Champ Week Shakes Up Women’s NCAA Tournament Picture
The Power 4 conferences wrapped up their women’s college basketball tournaments this weekend, setting the stage for March Madness. Top seeds South Carolina (SEC) and TCU (Big 12) claimed their conference titles, while second-seeded UCLA took the Big Ten championship and third-seeded Duke won the ACC.
With just a handful of games left before Selection Sunday, the NCAA selection committee has nearly all the data it needs to finalize the top 16 seeds in the tournament bracket. The only remaining contender for a top-four seed still in action is UConn, which faces Creighton in the Big East final.
Have the No. 1 Seeds Been Locked In?
Championship Sunday reshuffled the order but not the teams at the top. South Carolina’s dominant win over Texas in the SEC final propelled the Gamecocks to the No. 1 overall seed. USC, which lost the Big Ten final to UCLA, fell to No. 3, with Texas now at No. 4.
Baylor made the biggest leap during Champ Week, moving into the top 16 after reaching the Big 12 final. Meanwhile, Tennessee, Alabama, and Kansas State all lost early, dropping them out of hosting first- and second-round games. Ohio State capitalized on these losses and is now projected as a No. 4 seed, despite a blowout semifinal loss to UCLA.
Notre Dame’s Late-Season Struggles
After winning 19 straight games, Notre Dame has lost three of its last five, including an ACC semifinal loss to Duke. Strong guard play from NC State, Florida State, and Duke has exposed defensive weaknesses in the Irish lineup.
The team’s offensive chemistry has also been off. Star guard Olivia Miles hasn’t been at her best, while Hannah Hidalgo has taken questionable shots. Coach Niele Ivey’s squad still has the talent to make a deep run, but questions remain about their ability to compete at the highest level.
The Top Contender for the National Title
South Carolina’s dominant SEC tournament run solidified its status as the team to beat. Tourney MVP Chloe Kitts has stepped up in recent weeks, and the Gamecocks’ defense has been suffocating.
USC remains a strong contender, despite its Big Ten championship loss. The Trojans boast the best player in the country, JuJu Watkins, and could use their loss as motivation heading into the tournament.
UConn is another wild card. The Huskies haven’t faced much elite competition recently, making it hard to gauge their readiness. However, if they play at the level they did against South Carolina earlier this season, they could be a serious threat.
Are Duke and TCU Legitimate Title Contenders?
Duke’s ACC tournament performance—especially its dominant second half against NC State—showed it can compete at a high level. The Blue Devils’ top-tier defense is their strength, but maintaining offensive efficiency will be crucial.
TCU, led by Hailey Van Lith, Sedona Prince, and Madison Conner, has the talent to make a deep run, but the Horned Frogs’ lack of tournament experience could be a hurdle. While both teams are peaking at the right time, winning the national title would require overcoming multiple powerhouse programs.
The Most Vulnerable No. 1 Seed
Texas, despite its impressive defense and All-American star Madison Booker, is the least convincing of the top seeds. The Longhorns’ reluctance to shoot from beyond the arc makes them vulnerable in today’s game, where perimeter shooting is key. Their Elite Eight loss last year exposed this weakness, and it could be their downfall again.
UCLA, despite winning the Big Ten, also has concerns. The Bruins committed 24 turnovers and allowed 21 offensive rebounds in their championship win over USC. They’ll need to clean up their mistakes if they hope to reach their first-ever Final Four.
Looking Ahead to March Madness
As the tournament approaches, South Carolina stands as the favorite, with USC, UCLA, UConn, and Texas rounding out the top contenders. However, with so much parity this season, matchups will be crucial in determining who makes it to Tampa for the Final Four.
Stay tuned as Selection Sunday finalizes the bracket and the madness officially begins!
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