Sixteen groups have superior to the regional semifinals in Albany and Portland. And the Candy 16 is filled with potential.
All 4 No. 1 seeds reached the spherical of 16. Defending champion LSU is again, as is No. 1 general seed South Carolina, which is 34-0 and chasing an ideal season.
Particular person star energy abounds as nicely. Caitlin Clark, who broke the NCAA Division I document for many factors in a single season within the second spherical, and Iowa stay within the hunt to guide a return journey to the nationwide semifinals. JuJu Watkins, the front-runner for nationwide freshman of the yr, has led USC to its first Candy 16 since 1994.
The Trojans are certainly one of 5 Pac-12 groups within the Candy 16 because the convention continues its push to exit on a excessive observe in its final March Insanity earlier than the Pac-12 as we all know it ceases to exist.
And Duke, at No. 7 the bottom seed left, is hoping to proceed its run however must get previous UConn and Paige Bueckers, who had been upset on this spherical a yr in the past.
Which groups will make the Elite Eight? ESPN’s Charlie Creme, Alexa Philippou and Michael Voepel preview each regional semifinal and be a part of Andrea Adelson in predicting who advances.
Friday, 2:30 p.m. ET, ESPN (Area 1 in Albany)
Why Notre Dame will win: Throughout their 10-game successful streak, the Irish have adopted a easy components: play nice protection, and Hannah Hidalgo, Sonia Citron and Maddy Westbeld will deal with the offense. That has allowed the Irish to not simply survive however thrive, regardless of coach Niele Ivey having solely six gamers obtainable in her rotation. Notre Dame has navigated three season-ending accidents and the lack of Olivia Miles and Jenna Brown earlier than the season even started. Solely Duke, within the win that began the streak, has shot over 40% from the sphere towards Notre Dame prior to now 10 video games, and no opponent has reached 70 factors. Ivey and Hidalgo, the nationwide chief in steals, have turned this right into a defense-first staff. The flexibility of their three stars additionally offers the Irish a number of methods to attain. Hidalgo likes to assault the paint. Citron has a easy midrange sport and can be finisher. Westbeld is Notre Dame’s prime rebounder and finest 3-point shooter.
Why Oregon State will win: The Beavers have an enormous benefit within the publish in 6-4 sophomore Raegan Beers. The knee harm that ended the season for Notre Dame’s Kylee Watson might loom giant on this sport. She was the skilled, bodily presence the Irish might flip to towards a participant like Beers, whose 17.5 factors and 10.2 rebounds per sport lead Oregon State. Natalija Marshall, a 6-5 Notre Dame senior, performed spot minutes within the Irish’s frontcourt earlier than the accidents. Now she may have the accountability of slowing down an All-Pac-12 participant. Beers was held in examine towards Nebraska within the second spherical, however anticipate the Beavers to look her far more usually on Friday.
What is the X issue: Notre Dame’s foul scenario. Participant fatigue is not a problem, regardless of the shortage of depth. The longer breaks in NCAA event play assist. However fouls are a game-to-game proposition. How these play out cannot be predicted. The Irish can in poor health afford to have Hidalgo, Citron or Westbeld compelled to sit down with foul hassle early within the sport. Hidalgo has completed with 4 fouls in three of these 10 video games, and Citron had 4 twice. That’s the closest any Notre Dame participant has been to fouling out. The Irish appear to have perfected the artwork of enjoying nice protection with out fouling, however it stays one thing to look at. — Creme
Which staff will advance?
Adelson: Oregon State 71, Notre Dame 70
Creme: Notre Dame 65, Oregon State 61
Pelton: Notre Dame 70, Oregon State 66
Philippou: Notre Dame 66, Oregon State 56
Voepel: Notre Dame 74, Oregon State 66
The star gamers from the primary two rounds of the ladies’s NCAA event
Take a look at a number of the finest performs from the highest stars within the first two rounds of the ladies’s NCAA event.
Friday, 5 p.m. ET, ESPN (Area 1 in Albany)
Why South Carolina will win: If the Gamecocks play their A-game, they will not lose. That has been the consensus within the basketball world for the reason that second month of the season (if not sooner). No different staff is gifted and deep sufficient to beat South Carolina at its finest. And the efficiency we noticed within the second spherical towards North Carolina was at the very least near South Carolina’s finest. The Gamecocks lead the NCAA event in scoring, rebounding and discipline purpose proportion allowed. Freshman MiLaysia Fulwiley has emerged as one thing nicely past a highlight-generating participant. Her perimeter capturing and penetrating skills give coach Daybreak Staley one other dimension. Fulwiley and Te-Hina Paopao are capturing over 50% from the 3-point line, and Kamilla Cardoso remains to be dominating inside. Towards the Tar Heels, South Carolina’s guards had been dominant. With Cardoso, Chloe Kitts and Ashlyn Watkins, the Gamecocks ought to put on down a skinny Hoosiers entrance line.
Why Indiana will win: The within-outside punch of Mackenzie Holmes and Sara Scalia has been efficient to this point and will be on this sport. Scalia can be notably essential if Indiana goes to tug the upset. If she will free herself to make some 3-pointers — she’s 6-of-15 to this point within the event — it ought to open some passing lanes and area for Holmes to function within the publish. One-on-one, Holmes can succeed towards South Carolina. It is when the Gamecocks carry a number of defenders as tall or taller than the 6-foot-3 Holmes that she might have issues. If level guard Chloe Moore-McNeil can play a gentle flooring sport towards what is bound to be a revolving door of high quality perimeter defenders, Indiana can keep within the sport and maybe steal an upset late.
What is the X issue: South Carolina’s perimeter protection. Fulwiley, Paopao, Raven Johnson and Bree Corridor may cause a number of issues if they’re efficient on protection. Shutting down Indiana’s perimeter capturing will take away the Hoosiers’ finest likelihood to maximise possessions. Indiana’s guards additionally have to get Holmes the ball in scoring areas. If Scalia, Moore-McNeil, Sydney Parrish and Yarden Garzon cannot navigate that stress protection, Holmes will not get sufficient high quality touches to be impactful. — Creme
Which staff will advance?
Adelson: South Carolina 80, Indiana 65
Creme: South Carolina 77, Indiana 59
Pelton: South Carolina 85, Indiana 67
Philippou: South Carolina 85, Indiana 60
Voepel: South Carolina 82, Indiana 73
Friday, 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN (Area 4 in Portland)
Why Stanford will win: Stanford has the 2 finest gamers on the courtroom in Cameron Brink and Kiki Iriafen. In the event that they play like that, Stanford will win. Brink struggled offensively and with foul hassle towards Iowa State, and regardless of Iriafen’s 41-point brilliance, the Cardinal practically did not survive towards Iowa State, needing extra time to advance. Coach Tara VanDerveer will want a 3rd important contributor, maybe Hannah Bounce or Elena Bosgana. If the Cardinal have three gamers delivering on the offensive finish at a excessive fee, they are going to be within the Elite Eight.
Why NC State will win: Aziaha James and Saniya Rivers are the 2 finest guards on the courtroom. Zoe Brooks is likely to be third. NC State is hard to beat if the trio performs prefer it did towards Tennessee within the second spherical, when these gamers had been the Wolfpack’s prime three scorers. The offense has struggled at occasions late within the season when Rivers wasn’t capturing the ball nicely or Brooks wasn’t as concerned. Getting their transition sport going early is vital. Rivers and Brooks excel within the open courtroom, and enjoying a full-court sport negates Stanford’s measurement benefit.
What is the X issue: It is a basic battle of energy vs. weak point. Frontcourt vs. backcourt. The play of River Baldwin and Mimi Collins towards Brink and Iriafen can be essential to look at. They need not defend completely, but when Baldwin and Collins can rebound and defend successfully, with out fouling, NC State may have the higher hand. — Creme
Which staff will advance?
Adelson: Stanford 66, NC State 60
Creme: NC State 76, Stanford 74
Pelton: Stanford 71, NC State 63
Philippou: Stanford 71, NC State 62
Voepel: Stanford 75, NC State 70
Friday, 10 p.m. ET, ESPN (Area 4 in Portland)
Why Texas will win: Whereas Madison Booker is Texas’ finest participant, the Longhorns’ capability to dominate inside, particularly on the glass, is what’s going to get them to the Elite Eight. Offensive rebounding was the difference-maker towards Alabama within the second spherical, and if Aaliyah Moore, Taylor Jones and DeYona Gaston can set up bodily dominance, the Longhorns would possibly be capable of push across the Bulldogs. Search for the 6-1 Booker — who’s so adept at creating area for her midrange jumper — to capitalize on her measurement benefit over the smaller Gonzaga guards, Kayleigh Truong (5-9) and Kaylynne Truong (5-8).
Why Gonzaga will win: The Zags are essentially the most correct 3-point capturing staff within the nation (40.1%) and made 12 of 28 towards Utah. Texas cannot beat Gonzaga in a capturing contest, regardless of being a strong 3-point capturing staff itself. Yvonne Ejim can be the most efficient and environment friendly publish participant on this sport. Texas will undoubtedly attempt to get bodily together with her with a number of defenders. That is what Vic Schaefer groups do. But when Ejim can play successfully in a number of methods, she will drag the Texas bigs to the excessive publish and be simply as efficient. That will largely negate the Longhorns’ physicality. Gonzaga can pull the upset if it may open the courtroom and play with tempo.
What is the X issue: The protection of Texas’ Shay Holle and Shaylee Gonzales towards Brynna Maxwell and the Truong sisters can be essential. Utah’s guards had hassle matching up with all three. Eliza Hollingsworth, a 6-3 ahead, was additionally left open an excessive amount of. She’s seemingly going to be extra agile than the defender guarding her on the surface. The Texas technique on deal with all of the Gonzaga perimeter choices would possibly resolve this sport. — Creme
Which staff will advance?
Adelson: Texas 81 Gonzaga 63
Creme: Texas 68, Gonzaga 65
Pelton: Texas 75, Gonzaga 68
Philippou: Texas 82, Gonzaga 66
Voepel: Texas 81, Gonzaga 71
Relive LSU’s prime performs within the ladies’s NCAA event to this point
Relive the LSU Tigers’ finest performs from this yr’s NCAA event in wins over Rice and Center Tennessee.
Saturday, 1 p.m. ET, ABC (Area 2 in Albany)
Why LSU will win: A part of the Tigers’ energy this season is proved by how intently they performed SEC rival and No. 1 general seed South Carolina. The Tigers misplaced the regular-season matchup with the Gamecocks 76-70 on Jan. 25, and the SEC event ultimate 79-72 on March 10.
The Tigers did not have a very convincing NCAA event first-round win over Rice (70-60). And observers voiced concern in regards to the second spherical’s free throw capturing disparity with Center Tennessee: The Tigers had been 26-of-37 from the road, whereas the Blue Raiders had been 6-of-9.
However the backside line is that LSU has the rebounding capability, led by Angel Reese, to win the board battle in most video games. The Tigers additionally common nearly 10 factors per sport greater than the Bruins. So so long as LSU is ready to run its offense comparatively nicely, it is likely to be robust for UCLA to decisively win any main side of the sport.
Why UCLA will win: The Bruins misplaced to rival USC within the Pac-12 event semifinals, after which obtained a scare from Creighton within the second spherical of the NCAA event. Now that they’re within the Candy 16, we’d see the most effective of UCLA. The Bruins misplaced right here in Albany within the regional semifinal 5 years in the past; that was to a UConn staff not that removed from its residence. Final season, UCLA additionally misplaced within the Candy 16 on the East Coast: to South Carolina in Greenville, South Carolina.
This season’s Bruins spent plenty of time at No. 2 within the Related Press ballot and have all of the bases lined with expertise. UCLA has six gamers averaging between 14.9 and eight.9 factors. All however certainly one of them — middle Lauren Betts — have made at the very least 20 3-pointers this season. It is honest to say that UCLA is the most effective program that hasn’t made the ladies’s Last 4 within the NCAA period. A win over the defending champion Tigers will not get it there however can be an enormous step.
What is the X issue: It might be free throws. The Tigers lead Division I in free throws made (709) and tried (950). Evaluate that to UCLA, which is 421-of-563 from the road for the season. — Voepel
Which staff will advance?
Adelson: UCLA 77, LSU 76
Creme: UCLA 72, LSU 71
Pelton: LSU 80, UCLA 73
Philippou: UCLA 75, LSU, 72
Voepel: LSU 81, UCLA 77
Take a look at Caitlin Clark’s prime highlights of this NCAA event
Relive Iowa star Caitlin Clark’s finest performs from the Hawkeyes’ wins vs. Holy Cross and West Virginia within the ladies’s NCAA event.
Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC (Area 2 in Albany)
Why Iowa will win: The Hawkeyes needed to be affected person in letting West Virginia’s fouls meet up with it in Monday’s second-round win. The Mountaineers’ defensive technique was to attempt to harass Iowa into sufficient turnovers to take management of the sport, however the Hawkeyes did not let it occur. Nonetheless, the sport went right down to the wire, so Colorado would possibly strive a number of the similar ways.
That stated, Iowa nonetheless has plenty of offensive threats even past celebrity Caitlin Clark, who leads Division I in scoring, assists and 3-pointers. Kate Martin, Gabbie Marshall and Sydney Affolter can all hit large 3-point photographs. Hannah Stuelke was quiet through the early-round video games — she missed most of Iowa’s NCAA opener with migraine points — however this sport might be large for her. As for Clark, the Candy 16 and past final season was when she actually put her sport into one other gear. If she will do the identical this yr, the Hawkeyes can advance to the Elite Eight.
Why Colorado will win: The Buffaloes’ early-round victories had been towards Drake, which depends on good 3-point capturing, and Kansas State, which is not as high-scoring and bases its offense round a middle. Colorado dealt with each these groups nicely, beating the Bulldogs by 14 and the Wildcats by 13. Iowa is Division I’s most potent offense, however the Buffs have proved they’ll decelerate good groups.
If Colorado — which averages 75.4 PPG to Iowa’s 92.0 PPG — can set the tone defensively, that tilts the sport within the Buffs’ favor. Like West Virginia, Colorado has a super-quick guard in Jaylyn Sherrod. Not like the Mountaineers, the Buffs have extra expert inside gamers, similar to Quay Miller and Aaronette Vonleh. The Hawkeyes beat the Buffs 87-77 final season within the Candy 16, however Colorado might flip the tables this time.
What is the X issue: Iowa’s 3-point capturing. The Hawkeyes common a Division I-best 11.1 3-pointers per sport. And after they begin raining 3s, they’ll go on spurts that change the entire dynamic of the sport. — Voepel
Which staff will advance?
Adelson: Iowa 75, Colorado 70
Creme: Iowa 78, Colorado 72
Pelton: Iowa 90, Colorado 82
Philippou: Iowa 82, Colorado 74
Voepel: Iowa 84, Colorado 79
The perfect of JuJu Watkins to this point within the NCAA event
Relive USC star JuJu Watkins’ finest performs from the Trojans’ wins vs. Texas A&M Commerce and Kansas within the ladies’s NCAA event.
Saturday, 5:30 p.m. ET, ESPN (Area 3 in Portland)
Why USC will win: Having misplaced only one sport throughout February and March, the Trojans have been enjoying their finest basketball on the proper time. Freshman phenom JuJu Watkins is doing her factor and boasts the third-most factors all-time by a freshman with 861. However others round her have stepped up too — notably McKenzie Forbes on the offensive finish, who simply strung collectively three consecutive 20-plus-point video games for the primary time in her profession. When these two are hitting photographs and the remainder of the Trojans — whether or not Kayla Padilla, Kaitlyn Davis, Clarice Akunwafo or another person — excel of their roles, Lindsay Gottlieb’s squad is hard to beat.
Why Baylor will win: The Bears’ offensive stability — a distinction from Watkins-centric USC — signifies that primarily based on matchups, any certainly one of their gamers has the chance to pop off. Towards Vanderbilt, it was Bella Fontleroy. Towards Virginia Tech, it was Sarah Andrews within the first half and Jada Walker within the second on her approach to posting a career-high 28 factors. Nicki Collen stated her staff misplaced a few of its confidence on the offensive finish of the ground throughout its rocky Large 12 slate, but when that sturdy efficiency in Blacksburg carries over to Saturday — mixed with the Bears’ usually sturdy protection — it might spell an upset.
What is the X issue: Baylor is 21-1 this season when it outrebounds its opponent, with Aijha Blackwell and Darianna Littlepage-Buggs combining for 15.3 boards per contest. Can Rayah Marshall (10.3 RPG) — top-of-the-line rebounders within the Pac-12 — and the Trojans sustain?
Which staff will advance?
Adelson: USC 83 Baylor 72
Creme: USC 72, Baylor 55
Pelton: USC 72, Baylor 65
Philippou: USC 71, Baylor 62
Voepel: USC 72, Baylor 67
Take a look at Paige Bueckers’ prime highlights of the NCAA event
Relive UConn star Paige Bueckers’ finest performs from the Huskies’ wins vs. Jackson State and Syracuse within the ladies’s NCAA event.
Saturday, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN, (Area 3 in Portland)
Why UConn will win: The Huskies have three seniors — Paige Bueckers, Aaliyah Edwards and Nika Muhl — who’ve been on this stage (and larger) earlier than and had been on the staff final yr when UConn was shocked by Ohio State within the Candy 16. Even when it was to a unique opponent, the ache of that loss on this spherical remains to be recent on their minds, solely additional motivating the Huskies heading into Saturday. Bueckers is likely to be having the most effective postseason of any participant within the nation, and together with her well-rounded affect on the sport will do no matter it takes to get UConn one step nearer to Cleveland. She does not need to do it alone, both, with sturdy begins to postseason play from Edwards and freshman Ashlynn Shade.
Why Duke will win: The Blue Devils boast top-of-the-line defenses within the nation, a unit that may trigger matches for UConn’s offense. They have not allowed an opponent to attain greater than 63 factors since Feb. 19. Whereas they did not have a ton of constant offensive firepower through the common season, they now have one of many hottest gamers within the event in junior Reigan Richardson, who’s averaging 12.4 factors per sport on the season however scored 25 and 28 factors towards Richmond and Ohio State, respectively. Duke’s prowess on the offensive glass, spurred by freshman Oluchi Okananwa, additionally offers the Blue Devils an edge over an opponent with a dearth of frontcourt choices.
What is the X issue: Syracuse did job for essentially the most a part of neutralizing UConn’s publish play. Can Duke do the identical? The Blue Devils enable simply 23.4 factors within the paint per sport and have posts Kennedy Brown (6-6) and Camilla Emsbo (6-5) defending the rim (the staff averages 5.6 rejections per sport). Edwards is among the prime gamers left within the event, and final time these two packages met in November 2022, she tallied 17 factors and 11 rebounds. — Philippou
Which staff will advance?
Adelson: UConn 66, Duke 60
Creme: UConn 70, Duke 56
Pelton: UConn 71, Duke 60
Philippou: UConn 67, Duke 59
Voepel: UConn 79, Duke 65
Sixteen groups have superior to the regional semifinals in Albany and Portland. And the Candy 16 is filled with potential.
All 4 No. 1 seeds reached the spherical of 16. Defending champion LSU is again, as is No. 1 general seed South Carolina, which is 34-0 and chasing an ideal season.
Particular person star energy abounds as nicely. Caitlin Clark, who broke the NCAA Division I document for many factors in a single season within the second spherical, and Iowa stay within the hunt to guide a return journey to the nationwide semifinals. JuJu Watkins, the front-runner for nationwide freshman of the yr, has led USC to its first Candy 16 since 1994.
The Trojans are certainly one of 5 Pac-12 groups within the Candy 16 because the convention continues its push to exit on a excessive observe in its final March Insanity earlier than the Pac-12 as we all know it ceases to exist.
And Duke, at No. 7 the bottom seed left, is hoping to proceed its run however must get previous UConn and Paige Bueckers, who had been upset on this spherical a yr in the past.
Which groups will make the Elite Eight? ESPN’s Charlie Creme, Alexa Philippou and Michael Voepel preview each regional semifinal and be a part of Andrea Adelson in predicting who advances.
Friday, 2:30 p.m. ET, ESPN (Area 1 in Albany)
Why Notre Dame will win: Throughout their 10-game successful streak, the Irish have adopted a easy components: play nice protection, and Hannah Hidalgo, Sonia Citron and Maddy Westbeld will deal with the offense. That has allowed the Irish to not simply survive however thrive, regardless of coach Niele Ivey having solely six gamers obtainable in her rotation. Notre Dame has navigated three season-ending accidents and the lack of Olivia Miles and Jenna Brown earlier than the season even started. Solely Duke, within the win that began the streak, has shot over 40% from the sphere towards Notre Dame prior to now 10 video games, and no opponent has reached 70 factors. Ivey and Hidalgo, the nationwide chief in steals, have turned this right into a defense-first staff. The flexibility of their three stars additionally offers the Irish a number of methods to attain. Hidalgo likes to assault the paint. Citron has a easy midrange sport and can be finisher. Westbeld is Notre Dame’s prime rebounder and finest 3-point shooter.
Why Oregon State will win: The Beavers have an enormous benefit within the publish in 6-4 sophomore Raegan Beers. The knee harm that ended the season for Notre Dame’s Kylee Watson might loom giant on this sport. She was the skilled, bodily presence the Irish might flip to towards a participant like Beers, whose 17.5 factors and 10.2 rebounds per sport lead Oregon State. Natalija Marshall, a 6-5 Notre Dame senior, performed spot minutes within the Irish’s frontcourt earlier than the accidents. Now she may have the accountability of slowing down an All-Pac-12 participant. Beers was held in examine towards Nebraska within the second spherical, however anticipate the Beavers to look her far more usually on Friday.
What is the X issue: Notre Dame’s foul scenario. Participant fatigue is not a problem, regardless of the shortage of depth. The longer breaks in NCAA event play assist. However fouls are a game-to-game proposition. How these play out cannot be predicted. The Irish can in poor health afford to have Hidalgo, Citron or Westbeld compelled to sit down with foul hassle early within the sport. Hidalgo has completed with 4 fouls in three of these 10 video games, and Citron had 4 twice. That’s the closest any Notre Dame participant has been to fouling out. The Irish appear to have perfected the artwork of enjoying nice protection with out fouling, however it stays one thing to look at. — Creme
Which staff will advance?
Adelson: Oregon State 71, Notre Dame 70
Creme: Notre Dame 65, Oregon State 61
Pelton: Notre Dame 70, Oregon State 66
Philippou: Notre Dame 66, Oregon State 56
Voepel: Notre Dame 74, Oregon State 66
The star gamers from the primary two rounds of the ladies’s NCAA event
Take a look at a number of the finest performs from the highest stars within the first two rounds of the ladies’s NCAA event.
Friday, 5 p.m. ET, ESPN (Area 1 in Albany)
Why South Carolina will win: If the Gamecocks play their A-game, they will not lose. That has been the consensus within the basketball world for the reason that second month of the season (if not sooner). No different staff is gifted and deep sufficient to beat South Carolina at its finest. And the efficiency we noticed within the second spherical towards North Carolina was at the very least near South Carolina’s finest. The Gamecocks lead the NCAA event in scoring, rebounding and discipline purpose proportion allowed. Freshman MiLaysia Fulwiley has emerged as one thing nicely past a highlight-generating participant. Her perimeter capturing and penetrating skills give coach Daybreak Staley one other dimension. Fulwiley and Te-Hina Paopao are capturing over 50% from the 3-point line, and Kamilla Cardoso remains to be dominating inside. Towards the Tar Heels, South Carolina’s guards had been dominant. With Cardoso, Chloe Kitts and Ashlyn Watkins, the Gamecocks ought to put on down a skinny Hoosiers entrance line.
Why Indiana will win: The within-outside punch of Mackenzie Holmes and Sara Scalia has been efficient to this point and will be on this sport. Scalia can be notably essential if Indiana goes to tug the upset. If she will free herself to make some 3-pointers — she’s 6-of-15 to this point within the event — it ought to open some passing lanes and area for Holmes to function within the publish. One-on-one, Holmes can succeed towards South Carolina. It is when the Gamecocks carry a number of defenders as tall or taller than the 6-foot-3 Holmes that she might have issues. If level guard Chloe Moore-McNeil can play a gentle flooring sport towards what is bound to be a revolving door of high quality perimeter defenders, Indiana can keep within the sport and maybe steal an upset late.
What is the X issue: South Carolina’s perimeter protection. Fulwiley, Paopao, Raven Johnson and Bree Corridor may cause a number of issues if they’re efficient on protection. Shutting down Indiana’s perimeter capturing will take away the Hoosiers’ finest likelihood to maximise possessions. Indiana’s guards additionally have to get Holmes the ball in scoring areas. If Scalia, Moore-McNeil, Sydney Parrish and Yarden Garzon cannot navigate that stress protection, Holmes will not get sufficient high quality touches to be impactful. — Creme
Which staff will advance?
Adelson: South Carolina 80, Indiana 65
Creme: South Carolina 77, Indiana 59
Pelton: South Carolina 85, Indiana 67
Philippou: South Carolina 85, Indiana 60
Voepel: South Carolina 82, Indiana 73
Friday, 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN (Area 4 in Portland)
Why Stanford will win: Stanford has the 2 finest gamers on the courtroom in Cameron Brink and Kiki Iriafen. In the event that they play like that, Stanford will win. Brink struggled offensively and with foul hassle towards Iowa State, and regardless of Iriafen’s 41-point brilliance, the Cardinal practically did not survive towards Iowa State, needing extra time to advance. Coach Tara VanDerveer will want a 3rd important contributor, maybe Hannah Bounce or Elena Bosgana. If the Cardinal have three gamers delivering on the offensive finish at a excessive fee, they are going to be within the Elite Eight.
Why NC State will win: Aziaha James and Saniya Rivers are the 2 finest guards on the courtroom. Zoe Brooks is likely to be third. NC State is hard to beat if the trio performs prefer it did towards Tennessee within the second spherical, when these gamers had been the Wolfpack’s prime three scorers. The offense has struggled at occasions late within the season when Rivers wasn’t capturing the ball nicely or Brooks wasn’t as concerned. Getting their transition sport going early is vital. Rivers and Brooks excel within the open courtroom, and enjoying a full-court sport negates Stanford’s measurement benefit.
What is the X issue: It is a basic battle of energy vs. weak point. Frontcourt vs. backcourt. The play of River Baldwin and Mimi Collins towards Brink and Iriafen can be essential to look at. They need not defend completely, but when Baldwin and Collins can rebound and defend successfully, with out fouling, NC State may have the higher hand. — Creme
Which staff will advance?
Adelson: Stanford 66, NC State 60
Creme: NC State 76, Stanford 74
Pelton: Stanford 71, NC State 63
Philippou: Stanford 71, NC State 62
Voepel: Stanford 75, NC State 70
Friday, 10 p.m. ET, ESPN (Area 4 in Portland)
Why Texas will win: Whereas Madison Booker is Texas’ finest participant, the Longhorns’ capability to dominate inside, particularly on the glass, is what’s going to get them to the Elite Eight. Offensive rebounding was the difference-maker towards Alabama within the second spherical, and if Aaliyah Moore, Taylor Jones and DeYona Gaston can set up bodily dominance, the Longhorns would possibly be capable of push across the Bulldogs. Search for the 6-1 Booker — who’s so adept at creating area for her midrange jumper — to capitalize on her measurement benefit over the smaller Gonzaga guards, Kayleigh Truong (5-9) and Kaylynne Truong (5-8).
Why Gonzaga will win: The Zags are essentially the most correct 3-point capturing staff within the nation (40.1%) and made 12 of 28 towards Utah. Texas cannot beat Gonzaga in a capturing contest, regardless of being a strong 3-point capturing staff itself. Yvonne Ejim can be the most efficient and environment friendly publish participant on this sport. Texas will undoubtedly attempt to get bodily together with her with a number of defenders. That is what Vic Schaefer groups do. But when Ejim can play successfully in a number of methods, she will drag the Texas bigs to the excessive publish and be simply as efficient. That will largely negate the Longhorns’ physicality. Gonzaga can pull the upset if it may open the courtroom and play with tempo.
What is the X issue: The protection of Texas’ Shay Holle and Shaylee Gonzales towards Brynna Maxwell and the Truong sisters can be essential. Utah’s guards had hassle matching up with all three. Eliza Hollingsworth, a 6-3 ahead, was additionally left open an excessive amount of. She’s seemingly going to be extra agile than the defender guarding her on the surface. The Texas technique on deal with all of the Gonzaga perimeter choices would possibly resolve this sport. — Creme
Which staff will advance?
Adelson: Texas 81 Gonzaga 63
Creme: Texas 68, Gonzaga 65
Pelton: Texas 75, Gonzaga 68
Philippou: Texas 82, Gonzaga 66
Voepel: Texas 81, Gonzaga 71
Relive LSU’s prime performs within the ladies’s NCAA event to this point
Relive the LSU Tigers’ finest performs from this yr’s NCAA event in wins over Rice and Center Tennessee.
Saturday, 1 p.m. ET, ABC (Area 2 in Albany)
Why LSU will win: A part of the Tigers’ energy this season is proved by how intently they performed SEC rival and No. 1 general seed South Carolina. The Tigers misplaced the regular-season matchup with the Gamecocks 76-70 on Jan. 25, and the SEC event ultimate 79-72 on March 10.
The Tigers did not have a very convincing NCAA event first-round win over Rice (70-60). And observers voiced concern in regards to the second spherical’s free throw capturing disparity with Center Tennessee: The Tigers had been 26-of-37 from the road, whereas the Blue Raiders had been 6-of-9.
However the backside line is that LSU has the rebounding capability, led by Angel Reese, to win the board battle in most video games. The Tigers additionally common nearly 10 factors per sport greater than the Bruins. So so long as LSU is ready to run its offense comparatively nicely, it is likely to be robust for UCLA to decisively win any main side of the sport.
Why UCLA will win: The Bruins misplaced to rival USC within the Pac-12 event semifinals, after which obtained a scare from Creighton within the second spherical of the NCAA event. Now that they’re within the Candy 16, we’d see the most effective of UCLA. The Bruins misplaced right here in Albany within the regional semifinal 5 years in the past; that was to a UConn staff not that removed from its residence. Final season, UCLA additionally misplaced within the Candy 16 on the East Coast: to South Carolina in Greenville, South Carolina.
This season’s Bruins spent plenty of time at No. 2 within the Related Press ballot and have all of the bases lined with expertise. UCLA has six gamers averaging between 14.9 and eight.9 factors. All however certainly one of them — middle Lauren Betts — have made at the very least 20 3-pointers this season. It is honest to say that UCLA is the most effective program that hasn’t made the ladies’s Last 4 within the NCAA period. A win over the defending champion Tigers will not get it there however can be an enormous step.
What is the X issue: It might be free throws. The Tigers lead Division I in free throws made (709) and tried (950). Evaluate that to UCLA, which is 421-of-563 from the road for the season. — Voepel
Which staff will advance?
Adelson: UCLA 77, LSU 76
Creme: UCLA 72, LSU 71
Pelton: LSU 80, UCLA 73
Philippou: UCLA 75, LSU, 72
Voepel: LSU 81, UCLA 77
Take a look at Caitlin Clark’s prime highlights of this NCAA event
Relive Iowa star Caitlin Clark’s finest performs from the Hawkeyes’ wins vs. Holy Cross and West Virginia within the ladies’s NCAA event.
Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC (Area 2 in Albany)
Why Iowa will win: The Hawkeyes needed to be affected person in letting West Virginia’s fouls meet up with it in Monday’s second-round win. The Mountaineers’ defensive technique was to attempt to harass Iowa into sufficient turnovers to take management of the sport, however the Hawkeyes did not let it occur. Nonetheless, the sport went right down to the wire, so Colorado would possibly strive a number of the similar ways.
That stated, Iowa nonetheless has plenty of offensive threats even past celebrity Caitlin Clark, who leads Division I in scoring, assists and 3-pointers. Kate Martin, Gabbie Marshall and Sydney Affolter can all hit large 3-point photographs. Hannah Stuelke was quiet through the early-round video games — she missed most of Iowa’s NCAA opener with migraine points — however this sport might be large for her. As for Clark, the Candy 16 and past final season was when she actually put her sport into one other gear. If she will do the identical this yr, the Hawkeyes can advance to the Elite Eight.
Why Colorado will win: The Buffaloes’ early-round victories had been towards Drake, which depends on good 3-point capturing, and Kansas State, which is not as high-scoring and bases its offense round a middle. Colorado dealt with each these groups nicely, beating the Bulldogs by 14 and the Wildcats by 13. Iowa is Division I’s most potent offense, however the Buffs have proved they’ll decelerate good groups.
If Colorado — which averages 75.4 PPG to Iowa’s 92.0 PPG — can set the tone defensively, that tilts the sport within the Buffs’ favor. Like West Virginia, Colorado has a super-quick guard in Jaylyn Sherrod. Not like the Mountaineers, the Buffs have extra expert inside gamers, similar to Quay Miller and Aaronette Vonleh. The Hawkeyes beat the Buffs 87-77 final season within the Candy 16, however Colorado might flip the tables this time.
What is the X issue: Iowa’s 3-point capturing. The Hawkeyes common a Division I-best 11.1 3-pointers per sport. And after they begin raining 3s, they’ll go on spurts that change the entire dynamic of the sport. — Voepel
Which staff will advance?
Adelson: Iowa 75, Colorado 70
Creme: Iowa 78, Colorado 72
Pelton: Iowa 90, Colorado 82
Philippou: Iowa 82, Colorado 74
Voepel: Iowa 84, Colorado 79
The perfect of JuJu Watkins to this point within the NCAA event
Relive USC star JuJu Watkins’ finest performs from the Trojans’ wins vs. Texas A&M Commerce and Kansas within the ladies’s NCAA event.
Saturday, 5:30 p.m. ET, ESPN (Area 3 in Portland)
Why USC will win: Having misplaced only one sport throughout February and March, the Trojans have been enjoying their finest basketball on the proper time. Freshman phenom JuJu Watkins is doing her factor and boasts the third-most factors all-time by a freshman with 861. However others round her have stepped up too — notably McKenzie Forbes on the offensive finish, who simply strung collectively three consecutive 20-plus-point video games for the primary time in her profession. When these two are hitting photographs and the remainder of the Trojans — whether or not Kayla Padilla, Kaitlyn Davis, Clarice Akunwafo or another person — excel of their roles, Lindsay Gottlieb’s squad is hard to beat.
Why Baylor will win: The Bears’ offensive stability — a distinction from Watkins-centric USC — signifies that primarily based on matchups, any certainly one of their gamers has the chance to pop off. Towards Vanderbilt, it was Bella Fontleroy. Towards Virginia Tech, it was Sarah Andrews within the first half and Jada Walker within the second on her approach to posting a career-high 28 factors. Nicki Collen stated her staff misplaced a few of its confidence on the offensive finish of the ground throughout its rocky Large 12 slate, but when that sturdy efficiency in Blacksburg carries over to Saturday — mixed with the Bears’ usually sturdy protection — it might spell an upset.
What is the X issue: Baylor is 21-1 this season when it outrebounds its opponent, with Aijha Blackwell and Darianna Littlepage-Buggs combining for 15.3 boards per contest. Can Rayah Marshall (10.3 RPG) — top-of-the-line rebounders within the Pac-12 — and the Trojans sustain?
Which staff will advance?
Adelson: USC 83 Baylor 72
Creme: USC 72, Baylor 55
Pelton: USC 72, Baylor 65
Philippou: USC 71, Baylor 62
Voepel: USC 72, Baylor 67
Take a look at Paige Bueckers’ prime highlights of the NCAA event
Relive UConn star Paige Bueckers’ finest performs from the Huskies’ wins vs. Jackson State and Syracuse within the ladies’s NCAA event.
Saturday, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN, (Area 3 in Portland)
Why UConn will win: The Huskies have three seniors — Paige Bueckers, Aaliyah Edwards and Nika Muhl — who’ve been on this stage (and larger) earlier than and had been on the staff final yr when UConn was shocked by Ohio State within the Candy 16. Even when it was to a unique opponent, the ache of that loss on this spherical remains to be recent on their minds, solely additional motivating the Huskies heading into Saturday. Bueckers is likely to be having the most effective postseason of any participant within the nation, and together with her well-rounded affect on the sport will do no matter it takes to get UConn one step nearer to Cleveland. She does not need to do it alone, both, with sturdy begins to postseason play from Edwards and freshman Ashlynn Shade.
Why Duke will win: The Blue Devils boast top-of-the-line defenses within the nation, a unit that may trigger matches for UConn’s offense. They have not allowed an opponent to attain greater than 63 factors since Feb. 19. Whereas they did not have a ton of constant offensive firepower through the common season, they now have one of many hottest gamers within the event in junior Reigan Richardson, who’s averaging 12.4 factors per sport on the season however scored 25 and 28 factors towards Richmond and Ohio State, respectively. Duke’s prowess on the offensive glass, spurred by freshman Oluchi Okananwa, additionally offers the Blue Devils an edge over an opponent with a dearth of frontcourt choices.
What is the X issue: Syracuse did job for essentially the most a part of neutralizing UConn’s publish play. Can Duke do the identical? The Blue Devils enable simply 23.4 factors within the paint per sport and have posts Kennedy Brown (6-6) and Camilla Emsbo (6-5) defending the rim (the staff averages 5.6 rejections per sport). Edwards is among the prime gamers left within the event, and final time these two packages met in November 2022, she tallied 17 factors and 11 rebounds. — Philippou
Which staff will advance?
Adelson: UConn 66, Duke 60
Creme: UConn 70, Duke 56
Pelton: UConn 71, Duke 60
Philippou: UConn 67, Duke 59
Voepel: UConn 79, Duke 65
Sixteen groups have superior to the regional semifinals in Albany and Portland. And the Candy 16 is filled with potential.
All 4 No. 1 seeds reached the spherical of 16. Defending champion LSU is again, as is No. 1 general seed South Carolina, which is 34-0 and chasing an ideal season.
Particular person star energy abounds as nicely. Caitlin Clark, who broke the NCAA Division I document for many factors in a single season within the second spherical, and Iowa stay within the hunt to guide a return journey to the nationwide semifinals. JuJu Watkins, the front-runner for nationwide freshman of the yr, has led USC to its first Candy 16 since 1994.
The Trojans are certainly one of 5 Pac-12 groups within the Candy 16 because the convention continues its push to exit on a excessive observe in its final March Insanity earlier than the Pac-12 as we all know it ceases to exist.
And Duke, at No. 7 the bottom seed left, is hoping to proceed its run however must get previous UConn and Paige Bueckers, who had been upset on this spherical a yr in the past.
Which groups will make the Elite Eight? ESPN’s Charlie Creme, Alexa Philippou and Michael Voepel preview each regional semifinal and be a part of Andrea Adelson in predicting who advances.
Friday, 2:30 p.m. ET, ESPN (Area 1 in Albany)
Why Notre Dame will win: Throughout their 10-game successful streak, the Irish have adopted a easy components: play nice protection, and Hannah Hidalgo, Sonia Citron and Maddy Westbeld will deal with the offense. That has allowed the Irish to not simply survive however thrive, regardless of coach Niele Ivey having solely six gamers obtainable in her rotation. Notre Dame has navigated three season-ending accidents and the lack of Olivia Miles and Jenna Brown earlier than the season even started. Solely Duke, within the win that began the streak, has shot over 40% from the sphere towards Notre Dame prior to now 10 video games, and no opponent has reached 70 factors. Ivey and Hidalgo, the nationwide chief in steals, have turned this right into a defense-first staff. The flexibility of their three stars additionally offers the Irish a number of methods to attain. Hidalgo likes to assault the paint. Citron has a easy midrange sport and can be finisher. Westbeld is Notre Dame’s prime rebounder and finest 3-point shooter.
Why Oregon State will win: The Beavers have an enormous benefit within the publish in 6-4 sophomore Raegan Beers. The knee harm that ended the season for Notre Dame’s Kylee Watson might loom giant on this sport. She was the skilled, bodily presence the Irish might flip to towards a participant like Beers, whose 17.5 factors and 10.2 rebounds per sport lead Oregon State. Natalija Marshall, a 6-5 Notre Dame senior, performed spot minutes within the Irish’s frontcourt earlier than the accidents. Now she may have the accountability of slowing down an All-Pac-12 participant. Beers was held in examine towards Nebraska within the second spherical, however anticipate the Beavers to look her far more usually on Friday.
What is the X issue: Notre Dame’s foul scenario. Participant fatigue is not a problem, regardless of the shortage of depth. The longer breaks in NCAA event play assist. However fouls are a game-to-game proposition. How these play out cannot be predicted. The Irish can in poor health afford to have Hidalgo, Citron or Westbeld compelled to sit down with foul hassle early within the sport. Hidalgo has completed with 4 fouls in three of these 10 video games, and Citron had 4 twice. That’s the closest any Notre Dame participant has been to fouling out. The Irish appear to have perfected the artwork of enjoying nice protection with out fouling, however it stays one thing to look at. — Creme
Which staff will advance?
Adelson: Oregon State 71, Notre Dame 70
Creme: Notre Dame 65, Oregon State 61
Pelton: Notre Dame 70, Oregon State 66
Philippou: Notre Dame 66, Oregon State 56
Voepel: Notre Dame 74, Oregon State 66
The star gamers from the primary two rounds of the ladies’s NCAA event
Take a look at a number of the finest performs from the highest stars within the first two rounds of the ladies’s NCAA event.
Friday, 5 p.m. ET, ESPN (Area 1 in Albany)
Why South Carolina will win: If the Gamecocks play their A-game, they will not lose. That has been the consensus within the basketball world for the reason that second month of the season (if not sooner). No different staff is gifted and deep sufficient to beat South Carolina at its finest. And the efficiency we noticed within the second spherical towards North Carolina was at the very least near South Carolina’s finest. The Gamecocks lead the NCAA event in scoring, rebounding and discipline purpose proportion allowed. Freshman MiLaysia Fulwiley has emerged as one thing nicely past a highlight-generating participant. Her perimeter capturing and penetrating skills give coach Daybreak Staley one other dimension. Fulwiley and Te-Hina Paopao are capturing over 50% from the 3-point line, and Kamilla Cardoso remains to be dominating inside. Towards the Tar Heels, South Carolina’s guards had been dominant. With Cardoso, Chloe Kitts and Ashlyn Watkins, the Gamecocks ought to put on down a skinny Hoosiers entrance line.
Why Indiana will win: The within-outside punch of Mackenzie Holmes and Sara Scalia has been efficient to this point and will be on this sport. Scalia can be notably essential if Indiana goes to tug the upset. If she will free herself to make some 3-pointers — she’s 6-of-15 to this point within the event — it ought to open some passing lanes and area for Holmes to function within the publish. One-on-one, Holmes can succeed towards South Carolina. It is when the Gamecocks carry a number of defenders as tall or taller than the 6-foot-3 Holmes that she might have issues. If level guard Chloe Moore-McNeil can play a gentle flooring sport towards what is bound to be a revolving door of high quality perimeter defenders, Indiana can keep within the sport and maybe steal an upset late.
What is the X issue: South Carolina’s perimeter protection. Fulwiley, Paopao, Raven Johnson and Bree Corridor may cause a number of issues if they’re efficient on protection. Shutting down Indiana’s perimeter capturing will take away the Hoosiers’ finest likelihood to maximise possessions. Indiana’s guards additionally have to get Holmes the ball in scoring areas. If Scalia, Moore-McNeil, Sydney Parrish and Yarden Garzon cannot navigate that stress protection, Holmes will not get sufficient high quality touches to be impactful. — Creme
Which staff will advance?
Adelson: South Carolina 80, Indiana 65
Creme: South Carolina 77, Indiana 59
Pelton: South Carolina 85, Indiana 67
Philippou: South Carolina 85, Indiana 60
Voepel: South Carolina 82, Indiana 73
Friday, 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN (Area 4 in Portland)
Why Stanford will win: Stanford has the 2 finest gamers on the courtroom in Cameron Brink and Kiki Iriafen. In the event that they play like that, Stanford will win. Brink struggled offensively and with foul hassle towards Iowa State, and regardless of Iriafen’s 41-point brilliance, the Cardinal practically did not survive towards Iowa State, needing extra time to advance. Coach Tara VanDerveer will want a 3rd important contributor, maybe Hannah Bounce or Elena Bosgana. If the Cardinal have three gamers delivering on the offensive finish at a excessive fee, they are going to be within the Elite Eight.
Why NC State will win: Aziaha James and Saniya Rivers are the 2 finest guards on the courtroom. Zoe Brooks is likely to be third. NC State is hard to beat if the trio performs prefer it did towards Tennessee within the second spherical, when these gamers had been the Wolfpack’s prime three scorers. The offense has struggled at occasions late within the season when Rivers wasn’t capturing the ball nicely or Brooks wasn’t as concerned. Getting their transition sport going early is vital. Rivers and Brooks excel within the open courtroom, and enjoying a full-court sport negates Stanford’s measurement benefit.
What is the X issue: It is a basic battle of energy vs. weak point. Frontcourt vs. backcourt. The play of River Baldwin and Mimi Collins towards Brink and Iriafen can be essential to look at. They need not defend completely, but when Baldwin and Collins can rebound and defend successfully, with out fouling, NC State may have the higher hand. — Creme
Which staff will advance?
Adelson: Stanford 66, NC State 60
Creme: NC State 76, Stanford 74
Pelton: Stanford 71, NC State 63
Philippou: Stanford 71, NC State 62
Voepel: Stanford 75, NC State 70
Friday, 10 p.m. ET, ESPN (Area 4 in Portland)
Why Texas will win: Whereas Madison Booker is Texas’ finest participant, the Longhorns’ capability to dominate inside, particularly on the glass, is what’s going to get them to the Elite Eight. Offensive rebounding was the difference-maker towards Alabama within the second spherical, and if Aaliyah Moore, Taylor Jones and DeYona Gaston can set up bodily dominance, the Longhorns would possibly be capable of push across the Bulldogs. Search for the 6-1 Booker — who’s so adept at creating area for her midrange jumper — to capitalize on her measurement benefit over the smaller Gonzaga guards, Kayleigh Truong (5-9) and Kaylynne Truong (5-8).
Why Gonzaga will win: The Zags are essentially the most correct 3-point capturing staff within the nation (40.1%) and made 12 of 28 towards Utah. Texas cannot beat Gonzaga in a capturing contest, regardless of being a strong 3-point capturing staff itself. Yvonne Ejim can be the most efficient and environment friendly publish participant on this sport. Texas will undoubtedly attempt to get bodily together with her with a number of defenders. That is what Vic Schaefer groups do. But when Ejim can play successfully in a number of methods, she will drag the Texas bigs to the excessive publish and be simply as efficient. That will largely negate the Longhorns’ physicality. Gonzaga can pull the upset if it may open the courtroom and play with tempo.
What is the X issue: The protection of Texas’ Shay Holle and Shaylee Gonzales towards Brynna Maxwell and the Truong sisters can be essential. Utah’s guards had hassle matching up with all three. Eliza Hollingsworth, a 6-3 ahead, was additionally left open an excessive amount of. She’s seemingly going to be extra agile than the defender guarding her on the surface. The Texas technique on deal with all of the Gonzaga perimeter choices would possibly resolve this sport. — Creme
Which staff will advance?
Adelson: Texas 81 Gonzaga 63
Creme: Texas 68, Gonzaga 65
Pelton: Texas 75, Gonzaga 68
Philippou: Texas 82, Gonzaga 66
Voepel: Texas 81, Gonzaga 71
Relive LSU’s prime performs within the ladies’s NCAA event to this point
Relive the LSU Tigers’ finest performs from this yr’s NCAA event in wins over Rice and Center Tennessee.
Saturday, 1 p.m. ET, ABC (Area 2 in Albany)
Why LSU will win: A part of the Tigers’ energy this season is proved by how intently they performed SEC rival and No. 1 general seed South Carolina. The Tigers misplaced the regular-season matchup with the Gamecocks 76-70 on Jan. 25, and the SEC event ultimate 79-72 on March 10.
The Tigers did not have a very convincing NCAA event first-round win over Rice (70-60). And observers voiced concern in regards to the second spherical’s free throw capturing disparity with Center Tennessee: The Tigers had been 26-of-37 from the road, whereas the Blue Raiders had been 6-of-9.
However the backside line is that LSU has the rebounding capability, led by Angel Reese, to win the board battle in most video games. The Tigers additionally common nearly 10 factors per sport greater than the Bruins. So so long as LSU is ready to run its offense comparatively nicely, it is likely to be robust for UCLA to decisively win any main side of the sport.
Why UCLA will win: The Bruins misplaced to rival USC within the Pac-12 event semifinals, after which obtained a scare from Creighton within the second spherical of the NCAA event. Now that they’re within the Candy 16, we’d see the most effective of UCLA. The Bruins misplaced right here in Albany within the regional semifinal 5 years in the past; that was to a UConn staff not that removed from its residence. Final season, UCLA additionally misplaced within the Candy 16 on the East Coast: to South Carolina in Greenville, South Carolina.
This season’s Bruins spent plenty of time at No. 2 within the Related Press ballot and have all of the bases lined with expertise. UCLA has six gamers averaging between 14.9 and eight.9 factors. All however certainly one of them — middle Lauren Betts — have made at the very least 20 3-pointers this season. It is honest to say that UCLA is the most effective program that hasn’t made the ladies’s Last 4 within the NCAA period. A win over the defending champion Tigers will not get it there however can be an enormous step.
What is the X issue: It might be free throws. The Tigers lead Division I in free throws made (709) and tried (950). Evaluate that to UCLA, which is 421-of-563 from the road for the season. — Voepel
Which staff will advance?
Adelson: UCLA 77, LSU 76
Creme: UCLA 72, LSU 71
Pelton: LSU 80, UCLA 73
Philippou: UCLA 75, LSU, 72
Voepel: LSU 81, UCLA 77
Take a look at Caitlin Clark’s prime highlights of this NCAA event
Relive Iowa star Caitlin Clark’s finest performs from the Hawkeyes’ wins vs. Holy Cross and West Virginia within the ladies’s NCAA event.
Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC (Area 2 in Albany)
Why Iowa will win: The Hawkeyes needed to be affected person in letting West Virginia’s fouls meet up with it in Monday’s second-round win. The Mountaineers’ defensive technique was to attempt to harass Iowa into sufficient turnovers to take management of the sport, however the Hawkeyes did not let it occur. Nonetheless, the sport went right down to the wire, so Colorado would possibly strive a number of the similar ways.
That stated, Iowa nonetheless has plenty of offensive threats even past celebrity Caitlin Clark, who leads Division I in scoring, assists and 3-pointers. Kate Martin, Gabbie Marshall and Sydney Affolter can all hit large 3-point photographs. Hannah Stuelke was quiet through the early-round video games — she missed most of Iowa’s NCAA opener with migraine points — however this sport might be large for her. As for Clark, the Candy 16 and past final season was when she actually put her sport into one other gear. If she will do the identical this yr, the Hawkeyes can advance to the Elite Eight.
Why Colorado will win: The Buffaloes’ early-round victories had been towards Drake, which depends on good 3-point capturing, and Kansas State, which is not as high-scoring and bases its offense round a middle. Colorado dealt with each these groups nicely, beating the Bulldogs by 14 and the Wildcats by 13. Iowa is Division I’s most potent offense, however the Buffs have proved they’ll decelerate good groups.
If Colorado — which averages 75.4 PPG to Iowa’s 92.0 PPG — can set the tone defensively, that tilts the sport within the Buffs’ favor. Like West Virginia, Colorado has a super-quick guard in Jaylyn Sherrod. Not like the Mountaineers, the Buffs have extra expert inside gamers, similar to Quay Miller and Aaronette Vonleh. The Hawkeyes beat the Buffs 87-77 final season within the Candy 16, however Colorado might flip the tables this time.
What is the X issue: Iowa’s 3-point capturing. The Hawkeyes common a Division I-best 11.1 3-pointers per sport. And after they begin raining 3s, they’ll go on spurts that change the entire dynamic of the sport. — Voepel
Which staff will advance?
Adelson: Iowa 75, Colorado 70
Creme: Iowa 78, Colorado 72
Pelton: Iowa 90, Colorado 82
Philippou: Iowa 82, Colorado 74
Voepel: Iowa 84, Colorado 79
The perfect of JuJu Watkins to this point within the NCAA event
Relive USC star JuJu Watkins’ finest performs from the Trojans’ wins vs. Texas A&M Commerce and Kansas within the ladies’s NCAA event.
Saturday, 5:30 p.m. ET, ESPN (Area 3 in Portland)
Why USC will win: Having misplaced only one sport throughout February and March, the Trojans have been enjoying their finest basketball on the proper time. Freshman phenom JuJu Watkins is doing her factor and boasts the third-most factors all-time by a freshman with 861. However others round her have stepped up too — notably McKenzie Forbes on the offensive finish, who simply strung collectively three consecutive 20-plus-point video games for the primary time in her profession. When these two are hitting photographs and the remainder of the Trojans — whether or not Kayla Padilla, Kaitlyn Davis, Clarice Akunwafo or another person — excel of their roles, Lindsay Gottlieb’s squad is hard to beat.
Why Baylor will win: The Bears’ offensive stability — a distinction from Watkins-centric USC — signifies that primarily based on matchups, any certainly one of their gamers has the chance to pop off. Towards Vanderbilt, it was Bella Fontleroy. Towards Virginia Tech, it was Sarah Andrews within the first half and Jada Walker within the second on her approach to posting a career-high 28 factors. Nicki Collen stated her staff misplaced a few of its confidence on the offensive finish of the ground throughout its rocky Large 12 slate, but when that sturdy efficiency in Blacksburg carries over to Saturday — mixed with the Bears’ usually sturdy protection — it might spell an upset.
What is the X issue: Baylor is 21-1 this season when it outrebounds its opponent, with Aijha Blackwell and Darianna Littlepage-Buggs combining for 15.3 boards per contest. Can Rayah Marshall (10.3 RPG) — top-of-the-line rebounders within the Pac-12 — and the Trojans sustain?
Which staff will advance?
Adelson: USC 83 Baylor 72
Creme: USC 72, Baylor 55
Pelton: USC 72, Baylor 65
Philippou: USC 71, Baylor 62
Voepel: USC 72, Baylor 67
Take a look at Paige Bueckers’ prime highlights of the NCAA event
Relive UConn star Paige Bueckers’ finest performs from the Huskies’ wins vs. Jackson State and Syracuse within the ladies’s NCAA event.
Saturday, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN, (Area 3 in Portland)
Why UConn will win: The Huskies have three seniors — Paige Bueckers, Aaliyah Edwards and Nika Muhl — who’ve been on this stage (and larger) earlier than and had been on the staff final yr when UConn was shocked by Ohio State within the Candy 16. Even when it was to a unique opponent, the ache of that loss on this spherical remains to be recent on their minds, solely additional motivating the Huskies heading into Saturday. Bueckers is likely to be having the most effective postseason of any participant within the nation, and together with her well-rounded affect on the sport will do no matter it takes to get UConn one step nearer to Cleveland. She does not need to do it alone, both, with sturdy begins to postseason play from Edwards and freshman Ashlynn Shade.
Why Duke will win: The Blue Devils boast top-of-the-line defenses within the nation, a unit that may trigger matches for UConn’s offense. They have not allowed an opponent to attain greater than 63 factors since Feb. 19. Whereas they did not have a ton of constant offensive firepower through the common season, they now have one of many hottest gamers within the event in junior Reigan Richardson, who’s averaging 12.4 factors per sport on the season however scored 25 and 28 factors towards Richmond and Ohio State, respectively. Duke’s prowess on the offensive glass, spurred by freshman Oluchi Okananwa, additionally offers the Blue Devils an edge over an opponent with a dearth of frontcourt choices.
What is the X issue: Syracuse did job for essentially the most a part of neutralizing UConn’s publish play. Can Duke do the identical? The Blue Devils enable simply 23.4 factors within the paint per sport and have posts Kennedy Brown (6-6) and Camilla Emsbo (6-5) defending the rim (the staff averages 5.6 rejections per sport). Edwards is among the prime gamers left within the event, and final time these two packages met in November 2022, she tallied 17 factors and 11 rebounds. — Philippou
Which staff will advance?
Adelson: UConn 66, Duke 60
Creme: UConn 70, Duke 56
Pelton: UConn 71, Duke 60
Philippou: UConn 67, Duke 59
Voepel: UConn 79, Duke 65
Sixteen groups have superior to the regional semifinals in Albany and Portland. And the Candy 16 is filled with potential.
All 4 No. 1 seeds reached the spherical of 16. Defending champion LSU is again, as is No. 1 general seed South Carolina, which is 34-0 and chasing an ideal season.
Particular person star energy abounds as nicely. Caitlin Clark, who broke the NCAA Division I document for many factors in a single season within the second spherical, and Iowa stay within the hunt to guide a return journey to the nationwide semifinals. JuJu Watkins, the front-runner for nationwide freshman of the yr, has led USC to its first Candy 16 since 1994.
The Trojans are certainly one of 5 Pac-12 groups within the Candy 16 because the convention continues its push to exit on a excessive observe in its final March Insanity earlier than the Pac-12 as we all know it ceases to exist.
And Duke, at No. 7 the bottom seed left, is hoping to proceed its run however must get previous UConn and Paige Bueckers, who had been upset on this spherical a yr in the past.
Which groups will make the Elite Eight? ESPN’s Charlie Creme, Alexa Philippou and Michael Voepel preview each regional semifinal and be a part of Andrea Adelson in predicting who advances.
Friday, 2:30 p.m. ET, ESPN (Area 1 in Albany)
Why Notre Dame will win: Throughout their 10-game successful streak, the Irish have adopted a easy components: play nice protection, and Hannah Hidalgo, Sonia Citron and Maddy Westbeld will deal with the offense. That has allowed the Irish to not simply survive however thrive, regardless of coach Niele Ivey having solely six gamers obtainable in her rotation. Notre Dame has navigated three season-ending accidents and the lack of Olivia Miles and Jenna Brown earlier than the season even started. Solely Duke, within the win that began the streak, has shot over 40% from the sphere towards Notre Dame prior to now 10 video games, and no opponent has reached 70 factors. Ivey and Hidalgo, the nationwide chief in steals, have turned this right into a defense-first staff. The flexibility of their three stars additionally offers the Irish a number of methods to attain. Hidalgo likes to assault the paint. Citron has a easy midrange sport and can be finisher. Westbeld is Notre Dame’s prime rebounder and finest 3-point shooter.
Why Oregon State will win: The Beavers have an enormous benefit within the publish in 6-4 sophomore Raegan Beers. The knee harm that ended the season for Notre Dame’s Kylee Watson might loom giant on this sport. She was the skilled, bodily presence the Irish might flip to towards a participant like Beers, whose 17.5 factors and 10.2 rebounds per sport lead Oregon State. Natalija Marshall, a 6-5 Notre Dame senior, performed spot minutes within the Irish’s frontcourt earlier than the accidents. Now she may have the accountability of slowing down an All-Pac-12 participant. Beers was held in examine towards Nebraska within the second spherical, however anticipate the Beavers to look her far more usually on Friday.
What is the X issue: Notre Dame’s foul scenario. Participant fatigue is not a problem, regardless of the shortage of depth. The longer breaks in NCAA event play assist. However fouls are a game-to-game proposition. How these play out cannot be predicted. The Irish can in poor health afford to have Hidalgo, Citron or Westbeld compelled to sit down with foul hassle early within the sport. Hidalgo has completed with 4 fouls in three of these 10 video games, and Citron had 4 twice. That’s the closest any Notre Dame participant has been to fouling out. The Irish appear to have perfected the artwork of enjoying nice protection with out fouling, however it stays one thing to look at. — Creme
Which staff will advance?
Adelson: Oregon State 71, Notre Dame 70
Creme: Notre Dame 65, Oregon State 61
Pelton: Notre Dame 70, Oregon State 66
Philippou: Notre Dame 66, Oregon State 56
Voepel: Notre Dame 74, Oregon State 66
The star gamers from the primary two rounds of the ladies’s NCAA event
Take a look at a number of the finest performs from the highest stars within the first two rounds of the ladies’s NCAA event.
Friday, 5 p.m. ET, ESPN (Area 1 in Albany)
Why South Carolina will win: If the Gamecocks play their A-game, they will not lose. That has been the consensus within the basketball world for the reason that second month of the season (if not sooner). No different staff is gifted and deep sufficient to beat South Carolina at its finest. And the efficiency we noticed within the second spherical towards North Carolina was at the very least near South Carolina’s finest. The Gamecocks lead the NCAA event in scoring, rebounding and discipline purpose proportion allowed. Freshman MiLaysia Fulwiley has emerged as one thing nicely past a highlight-generating participant. Her perimeter capturing and penetrating skills give coach Daybreak Staley one other dimension. Fulwiley and Te-Hina Paopao are capturing over 50% from the 3-point line, and Kamilla Cardoso remains to be dominating inside. Towards the Tar Heels, South Carolina’s guards had been dominant. With Cardoso, Chloe Kitts and Ashlyn Watkins, the Gamecocks ought to put on down a skinny Hoosiers entrance line.
Why Indiana will win: The within-outside punch of Mackenzie Holmes and Sara Scalia has been efficient to this point and will be on this sport. Scalia can be notably essential if Indiana goes to tug the upset. If she will free herself to make some 3-pointers — she’s 6-of-15 to this point within the event — it ought to open some passing lanes and area for Holmes to function within the publish. One-on-one, Holmes can succeed towards South Carolina. It is when the Gamecocks carry a number of defenders as tall or taller than the 6-foot-3 Holmes that she might have issues. If level guard Chloe Moore-McNeil can play a gentle flooring sport towards what is bound to be a revolving door of high quality perimeter defenders, Indiana can keep within the sport and maybe steal an upset late.
What is the X issue: South Carolina’s perimeter protection. Fulwiley, Paopao, Raven Johnson and Bree Corridor may cause a number of issues if they’re efficient on protection. Shutting down Indiana’s perimeter capturing will take away the Hoosiers’ finest likelihood to maximise possessions. Indiana’s guards additionally have to get Holmes the ball in scoring areas. If Scalia, Moore-McNeil, Sydney Parrish and Yarden Garzon cannot navigate that stress protection, Holmes will not get sufficient high quality touches to be impactful. — Creme
Which staff will advance?
Adelson: South Carolina 80, Indiana 65
Creme: South Carolina 77, Indiana 59
Pelton: South Carolina 85, Indiana 67
Philippou: South Carolina 85, Indiana 60
Voepel: South Carolina 82, Indiana 73
Friday, 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN (Area 4 in Portland)
Why Stanford will win: Stanford has the 2 finest gamers on the courtroom in Cameron Brink and Kiki Iriafen. In the event that they play like that, Stanford will win. Brink struggled offensively and with foul hassle towards Iowa State, and regardless of Iriafen’s 41-point brilliance, the Cardinal practically did not survive towards Iowa State, needing extra time to advance. Coach Tara VanDerveer will want a 3rd important contributor, maybe Hannah Bounce or Elena Bosgana. If the Cardinal have three gamers delivering on the offensive finish at a excessive fee, they are going to be within the Elite Eight.
Why NC State will win: Aziaha James and Saniya Rivers are the 2 finest guards on the courtroom. Zoe Brooks is likely to be third. NC State is hard to beat if the trio performs prefer it did towards Tennessee within the second spherical, when these gamers had been the Wolfpack’s prime three scorers. The offense has struggled at occasions late within the season when Rivers wasn’t capturing the ball nicely or Brooks wasn’t as concerned. Getting their transition sport going early is vital. Rivers and Brooks excel within the open courtroom, and enjoying a full-court sport negates Stanford’s measurement benefit.
What is the X issue: It is a basic battle of energy vs. weak point. Frontcourt vs. backcourt. The play of River Baldwin and Mimi Collins towards Brink and Iriafen can be essential to look at. They need not defend completely, but when Baldwin and Collins can rebound and defend successfully, with out fouling, NC State may have the higher hand. — Creme
Which staff will advance?
Adelson: Stanford 66, NC State 60
Creme: NC State 76, Stanford 74
Pelton: Stanford 71, NC State 63
Philippou: Stanford 71, NC State 62
Voepel: Stanford 75, NC State 70
Friday, 10 p.m. ET, ESPN (Area 4 in Portland)
Why Texas will win: Whereas Madison Booker is Texas’ finest participant, the Longhorns’ capability to dominate inside, particularly on the glass, is what’s going to get them to the Elite Eight. Offensive rebounding was the difference-maker towards Alabama within the second spherical, and if Aaliyah Moore, Taylor Jones and DeYona Gaston can set up bodily dominance, the Longhorns would possibly be capable of push across the Bulldogs. Search for the 6-1 Booker — who’s so adept at creating area for her midrange jumper — to capitalize on her measurement benefit over the smaller Gonzaga guards, Kayleigh Truong (5-9) and Kaylynne Truong (5-8).
Why Gonzaga will win: The Zags are essentially the most correct 3-point capturing staff within the nation (40.1%) and made 12 of 28 towards Utah. Texas cannot beat Gonzaga in a capturing contest, regardless of being a strong 3-point capturing staff itself. Yvonne Ejim can be the most efficient and environment friendly publish participant on this sport. Texas will undoubtedly attempt to get bodily together with her with a number of defenders. That is what Vic Schaefer groups do. But when Ejim can play successfully in a number of methods, she will drag the Texas bigs to the excessive publish and be simply as efficient. That will largely negate the Longhorns’ physicality. Gonzaga can pull the upset if it may open the courtroom and play with tempo.
What is the X issue: The protection of Texas’ Shay Holle and Shaylee Gonzales towards Brynna Maxwell and the Truong sisters can be essential. Utah’s guards had hassle matching up with all three. Eliza Hollingsworth, a 6-3 ahead, was additionally left open an excessive amount of. She’s seemingly going to be extra agile than the defender guarding her on the surface. The Texas technique on deal with all of the Gonzaga perimeter choices would possibly resolve this sport. — Creme
Which staff will advance?
Adelson: Texas 81 Gonzaga 63
Creme: Texas 68, Gonzaga 65
Pelton: Texas 75, Gonzaga 68
Philippou: Texas 82, Gonzaga 66
Voepel: Texas 81, Gonzaga 71
Relive LSU’s prime performs within the ladies’s NCAA event to this point
Relive the LSU Tigers’ finest performs from this yr’s NCAA event in wins over Rice and Center Tennessee.
Saturday, 1 p.m. ET, ABC (Area 2 in Albany)
Why LSU will win: A part of the Tigers’ energy this season is proved by how intently they performed SEC rival and No. 1 general seed South Carolina. The Tigers misplaced the regular-season matchup with the Gamecocks 76-70 on Jan. 25, and the SEC event ultimate 79-72 on March 10.
The Tigers did not have a very convincing NCAA event first-round win over Rice (70-60). And observers voiced concern in regards to the second spherical’s free throw capturing disparity with Center Tennessee: The Tigers had been 26-of-37 from the road, whereas the Blue Raiders had been 6-of-9.
However the backside line is that LSU has the rebounding capability, led by Angel Reese, to win the board battle in most video games. The Tigers additionally common nearly 10 factors per sport greater than the Bruins. So so long as LSU is ready to run its offense comparatively nicely, it is likely to be robust for UCLA to decisively win any main side of the sport.
Why UCLA will win: The Bruins misplaced to rival USC within the Pac-12 event semifinals, after which obtained a scare from Creighton within the second spherical of the NCAA event. Now that they’re within the Candy 16, we’d see the most effective of UCLA. The Bruins misplaced right here in Albany within the regional semifinal 5 years in the past; that was to a UConn staff not that removed from its residence. Final season, UCLA additionally misplaced within the Candy 16 on the East Coast: to South Carolina in Greenville, South Carolina.
This season’s Bruins spent plenty of time at No. 2 within the Related Press ballot and have all of the bases lined with expertise. UCLA has six gamers averaging between 14.9 and eight.9 factors. All however certainly one of them — middle Lauren Betts — have made at the very least 20 3-pointers this season. It is honest to say that UCLA is the most effective program that hasn’t made the ladies’s Last 4 within the NCAA period. A win over the defending champion Tigers will not get it there however can be an enormous step.
What is the X issue: It might be free throws. The Tigers lead Division I in free throws made (709) and tried (950). Evaluate that to UCLA, which is 421-of-563 from the road for the season. — Voepel
Which staff will advance?
Adelson: UCLA 77, LSU 76
Creme: UCLA 72, LSU 71
Pelton: LSU 80, UCLA 73
Philippou: UCLA 75, LSU, 72
Voepel: LSU 81, UCLA 77
Take a look at Caitlin Clark’s prime highlights of this NCAA event
Relive Iowa star Caitlin Clark’s finest performs from the Hawkeyes’ wins vs. Holy Cross and West Virginia within the ladies’s NCAA event.
Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC (Area 2 in Albany)
Why Iowa will win: The Hawkeyes needed to be affected person in letting West Virginia’s fouls meet up with it in Monday’s second-round win. The Mountaineers’ defensive technique was to attempt to harass Iowa into sufficient turnovers to take management of the sport, however the Hawkeyes did not let it occur. Nonetheless, the sport went right down to the wire, so Colorado would possibly strive a number of the similar ways.
That stated, Iowa nonetheless has plenty of offensive threats even past celebrity Caitlin Clark, who leads Division I in scoring, assists and 3-pointers. Kate Martin, Gabbie Marshall and Sydney Affolter can all hit large 3-point photographs. Hannah Stuelke was quiet through the early-round video games — she missed most of Iowa’s NCAA opener with migraine points — however this sport might be large for her. As for Clark, the Candy 16 and past final season was when she actually put her sport into one other gear. If she will do the identical this yr, the Hawkeyes can advance to the Elite Eight.
Why Colorado will win: The Buffaloes’ early-round victories had been towards Drake, which depends on good 3-point capturing, and Kansas State, which is not as high-scoring and bases its offense round a middle. Colorado dealt with each these groups nicely, beating the Bulldogs by 14 and the Wildcats by 13. Iowa is Division I’s most potent offense, however the Buffs have proved they’ll decelerate good groups.
If Colorado — which averages 75.4 PPG to Iowa’s 92.0 PPG — can set the tone defensively, that tilts the sport within the Buffs’ favor. Like West Virginia, Colorado has a super-quick guard in Jaylyn Sherrod. Not like the Mountaineers, the Buffs have extra expert inside gamers, similar to Quay Miller and Aaronette Vonleh. The Hawkeyes beat the Buffs 87-77 final season within the Candy 16, however Colorado might flip the tables this time.
What is the X issue: Iowa’s 3-point capturing. The Hawkeyes common a Division I-best 11.1 3-pointers per sport. And after they begin raining 3s, they’ll go on spurts that change the entire dynamic of the sport. — Voepel
Which staff will advance?
Adelson: Iowa 75, Colorado 70
Creme: Iowa 78, Colorado 72
Pelton: Iowa 90, Colorado 82
Philippou: Iowa 82, Colorado 74
Voepel: Iowa 84, Colorado 79
The perfect of JuJu Watkins to this point within the NCAA event
Relive USC star JuJu Watkins’ finest performs from the Trojans’ wins vs. Texas A&M Commerce and Kansas within the ladies’s NCAA event.
Saturday, 5:30 p.m. ET, ESPN (Area 3 in Portland)
Why USC will win: Having misplaced only one sport throughout February and March, the Trojans have been enjoying their finest basketball on the proper time. Freshman phenom JuJu Watkins is doing her factor and boasts the third-most factors all-time by a freshman with 861. However others round her have stepped up too — notably McKenzie Forbes on the offensive finish, who simply strung collectively three consecutive 20-plus-point video games for the primary time in her profession. When these two are hitting photographs and the remainder of the Trojans — whether or not Kayla Padilla, Kaitlyn Davis, Clarice Akunwafo or another person — excel of their roles, Lindsay Gottlieb’s squad is hard to beat.
Why Baylor will win: The Bears’ offensive stability — a distinction from Watkins-centric USC — signifies that primarily based on matchups, any certainly one of their gamers has the chance to pop off. Towards Vanderbilt, it was Bella Fontleroy. Towards Virginia Tech, it was Sarah Andrews within the first half and Jada Walker within the second on her approach to posting a career-high 28 factors. Nicki Collen stated her staff misplaced a few of its confidence on the offensive finish of the ground throughout its rocky Large 12 slate, but when that sturdy efficiency in Blacksburg carries over to Saturday — mixed with the Bears’ usually sturdy protection — it might spell an upset.
What is the X issue: Baylor is 21-1 this season when it outrebounds its opponent, with Aijha Blackwell and Darianna Littlepage-Buggs combining for 15.3 boards per contest. Can Rayah Marshall (10.3 RPG) — top-of-the-line rebounders within the Pac-12 — and the Trojans sustain?
Which staff will advance?
Adelson: USC 83 Baylor 72
Creme: USC 72, Baylor 55
Pelton: USC 72, Baylor 65
Philippou: USC 71, Baylor 62
Voepel: USC 72, Baylor 67
Take a look at Paige Bueckers’ prime highlights of the NCAA event
Relive UConn star Paige Bueckers’ finest performs from the Huskies’ wins vs. Jackson State and Syracuse within the ladies’s NCAA event.
Saturday, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN, (Area 3 in Portland)
Why UConn will win: The Huskies have three seniors — Paige Bueckers, Aaliyah Edwards and Nika Muhl — who’ve been on this stage (and larger) earlier than and had been on the staff final yr when UConn was shocked by Ohio State within the Candy 16. Even when it was to a unique opponent, the ache of that loss on this spherical remains to be recent on their minds, solely additional motivating the Huskies heading into Saturday. Bueckers is likely to be having the most effective postseason of any participant within the nation, and together with her well-rounded affect on the sport will do no matter it takes to get UConn one step nearer to Cleveland. She does not need to do it alone, both, with sturdy begins to postseason play from Edwards and freshman Ashlynn Shade.
Why Duke will win: The Blue Devils boast top-of-the-line defenses within the nation, a unit that may trigger matches for UConn’s offense. They have not allowed an opponent to attain greater than 63 factors since Feb. 19. Whereas they did not have a ton of constant offensive firepower through the common season, they now have one of many hottest gamers within the event in junior Reigan Richardson, who’s averaging 12.4 factors per sport on the season however scored 25 and 28 factors towards Richmond and Ohio State, respectively. Duke’s prowess on the offensive glass, spurred by freshman Oluchi Okananwa, additionally offers the Blue Devils an edge over an opponent with a dearth of frontcourt choices.
What is the X issue: Syracuse did job for essentially the most a part of neutralizing UConn’s publish play. Can Duke do the identical? The Blue Devils enable simply 23.4 factors within the paint per sport and have posts Kennedy Brown (6-6) and Camilla Emsbo (6-5) defending the rim (the staff averages 5.6 rejections per sport). Edwards is among the prime gamers left within the event, and final time these two packages met in November 2022, she tallied 17 factors and 11 rebounds. — Philippou
Which staff will advance?
Adelson: UConn 66, Duke 60
Creme: UConn 70, Duke 56
Pelton: UConn 71, Duke 60
Philippou: UConn 67, Duke 59
Voepel: UConn 79, Duke 65
Sixteen groups have superior to the regional semifinals in Albany and Portland. And the Candy 16 is filled with potential.
All 4 No. 1 seeds reached the spherical of 16. Defending champion LSU is again, as is No. 1 general seed South Carolina, which is 34-0 and chasing an ideal season.
Particular person star energy abounds as nicely. Caitlin Clark, who broke the NCAA Division I document for many factors in a single season within the second spherical, and Iowa stay within the hunt to guide a return journey to the nationwide semifinals. JuJu Watkins, the front-runner for nationwide freshman of the yr, has led USC to its first Candy 16 since 1994.
The Trojans are certainly one of 5 Pac-12 groups within the Candy 16 because the convention continues its push to exit on a excessive observe in its final March Insanity earlier than the Pac-12 as we all know it ceases to exist.
And Duke, at No. 7 the bottom seed left, is hoping to proceed its run however must get previous UConn and Paige Bueckers, who had been upset on this spherical a yr in the past.
Which groups will make the Elite Eight? ESPN’s Charlie Creme, Alexa Philippou and Michael Voepel preview each regional semifinal and be a part of Andrea Adelson in predicting who advances.
Friday, 2:30 p.m. ET, ESPN (Area 1 in Albany)
Why Notre Dame will win: Throughout their 10-game successful streak, the Irish have adopted a easy components: play nice protection, and Hannah Hidalgo, Sonia Citron and Maddy Westbeld will deal with the offense. That has allowed the Irish to not simply survive however thrive, regardless of coach Niele Ivey having solely six gamers obtainable in her rotation. Notre Dame has navigated three season-ending accidents and the lack of Olivia Miles and Jenna Brown earlier than the season even started. Solely Duke, within the win that began the streak, has shot over 40% from the sphere towards Notre Dame prior to now 10 video games, and no opponent has reached 70 factors. Ivey and Hidalgo, the nationwide chief in steals, have turned this right into a defense-first staff. The flexibility of their three stars additionally offers the Irish a number of methods to attain. Hidalgo likes to assault the paint. Citron has a easy midrange sport and can be finisher. Westbeld is Notre Dame’s prime rebounder and finest 3-point shooter.
Why Oregon State will win: The Beavers have an enormous benefit within the publish in 6-4 sophomore Raegan Beers. The knee harm that ended the season for Notre Dame’s Kylee Watson might loom giant on this sport. She was the skilled, bodily presence the Irish might flip to towards a participant like Beers, whose 17.5 factors and 10.2 rebounds per sport lead Oregon State. Natalija Marshall, a 6-5 Notre Dame senior, performed spot minutes within the Irish’s frontcourt earlier than the accidents. Now she may have the accountability of slowing down an All-Pac-12 participant. Beers was held in examine towards Nebraska within the second spherical, however anticipate the Beavers to look her far more usually on Friday.
What is the X issue: Notre Dame’s foul scenario. Participant fatigue is not a problem, regardless of the shortage of depth. The longer breaks in NCAA event play assist. However fouls are a game-to-game proposition. How these play out cannot be predicted. The Irish can in poor health afford to have Hidalgo, Citron or Westbeld compelled to sit down with foul hassle early within the sport. Hidalgo has completed with 4 fouls in three of these 10 video games, and Citron had 4 twice. That’s the closest any Notre Dame participant has been to fouling out. The Irish appear to have perfected the artwork of enjoying nice protection with out fouling, however it stays one thing to look at. — Creme
Which staff will advance?
Adelson: Oregon State 71, Notre Dame 70
Creme: Notre Dame 65, Oregon State 61
Pelton: Notre Dame 70, Oregon State 66
Philippou: Notre Dame 66, Oregon State 56
Voepel: Notre Dame 74, Oregon State 66
The star gamers from the primary two rounds of the ladies’s NCAA event
Take a look at a number of the finest performs from the highest stars within the first two rounds of the ladies’s NCAA event.
Friday, 5 p.m. ET, ESPN (Area 1 in Albany)
Why South Carolina will win: If the Gamecocks play their A-game, they will not lose. That has been the consensus within the basketball world for the reason that second month of the season (if not sooner). No different staff is gifted and deep sufficient to beat South Carolina at its finest. And the efficiency we noticed within the second spherical towards North Carolina was at the very least near South Carolina’s finest. The Gamecocks lead the NCAA event in scoring, rebounding and discipline purpose proportion allowed. Freshman MiLaysia Fulwiley has emerged as one thing nicely past a highlight-generating participant. Her perimeter capturing and penetrating skills give coach Daybreak Staley one other dimension. Fulwiley and Te-Hina Paopao are capturing over 50% from the 3-point line, and Kamilla Cardoso remains to be dominating inside. Towards the Tar Heels, South Carolina’s guards had been dominant. With Cardoso, Chloe Kitts and Ashlyn Watkins, the Gamecocks ought to put on down a skinny Hoosiers entrance line.
Why Indiana will win: The within-outside punch of Mackenzie Holmes and Sara Scalia has been efficient to this point and will be on this sport. Scalia can be notably essential if Indiana goes to tug the upset. If she will free herself to make some 3-pointers — she’s 6-of-15 to this point within the event — it ought to open some passing lanes and area for Holmes to function within the publish. One-on-one, Holmes can succeed towards South Carolina. It is when the Gamecocks carry a number of defenders as tall or taller than the 6-foot-3 Holmes that she might have issues. If level guard Chloe Moore-McNeil can play a gentle flooring sport towards what is bound to be a revolving door of high quality perimeter defenders, Indiana can keep within the sport and maybe steal an upset late.
What is the X issue: South Carolina’s perimeter protection. Fulwiley, Paopao, Raven Johnson and Bree Corridor may cause a number of issues if they’re efficient on protection. Shutting down Indiana’s perimeter capturing will take away the Hoosiers’ finest likelihood to maximise possessions. Indiana’s guards additionally have to get Holmes the ball in scoring areas. If Scalia, Moore-McNeil, Sydney Parrish and Yarden Garzon cannot navigate that stress protection, Holmes will not get sufficient high quality touches to be impactful. — Creme
Which staff will advance?
Adelson: South Carolina 80, Indiana 65
Creme: South Carolina 77, Indiana 59
Pelton: South Carolina 85, Indiana 67
Philippou: South Carolina 85, Indiana 60
Voepel: South Carolina 82, Indiana 73
Friday, 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN (Area 4 in Portland)
Why Stanford will win: Stanford has the 2 finest gamers on the courtroom in Cameron Brink and Kiki Iriafen. In the event that they play like that, Stanford will win. Brink struggled offensively and with foul hassle towards Iowa State, and regardless of Iriafen’s 41-point brilliance, the Cardinal practically did not survive towards Iowa State, needing extra time to advance. Coach Tara VanDerveer will want a 3rd important contributor, maybe Hannah Bounce or Elena Bosgana. If the Cardinal have three gamers delivering on the offensive finish at a excessive fee, they are going to be within the Elite Eight.
Why NC State will win: Aziaha James and Saniya Rivers are the 2 finest guards on the courtroom. Zoe Brooks is likely to be third. NC State is hard to beat if the trio performs prefer it did towards Tennessee within the second spherical, when these gamers had been the Wolfpack’s prime three scorers. The offense has struggled at occasions late within the season when Rivers wasn’t capturing the ball nicely or Brooks wasn’t as concerned. Getting their transition sport going early is vital. Rivers and Brooks excel within the open courtroom, and enjoying a full-court sport negates Stanford’s measurement benefit.
What is the X issue: It is a basic battle of energy vs. weak point. Frontcourt vs. backcourt. The play of River Baldwin and Mimi Collins towards Brink and Iriafen can be essential to look at. They need not defend completely, but when Baldwin and Collins can rebound and defend successfully, with out fouling, NC State may have the higher hand. — Creme
Which staff will advance?
Adelson: Stanford 66, NC State 60
Creme: NC State 76, Stanford 74
Pelton: Stanford 71, NC State 63
Philippou: Stanford 71, NC State 62
Voepel: Stanford 75, NC State 70
Friday, 10 p.m. ET, ESPN (Area 4 in Portland)
Why Texas will win: Whereas Madison Booker is Texas’ finest participant, the Longhorns’ capability to dominate inside, particularly on the glass, is what’s going to get them to the Elite Eight. Offensive rebounding was the difference-maker towards Alabama within the second spherical, and if Aaliyah Moore, Taylor Jones and DeYona Gaston can set up bodily dominance, the Longhorns would possibly be capable of push across the Bulldogs. Search for the 6-1 Booker — who’s so adept at creating area for her midrange jumper — to capitalize on her measurement benefit over the smaller Gonzaga guards, Kayleigh Truong (5-9) and Kaylynne Truong (5-8).
Why Gonzaga will win: The Zags are essentially the most correct 3-point capturing staff within the nation (40.1%) and made 12 of 28 towards Utah. Texas cannot beat Gonzaga in a capturing contest, regardless of being a strong 3-point capturing staff itself. Yvonne Ejim can be the most efficient and environment friendly publish participant on this sport. Texas will undoubtedly attempt to get bodily together with her with a number of defenders. That is what Vic Schaefer groups do. But when Ejim can play successfully in a number of methods, she will drag the Texas bigs to the excessive publish and be simply as efficient. That will largely negate the Longhorns’ physicality. Gonzaga can pull the upset if it may open the courtroom and play with tempo.
What is the X issue: The protection of Texas’ Shay Holle and Shaylee Gonzales towards Brynna Maxwell and the Truong sisters can be essential. Utah’s guards had hassle matching up with all three. Eliza Hollingsworth, a 6-3 ahead, was additionally left open an excessive amount of. She’s seemingly going to be extra agile than the defender guarding her on the surface. The Texas technique on deal with all of the Gonzaga perimeter choices would possibly resolve this sport. — Creme
Which staff will advance?
Adelson: Texas 81 Gonzaga 63
Creme: Texas 68, Gonzaga 65
Pelton: Texas 75, Gonzaga 68
Philippou: Texas 82, Gonzaga 66
Voepel: Texas 81, Gonzaga 71
Relive LSU’s prime performs within the ladies’s NCAA event to this point
Relive the LSU Tigers’ finest performs from this yr’s NCAA event in wins over Rice and Center Tennessee.
Saturday, 1 p.m. ET, ABC (Area 2 in Albany)
Why LSU will win: A part of the Tigers’ energy this season is proved by how intently they performed SEC rival and No. 1 general seed South Carolina. The Tigers misplaced the regular-season matchup with the Gamecocks 76-70 on Jan. 25, and the SEC event ultimate 79-72 on March 10.
The Tigers did not have a very convincing NCAA event first-round win over Rice (70-60). And observers voiced concern in regards to the second spherical’s free throw capturing disparity with Center Tennessee: The Tigers had been 26-of-37 from the road, whereas the Blue Raiders had been 6-of-9.
However the backside line is that LSU has the rebounding capability, led by Angel Reese, to win the board battle in most video games. The Tigers additionally common nearly 10 factors per sport greater than the Bruins. So so long as LSU is ready to run its offense comparatively nicely, it is likely to be robust for UCLA to decisively win any main side of the sport.
Why UCLA will win: The Bruins misplaced to rival USC within the Pac-12 event semifinals, after which obtained a scare from Creighton within the second spherical of the NCAA event. Now that they’re within the Candy 16, we’d see the most effective of UCLA. The Bruins misplaced right here in Albany within the regional semifinal 5 years in the past; that was to a UConn staff not that removed from its residence. Final season, UCLA additionally misplaced within the Candy 16 on the East Coast: to South Carolina in Greenville, South Carolina.
This season’s Bruins spent plenty of time at No. 2 within the Related Press ballot and have all of the bases lined with expertise. UCLA has six gamers averaging between 14.9 and eight.9 factors. All however certainly one of them — middle Lauren Betts — have made at the very least 20 3-pointers this season. It is honest to say that UCLA is the most effective program that hasn’t made the ladies’s Last 4 within the NCAA period. A win over the defending champion Tigers will not get it there however can be an enormous step.
What is the X issue: It might be free throws. The Tigers lead Division I in free throws made (709) and tried (950). Evaluate that to UCLA, which is 421-of-563 from the road for the season. — Voepel
Which staff will advance?
Adelson: UCLA 77, LSU 76
Creme: UCLA 72, LSU 71
Pelton: LSU 80, UCLA 73
Philippou: UCLA 75, LSU, 72
Voepel: LSU 81, UCLA 77
Take a look at Caitlin Clark’s prime highlights of this NCAA event
Relive Iowa star Caitlin Clark’s finest performs from the Hawkeyes’ wins vs. Holy Cross and West Virginia within the ladies’s NCAA event.
Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC (Area 2 in Albany)
Why Iowa will win: The Hawkeyes needed to be affected person in letting West Virginia’s fouls meet up with it in Monday’s second-round win. The Mountaineers’ defensive technique was to attempt to harass Iowa into sufficient turnovers to take management of the sport, however the Hawkeyes did not let it occur. Nonetheless, the sport went right down to the wire, so Colorado would possibly strive a number of the similar ways.
That stated, Iowa nonetheless has plenty of offensive threats even past celebrity Caitlin Clark, who leads Division I in scoring, assists and 3-pointers. Kate Martin, Gabbie Marshall and Sydney Affolter can all hit large 3-point photographs. Hannah Stuelke was quiet through the early-round video games — she missed most of Iowa’s NCAA opener with migraine points — however this sport might be large for her. As for Clark, the Candy 16 and past final season was when she actually put her sport into one other gear. If she will do the identical this yr, the Hawkeyes can advance to the Elite Eight.
Why Colorado will win: The Buffaloes’ early-round victories had been towards Drake, which depends on good 3-point capturing, and Kansas State, which is not as high-scoring and bases its offense round a middle. Colorado dealt with each these groups nicely, beating the Bulldogs by 14 and the Wildcats by 13. Iowa is Division I’s most potent offense, however the Buffs have proved they’ll decelerate good groups.
If Colorado — which averages 75.4 PPG to Iowa’s 92.0 PPG — can set the tone defensively, that tilts the sport within the Buffs’ favor. Like West Virginia, Colorado has a super-quick guard in Jaylyn Sherrod. Not like the Mountaineers, the Buffs have extra expert inside gamers, similar to Quay Miller and Aaronette Vonleh. The Hawkeyes beat the Buffs 87-77 final season within the Candy 16, however Colorado might flip the tables this time.
What is the X issue: Iowa’s 3-point capturing. The Hawkeyes common a Division I-best 11.1 3-pointers per sport. And after they begin raining 3s, they’ll go on spurts that change the entire dynamic of the sport. — Voepel
Which staff will advance?
Adelson: Iowa 75, Colorado 70
Creme: Iowa 78, Colorado 72
Pelton: Iowa 90, Colorado 82
Philippou: Iowa 82, Colorado 74
Voepel: Iowa 84, Colorado 79
The perfect of JuJu Watkins to this point within the NCAA event
Relive USC star JuJu Watkins’ finest performs from the Trojans’ wins vs. Texas A&M Commerce and Kansas within the ladies’s NCAA event.
Saturday, 5:30 p.m. ET, ESPN (Area 3 in Portland)
Why USC will win: Having misplaced only one sport throughout February and March, the Trojans have been enjoying their finest basketball on the proper time. Freshman phenom JuJu Watkins is doing her factor and boasts the third-most factors all-time by a freshman with 861. However others round her have stepped up too — notably McKenzie Forbes on the offensive finish, who simply strung collectively three consecutive 20-plus-point video games for the primary time in her profession. When these two are hitting photographs and the remainder of the Trojans — whether or not Kayla Padilla, Kaitlyn Davis, Clarice Akunwafo or another person — excel of their roles, Lindsay Gottlieb’s squad is hard to beat.
Why Baylor will win: The Bears’ offensive stability — a distinction from Watkins-centric USC — signifies that primarily based on matchups, any certainly one of their gamers has the chance to pop off. Towards Vanderbilt, it was Bella Fontleroy. Towards Virginia Tech, it was Sarah Andrews within the first half and Jada Walker within the second on her approach to posting a career-high 28 factors. Nicki Collen stated her staff misplaced a few of its confidence on the offensive finish of the ground throughout its rocky Large 12 slate, but when that sturdy efficiency in Blacksburg carries over to Saturday — mixed with the Bears’ usually sturdy protection — it might spell an upset.
What is the X issue: Baylor is 21-1 this season when it outrebounds its opponent, with Aijha Blackwell and Darianna Littlepage-Buggs combining for 15.3 boards per contest. Can Rayah Marshall (10.3 RPG) — top-of-the-line rebounders within the Pac-12 — and the Trojans sustain?
Which staff will advance?
Adelson: USC 83 Baylor 72
Creme: USC 72, Baylor 55
Pelton: USC 72, Baylor 65
Philippou: USC 71, Baylor 62
Voepel: USC 72, Baylor 67
Take a look at Paige Bueckers’ prime highlights of the NCAA event
Relive UConn star Paige Bueckers’ finest performs from the Huskies’ wins vs. Jackson State and Syracuse within the ladies’s NCAA event.
Saturday, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN, (Area 3 in Portland)
Why UConn will win: The Huskies have three seniors — Paige Bueckers, Aaliyah Edwards and Nika Muhl — who’ve been on this stage (and larger) earlier than and had been on the staff final yr when UConn was shocked by Ohio State within the Candy 16. Even when it was to a unique opponent, the ache of that loss on this spherical remains to be recent on their minds, solely additional motivating the Huskies heading into Saturday. Bueckers is likely to be having the most effective postseason of any participant within the nation, and together with her well-rounded affect on the sport will do no matter it takes to get UConn one step nearer to Cleveland. She does not need to do it alone, both, with sturdy begins to postseason play from Edwards and freshman Ashlynn Shade.
Why Duke will win: The Blue Devils boast top-of-the-line defenses within the nation, a unit that may trigger matches for UConn’s offense. They have not allowed an opponent to attain greater than 63 factors since Feb. 19. Whereas they did not have a ton of constant offensive firepower through the common season, they now have one of many hottest gamers within the event in junior Reigan Richardson, who’s averaging 12.4 factors per sport on the season however scored 25 and 28 factors towards Richmond and Ohio State, respectively. Duke’s prowess on the offensive glass, spurred by freshman Oluchi Okananwa, additionally offers the Blue Devils an edge over an opponent with a dearth of frontcourt choices.
What is the X issue: Syracuse did job for essentially the most a part of neutralizing UConn’s publish play. Can Duke do the identical? The Blue Devils enable simply 23.4 factors within the paint per sport and have posts Kennedy Brown (6-6) and Camilla Emsbo (6-5) defending the rim (the staff averages 5.6 rejections per sport). Edwards is among the prime gamers left within the event, and final time these two packages met in November 2022, she tallied 17 factors and 11 rebounds. — Philippou
Which staff will advance?
Adelson: UConn 66, Duke 60
Creme: UConn 70, Duke 56
Pelton: UConn 71, Duke 60
Philippou: UConn 67, Duke 59
Voepel: UConn 79, Duke 65
Sixteen groups have superior to the regional semifinals in Albany and Portland. And the Candy 16 is filled with potential.
All 4 No. 1 seeds reached the spherical of 16. Defending champion LSU is again, as is No. 1 general seed South Carolina, which is 34-0 and chasing an ideal season.
Particular person star energy abounds as nicely. Caitlin Clark, who broke the NCAA Division I document for many factors in a single season within the second spherical, and Iowa stay within the hunt to guide a return journey to the nationwide semifinals. JuJu Watkins, the front-runner for nationwide freshman of the yr, has led USC to its first Candy 16 since 1994.
The Trojans are certainly one of 5 Pac-12 groups within the Candy 16 because the convention continues its push to exit on a excessive observe in its final March Insanity earlier than the Pac-12 as we all know it ceases to exist.
And Duke, at No. 7 the bottom seed left, is hoping to proceed its run however must get previous UConn and Paige Bueckers, who had been upset on this spherical a yr in the past.
Which groups will make the Elite Eight? ESPN’s Charlie Creme, Alexa Philippou and Michael Voepel preview each regional semifinal and be a part of Andrea Adelson in predicting who advances.
Friday, 2:30 p.m. ET, ESPN (Area 1 in Albany)
Why Notre Dame will win: Throughout their 10-game successful streak, the Irish have adopted a easy components: play nice protection, and Hannah Hidalgo, Sonia Citron and Maddy Westbeld will deal with the offense. That has allowed the Irish to not simply survive however thrive, regardless of coach Niele Ivey having solely six gamers obtainable in her rotation. Notre Dame has navigated three season-ending accidents and the lack of Olivia Miles and Jenna Brown earlier than the season even started. Solely Duke, within the win that began the streak, has shot over 40% from the sphere towards Notre Dame prior to now 10 video games, and no opponent has reached 70 factors. Ivey and Hidalgo, the nationwide chief in steals, have turned this right into a defense-first staff. The flexibility of their three stars additionally offers the Irish a number of methods to attain. Hidalgo likes to assault the paint. Citron has a easy midrange sport and can be finisher. Westbeld is Notre Dame’s prime rebounder and finest 3-point shooter.
Why Oregon State will win: The Beavers have an enormous benefit within the publish in 6-4 sophomore Raegan Beers. The knee harm that ended the season for Notre Dame’s Kylee Watson might loom giant on this sport. She was the skilled, bodily presence the Irish might flip to towards a participant like Beers, whose 17.5 factors and 10.2 rebounds per sport lead Oregon State. Natalija Marshall, a 6-5 Notre Dame senior, performed spot minutes within the Irish’s frontcourt earlier than the accidents. Now she may have the accountability of slowing down an All-Pac-12 participant. Beers was held in examine towards Nebraska within the second spherical, however anticipate the Beavers to look her far more usually on Friday.
What is the X issue: Notre Dame’s foul scenario. Participant fatigue is not a problem, regardless of the shortage of depth. The longer breaks in NCAA event play assist. However fouls are a game-to-game proposition. How these play out cannot be predicted. The Irish can in poor health afford to have Hidalgo, Citron or Westbeld compelled to sit down with foul hassle early within the sport. Hidalgo has completed with 4 fouls in three of these 10 video games, and Citron had 4 twice. That’s the closest any Notre Dame participant has been to fouling out. The Irish appear to have perfected the artwork of enjoying nice protection with out fouling, however it stays one thing to look at. — Creme
Which staff will advance?
Adelson: Oregon State 71, Notre Dame 70
Creme: Notre Dame 65, Oregon State 61
Pelton: Notre Dame 70, Oregon State 66
Philippou: Notre Dame 66, Oregon State 56
Voepel: Notre Dame 74, Oregon State 66
The star gamers from the primary two rounds of the ladies’s NCAA event
Take a look at a number of the finest performs from the highest stars within the first two rounds of the ladies’s NCAA event.
Friday, 5 p.m. ET, ESPN (Area 1 in Albany)
Why South Carolina will win: If the Gamecocks play their A-game, they will not lose. That has been the consensus within the basketball world for the reason that second month of the season (if not sooner). No different staff is gifted and deep sufficient to beat South Carolina at its finest. And the efficiency we noticed within the second spherical towards North Carolina was at the very least near South Carolina’s finest. The Gamecocks lead the NCAA event in scoring, rebounding and discipline purpose proportion allowed. Freshman MiLaysia Fulwiley has emerged as one thing nicely past a highlight-generating participant. Her perimeter capturing and penetrating skills give coach Daybreak Staley one other dimension. Fulwiley and Te-Hina Paopao are capturing over 50% from the 3-point line, and Kamilla Cardoso remains to be dominating inside. Towards the Tar Heels, South Carolina’s guards had been dominant. With Cardoso, Chloe Kitts and Ashlyn Watkins, the Gamecocks ought to put on down a skinny Hoosiers entrance line.
Why Indiana will win: The within-outside punch of Mackenzie Holmes and Sara Scalia has been efficient to this point and will be on this sport. Scalia can be notably essential if Indiana goes to tug the upset. If she will free herself to make some 3-pointers — she’s 6-of-15 to this point within the event — it ought to open some passing lanes and area for Holmes to function within the publish. One-on-one, Holmes can succeed towards South Carolina. It is when the Gamecocks carry a number of defenders as tall or taller than the 6-foot-3 Holmes that she might have issues. If level guard Chloe Moore-McNeil can play a gentle flooring sport towards what is bound to be a revolving door of high quality perimeter defenders, Indiana can keep within the sport and maybe steal an upset late.
What is the X issue: South Carolina’s perimeter protection. Fulwiley, Paopao, Raven Johnson and Bree Corridor may cause a number of issues if they’re efficient on protection. Shutting down Indiana’s perimeter capturing will take away the Hoosiers’ finest likelihood to maximise possessions. Indiana’s guards additionally have to get Holmes the ball in scoring areas. If Scalia, Moore-McNeil, Sydney Parrish and Yarden Garzon cannot navigate that stress protection, Holmes will not get sufficient high quality touches to be impactful. — Creme
Which staff will advance?
Adelson: South Carolina 80, Indiana 65
Creme: South Carolina 77, Indiana 59
Pelton: South Carolina 85, Indiana 67
Philippou: South Carolina 85, Indiana 60
Voepel: South Carolina 82, Indiana 73
Friday, 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN (Area 4 in Portland)
Why Stanford will win: Stanford has the 2 finest gamers on the courtroom in Cameron Brink and Kiki Iriafen. In the event that they play like that, Stanford will win. Brink struggled offensively and with foul hassle towards Iowa State, and regardless of Iriafen’s 41-point brilliance, the Cardinal practically did not survive towards Iowa State, needing extra time to advance. Coach Tara VanDerveer will want a 3rd important contributor, maybe Hannah Bounce or Elena Bosgana. If the Cardinal have three gamers delivering on the offensive finish at a excessive fee, they are going to be within the Elite Eight.
Why NC State will win: Aziaha James and Saniya Rivers are the 2 finest guards on the courtroom. Zoe Brooks is likely to be third. NC State is hard to beat if the trio performs prefer it did towards Tennessee within the second spherical, when these gamers had been the Wolfpack’s prime three scorers. The offense has struggled at occasions late within the season when Rivers wasn’t capturing the ball nicely or Brooks wasn’t as concerned. Getting their transition sport going early is vital. Rivers and Brooks excel within the open courtroom, and enjoying a full-court sport negates Stanford’s measurement benefit.
What is the X issue: It is a basic battle of energy vs. weak point. Frontcourt vs. backcourt. The play of River Baldwin and Mimi Collins towards Brink and Iriafen can be essential to look at. They need not defend completely, but when Baldwin and Collins can rebound and defend successfully, with out fouling, NC State may have the higher hand. — Creme
Which staff will advance?
Adelson: Stanford 66, NC State 60
Creme: NC State 76, Stanford 74
Pelton: Stanford 71, NC State 63
Philippou: Stanford 71, NC State 62
Voepel: Stanford 75, NC State 70
Friday, 10 p.m. ET, ESPN (Area 4 in Portland)
Why Texas will win: Whereas Madison Booker is Texas’ finest participant, the Longhorns’ capability to dominate inside, particularly on the glass, is what’s going to get them to the Elite Eight. Offensive rebounding was the difference-maker towards Alabama within the second spherical, and if Aaliyah Moore, Taylor Jones and DeYona Gaston can set up bodily dominance, the Longhorns would possibly be capable of push across the Bulldogs. Search for the 6-1 Booker — who’s so adept at creating area for her midrange jumper — to capitalize on her measurement benefit over the smaller Gonzaga guards, Kayleigh Truong (5-9) and Kaylynne Truong (5-8).
Why Gonzaga will win: The Zags are essentially the most correct 3-point capturing staff within the nation (40.1%) and made 12 of 28 towards Utah. Texas cannot beat Gonzaga in a capturing contest, regardless of being a strong 3-point capturing staff itself. Yvonne Ejim can be the most efficient and environment friendly publish participant on this sport. Texas will undoubtedly attempt to get bodily together with her with a number of defenders. That is what Vic Schaefer groups do. But when Ejim can play successfully in a number of methods, she will drag the Texas bigs to the excessive publish and be simply as efficient. That will largely negate the Longhorns’ physicality. Gonzaga can pull the upset if it may open the courtroom and play with tempo.
What is the X issue: The protection of Texas’ Shay Holle and Shaylee Gonzales towards Brynna Maxwell and the Truong sisters can be essential. Utah’s guards had hassle matching up with all three. Eliza Hollingsworth, a 6-3 ahead, was additionally left open an excessive amount of. She’s seemingly going to be extra agile than the defender guarding her on the surface. The Texas technique on deal with all of the Gonzaga perimeter choices would possibly resolve this sport. — Creme
Which staff will advance?
Adelson: Texas 81 Gonzaga 63
Creme: Texas 68, Gonzaga 65
Pelton: Texas 75, Gonzaga 68
Philippou: Texas 82, Gonzaga 66
Voepel: Texas 81, Gonzaga 71
Relive LSU’s prime performs within the ladies’s NCAA event to this point
Relive the LSU Tigers’ finest performs from this yr’s NCAA event in wins over Rice and Center Tennessee.
Saturday, 1 p.m. ET, ABC (Area 2 in Albany)
Why LSU will win: A part of the Tigers’ energy this season is proved by how intently they performed SEC rival and No. 1 general seed South Carolina. The Tigers misplaced the regular-season matchup with the Gamecocks 76-70 on Jan. 25, and the SEC event ultimate 79-72 on March 10.
The Tigers did not have a very convincing NCAA event first-round win over Rice (70-60). And observers voiced concern in regards to the second spherical’s free throw capturing disparity with Center Tennessee: The Tigers had been 26-of-37 from the road, whereas the Blue Raiders had been 6-of-9.
However the backside line is that LSU has the rebounding capability, led by Angel Reese, to win the board battle in most video games. The Tigers additionally common nearly 10 factors per sport greater than the Bruins. So so long as LSU is ready to run its offense comparatively nicely, it is likely to be robust for UCLA to decisively win any main side of the sport.
Why UCLA will win: The Bruins misplaced to rival USC within the Pac-12 event semifinals, after which obtained a scare from Creighton within the second spherical of the NCAA event. Now that they’re within the Candy 16, we’d see the most effective of UCLA. The Bruins misplaced right here in Albany within the regional semifinal 5 years in the past; that was to a UConn staff not that removed from its residence. Final season, UCLA additionally misplaced within the Candy 16 on the East Coast: to South Carolina in Greenville, South Carolina.
This season’s Bruins spent plenty of time at No. 2 within the Related Press ballot and have all of the bases lined with expertise. UCLA has six gamers averaging between 14.9 and eight.9 factors. All however certainly one of them — middle Lauren Betts — have made at the very least 20 3-pointers this season. It is honest to say that UCLA is the most effective program that hasn’t made the ladies’s Last 4 within the NCAA period. A win over the defending champion Tigers will not get it there however can be an enormous step.
What is the X issue: It might be free throws. The Tigers lead Division I in free throws made (709) and tried (950). Evaluate that to UCLA, which is 421-of-563 from the road for the season. — Voepel
Which staff will advance?
Adelson: UCLA 77, LSU 76
Creme: UCLA 72, LSU 71
Pelton: LSU 80, UCLA 73
Philippou: UCLA 75, LSU, 72
Voepel: LSU 81, UCLA 77
Take a look at Caitlin Clark’s prime highlights of this NCAA event
Relive Iowa star Caitlin Clark’s finest performs from the Hawkeyes’ wins vs. Holy Cross and West Virginia within the ladies’s NCAA event.
Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC (Area 2 in Albany)
Why Iowa will win: The Hawkeyes needed to be affected person in letting West Virginia’s fouls meet up with it in Monday’s second-round win. The Mountaineers’ defensive technique was to attempt to harass Iowa into sufficient turnovers to take management of the sport, however the Hawkeyes did not let it occur. Nonetheless, the sport went right down to the wire, so Colorado would possibly strive a number of the similar ways.
That stated, Iowa nonetheless has plenty of offensive threats even past celebrity Caitlin Clark, who leads Division I in scoring, assists and 3-pointers. Kate Martin, Gabbie Marshall and Sydney Affolter can all hit large 3-point photographs. Hannah Stuelke was quiet through the early-round video games — she missed most of Iowa’s NCAA opener with migraine points — however this sport might be large for her. As for Clark, the Candy 16 and past final season was when she actually put her sport into one other gear. If she will do the identical this yr, the Hawkeyes can advance to the Elite Eight.
Why Colorado will win: The Buffaloes’ early-round victories had been towards Drake, which depends on good 3-point capturing, and Kansas State, which is not as high-scoring and bases its offense round a middle. Colorado dealt with each these groups nicely, beating the Bulldogs by 14 and the Wildcats by 13. Iowa is Division I’s most potent offense, however the Buffs have proved they’ll decelerate good groups.
If Colorado — which averages 75.4 PPG to Iowa’s 92.0 PPG — can set the tone defensively, that tilts the sport within the Buffs’ favor. Like West Virginia, Colorado has a super-quick guard in Jaylyn Sherrod. Not like the Mountaineers, the Buffs have extra expert inside gamers, similar to Quay Miller and Aaronette Vonleh. The Hawkeyes beat the Buffs 87-77 final season within the Candy 16, however Colorado might flip the tables this time.
What is the X issue: Iowa’s 3-point capturing. The Hawkeyes common a Division I-best 11.1 3-pointers per sport. And after they begin raining 3s, they’ll go on spurts that change the entire dynamic of the sport. — Voepel
Which staff will advance?
Adelson: Iowa 75, Colorado 70
Creme: Iowa 78, Colorado 72
Pelton: Iowa 90, Colorado 82
Philippou: Iowa 82, Colorado 74
Voepel: Iowa 84, Colorado 79
The perfect of JuJu Watkins to this point within the NCAA event
Relive USC star JuJu Watkins’ finest performs from the Trojans’ wins vs. Texas A&M Commerce and Kansas within the ladies’s NCAA event.
Saturday, 5:30 p.m. ET, ESPN (Area 3 in Portland)
Why USC will win: Having misplaced only one sport throughout February and March, the Trojans have been enjoying their finest basketball on the proper time. Freshman phenom JuJu Watkins is doing her factor and boasts the third-most factors all-time by a freshman with 861. However others round her have stepped up too — notably McKenzie Forbes on the offensive finish, who simply strung collectively three consecutive 20-plus-point video games for the primary time in her profession. When these two are hitting photographs and the remainder of the Trojans — whether or not Kayla Padilla, Kaitlyn Davis, Clarice Akunwafo or another person — excel of their roles, Lindsay Gottlieb’s squad is hard to beat.
Why Baylor will win: The Bears’ offensive stability — a distinction from Watkins-centric USC — signifies that primarily based on matchups, any certainly one of their gamers has the chance to pop off. Towards Vanderbilt, it was Bella Fontleroy. Towards Virginia Tech, it was Sarah Andrews within the first half and Jada Walker within the second on her approach to posting a career-high 28 factors. Nicki Collen stated her staff misplaced a few of its confidence on the offensive finish of the ground throughout its rocky Large 12 slate, but when that sturdy efficiency in Blacksburg carries over to Saturday — mixed with the Bears’ usually sturdy protection — it might spell an upset.
What is the X issue: Baylor is 21-1 this season when it outrebounds its opponent, with Aijha Blackwell and Darianna Littlepage-Buggs combining for 15.3 boards per contest. Can Rayah Marshall (10.3 RPG) — top-of-the-line rebounders within the Pac-12 — and the Trojans sustain?
Which staff will advance?
Adelson: USC 83 Baylor 72
Creme: USC 72, Baylor 55
Pelton: USC 72, Baylor 65
Philippou: USC 71, Baylor 62
Voepel: USC 72, Baylor 67
Take a look at Paige Bueckers’ prime highlights of the NCAA event
Relive UConn star Paige Bueckers’ finest performs from the Huskies’ wins vs. Jackson State and Syracuse within the ladies’s NCAA event.
Saturday, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN, (Area 3 in Portland)
Why UConn will win: The Huskies have three seniors — Paige Bueckers, Aaliyah Edwards and Nika Muhl — who’ve been on this stage (and larger) earlier than and had been on the staff final yr when UConn was shocked by Ohio State within the Candy 16. Even when it was to a unique opponent, the ache of that loss on this spherical remains to be recent on their minds, solely additional motivating the Huskies heading into Saturday. Bueckers is likely to be having the most effective postseason of any participant within the nation, and together with her well-rounded affect on the sport will do no matter it takes to get UConn one step nearer to Cleveland. She does not need to do it alone, both, with sturdy begins to postseason play from Edwards and freshman Ashlynn Shade.
Why Duke will win: The Blue Devils boast top-of-the-line defenses within the nation, a unit that may trigger matches for UConn’s offense. They have not allowed an opponent to attain greater than 63 factors since Feb. 19. Whereas they did not have a ton of constant offensive firepower through the common season, they now have one of many hottest gamers within the event in junior Reigan Richardson, who’s averaging 12.4 factors per sport on the season however scored 25 and 28 factors towards Richmond and Ohio State, respectively. Duke’s prowess on the offensive glass, spurred by freshman Oluchi Okananwa, additionally offers the Blue Devils an edge over an opponent with a dearth of frontcourt choices.
What is the X issue: Syracuse did job for essentially the most a part of neutralizing UConn’s publish play. Can Duke do the identical? The Blue Devils enable simply 23.4 factors within the paint per sport and have posts Kennedy Brown (6-6) and Camilla Emsbo (6-5) defending the rim (the staff averages 5.6 rejections per sport). Edwards is among the prime gamers left within the event, and final time these two packages met in November 2022, she tallied 17 factors and 11 rebounds. — Philippou
Which staff will advance?
Adelson: UConn 66, Duke 60
Creme: UConn 70, Duke 56
Pelton: UConn 71, Duke 60
Philippou: UConn 67, Duke 59
Voepel: UConn 79, Duke 65
Sixteen groups have superior to the regional semifinals in Albany and Portland. And the Candy 16 is filled with potential.
All 4 No. 1 seeds reached the spherical of 16. Defending champion LSU is again, as is No. 1 general seed South Carolina, which is 34-0 and chasing an ideal season.
Particular person star energy abounds as nicely. Caitlin Clark, who broke the NCAA Division I document for many factors in a single season within the second spherical, and Iowa stay within the hunt to guide a return journey to the nationwide semifinals. JuJu Watkins, the front-runner for nationwide freshman of the yr, has led USC to its first Candy 16 since 1994.
The Trojans are certainly one of 5 Pac-12 groups within the Candy 16 because the convention continues its push to exit on a excessive observe in its final March Insanity earlier than the Pac-12 as we all know it ceases to exist.
And Duke, at No. 7 the bottom seed left, is hoping to proceed its run however must get previous UConn and Paige Bueckers, who had been upset on this spherical a yr in the past.
Which groups will make the Elite Eight? ESPN’s Charlie Creme, Alexa Philippou and Michael Voepel preview each regional semifinal and be a part of Andrea Adelson in predicting who advances.
Friday, 2:30 p.m. ET, ESPN (Area 1 in Albany)
Why Notre Dame will win: Throughout their 10-game successful streak, the Irish have adopted a easy components: play nice protection, and Hannah Hidalgo, Sonia Citron and Maddy Westbeld will deal with the offense. That has allowed the Irish to not simply survive however thrive, regardless of coach Niele Ivey having solely six gamers obtainable in her rotation. Notre Dame has navigated three season-ending accidents and the lack of Olivia Miles and Jenna Brown earlier than the season even started. Solely Duke, within the win that began the streak, has shot over 40% from the sphere towards Notre Dame prior to now 10 video games, and no opponent has reached 70 factors. Ivey and Hidalgo, the nationwide chief in steals, have turned this right into a defense-first staff. The flexibility of their three stars additionally offers the Irish a number of methods to attain. Hidalgo likes to assault the paint. Citron has a easy midrange sport and can be finisher. Westbeld is Notre Dame’s prime rebounder and finest 3-point shooter.
Why Oregon State will win: The Beavers have an enormous benefit within the publish in 6-4 sophomore Raegan Beers. The knee harm that ended the season for Notre Dame’s Kylee Watson might loom giant on this sport. She was the skilled, bodily presence the Irish might flip to towards a participant like Beers, whose 17.5 factors and 10.2 rebounds per sport lead Oregon State. Natalija Marshall, a 6-5 Notre Dame senior, performed spot minutes within the Irish’s frontcourt earlier than the accidents. Now she may have the accountability of slowing down an All-Pac-12 participant. Beers was held in examine towards Nebraska within the second spherical, however anticipate the Beavers to look her far more usually on Friday.
What is the X issue: Notre Dame’s foul scenario. Participant fatigue is not a problem, regardless of the shortage of depth. The longer breaks in NCAA event play assist. However fouls are a game-to-game proposition. How these play out cannot be predicted. The Irish can in poor health afford to have Hidalgo, Citron or Westbeld compelled to sit down with foul hassle early within the sport. Hidalgo has completed with 4 fouls in three of these 10 video games, and Citron had 4 twice. That’s the closest any Notre Dame participant has been to fouling out. The Irish appear to have perfected the artwork of enjoying nice protection with out fouling, however it stays one thing to look at. — Creme
Which staff will advance?
Adelson: Oregon State 71, Notre Dame 70
Creme: Notre Dame 65, Oregon State 61
Pelton: Notre Dame 70, Oregon State 66
Philippou: Notre Dame 66, Oregon State 56
Voepel: Notre Dame 74, Oregon State 66
The star gamers from the primary two rounds of the ladies’s NCAA event
Take a look at a number of the finest performs from the highest stars within the first two rounds of the ladies’s NCAA event.
Friday, 5 p.m. ET, ESPN (Area 1 in Albany)
Why South Carolina will win: If the Gamecocks play their A-game, they will not lose. That has been the consensus within the basketball world for the reason that second month of the season (if not sooner). No different staff is gifted and deep sufficient to beat South Carolina at its finest. And the efficiency we noticed within the second spherical towards North Carolina was at the very least near South Carolina’s finest. The Gamecocks lead the NCAA event in scoring, rebounding and discipline purpose proportion allowed. Freshman MiLaysia Fulwiley has emerged as one thing nicely past a highlight-generating participant. Her perimeter capturing and penetrating skills give coach Daybreak Staley one other dimension. Fulwiley and Te-Hina Paopao are capturing over 50% from the 3-point line, and Kamilla Cardoso remains to be dominating inside. Towards the Tar Heels, South Carolina’s guards had been dominant. With Cardoso, Chloe Kitts and Ashlyn Watkins, the Gamecocks ought to put on down a skinny Hoosiers entrance line.
Why Indiana will win: The within-outside punch of Mackenzie Holmes and Sara Scalia has been efficient to this point and will be on this sport. Scalia can be notably essential if Indiana goes to tug the upset. If she will free herself to make some 3-pointers — she’s 6-of-15 to this point within the event — it ought to open some passing lanes and area for Holmes to function within the publish. One-on-one, Holmes can succeed towards South Carolina. It is when the Gamecocks carry a number of defenders as tall or taller than the 6-foot-3 Holmes that she might have issues. If level guard Chloe Moore-McNeil can play a gentle flooring sport towards what is bound to be a revolving door of high quality perimeter defenders, Indiana can keep within the sport and maybe steal an upset late.
What is the X issue: South Carolina’s perimeter protection. Fulwiley, Paopao, Raven Johnson and Bree Corridor may cause a number of issues if they’re efficient on protection. Shutting down Indiana’s perimeter capturing will take away the Hoosiers’ finest likelihood to maximise possessions. Indiana’s guards additionally have to get Holmes the ball in scoring areas. If Scalia, Moore-McNeil, Sydney Parrish and Yarden Garzon cannot navigate that stress protection, Holmes will not get sufficient high quality touches to be impactful. — Creme
Which staff will advance?
Adelson: South Carolina 80, Indiana 65
Creme: South Carolina 77, Indiana 59
Pelton: South Carolina 85, Indiana 67
Philippou: South Carolina 85, Indiana 60
Voepel: South Carolina 82, Indiana 73
Friday, 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN (Area 4 in Portland)
Why Stanford will win: Stanford has the 2 finest gamers on the courtroom in Cameron Brink and Kiki Iriafen. In the event that they play like that, Stanford will win. Brink struggled offensively and with foul hassle towards Iowa State, and regardless of Iriafen’s 41-point brilliance, the Cardinal practically did not survive towards Iowa State, needing extra time to advance. Coach Tara VanDerveer will want a 3rd important contributor, maybe Hannah Bounce or Elena Bosgana. If the Cardinal have three gamers delivering on the offensive finish at a excessive fee, they are going to be within the Elite Eight.
Why NC State will win: Aziaha James and Saniya Rivers are the 2 finest guards on the courtroom. Zoe Brooks is likely to be third. NC State is hard to beat if the trio performs prefer it did towards Tennessee within the second spherical, when these gamers had been the Wolfpack’s prime three scorers. The offense has struggled at occasions late within the season when Rivers wasn’t capturing the ball nicely or Brooks wasn’t as concerned. Getting their transition sport going early is vital. Rivers and Brooks excel within the open courtroom, and enjoying a full-court sport negates Stanford’s measurement benefit.
What is the X issue: It is a basic battle of energy vs. weak point. Frontcourt vs. backcourt. The play of River Baldwin and Mimi Collins towards Brink and Iriafen can be essential to look at. They need not defend completely, but when Baldwin and Collins can rebound and defend successfully, with out fouling, NC State may have the higher hand. — Creme
Which staff will advance?
Adelson: Stanford 66, NC State 60
Creme: NC State 76, Stanford 74
Pelton: Stanford 71, NC State 63
Philippou: Stanford 71, NC State 62
Voepel: Stanford 75, NC State 70
Friday, 10 p.m. ET, ESPN (Area 4 in Portland)
Why Texas will win: Whereas Madison Booker is Texas’ finest participant, the Longhorns’ capability to dominate inside, particularly on the glass, is what’s going to get them to the Elite Eight. Offensive rebounding was the difference-maker towards Alabama within the second spherical, and if Aaliyah Moore, Taylor Jones and DeYona Gaston can set up bodily dominance, the Longhorns would possibly be capable of push across the Bulldogs. Search for the 6-1 Booker — who’s so adept at creating area for her midrange jumper — to capitalize on her measurement benefit over the smaller Gonzaga guards, Kayleigh Truong (5-9) and Kaylynne Truong (5-8).
Why Gonzaga will win: The Zags are essentially the most correct 3-point capturing staff within the nation (40.1%) and made 12 of 28 towards Utah. Texas cannot beat Gonzaga in a capturing contest, regardless of being a strong 3-point capturing staff itself. Yvonne Ejim can be the most efficient and environment friendly publish participant on this sport. Texas will undoubtedly attempt to get bodily together with her with a number of defenders. That is what Vic Schaefer groups do. But when Ejim can play successfully in a number of methods, she will drag the Texas bigs to the excessive publish and be simply as efficient. That will largely negate the Longhorns’ physicality. Gonzaga can pull the upset if it may open the courtroom and play with tempo.
What is the X issue: The protection of Texas’ Shay Holle and Shaylee Gonzales towards Brynna Maxwell and the Truong sisters can be essential. Utah’s guards had hassle matching up with all three. Eliza Hollingsworth, a 6-3 ahead, was additionally left open an excessive amount of. She’s seemingly going to be extra agile than the defender guarding her on the surface. The Texas technique on deal with all of the Gonzaga perimeter choices would possibly resolve this sport. — Creme
Which staff will advance?
Adelson: Texas 81 Gonzaga 63
Creme: Texas 68, Gonzaga 65
Pelton: Texas 75, Gonzaga 68
Philippou: Texas 82, Gonzaga 66
Voepel: Texas 81, Gonzaga 71
Relive LSU’s prime performs within the ladies’s NCAA event to this point
Relive the LSU Tigers’ finest performs from this yr’s NCAA event in wins over Rice and Center Tennessee.
Saturday, 1 p.m. ET, ABC (Area 2 in Albany)
Why LSU will win: A part of the Tigers’ energy this season is proved by how intently they performed SEC rival and No. 1 general seed South Carolina. The Tigers misplaced the regular-season matchup with the Gamecocks 76-70 on Jan. 25, and the SEC event ultimate 79-72 on March 10.
The Tigers did not have a very convincing NCAA event first-round win over Rice (70-60). And observers voiced concern in regards to the second spherical’s free throw capturing disparity with Center Tennessee: The Tigers had been 26-of-37 from the road, whereas the Blue Raiders had been 6-of-9.
However the backside line is that LSU has the rebounding capability, led by Angel Reese, to win the board battle in most video games. The Tigers additionally common nearly 10 factors per sport greater than the Bruins. So so long as LSU is ready to run its offense comparatively nicely, it is likely to be robust for UCLA to decisively win any main side of the sport.
Why UCLA will win: The Bruins misplaced to rival USC within the Pac-12 event semifinals, after which obtained a scare from Creighton within the second spherical of the NCAA event. Now that they’re within the Candy 16, we’d see the most effective of UCLA. The Bruins misplaced right here in Albany within the regional semifinal 5 years in the past; that was to a UConn staff not that removed from its residence. Final season, UCLA additionally misplaced within the Candy 16 on the East Coast: to South Carolina in Greenville, South Carolina.
This season’s Bruins spent plenty of time at No. 2 within the Related Press ballot and have all of the bases lined with expertise. UCLA has six gamers averaging between 14.9 and eight.9 factors. All however certainly one of them — middle Lauren Betts — have made at the very least 20 3-pointers this season. It is honest to say that UCLA is the most effective program that hasn’t made the ladies’s Last 4 within the NCAA period. A win over the defending champion Tigers will not get it there however can be an enormous step.
What is the X issue: It might be free throws. The Tigers lead Division I in free throws made (709) and tried (950). Evaluate that to UCLA, which is 421-of-563 from the road for the season. — Voepel
Which staff will advance?
Adelson: UCLA 77, LSU 76
Creme: UCLA 72, LSU 71
Pelton: LSU 80, UCLA 73
Philippou: UCLA 75, LSU, 72
Voepel: LSU 81, UCLA 77
Take a look at Caitlin Clark’s prime highlights of this NCAA event
Relive Iowa star Caitlin Clark’s finest performs from the Hawkeyes’ wins vs. Holy Cross and West Virginia within the ladies’s NCAA event.
Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC (Area 2 in Albany)
Why Iowa will win: The Hawkeyes needed to be affected person in letting West Virginia’s fouls meet up with it in Monday’s second-round win. The Mountaineers’ defensive technique was to attempt to harass Iowa into sufficient turnovers to take management of the sport, however the Hawkeyes did not let it occur. Nonetheless, the sport went right down to the wire, so Colorado would possibly strive a number of the similar ways.
That stated, Iowa nonetheless has plenty of offensive threats even past celebrity Caitlin Clark, who leads Division I in scoring, assists and 3-pointers. Kate Martin, Gabbie Marshall and Sydney Affolter can all hit large 3-point photographs. Hannah Stuelke was quiet through the early-round video games — she missed most of Iowa’s NCAA opener with migraine points — however this sport might be large for her. As for Clark, the Candy 16 and past final season was when she actually put her sport into one other gear. If she will do the identical this yr, the Hawkeyes can advance to the Elite Eight.
Why Colorado will win: The Buffaloes’ early-round victories had been towards Drake, which depends on good 3-point capturing, and Kansas State, which is not as high-scoring and bases its offense round a middle. Colorado dealt with each these groups nicely, beating the Bulldogs by 14 and the Wildcats by 13. Iowa is Division I’s most potent offense, however the Buffs have proved they’ll decelerate good groups.
If Colorado — which averages 75.4 PPG to Iowa’s 92.0 PPG — can set the tone defensively, that tilts the sport within the Buffs’ favor. Like West Virginia, Colorado has a super-quick guard in Jaylyn Sherrod. Not like the Mountaineers, the Buffs have extra expert inside gamers, similar to Quay Miller and Aaronette Vonleh. The Hawkeyes beat the Buffs 87-77 final season within the Candy 16, however Colorado might flip the tables this time.
What is the X issue: Iowa’s 3-point capturing. The Hawkeyes common a Division I-best 11.1 3-pointers per sport. And after they begin raining 3s, they’ll go on spurts that change the entire dynamic of the sport. — Voepel
Which staff will advance?
Adelson: Iowa 75, Colorado 70
Creme: Iowa 78, Colorado 72
Pelton: Iowa 90, Colorado 82
Philippou: Iowa 82, Colorado 74
Voepel: Iowa 84, Colorado 79
The perfect of JuJu Watkins to this point within the NCAA event
Relive USC star JuJu Watkins’ finest performs from the Trojans’ wins vs. Texas A&M Commerce and Kansas within the ladies’s NCAA event.
Saturday, 5:30 p.m. ET, ESPN (Area 3 in Portland)
Why USC will win: Having misplaced only one sport throughout February and March, the Trojans have been enjoying their finest basketball on the proper time. Freshman phenom JuJu Watkins is doing her factor and boasts the third-most factors all-time by a freshman with 861. However others round her have stepped up too — notably McKenzie Forbes on the offensive finish, who simply strung collectively three consecutive 20-plus-point video games for the primary time in her profession. When these two are hitting photographs and the remainder of the Trojans — whether or not Kayla Padilla, Kaitlyn Davis, Clarice Akunwafo or another person — excel of their roles, Lindsay Gottlieb’s squad is hard to beat.
Why Baylor will win: The Bears’ offensive stability — a distinction from Watkins-centric USC — signifies that primarily based on matchups, any certainly one of their gamers has the chance to pop off. Towards Vanderbilt, it was Bella Fontleroy. Towards Virginia Tech, it was Sarah Andrews within the first half and Jada Walker within the second on her approach to posting a career-high 28 factors. Nicki Collen stated her staff misplaced a few of its confidence on the offensive finish of the ground throughout its rocky Large 12 slate, but when that sturdy efficiency in Blacksburg carries over to Saturday — mixed with the Bears’ usually sturdy protection — it might spell an upset.
What is the X issue: Baylor is 21-1 this season when it outrebounds its opponent, with Aijha Blackwell and Darianna Littlepage-Buggs combining for 15.3 boards per contest. Can Rayah Marshall (10.3 RPG) — top-of-the-line rebounders within the Pac-12 — and the Trojans sustain?
Which staff will advance?
Adelson: USC 83 Baylor 72
Creme: USC 72, Baylor 55
Pelton: USC 72, Baylor 65
Philippou: USC 71, Baylor 62
Voepel: USC 72, Baylor 67
Take a look at Paige Bueckers’ prime highlights of the NCAA event
Relive UConn star Paige Bueckers’ finest performs from the Huskies’ wins vs. Jackson State and Syracuse within the ladies’s NCAA event.
Saturday, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN, (Area 3 in Portland)
Why UConn will win: The Huskies have three seniors — Paige Bueckers, Aaliyah Edwards and Nika Muhl — who’ve been on this stage (and larger) earlier than and had been on the staff final yr when UConn was shocked by Ohio State within the Candy 16. Even when it was to a unique opponent, the ache of that loss on this spherical remains to be recent on their minds, solely additional motivating the Huskies heading into Saturday. Bueckers is likely to be having the most effective postseason of any participant within the nation, and together with her well-rounded affect on the sport will do no matter it takes to get UConn one step nearer to Cleveland. She does not need to do it alone, both, with sturdy begins to postseason play from Edwards and freshman Ashlynn Shade.
Why Duke will win: The Blue Devils boast top-of-the-line defenses within the nation, a unit that may trigger matches for UConn’s offense. They have not allowed an opponent to attain greater than 63 factors since Feb. 19. Whereas they did not have a ton of constant offensive firepower through the common season, they now have one of many hottest gamers within the event in junior Reigan Richardson, who’s averaging 12.4 factors per sport on the season however scored 25 and 28 factors towards Richmond and Ohio State, respectively. Duke’s prowess on the offensive glass, spurred by freshman Oluchi Okananwa, additionally offers the Blue Devils an edge over an opponent with a dearth of frontcourt choices.
What is the X issue: Syracuse did job for essentially the most a part of neutralizing UConn’s publish play. Can Duke do the identical? The Blue Devils enable simply 23.4 factors within the paint per sport and have posts Kennedy Brown (6-6) and Camilla Emsbo (6-5) defending the rim (the staff averages 5.6 rejections per sport). Edwards is among the prime gamers left within the event, and final time these two packages met in November 2022, she tallied 17 factors and 11 rebounds. — Philippou
Which staff will advance?
Adelson: UConn 66, Duke 60
Creme: UConn 70, Duke 56
Pelton: UConn 71, Duke 60
Philippou: UConn 67, Duke 59
Voepel: UConn 79, Duke 65
Sixteen groups have superior to the regional semifinals in Albany and Portland. And the Candy 16 is filled with potential.
All 4 No. 1 seeds reached the spherical of 16. Defending champion LSU is again, as is No. 1 general seed South Carolina, which is 34-0 and chasing an ideal season.
Particular person star energy abounds as nicely. Caitlin Clark, who broke the NCAA Division I document for many factors in a single season within the second spherical, and Iowa stay within the hunt to guide a return journey to the nationwide semifinals. JuJu Watkins, the front-runner for nationwide freshman of the yr, has led USC to its first Candy 16 since 1994.
The Trojans are certainly one of 5 Pac-12 groups within the Candy 16 because the convention continues its push to exit on a excessive observe in its final March Insanity earlier than the Pac-12 as we all know it ceases to exist.
And Duke, at No. 7 the bottom seed left, is hoping to proceed its run however must get previous UConn and Paige Bueckers, who had been upset on this spherical a yr in the past.
Which groups will make the Elite Eight? ESPN’s Charlie Creme, Alexa Philippou and Michael Voepel preview each regional semifinal and be a part of Andrea Adelson in predicting who advances.
Friday, 2:30 p.m. ET, ESPN (Area 1 in Albany)
Why Notre Dame will win: Throughout their 10-game successful streak, the Irish have adopted a easy components: play nice protection, and Hannah Hidalgo, Sonia Citron and Maddy Westbeld will deal with the offense. That has allowed the Irish to not simply survive however thrive, regardless of coach Niele Ivey having solely six gamers obtainable in her rotation. Notre Dame has navigated three season-ending accidents and the lack of Olivia Miles and Jenna Brown earlier than the season even started. Solely Duke, within the win that began the streak, has shot over 40% from the sphere towards Notre Dame prior to now 10 video games, and no opponent has reached 70 factors. Ivey and Hidalgo, the nationwide chief in steals, have turned this right into a defense-first staff. The flexibility of their three stars additionally offers the Irish a number of methods to attain. Hidalgo likes to assault the paint. Citron has a easy midrange sport and can be finisher. Westbeld is Notre Dame’s prime rebounder and finest 3-point shooter.
Why Oregon State will win: The Beavers have an enormous benefit within the publish in 6-4 sophomore Raegan Beers. The knee harm that ended the season for Notre Dame’s Kylee Watson might loom giant on this sport. She was the skilled, bodily presence the Irish might flip to towards a participant like Beers, whose 17.5 factors and 10.2 rebounds per sport lead Oregon State. Natalija Marshall, a 6-5 Notre Dame senior, performed spot minutes within the Irish’s frontcourt earlier than the accidents. Now she may have the accountability of slowing down an All-Pac-12 participant. Beers was held in examine towards Nebraska within the second spherical, however anticipate the Beavers to look her far more usually on Friday.
What is the X issue: Notre Dame’s foul scenario. Participant fatigue is not a problem, regardless of the shortage of depth. The longer breaks in NCAA event play assist. However fouls are a game-to-game proposition. How these play out cannot be predicted. The Irish can in poor health afford to have Hidalgo, Citron or Westbeld compelled to sit down with foul hassle early within the sport. Hidalgo has completed with 4 fouls in three of these 10 video games, and Citron had 4 twice. That’s the closest any Notre Dame participant has been to fouling out. The Irish appear to have perfected the artwork of enjoying nice protection with out fouling, however it stays one thing to look at. — Creme
Which staff will advance?
Adelson: Oregon State 71, Notre Dame 70
Creme: Notre Dame 65, Oregon State 61
Pelton: Notre Dame 70, Oregon State 66
Philippou: Notre Dame 66, Oregon State 56
Voepel: Notre Dame 74, Oregon State 66
The star gamers from the primary two rounds of the ladies’s NCAA event
Take a look at a number of the finest performs from the highest stars within the first two rounds of the ladies’s NCAA event.
Friday, 5 p.m. ET, ESPN (Area 1 in Albany)
Why South Carolina will win: If the Gamecocks play their A-game, they will not lose. That has been the consensus within the basketball world for the reason that second month of the season (if not sooner). No different staff is gifted and deep sufficient to beat South Carolina at its finest. And the efficiency we noticed within the second spherical towards North Carolina was at the very least near South Carolina’s finest. The Gamecocks lead the NCAA event in scoring, rebounding and discipline purpose proportion allowed. Freshman MiLaysia Fulwiley has emerged as one thing nicely past a highlight-generating participant. Her perimeter capturing and penetrating skills give coach Daybreak Staley one other dimension. Fulwiley and Te-Hina Paopao are capturing over 50% from the 3-point line, and Kamilla Cardoso remains to be dominating inside. Towards the Tar Heels, South Carolina’s guards had been dominant. With Cardoso, Chloe Kitts and Ashlyn Watkins, the Gamecocks ought to put on down a skinny Hoosiers entrance line.
Why Indiana will win: The within-outside punch of Mackenzie Holmes and Sara Scalia has been efficient to this point and will be on this sport. Scalia can be notably essential if Indiana goes to tug the upset. If she will free herself to make some 3-pointers — she’s 6-of-15 to this point within the event — it ought to open some passing lanes and area for Holmes to function within the publish. One-on-one, Holmes can succeed towards South Carolina. It is when the Gamecocks carry a number of defenders as tall or taller than the 6-foot-3 Holmes that she might have issues. If level guard Chloe Moore-McNeil can play a gentle flooring sport towards what is bound to be a revolving door of high quality perimeter defenders, Indiana can keep within the sport and maybe steal an upset late.
What is the X issue: South Carolina’s perimeter protection. Fulwiley, Paopao, Raven Johnson and Bree Corridor may cause a number of issues if they’re efficient on protection. Shutting down Indiana’s perimeter capturing will take away the Hoosiers’ finest likelihood to maximise possessions. Indiana’s guards additionally have to get Holmes the ball in scoring areas. If Scalia, Moore-McNeil, Sydney Parrish and Yarden Garzon cannot navigate that stress protection, Holmes will not get sufficient high quality touches to be impactful. — Creme
Which staff will advance?
Adelson: South Carolina 80, Indiana 65
Creme: South Carolina 77, Indiana 59
Pelton: South Carolina 85, Indiana 67
Philippou: South Carolina 85, Indiana 60
Voepel: South Carolina 82, Indiana 73
Friday, 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN (Area 4 in Portland)
Why Stanford will win: Stanford has the 2 finest gamers on the courtroom in Cameron Brink and Kiki Iriafen. In the event that they play like that, Stanford will win. Brink struggled offensively and with foul hassle towards Iowa State, and regardless of Iriafen’s 41-point brilliance, the Cardinal practically did not survive towards Iowa State, needing extra time to advance. Coach Tara VanDerveer will want a 3rd important contributor, maybe Hannah Bounce or Elena Bosgana. If the Cardinal have three gamers delivering on the offensive finish at a excessive fee, they are going to be within the Elite Eight.
Why NC State will win: Aziaha James and Saniya Rivers are the 2 finest guards on the courtroom. Zoe Brooks is likely to be third. NC State is hard to beat if the trio performs prefer it did towards Tennessee within the second spherical, when these gamers had been the Wolfpack’s prime three scorers. The offense has struggled at occasions late within the season when Rivers wasn’t capturing the ball nicely or Brooks wasn’t as concerned. Getting their transition sport going early is vital. Rivers and Brooks excel within the open courtroom, and enjoying a full-court sport negates Stanford’s measurement benefit.
What is the X issue: It is a basic battle of energy vs. weak point. Frontcourt vs. backcourt. The play of River Baldwin and Mimi Collins towards Brink and Iriafen can be essential to look at. They need not defend completely, but when Baldwin and Collins can rebound and defend successfully, with out fouling, NC State may have the higher hand. — Creme
Which staff will advance?
Adelson: Stanford 66, NC State 60
Creme: NC State 76, Stanford 74
Pelton: Stanford 71, NC State 63
Philippou: Stanford 71, NC State 62
Voepel: Stanford 75, NC State 70
Friday, 10 p.m. ET, ESPN (Area 4 in Portland)
Why Texas will win: Whereas Madison Booker is Texas’ finest participant, the Longhorns’ capability to dominate inside, particularly on the glass, is what’s going to get them to the Elite Eight. Offensive rebounding was the difference-maker towards Alabama within the second spherical, and if Aaliyah Moore, Taylor Jones and DeYona Gaston can set up bodily dominance, the Longhorns would possibly be capable of push across the Bulldogs. Search for the 6-1 Booker — who’s so adept at creating area for her midrange jumper — to capitalize on her measurement benefit over the smaller Gonzaga guards, Kayleigh Truong (5-9) and Kaylynne Truong (5-8).
Why Gonzaga will win: The Zags are essentially the most correct 3-point capturing staff within the nation (40.1%) and made 12 of 28 towards Utah. Texas cannot beat Gonzaga in a capturing contest, regardless of being a strong 3-point capturing staff itself. Yvonne Ejim can be the most efficient and environment friendly publish participant on this sport. Texas will undoubtedly attempt to get bodily together with her with a number of defenders. That is what Vic Schaefer groups do. But when Ejim can play successfully in a number of methods, she will drag the Texas bigs to the excessive publish and be simply as efficient. That will largely negate the Longhorns’ physicality. Gonzaga can pull the upset if it may open the courtroom and play with tempo.
What is the X issue: The protection of Texas’ Shay Holle and Shaylee Gonzales towards Brynna Maxwell and the Truong sisters can be essential. Utah’s guards had hassle matching up with all three. Eliza Hollingsworth, a 6-3 ahead, was additionally left open an excessive amount of. She’s seemingly going to be extra agile than the defender guarding her on the surface. The Texas technique on deal with all of the Gonzaga perimeter choices would possibly resolve this sport. — Creme
Which staff will advance?
Adelson: Texas 81 Gonzaga 63
Creme: Texas 68, Gonzaga 65
Pelton: Texas 75, Gonzaga 68
Philippou: Texas 82, Gonzaga 66
Voepel: Texas 81, Gonzaga 71
Relive LSU’s prime performs within the ladies’s NCAA event to this point
Relive the LSU Tigers’ finest performs from this yr’s NCAA event in wins over Rice and Center Tennessee.
Saturday, 1 p.m. ET, ABC (Area 2 in Albany)
Why LSU will win: A part of the Tigers’ energy this season is proved by how intently they performed SEC rival and No. 1 general seed South Carolina. The Tigers misplaced the regular-season matchup with the Gamecocks 76-70 on Jan. 25, and the SEC event ultimate 79-72 on March 10.
The Tigers did not have a very convincing NCAA event first-round win over Rice (70-60). And observers voiced concern in regards to the second spherical’s free throw capturing disparity with Center Tennessee: The Tigers had been 26-of-37 from the road, whereas the Blue Raiders had been 6-of-9.
However the backside line is that LSU has the rebounding capability, led by Angel Reese, to win the board battle in most video games. The Tigers additionally common nearly 10 factors per sport greater than the Bruins. So so long as LSU is ready to run its offense comparatively nicely, it is likely to be robust for UCLA to decisively win any main side of the sport.
Why UCLA will win: The Bruins misplaced to rival USC within the Pac-12 event semifinals, after which obtained a scare from Creighton within the second spherical of the NCAA event. Now that they’re within the Candy 16, we’d see the most effective of UCLA. The Bruins misplaced right here in Albany within the regional semifinal 5 years in the past; that was to a UConn staff not that removed from its residence. Final season, UCLA additionally misplaced within the Candy 16 on the East Coast: to South Carolina in Greenville, South Carolina.
This season’s Bruins spent plenty of time at No. 2 within the Related Press ballot and have all of the bases lined with expertise. UCLA has six gamers averaging between 14.9 and eight.9 factors. All however certainly one of them — middle Lauren Betts — have made at the very least 20 3-pointers this season. It is honest to say that UCLA is the most effective program that hasn’t made the ladies’s Last 4 within the NCAA period. A win over the defending champion Tigers will not get it there however can be an enormous step.
What is the X issue: It might be free throws. The Tigers lead Division I in free throws made (709) and tried (950). Evaluate that to UCLA, which is 421-of-563 from the road for the season. — Voepel
Which staff will advance?
Adelson: UCLA 77, LSU 76
Creme: UCLA 72, LSU 71
Pelton: LSU 80, UCLA 73
Philippou: UCLA 75, LSU, 72
Voepel: LSU 81, UCLA 77
Take a look at Caitlin Clark’s prime highlights of this NCAA event
Relive Iowa star Caitlin Clark’s finest performs from the Hawkeyes’ wins vs. Holy Cross and West Virginia within the ladies’s NCAA event.
Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC (Area 2 in Albany)
Why Iowa will win: The Hawkeyes needed to be affected person in letting West Virginia’s fouls meet up with it in Monday’s second-round win. The Mountaineers’ defensive technique was to attempt to harass Iowa into sufficient turnovers to take management of the sport, however the Hawkeyes did not let it occur. Nonetheless, the sport went right down to the wire, so Colorado would possibly strive a number of the similar ways.
That stated, Iowa nonetheless has plenty of offensive threats even past celebrity Caitlin Clark, who leads Division I in scoring, assists and 3-pointers. Kate Martin, Gabbie Marshall and Sydney Affolter can all hit large 3-point photographs. Hannah Stuelke was quiet through the early-round video games — she missed most of Iowa’s NCAA opener with migraine points — however this sport might be large for her. As for Clark, the Candy 16 and past final season was when she actually put her sport into one other gear. If she will do the identical this yr, the Hawkeyes can advance to the Elite Eight.
Why Colorado will win: The Buffaloes’ early-round victories had been towards Drake, which depends on good 3-point capturing, and Kansas State, which is not as high-scoring and bases its offense round a middle. Colorado dealt with each these groups nicely, beating the Bulldogs by 14 and the Wildcats by 13. Iowa is Division I’s most potent offense, however the Buffs have proved they’ll decelerate good groups.
If Colorado — which averages 75.4 PPG to Iowa’s 92.0 PPG — can set the tone defensively, that tilts the sport within the Buffs’ favor. Like West Virginia, Colorado has a super-quick guard in Jaylyn Sherrod. Not like the Mountaineers, the Buffs have extra expert inside gamers, similar to Quay Miller and Aaronette Vonleh. The Hawkeyes beat the Buffs 87-77 final season within the Candy 16, however Colorado might flip the tables this time.
What is the X issue: Iowa’s 3-point capturing. The Hawkeyes common a Division I-best 11.1 3-pointers per sport. And after they begin raining 3s, they’ll go on spurts that change the entire dynamic of the sport. — Voepel
Which staff will advance?
Adelson: Iowa 75, Colorado 70
Creme: Iowa 78, Colorado 72
Pelton: Iowa 90, Colorado 82
Philippou: Iowa 82, Colorado 74
Voepel: Iowa 84, Colorado 79
The perfect of JuJu Watkins to this point within the NCAA event
Relive USC star JuJu Watkins’ finest performs from the Trojans’ wins vs. Texas A&M Commerce and Kansas within the ladies’s NCAA event.
Saturday, 5:30 p.m. ET, ESPN (Area 3 in Portland)
Why USC will win: Having misplaced only one sport throughout February and March, the Trojans have been enjoying their finest basketball on the proper time. Freshman phenom JuJu Watkins is doing her factor and boasts the third-most factors all-time by a freshman with 861. However others round her have stepped up too — notably McKenzie Forbes on the offensive finish, who simply strung collectively three consecutive 20-plus-point video games for the primary time in her profession. When these two are hitting photographs and the remainder of the Trojans — whether or not Kayla Padilla, Kaitlyn Davis, Clarice Akunwafo or another person — excel of their roles, Lindsay Gottlieb’s squad is hard to beat.
Why Baylor will win: The Bears’ offensive stability — a distinction from Watkins-centric USC — signifies that primarily based on matchups, any certainly one of their gamers has the chance to pop off. Towards Vanderbilt, it was Bella Fontleroy. Towards Virginia Tech, it was Sarah Andrews within the first half and Jada Walker within the second on her approach to posting a career-high 28 factors. Nicki Collen stated her staff misplaced a few of its confidence on the offensive finish of the ground throughout its rocky Large 12 slate, but when that sturdy efficiency in Blacksburg carries over to Saturday — mixed with the Bears’ usually sturdy protection — it might spell an upset.
What is the X issue: Baylor is 21-1 this season when it outrebounds its opponent, with Aijha Blackwell and Darianna Littlepage-Buggs combining for 15.3 boards per contest. Can Rayah Marshall (10.3 RPG) — top-of-the-line rebounders within the Pac-12 — and the Trojans sustain?
Which staff will advance?
Adelson: USC 83 Baylor 72
Creme: USC 72, Baylor 55
Pelton: USC 72, Baylor 65
Philippou: USC 71, Baylor 62
Voepel: USC 72, Baylor 67
Take a look at Paige Bueckers’ prime highlights of the NCAA event
Relive UConn star Paige Bueckers’ finest performs from the Huskies’ wins vs. Jackson State and Syracuse within the ladies’s NCAA event.
Saturday, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN, (Area 3 in Portland)
Why UConn will win: The Huskies have three seniors — Paige Bueckers, Aaliyah Edwards and Nika Muhl — who’ve been on this stage (and larger) earlier than and had been on the staff final yr when UConn was shocked by Ohio State within the Candy 16. Even when it was to a unique opponent, the ache of that loss on this spherical remains to be recent on their minds, solely additional motivating the Huskies heading into Saturday. Bueckers is likely to be having the most effective postseason of any participant within the nation, and together with her well-rounded affect on the sport will do no matter it takes to get UConn one step nearer to Cleveland. She does not need to do it alone, both, with sturdy begins to postseason play from Edwards and freshman Ashlynn Shade.
Why Duke will win: The Blue Devils boast top-of-the-line defenses within the nation, a unit that may trigger matches for UConn’s offense. They have not allowed an opponent to attain greater than 63 factors since Feb. 19. Whereas they did not have a ton of constant offensive firepower through the common season, they now have one of many hottest gamers within the event in junior Reigan Richardson, who’s averaging 12.4 factors per sport on the season however scored 25 and 28 factors towards Richmond and Ohio State, respectively. Duke’s prowess on the offensive glass, spurred by freshman Oluchi Okananwa, additionally offers the Blue Devils an edge over an opponent with a dearth of frontcourt choices.
What is the X issue: Syracuse did job for essentially the most a part of neutralizing UConn’s publish play. Can Duke do the identical? The Blue Devils enable simply 23.4 factors within the paint per sport and have posts Kennedy Brown (6-6) and Camilla Emsbo (6-5) defending the rim (the staff averages 5.6 rejections per sport). Edwards is among the prime gamers left within the event, and final time these two packages met in November 2022, she tallied 17 factors and 11 rebounds. — Philippou
Which staff will advance?
Adelson: UConn 66, Duke 60
Creme: UConn 70, Duke 56
Pelton: UConn 71, Duke 60
Philippou: UConn 67, Duke 59
Voepel: UConn 79, Duke 65