond regulation thriller to advance to the Candy 16 of the ladies’s NCAA event.
UCLA Bruins
Authentic seed: No. 2 (Area 2 in Albany)
NCAA event outcomes: Defeated 15-seed California Baptist 84-55; defeated 7-seed Creighton Bluejays 67-63
Two issues have change into evident in regards to the Bruins over the previous month: They are not on the similar degree they had been in November and December; and they’re nonetheless adequate, notably on protection, to get to the primary Ultimate 4 in program historical past. In fact, the caveat exists that the trail to Cleveland is blocked with LSU after which presumably Iowa. UCLA’s protection, which utterly shut down an excellent taking pictures, veteran Creighton group, primarily bought the Bruins by to a second consecutive Candy 16. Having a wholesome and constantly productive Lauren Betts, who had 20 factors in opposition to the Bluejays, is the opposite key. At 6-foot-7, she’s UCLA’s differentiator. No group left within the event besides South Carolina with Kamilla Cardoso has a participant that measurement and potential influence.
Up subsequent: 3-seed LSU (Saturday, 1 p.m. ET, ABC)
No. 3 seeds
LSU Tigers
Authentic seed: No. 3 (Area 2 in Albany)
NCAA event outcomes: Defeated 14-seed Rice 70-60; defeated 11-seed Center Tennessee 83-56
Kim Mulkey described a sluggish effort within the first spherical in opposition to Rice as “dangerous” and “ugly.” She might need described the primary half in opposition to Center Tennessee the identical method. Simply over a minute into the second half, the Convention USA champs led 41-32. Then LSU’s expertise took over in a flash and the outlook bought significantly better for the Tigers. Ten straight factors, 5 of which got here from freshman Mikaylah Williams, gave LSU the lead — and it was all Tigers from that time. The protection of the nationwide title was again on observe. Flau’jae Johnson led the way in which with 21 factors, and 76 of LSU’s 83 factors got here from 4 gamers: Johnson, Williams, Angel Reese and Aneesah Morrow.
Up subsequent: 2-seed UCLA (Saturday, 1 p.m. ET, ABC)
NC State Wolfpack
Authentic seed: No. 3 (Area 4 in Portland)
NCAA event outcomes: Defeated 14-seed Chattanooga 64-45; defeated 6-seed Tennessee 79-72
Maybe it wasn’t the Wolfpack offense struggling the previous few video games as a lot as they only wanted to get extra from Saniya Rivers. In opposition to the Woman Vols, they did. Rivers did not hit double figures in any of NC State’s three ACC event video games and, regardless of 16 factors within the first spherical in opposition to Chattanooga, she nonetheless did not seem like herself. However she did in tallying 20 factors, 6 rebounds and three blocks in opposition to the Woman Vols. The Wolfpack’s 44.8 discipline objective proportion was its highest since Feb 18. That included 61% taking pictures in a primary half during which NC State appeared like a unique group than it did in spherical one. The guard trio of Rivers, Aziaha James and Zoe Brooks mixed for 58 factors Monday, and the Wolfpack appeared extra just like the group that had convincing wins over fellow Candy 16 members Colorado, UConn, Notre Dame and Duke earlier this season.
Up subsequent: 2-seed Stanford (Friday, 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Oregon State Beavers
Authentic seed: No. 3 (Area 1 in Albany)
NCAA event outcomes: Defeated 14-seed Jap Washington 73-51; defeated 6-seed Nebraska 61-51
In March 2023, Talia von Oelhoffen was having surgical procedure to restore her knee whereas her group missed the NCAA event for the second straight yr. Quick-forward 12 months and she or he scored 19 factors and had eight assists to get the Beavers to their first Candy 16 in 5 years. As an early qualifying freshman, von Oelhoffen joined Oregon State in January 2021 (throughout what ought to have been her second semester of her senior yr of highschool) and have become the group’s fourth-leading scorer. She had a complete of 10 factors in NCAA event video games in opposition to Florida State and South Carolina. Now she’s the elder stateswoman on an even-better group that depends closely on two freshmen and two sophomores. One of many sophomores, Raegan Beers, is Scott Rueck’s finest participant, however von Oelhoffen, together with her expertise, is likely to be his most essential.
Up subsequent: vs. 3-seed Notre Dame (Friday, 2:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Indiana Hoosiers
Authentic seed: No. 4 (Area 1 in Albany)
NCAA event outcomes: Defeated 13-seed Fairfield 89-56; defeated 5-seed Oklahoma 75-68
Indiana, probably the greatest taking pictures groups within the nation, was pushed frequently by Oklahoma and finally needed to flip to protection. The Hoosiers are third within the nation in 2-point discipline objective proportion however missed 18 layups. They’re the leaders in 3-point proportion however missed 13-of-16 3s. This wasn’t imagined to be the method to get Indiana to a 3rd Candy 16 in 4 years. It was merely the profitable one. Mackenzie Holmes, who carried the Hoosiers on offense, disrupted two Sooners photographs and made a late steal within the game-deciding 10-0 run. Holmes scored 29 factors, 20 within the second half, in a recreation that was tied 10 instances and had 21 lead adjustments.
Up subsequent: vs. 1-seed South Carolina (Friday, 5 p.m. ET, ESPN)
No. 4 seeds
Reigan Richardson fuels Duke comeback with 28 factors
Reigan Richardson and Duke claw again from a double-digit deficit to upset Ohio State within the spherical of 32.
Gonzaga Bulldogs
Authentic seed: No. 4 (Area 4 in Portland)
NCAA event outcomes: Defeated 13-seed UC Irvine 75-56; defeated 5-seed Utah 77-66
The third-best 3-point taking pictures group within the nation hadn’t appeared prefer it currently. Gonzaga was simply 12-for-43 from past the arc in its final two video games. The droop ended in opposition to the Utes. The Zags equaled these 12 made 3s on simply 22 makes an attempt, taking pictures themselves into the applications first Candy 16 since 2015. That was the primary yr below present head coach Lisa Fortier after she had taken over for Kelly Graves. Sisters Kayleigh Truong and Kaylynne Truong — taking part in for the final time in McCarthey Athletic Heart in Spokane — mixed to hit seven 3-pointers, and put up Yvonne Ejim had 17 factors to increase her streak of video games scoring in double figures to 39.
Up subsequent: 1-seed Texas (Friday, 10 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Duke Blue Devils
Authentic seed: No. 7 (Area 3 in Portland)
NCAA event outcomes: Defeated 10-seed Richmond 72-61; defeated 2-seed Ohio State 75-63
Center Tennessee and Iowa State have the most important comebacks on this NCAA event, however the Blue Devils are the true comeback youngsters. Down 9 on the half, they steamrolled Richmond within the second half of their first-round assembly. Then Duke fell behind Ohio State by 16 within the second quarter Sunday solely to outscore the Buckeyes 43-27 on their house flooring within the second half to win going away. It was the second greatest upset of a event that has been marked by a lot chalk. Sophomore Reigan Richardson was Duke’s main scorer within the common season — at 12.4 PPG. She has greater than doubled that (26.5 PPG) on 21-for-36 taking pictures in two video games. Richardson was a second-team All-ACC honoree, however she joins Iriafen because the breakout stars of the event.
Up subsequent: 3-seed UConn
Baylor Bears
Authentic seed: No. 5 (Area 3 in Portland)
NCAA event outcomes: Defeated 12-seed Vanderbilt 80-63; defeated 4-seed Virginia Tech 75-72
Jada Walker picked an opportune night time to have the sport of her profession. And he or she truly had the sport of her profession in a single half. In two years at Kentucky and one at Baylor, Walker had by no means scored 26 factors in a recreation, not to mention in a single half. On Sunday, these included a half-court 3-pointer on the third-quarter buzzer and Baylor’s remaining 9 factors. The junior level guard completed with 28 factors and three assists. With out Walker’s clutch play, the Bears wouldn’t have survived a Hokies group taking part in with out star Elizabeth Kitley to get to their first Candy 16 below Nicki Collen.
Up subsequent: 1-seed USC (Saturday, 5:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Colorado Buffaloes
Authentic seed: No. 5 (Area 2 in Albany)
NCAA event outcomes: Defeated 12-seed Drake 86-72; defeated Kansas State 63-50
How good was Colorado’s protection in opposition to Kansas State? The Buffaloes did not rating for the primary 6:18 of the fourth quarter of a decent recreation — and nonetheless gained by double figures. They put the clamps on Wildcats star Ayoka Lee (10 factors, 9 photographs) all recreation lengthy and compelled 22 turnovers, but it surely was the mere 15 factors Colorado allowed within the second half that gained the sport. That bought the Buffs to their second straight Candy 16 after not having made it this far within the NCAA event in 20 years.
Up subsequent: 1-seed Iowa (Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC)
Among the chalk from the primary two days of the NCAA event has been erased. However not a lot.
Two No. 5 seeds and a No. 7 broke by to the Candy 16. And the highest 4 seeds superior to the regional semifinals in two areas — Albany 1 and Portland 4.
The true story of the ladies’s NCAA event are the comebacks and shut calls. LSU and Duke every needed to overcome double-digit deficits within the second spherical. Iowa, UCLA, Indiana, Stanford, Colorado and Baylor all trailed within the second half earlier than clinching a spot within the Candy 16. UConn bought a late scare from Syracuse.
Certain, the outcomes have principally adopted the seeds. That does not imply all of it was simple.
The one actually massive upset of the second spherical — No. 7 Duke bouncing No. 2 Ohio State in Columbus — shook up the seeds a bit as we reseed the sector forward of the regional semifinals. The No. 1s are the identical, however Iowa was near falling off the highest line with its squeaker at house in opposition to West Virginia.
The excellent news about few upsets within the first 4 days is that the following 4 recreation days might be historic. LSU vs. UCLA and Oregon State vs. Notre Dame, with Texas vs. Stanford and Iowa vs. the Tigers or the Bruins doubtlessly on the horizon. A recreation with Paige Bueckers and JuJu Watkins on the identical courtroom can be a must-see.
Absorb how the brand new bracket would look with some fine-tuning — and prepare to tip it off once more Friday.
No. 1 seeds
South Carolina performs flawless basketball in rout of UNC
The Gamecocks are on to the Candy 16 after dominating North Carolina in an 88-41 win.
South Carolina Gamecocks
Authentic seed: No. 1 total (Area 1 in Albany)
NCAA event outcomes: Defeated 16-seed Presbyterian 91-39; defeated 8-seed North Carolina 88-41
Daybreak Staley mentioned after Sunday’s recreation in opposition to North Carolina that it was the Gamecocks’ finest efficiency in a very long time. Aside from its two victories over Kentucky, Sunday’s 47-point win is South Carolina’s largest margin of victory over a Energy 5 opponent this season. It is exhausting to think about the Gamecocks taking part in any higher than hanging that lopsided win on the Tar Heels after beating them by simply seven early within the season. It is also exhausting to think about anybody beating the Gamecocks in the event that they play at this degree. For many of the season, the dialogue of South Carolina’s finest participant was about Kamilla Cardoso and Te-Hina Paopao. The reply as we speak is likely to be MiLaysia Fulwiley. The freshman, who was additionally the MVP of the SEC event, racked up 20 factors with 4 3-pointers, 9 rebounds, 3 steals and three blocks, and she or he has led South Carolina in scoring in three of its previous 4 video games.
Up subsequent: vs. 4-seed Indiana (Friday, 5 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Texas Longhorns
Authentic seed: No. 1 (Area 4 in Portland)
NCAA event outcomes: Defeated 16-seed Drexel 82-42; defeated 8-seed Alabama 65-54
Madison Booker’s transition from ahead to level guard after Rori Harmon’s damage is exceptional sufficient. That she is aware of precisely what her group wants of her recreation to recreation is savvy and basketball IQ that few gamers have, not to mention a freshman taking part in in her first NCAA event. She took simply 11 photographs and located teammates to the tune of 14 assists in opposition to Drexel. Within the win over Alabama, she appeared for her shot instantly and scored eight of her 21 factors within the first quarter, together with the Longhorns’ first two buckets in a recreation during which they by no means trailed.
Up subsequent: 4-seed Gonzaga (Friday, 10 p.m. ET, ESPN)
USC Trojans
Authentic seed: No. 1 (Area 3 in Portland)
NCAA event outcomes: Defeated 16-seed Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 87-55; defeated 8-seed Kansas 73-55
The final time USC was within the Candy 16, JuJu Watkins wasn’t born but. However she has definitely given rebirth to this system. Her 28 factors led the way in which Sunday, but it surely was the 5 factors late within the third quarter that mattered most. A recreation that USC had utterly managed was one way or the other slipping away. 9 straight factors by Kansas lower the Trojan result in one. A 3-pointer by Watkins, adopted by two free throws, restored the cushion. Watkins then assisted on Kayla Padilla’s 3-pointer early within the fourth. The lead was again to 10 and USC was on its method the Candy 16 for the primary time since 1994.
Up subsequent: 5-seed Baylor (Saturday, 5:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Iowa holds off West Virginia in a nail-biter to achieve Candy 16
Caitlin Clark’s record-breaking efficiency propels Iowa to victory in a hard-fought battle, setting the stage for a Candy 16 matchup in opposition to Colorado.
Iowa Hawkeyes
Authentic seed: No. 1 (Area 2 in Albany)
NCAA event outcomes: Defeated Holy Cross 91-65; defeated West Virginia 64-54
A sigh of aid was felt throughout Iowa when the Hawkeyes survived West Virginia. Caitlin Clark performs on. Her 32 factors did not come simply, because the Mountaineers outlined the sport’s type: bodily and plodding. That Clark equaled her season low with simply three assists attests to simply how good West Virginia’s gameplan was. It wasn’t till a 12-2 run within the remaining two minutes — sparked by a Sydney Affolter 3-point play and cemented by six Clark free throws — {that a} win in Clark’s remaining recreation at Carver-Hawkeye Enviornment can be assured. Alongside the way in which, Clark handed Kelsey Plum yet one more time, setting the report for many factors in a single season. Iowa’s subsequent opponent, Colorado, represents one other veteran, bodily group — one the Hawkeyes beat in final yr’s Candy 16.
Up subsequent: vs. 5-seed Colorado (Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC)
No. 2 seeds
Notre Dame Preventing Irish
Authentic seed: No. 2 (Area 1 in Albany)
NCAA event outcomes: Defeated 15-seed Kent State 81-67; defeated 7-seed Ole Miss 71-56
With solely six wholesome gamers, the strategy is straightforward for Notre Dame: Depend on your finest gamers for manufacturing and keep out of foul hassle. To date, so good for the Irish, who’ve now gained 10 consecutive video games even with the slim roster. Hannah Hidalgo, Maddy Westbeld and Sonia Citron have scored 71% of Notre Dame’s factors by two video games, and nobody has fouled out but. Actually, Notre Dame solely put Ole Miss on the free throw line 11 instances in a recreation it dominated from begin to end. Led by Hidalgo and her nation-leading 4.6 steals per recreation, Notre Dame is a top-10 protection in factors allowed per play and has gotten higher within the postseason.
Up subsequent: 3-seed Oregon State (Friday, 2:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Paige Bueckers’ 32-point recreation helps UConn to thirtieth straight Candy 16
UConn star Paige Bueckers drops 32 factors to go along with 10 rebounds and 6 assists because the Huskies defeat Syracuse 72-64.
UConn Huskies
Authentic seed: No. 3 (Area 3 in Portland)
NCAA event outcomes: Defeated 14-seed Jackson State 86-64; defeated 6-seed Syracuse Orange 72-64
Is the shadow of Caitlin Clark so giant that it one way or the other has rendered Paige Bueckers underrated? Bueckers, coming off an ACL damage that sidelined her for all the 2022-23 season, is having a greater season than she did as a freshman in 2020-21, when she was the consensus nationwide participant of the yr (and the identical yr Clark started her profession at Iowa). And Bueckers has been even higher in two event video games, averaging 30.0 factors on 56.8% taking pictures. Throw 11.5 rebounds, 6.5 assists and three.5 steals in there too. No participant, besides maybe Clark, has contributed extra to a pair of wins than Bueckers, who can be taking part in in her third Candy 16 and the thirtieth straight for the Huskies.
Up subsequent: vs. 7-seed Duke (Saturday, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Stanford Cardinal
Authentic seed: No. 2 (Area 4 in Portland)
NCAA event outcomes: Defeated 15-seed Norfolk State 79-50; defeated 7-seed Iowa State 87-81 OT
In final yr’s second spherical, Stanford misplaced at house and failed to attain even 50 factors. Sunday at Maples Pavilion, the Cardinal gained a second-round recreation during which one among their gamers virtually bought to 50 by herself. With 41 factors and 16 rebounds, Kiki Iriafen carried Stanford into this system’s twenty ninth Candy 16 with a win over Iowa State in what was an on the spot traditional. All-American Cameron Brink was in foul hassle your entire recreation and fouled out in regulation with simply eight factors. That left issues to Iriafen, who missed solely two photographs within the fourth quarter and time beyond regulation and had 17 factors in that point. It marked the primary 40-point recreation for Iriafen, however she had scored over 30 twice this season, together with 36 in an in depth win over Oregon State in a recreation Brink missed. The Pac-12’s most improved participant has 58 factors by two video games.
Up subsequent: vs. 3-seed NC State (Friday, 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Kiki Iriafen’s 41 leads Stanford previous Iowa State in OT thriller
Stanford outlasts Iowa State in an time beyond regulation thriller to advance to the Candy 16 of the ladies’s NCAA event.
UCLA Bruins
Authentic seed: No. 2 (Area 2 in Albany)
NCAA event outcomes: Defeated 15-seed California Baptist 84-55; defeated 7-seed Creighton Bluejays 67-63
Two issues have change into evident in regards to the Bruins over the previous month: They are not on the similar degree they had been in November and December; and they’re nonetheless adequate, notably on protection, to get to the primary Ultimate 4 in program historical past. In fact, the caveat exists that the trail to Cleveland is blocked with LSU after which presumably Iowa. UCLA’s protection, which utterly shut down an excellent taking pictures, veteran Creighton group, primarily bought the Bruins by to a second consecutive Candy 16. Having a wholesome and constantly productive Lauren Betts, who had 20 factors in opposition to the Bluejays, is the opposite key. At 6-foot-7, she’s UCLA’s differentiator. No group left within the event besides South Carolina with Kamilla Cardoso has a participant that measurement and potential influence.
Up subsequent: 3-seed LSU (Saturday, 1 p.m. ET, ABC)
No. 3 seeds
LSU Tigers
Authentic seed: No. 3 (Area 2 in Albany)
NCAA event outcomes: Defeated 14-seed Rice 70-60; defeated 11-seed Center Tennessee 83-56
Kim Mulkey described a sluggish effort within the first spherical in opposition to Rice as “dangerous” and “ugly.” She might need described the primary half in opposition to Center Tennessee the identical method. Simply over a minute into the second half, the Convention USA champs led 41-32. Then LSU’s expertise took over in a flash and the outlook bought significantly better for the Tigers. Ten straight factors, 5 of which got here from freshman Mikaylah Williams, gave LSU the lead — and it was all Tigers from that time. The protection of the nationwide title was again on observe. Flau’jae Johnson led the way in which with 21 factors, and 76 of LSU’s 83 factors got here from 4 gamers: Johnson, Williams, Angel Reese and Aneesah Morrow.
Up subsequent: 2-seed UCLA (Saturday, 1 p.m. ET, ABC)
NC State Wolfpack
Authentic seed: No. 3 (Area 4 in Portland)
NCAA event outcomes: Defeated 14-seed Chattanooga 64-45; defeated 6-seed Tennessee 79-72
Maybe it wasn’t the Wolfpack offense struggling the previous few video games as a lot as they only wanted to get extra from Saniya Rivers. In opposition to the Woman Vols, they did. Rivers did not hit double figures in any of NC State’s three ACC event video games and, regardless of 16 factors within the first spherical in opposition to Chattanooga, she nonetheless did not seem like herself. However she did in tallying 20 factors, 6 rebounds and three blocks in opposition to the Woman Vols. The Wolfpack’s 44.8 discipline objective proportion was its highest since Feb 18. That included 61% taking pictures in a primary half during which NC State appeared like a unique group than it did in spherical one. The guard trio of Rivers, Aziaha James and Zoe Brooks mixed for 58 factors Monday, and the Wolfpack appeared extra just like the group that had convincing wins over fellow Candy 16 members Colorado, UConn, Notre Dame and Duke earlier this season.
Up subsequent: 2-seed Stanford (Friday, 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Oregon State Beavers
Authentic seed: No. 3 (Area 1 in Albany)
NCAA event outcomes: Defeated 14-seed Jap Washington 73-51; defeated 6-seed Nebraska 61-51
In March 2023, Talia von Oelhoffen was having surgical procedure to restore her knee whereas her group missed the NCAA event for the second straight yr. Quick-forward 12 months and she or he scored 19 factors and had eight assists to get the Beavers to their first Candy 16 in 5 years. As an early qualifying freshman, von Oelhoffen joined Oregon State in January 2021 (throughout what ought to have been her second semester of her senior yr of highschool) and have become the group’s fourth-leading scorer. She had a complete of 10 factors in NCAA event video games in opposition to Florida State and South Carolina. Now she’s the elder stateswoman on an even-better group that depends closely on two freshmen and two sophomores. One of many sophomores, Raegan Beers, is Scott Rueck’s finest participant, however von Oelhoffen, together with her expertise, is likely to be his most essential.
Up subsequent: vs. 3-seed Notre Dame (Friday, 2:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Indiana Hoosiers
Authentic seed: No. 4 (Area 1 in Albany)
NCAA event outcomes: Defeated 13-seed Fairfield 89-56; defeated 5-seed Oklahoma 75-68
Indiana, probably the greatest taking pictures groups within the nation, was pushed frequently by Oklahoma and finally needed to flip to protection. The Hoosiers are third within the nation in 2-point discipline objective proportion however missed 18 layups. They’re the leaders in 3-point proportion however missed 13-of-16 3s. This wasn’t imagined to be the method to get Indiana to a 3rd Candy 16 in 4 years. It was merely the profitable one. Mackenzie Holmes, who carried the Hoosiers on offense, disrupted two Sooners photographs and made a late steal within the game-deciding 10-0 run. Holmes scored 29 factors, 20 within the second half, in a recreation that was tied 10 instances and had 21 lead adjustments.
Up subsequent: vs. 1-seed South Carolina (Friday, 5 p.m. ET, ESPN)
No. 4 seeds
Reigan Richardson fuels Duke comeback with 28 factors
Reigan Richardson and Duke claw again from a double-digit deficit to upset Ohio State within the spherical of 32.
Gonzaga Bulldogs
Authentic seed: No. 4 (Area 4 in Portland)
NCAA event outcomes: Defeated 13-seed UC Irvine 75-56; defeated 5-seed Utah 77-66
The third-best 3-point taking pictures group within the nation hadn’t appeared prefer it currently. Gonzaga was simply 12-for-43 from past the arc in its final two video games. The droop ended in opposition to the Utes. The Zags equaled these 12 made 3s on simply 22 makes an attempt, taking pictures themselves into the applications first Candy 16 since 2015. That was the primary yr below present head coach Lisa Fortier after she had taken over for Kelly Graves. Sisters Kayleigh Truong and Kaylynne Truong — taking part in for the final time in McCarthey Athletic Heart in Spokane — mixed to hit seven 3-pointers, and put up Yvonne Ejim had 17 factors to increase her streak of video games scoring in double figures to 39.
Up subsequent: 1-seed Texas (Friday, 10 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Duke Blue Devils
Authentic seed: No. 7 (Area 3 in Portland)
NCAA event outcomes: Defeated 10-seed Richmond 72-61; defeated 2-seed Ohio State 75-63
Center Tennessee and Iowa State have the most important comebacks on this NCAA event, however the Blue Devils are the true comeback youngsters. Down 9 on the half, they steamrolled Richmond within the second half of their first-round assembly. Then Duke fell behind Ohio State by 16 within the second quarter Sunday solely to outscore the Buckeyes 43-27 on their house flooring within the second half to win going away. It was the second greatest upset of a event that has been marked by a lot chalk. Sophomore Reigan Richardson was Duke’s main scorer within the common season — at 12.4 PPG. She has greater than doubled that (26.5 PPG) on 21-for-36 taking pictures in two video games. Richardson was a second-team All-ACC honoree, however she joins Iriafen because the breakout stars of the event.
Up subsequent: 3-seed UConn
Baylor Bears
Authentic seed: No. 5 (Area 3 in Portland)
NCAA event outcomes: Defeated 12-seed Vanderbilt 80-63; defeated 4-seed Virginia Tech 75-72
Jada Walker picked an opportune night time to have the sport of her profession. And he or she truly had the sport of her profession in a single half. In two years at Kentucky and one at Baylor, Walker had by no means scored 26 factors in a recreation, not to mention in a single half. On Sunday, these included a half-court 3-pointer on the third-quarter buzzer and Baylor’s remaining 9 factors. The junior level guard completed with 28 factors and three assists. With out Walker’s clutch play, the Bears wouldn’t have survived a Hokies group taking part in with out star Elizabeth Kitley to get to their first Candy 16 below Nicki Collen.
Up subsequent: 1-seed USC (Saturday, 5:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Colorado Buffaloes
Authentic seed: No. 5 (Area 2 in Albany)
NCAA event outcomes: Defeated 12-seed Drake 86-72; defeated Kansas State 63-50
How good was Colorado’s protection in opposition to Kansas State? The Buffaloes did not rating for the primary 6:18 of the fourth quarter of a decent recreation — and nonetheless gained by double figures. They put the clamps on Wildcats star Ayoka Lee (10 factors, 9 photographs) all recreation lengthy and compelled 22 turnovers, but it surely was the mere 15 factors Colorado allowed within the second half that gained the sport. That bought the Buffs to their second straight Candy 16 after not having made it this far within the NCAA event in 20 years.
Up subsequent: 1-seed Iowa (Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC)
Among the chalk from the primary two days of the NCAA event has been erased. However not a lot.
Two No. 5 seeds and a No. 7 broke by to the Candy 16. And the highest 4 seeds superior to the regional semifinals in two areas — Albany 1 and Portland 4.
The true story of the ladies’s NCAA event are the comebacks and shut calls. LSU and Duke every needed to overcome double-digit deficits within the second spherical. Iowa, UCLA, Indiana, Stanford, Colorado and Baylor all trailed within the second half earlier than clinching a spot within the Candy 16. UConn bought a late scare from Syracuse.
Certain, the outcomes have principally adopted the seeds. That does not imply all of it was simple.
The one actually massive upset of the second spherical — No. 7 Duke bouncing No. 2 Ohio State in Columbus — shook up the seeds a bit as we reseed the sector forward of the regional semifinals. The No. 1s are the identical, however Iowa was near falling off the highest line with its squeaker at house in opposition to West Virginia.
The excellent news about few upsets within the first 4 days is that the following 4 recreation days might be historic. LSU vs. UCLA and Oregon State vs. Notre Dame, with Texas vs. Stanford and Iowa vs. the Tigers or the Bruins doubtlessly on the horizon. A recreation with Paige Bueckers and JuJu Watkins on the identical courtroom can be a must-see.
Absorb how the brand new bracket would look with some fine-tuning — and prepare to tip it off once more Friday.
No. 1 seeds
South Carolina performs flawless basketball in rout of UNC
The Gamecocks are on to the Candy 16 after dominating North Carolina in an 88-41 win.
South Carolina Gamecocks
Authentic seed: No. 1 total (Area 1 in Albany)
NCAA event outcomes: Defeated 16-seed Presbyterian 91-39; defeated 8-seed North Carolina 88-41
Daybreak Staley mentioned after Sunday’s recreation in opposition to North Carolina that it was the Gamecocks’ finest efficiency in a very long time. Aside from its two victories over Kentucky, Sunday’s 47-point win is South Carolina’s largest margin of victory over a Energy 5 opponent this season. It is exhausting to think about the Gamecocks taking part in any higher than hanging that lopsided win on the Tar Heels after beating them by simply seven early within the season. It is also exhausting to think about anybody beating the Gamecocks in the event that they play at this degree. For many of the season, the dialogue of South Carolina’s finest participant was about Kamilla Cardoso and Te-Hina Paopao. The reply as we speak is likely to be MiLaysia Fulwiley. The freshman, who was additionally the MVP of the SEC event, racked up 20 factors with 4 3-pointers, 9 rebounds, 3 steals and three blocks, and she or he has led South Carolina in scoring in three of its previous 4 video games.
Up subsequent: vs. 4-seed Indiana (Friday, 5 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Texas Longhorns
Authentic seed: No. 1 (Area 4 in Portland)
NCAA event outcomes: Defeated 16-seed Drexel 82-42; defeated 8-seed Alabama 65-54
Madison Booker’s transition from ahead to level guard after Rori Harmon’s damage is exceptional sufficient. That she is aware of precisely what her group wants of her recreation to recreation is savvy and basketball IQ that few gamers have, not to mention a freshman taking part in in her first NCAA event. She took simply 11 photographs and located teammates to the tune of 14 assists in opposition to Drexel. Within the win over Alabama, she appeared for her shot instantly and scored eight of her 21 factors within the first quarter, together with the Longhorns’ first two buckets in a recreation during which they by no means trailed.
Up subsequent: 4-seed Gonzaga (Friday, 10 p.m. ET, ESPN)
USC Trojans
Authentic seed: No. 1 (Area 3 in Portland)
NCAA event outcomes: Defeated 16-seed Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 87-55; defeated 8-seed Kansas 73-55
The final time USC was within the Candy 16, JuJu Watkins wasn’t born but. However she has definitely given rebirth to this system. Her 28 factors led the way in which Sunday, but it surely was the 5 factors late within the third quarter that mattered most. A recreation that USC had utterly managed was one way or the other slipping away. 9 straight factors by Kansas lower the Trojan result in one. A 3-pointer by Watkins, adopted by two free throws, restored the cushion. Watkins then assisted on Kayla Padilla’s 3-pointer early within the fourth. The lead was again to 10 and USC was on its method the Candy 16 for the primary time since 1994.
Up subsequent: 5-seed Baylor (Saturday, 5:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Iowa holds off West Virginia in a nail-biter to achieve Candy 16
Caitlin Clark’s record-breaking efficiency propels Iowa to victory in a hard-fought battle, setting the stage for a Candy 16 matchup in opposition to Colorado.
Iowa Hawkeyes
Authentic seed: No. 1 (Area 2 in Albany)
NCAA event outcomes: Defeated Holy Cross 91-65; defeated West Virginia 64-54
A sigh of aid was felt throughout Iowa when the Hawkeyes survived West Virginia. Caitlin Clark performs on. Her 32 factors did not come simply, because the Mountaineers outlined the sport’s type: bodily and plodding. That Clark equaled her season low with simply three assists attests to simply how good West Virginia’s gameplan was. It wasn’t till a 12-2 run within the remaining two minutes — sparked by a Sydney Affolter 3-point play and cemented by six Clark free throws — {that a} win in Clark’s remaining recreation at Carver-Hawkeye Enviornment can be assured. Alongside the way in which, Clark handed Kelsey Plum yet one more time, setting the report for many factors in a single season. Iowa’s subsequent opponent, Colorado, represents one other veteran, bodily group — one the Hawkeyes beat in final yr’s Candy 16.
Up subsequent: vs. 5-seed Colorado (Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC)
No. 2 seeds
Notre Dame Preventing Irish
Authentic seed: No. 2 (Area 1 in Albany)
NCAA event outcomes: Defeated 15-seed Kent State 81-67; defeated 7-seed Ole Miss 71-56
With solely six wholesome gamers, the strategy is straightforward for Notre Dame: Depend on your finest gamers for manufacturing and keep out of foul hassle. To date, so good for the Irish, who’ve now gained 10 consecutive video games even with the slim roster. Hannah Hidalgo, Maddy Westbeld and Sonia Citron have scored 71% of Notre Dame’s factors by two video games, and nobody has fouled out but. Actually, Notre Dame solely put Ole Miss on the free throw line 11 instances in a recreation it dominated from begin to end. Led by Hidalgo and her nation-leading 4.6 steals per recreation, Notre Dame is a top-10 protection in factors allowed per play and has gotten higher within the postseason.
Up subsequent: 3-seed Oregon State (Friday, 2:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Paige Bueckers’ 32-point recreation helps UConn to thirtieth straight Candy 16
UConn star Paige Bueckers drops 32 factors to go along with 10 rebounds and 6 assists because the Huskies defeat Syracuse 72-64.
UConn Huskies
Authentic seed: No. 3 (Area 3 in Portland)
NCAA event outcomes: Defeated 14-seed Jackson State 86-64; defeated 6-seed Syracuse Orange 72-64
Is the shadow of Caitlin Clark so giant that it one way or the other has rendered Paige Bueckers underrated? Bueckers, coming off an ACL damage that sidelined her for all the 2022-23 season, is having a greater season than she did as a freshman in 2020-21, when she was the consensus nationwide participant of the yr (and the identical yr Clark started her profession at Iowa). And Bueckers has been even higher in two event video games, averaging 30.0 factors on 56.8% taking pictures. Throw 11.5 rebounds, 6.5 assists and three.5 steals in there too. No participant, besides maybe Clark, has contributed extra to a pair of wins than Bueckers, who can be taking part in in her third Candy 16 and the thirtieth straight for the Huskies.
Up subsequent: vs. 7-seed Duke (Saturday, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Stanford Cardinal
Authentic seed: No. 2 (Area 4 in Portland)
NCAA event outcomes: Defeated 15-seed Norfolk State 79-50; defeated 7-seed Iowa State 87-81 OT
In final yr’s second spherical, Stanford misplaced at house and failed to attain even 50 factors. Sunday at Maples Pavilion, the Cardinal gained a second-round recreation during which one among their gamers virtually bought to 50 by herself. With 41 factors and 16 rebounds, Kiki Iriafen carried Stanford into this system’s twenty ninth Candy 16 with a win over Iowa State in what was an on the spot traditional. All-American Cameron Brink was in foul hassle your entire recreation and fouled out in regulation with simply eight factors. That left issues to Iriafen, who missed solely two photographs within the fourth quarter and time beyond regulation and had 17 factors in that point. It marked the primary 40-point recreation for Iriafen, however she had scored over 30 twice this season, together with 36 in an in depth win over Oregon State in a recreation Brink missed. The Pac-12’s most improved participant has 58 factors by two video games.
Up subsequent: vs. 3-seed NC State (Friday, 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Kiki Iriafen’s 41 leads Stanford previous Iowa State in OT thriller
Stanford outlasts Iowa State in an time beyond regulation thriller to advance to the Candy 16 of the ladies’s NCAA event.
UCLA Bruins
Authentic seed: No. 2 (Area 2 in Albany)
NCAA event outcomes: Defeated 15-seed California Baptist 84-55; defeated 7-seed Creighton Bluejays 67-63
Two issues have change into evident in regards to the Bruins over the previous month: They are not on the similar degree they had been in November and December; and they’re nonetheless adequate, notably on protection, to get to the primary Ultimate 4 in program historical past. In fact, the caveat exists that the trail to Cleveland is blocked with LSU after which presumably Iowa. UCLA’s protection, which utterly shut down an excellent taking pictures, veteran Creighton group, primarily bought the Bruins by to a second consecutive Candy 16. Having a wholesome and constantly productive Lauren Betts, who had 20 factors in opposition to the Bluejays, is the opposite key. At 6-foot-7, she’s UCLA’s differentiator. No group left within the event besides South Carolina with Kamilla Cardoso has a participant that measurement and potential influence.
Up subsequent: 3-seed LSU (Saturday, 1 p.m. ET, ABC)
No. 3 seeds
LSU Tigers
Authentic seed: No. 3 (Area 2 in Albany)
NCAA event outcomes: Defeated 14-seed Rice 70-60; defeated 11-seed Center Tennessee 83-56
Kim Mulkey described a sluggish effort within the first spherical in opposition to Rice as “dangerous” and “ugly.” She might need described the primary half in opposition to Center Tennessee the identical method. Simply over a minute into the second half, the Convention USA champs led 41-32. Then LSU’s expertise took over in a flash and the outlook bought significantly better for the Tigers. Ten straight factors, 5 of which got here from freshman Mikaylah Williams, gave LSU the lead — and it was all Tigers from that time. The protection of the nationwide title was again on observe. Flau’jae Johnson led the way in which with 21 factors, and 76 of LSU’s 83 factors got here from 4 gamers: Johnson, Williams, Angel Reese and Aneesah Morrow.
Up subsequent: 2-seed UCLA (Saturday, 1 p.m. ET, ABC)
NC State Wolfpack
Authentic seed: No. 3 (Area 4 in Portland)
NCAA event outcomes: Defeated 14-seed Chattanooga 64-45; defeated 6-seed Tennessee 79-72
Maybe it wasn’t the Wolfpack offense struggling the previous few video games as a lot as they only wanted to get extra from Saniya Rivers. In opposition to the Woman Vols, they did. Rivers did not hit double figures in any of NC State’s three ACC event video games and, regardless of 16 factors within the first spherical in opposition to Chattanooga, she nonetheless did not seem like herself. However she did in tallying 20 factors, 6 rebounds and three blocks in opposition to the Woman Vols. The Wolfpack’s 44.8 discipline objective proportion was its highest since Feb 18. That included 61% taking pictures in a primary half during which NC State appeared like a unique group than it did in spherical one. The guard trio of Rivers, Aziaha James and Zoe Brooks mixed for 58 factors Monday, and the Wolfpack appeared extra just like the group that had convincing wins over fellow Candy 16 members Colorado, UConn, Notre Dame and Duke earlier this season.
Up subsequent: 2-seed Stanford (Friday, 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Oregon State Beavers
Authentic seed: No. 3 (Area 1 in Albany)
NCAA event outcomes: Defeated 14-seed Jap Washington 73-51; defeated 6-seed Nebraska 61-51
In March 2023, Talia von Oelhoffen was having surgical procedure to restore her knee whereas her group missed the NCAA event for the second straight yr. Quick-forward 12 months and she or he scored 19 factors and had eight assists to get the Beavers to their first Candy 16 in 5 years. As an early qualifying freshman, von Oelhoffen joined Oregon State in January 2021 (throughout what ought to have been her second semester of her senior yr of highschool) and have become the group’s fourth-leading scorer. She had a complete of 10 factors in NCAA event video games in opposition to Florida State and South Carolina. Now she’s the elder stateswoman on an even-better group that depends closely on two freshmen and two sophomores. One of many sophomores, Raegan Beers, is Scott Rueck’s finest participant, however von Oelhoffen, together with her expertise, is likely to be his most essential.
Up subsequent: vs. 3-seed Notre Dame (Friday, 2:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Indiana Hoosiers
Authentic seed: No. 4 (Area 1 in Albany)
NCAA event outcomes: Defeated 13-seed Fairfield 89-56; defeated 5-seed Oklahoma 75-68
Indiana, probably the greatest taking pictures groups within the nation, was pushed frequently by Oklahoma and finally needed to flip to protection. The Hoosiers are third within the nation in 2-point discipline objective proportion however missed 18 layups. They’re the leaders in 3-point proportion however missed 13-of-16 3s. This wasn’t imagined to be the method to get Indiana to a 3rd Candy 16 in 4 years. It was merely the profitable one. Mackenzie Holmes, who carried the Hoosiers on offense, disrupted two Sooners photographs and made a late steal within the game-deciding 10-0 run. Holmes scored 29 factors, 20 within the second half, in a recreation that was tied 10 instances and had 21 lead adjustments.
Up subsequent: vs. 1-seed South Carolina (Friday, 5 p.m. ET, ESPN)
No. 4 seeds
Reigan Richardson fuels Duke comeback with 28 factors
Reigan Richardson and Duke claw again from a double-digit deficit to upset Ohio State within the spherical of 32.
Gonzaga Bulldogs
Authentic seed: No. 4 (Area 4 in Portland)
NCAA event outcomes: Defeated 13-seed UC Irvine 75-56; defeated 5-seed Utah 77-66
The third-best 3-point taking pictures group within the nation hadn’t appeared prefer it currently. Gonzaga was simply 12-for-43 from past the arc in its final two video games. The droop ended in opposition to the Utes. The Zags equaled these 12 made 3s on simply 22 makes an attempt, taking pictures themselves into the applications first Candy 16 since 2015. That was the primary yr below present head coach Lisa Fortier after she had taken over for Kelly Graves. Sisters Kayleigh Truong and Kaylynne Truong — taking part in for the final time in McCarthey Athletic Heart in Spokane — mixed to hit seven 3-pointers, and put up Yvonne Ejim had 17 factors to increase her streak of video games scoring in double figures to 39.
Up subsequent: 1-seed Texas (Friday, 10 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Duke Blue Devils
Authentic seed: No. 7 (Area 3 in Portland)
NCAA event outcomes: Defeated 10-seed Richmond 72-61; defeated 2-seed Ohio State 75-63
Center Tennessee and Iowa State have the most important comebacks on this NCAA event, however the Blue Devils are the true comeback youngsters. Down 9 on the half, they steamrolled Richmond within the second half of their first-round assembly. Then Duke fell behind Ohio State by 16 within the second quarter Sunday solely to outscore the Buckeyes 43-27 on their house flooring within the second half to win going away. It was the second greatest upset of a event that has been marked by a lot chalk. Sophomore Reigan Richardson was Duke’s main scorer within the common season — at 12.4 PPG. She has greater than doubled that (26.5 PPG) on 21-for-36 taking pictures in two video games. Richardson was a second-team All-ACC honoree, however she joins Iriafen because the breakout stars of the event.
Up subsequent: 3-seed UConn
Baylor Bears
Authentic seed: No. 5 (Area 3 in Portland)
NCAA event outcomes: Defeated 12-seed Vanderbilt 80-63; defeated 4-seed Virginia Tech 75-72
Jada Walker picked an opportune night time to have the sport of her profession. And he or she truly had the sport of her profession in a single half. In two years at Kentucky and one at Baylor, Walker had by no means scored 26 factors in a recreation, not to mention in a single half. On Sunday, these included a half-court 3-pointer on the third-quarter buzzer and Baylor’s remaining 9 factors. The junior level guard completed with 28 factors and three assists. With out Walker’s clutch play, the Bears wouldn’t have survived a Hokies group taking part in with out star Elizabeth Kitley to get to their first Candy 16 below Nicki Collen.
Up subsequent: 1-seed USC (Saturday, 5:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Colorado Buffaloes
Authentic seed: No. 5 (Area 2 in Albany)
NCAA event outcomes: Defeated 12-seed Drake 86-72; defeated Kansas State 63-50
How good was Colorado’s protection in opposition to Kansas State? The Buffaloes did not rating for the primary 6:18 of the fourth quarter of a decent recreation — and nonetheless gained by double figures. They put the clamps on Wildcats star Ayoka Lee (10 factors, 9 photographs) all recreation lengthy and compelled 22 turnovers, but it surely was the mere 15 factors Colorado allowed within the second half that gained the sport. That bought the Buffs to their second straight Candy 16 after not having made it this far within the NCAA event in 20 years.
Up subsequent: 1-seed Iowa (Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC)