The bracket is about, and 68 groups — from protecting champion South Carolina to first-timer George Mason — are going dancing within the ladies’s NCAA event. Sunday’s reduce of the bracket seen who’s in, who’s out and which matchups may well be ready at the street to crowning the 2025 nationwide champion 3 weeks from now in Tampa, Florida.
Upcoming a yr of parity in ladies’s faculty basketball, a couple of groups are within the dialog to reduce ill the nets. However there’s negative uncomplicated favourite — a becoming finish to this riveting season stuffed with plethora of megastar energy.
ESPN has your go-to primer for all of the event ground, detailing the entirety you want to learn about each and every of the 68 groups competing in March Insanity.
Find out about up briefly sooner than the First 4 video games tip off Wednesday and Thursday. The primary around opens Friday morning on ESPN networks.
NO. 1 SEEDS
UCLA Bruins
The Bruins (30-2) have create a ancient yr in Westwood, with the 1st 30-win season in program historical past and their first Incorrect. 1 score within the Related Press ballot, a place the workforce held for 12 consecutive weeks. And there’s negligible to pull factor with on their run to a second-place regular-season Obese Ten end and primary convention event crown since 2006. UCLA’s lone losses have been in opposition to crosstown rival USC, that have been avenged within the Obese Ten event ultimate. The Bruins rattled off a 15-point defeat of South Carolina on Nov. 24 that wasn’t as near as the overall ranking indicated, and it marked their first win over a Incorrect. 1-ranked squad at school historical past. They usually gained 22 consecutive video games from November thru mid-February via double figures.
Lauren Betts is their two-way anchor and nationwide participant of the yr candidate, averaging simply shy of 20 issues, 10 rebounds and three blocks in keeping with match, time Kiki Rice has taken a good step in her enlargement, expanding her potency via 5 proportion issues. The Bruins’ power additionally lies of their intensity: Obese-time transfers Timea Gardiner and Janiah Barker come off the bench, and 7 gamers moderate a minimum of seven issues in keeping with game. Of their Obese Ten event semifinal win over Ohio Order, as an example, Londynn Jones, Gabriela Jaquez and Angela Dugalic have been 3 of UCLA’s 4 double-digit scorers.
Upcoming two instantly Candy 16 exits, anything else decrease of a Ultimate 4 berth — what will be the program’s first within the NCAA day — can be a sadness for the Bruins. And they’ve the items to try even upper. — Alexa Philippou
South Carolina Gamecocks
Upcoming coming into the occasion two NCAA tournaments undefeated, the Gamecocks are 30-3, which in fact continues to be ultra-elite. Their losses have been to UCLA in November and to UConn and Texas in February. However in addition they beat SEC regular-season co-champion Texas two times, together with within the league event ultimate.
Regardless of dropping middle Kamilla Cardoso to the WNBA draft (Incorrect. 3 select) and ahead Ashlyn Watkins to a knee trauma in January, South Carolina continues to be excelling within the submit. Chloe Kitts, Sania Feagin and Joyce Edwards, who mix to moderate over 31 issues and 17 rebounds a match, govern the frontcourt. MiLaysia Fulwiley, Te-Hina Paopao, Tessa Johnson, Bree Hall and Raven Johnson govern the Gamecocks’ shield corps; all performed remarkable roles on their nationwide championship workforce final yr.
South Carolina doesn’t have one or two key gamers for combatants to concentrate on to oppose, which is a part of why the protecting champions are so parched to shield. The Gamecocks ranked 5th in scoring offense (80.5 PPG) within the SEC and moment in scoring protection (57.8 PPG). South Carolina, which has become the dominant program in women’s college basketball, seeks its fourth NCAA championship, and its 0.33 within the occasion 4 seasons. — Michael Voepel
Texas Longhorns
Of their first yr within the SEC, the 31-3 Longhorns fasten South Carolina for the regular-season championship and reached the league event name match, falling to the Gamecocks. Additionally they reached the Incorrect. 1 AP ballot score for 2 weeks, their first era in that spot since 2004. Sophomore Madison Booker (16.2 PPG, 6.6 RPG) was once SEC participant of the yr. Senior Taylor Jones led Texas in rebounds (7.0) and blocks (1.8) time averaging 12.1 PPG, and fellow submit participant Kyla Oldacre, a switch from Miami, was once tops in ground function proportion (60.7) time averaging 9.3 PPG. Preserve Rori Harmon, who neglected many of the 2023-24 season with a knee trauma, was once Texas’ peak playmaker (5.9 APG).
The Longhorns don’t execute 3-pointers effectively: They fasten for final within the SEC with simply 110 general and have been moment to final in proportion (29.6). They aim to manufacture up for that via being one of the most preferrred defensive groups within the nation, conserving foes to 55.9 PPG, lowest within the SEC. — Voepel
USC Trojans
The Trojans (28-3) have in large part lived as much as the hype in famous person JuJu Watkins‘ sophomore yr. At the back of wins over Ole Omit and UConn and only a unmarried loss to Notre Dame, they opened the season 19-1 for this system’s preferrred get started since 1981-82. They clinched their first regular-season convention crown since 1994 then sweeping UCLA, marking the college’s first win over a Incorrect. 1 workforce since 1983. Because of this, the Trojans reached their best score within the Related Press ballot, Incorrect. 2, since 1984.
Watkins has been impressive in Era 2 and is the nationwide participant of the yr front-runner. Her supporting solid has in large part modified since final season, essentially with switch Kiki Iriafen launch herself because the Trojans’ Incorrect. 2 possibility (18.2 PPG). However their freshman elegance has additionally regarded the a part of its Incorrect. 1 score, with Kennedy Smith status out for her defensive power, grit and well timed 3-pointers. Hour Watkins can cross off for 30 or 40 issues any given night time, the workforce hangs its hat on its protection, which holds combatants to 36.3% capturing from the ground and registers 6.8 blocks in keeping with match.
Despite the fact that final season marked this system’s preferrred NCAA event end in 30 years, Watkins was once devastated then dropping within the Elite 8. This yr, the Trojans vision now not only a Ultimate 4 berth, however successful the nationwide championship for the 1st era since 1984. — Philippou
NO. 2 SEEDS
Duke Blue Devils
In tutor Kara Lawson’s 5th season, the Blue Devils went 26-7 and completed 0.33 within the ACC at 14-4. Later they beat the groups that completed fasten for first — Notre Dame and NC Order — within the semifinals and ultimate of the league event. That gave Duke its 9th ACC event name as a program and primary since 2013. Protection has been on the center of Duke’s luck underneath Lawson; it ranked moment within the ACC in scoring protection (58.2 PPG) via only a 10th of some extent to North Carolina. Duke was once 6th in offense (73.9 PPG), led via ACC freshman of the yr Toby Fournier (13.9 PPG), Ashlon Jackson (12.4) and ACC event MVP Oluchi Okananwa (10.2).
As a Incorrect. 7 seed within the 2024 NCAA event, Duke disenchanted Incorrect. 2 Ohio Order to manufacture the Candy 16. The final era Duke made the Elite 8 was once 2013. — Voepel
NC State Wolfpack
Upcoming making this system’s moment shuttle to the Ultimate 4 final yr, the Wolfpack needed to change two starters. However they returned the core of guards Aziaha James (17.9 PPG), Zoe Brooks (14.3), Saniya Rivers (11.7) – all-ACC first workforce alternatives — and Madison Hayes (10.9). And NC Order added ahead Tilda Trygger and shield Zamareya Jones as have an effect on novices.
ACC tutor of the yr Wes Moore led NC Order to a 26-6 list and a fix with Notre Dame for first position within the ACC at 16-2. The Wolfpack gained 15 in their final 17 video games, with the losses to North Carolina on Feb. 16 and to Duke within the ACC event championship match. NC Order had the fourth-best offense within the ACC (76.8 PPG) and was once 0.33 in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.15). The Wolfpack don’t have reasonably as stingy a protection as final season, permitting 65.4 PPG, however they’re nonetheless cast on that finish of the court docket. — Voepel
TCU Horned Frogs
Picked to complete fourth within the Obese 12, TCU exceeded expectancies in tutor Mark Campbell’s moment yr in Fortress Importance, successful the league’s regular-season (16-2) and event titles. It’s a notable turnaround for a program that was once a blended 13-59 in Obese 12 play games the former 4 seasons. And only a season got rid of from having to forfeit two video games and hold open tryouts as it was once decimated via accidents, TCU heads to the NCAA event for the 1st era since 2010, when this system was once nonetheless within the Mountain West Convention. Switch shield Hailey Van Lith (17.9 PPG, 5.3 APG) was once Obese 12 Participant of the Era and event MVP, time middle Sedona Prince (17.5 PPG, 9.6 RPG) led the league in blocks (3.0). — Voepel
UConn Huskies
UConn (31-3) enters March with its preferrred shot in years at successful an NCAA name and finishing its eight-year nationwide championship drought. Upcoming years of being decimated via accidents, the Huskies have most commonly had higher condition success this season, in the end giving them a mix of intensity and ability that has excited tutor Geno Auriemma all yr lengthy. They confirmed their ceiling in a 29-point destruction of South Carolina in Columbia; the low, simply 10 days prior in Knoxville, was once falling to Tennessee for the 1st era since 2007.
Their submit core skews younger and green, prompting Auriemma to steadily play games smaller lineups that depend on 3-point capturing. However he feels this staff has the power to maintain extra distress, a feature the workforce didn’t have when working with this sort of decrease bench final yr. Nonetheless, even next, UConn reached its fifteenth Ultimate 4 within the occasion 16 tournaments.
It is helping to have arguably the most productive trio in all of girls’s faculty basketball. Paige Bueckers, the 2021 nationwide participant of the yr and the anticipated Incorrect. 1 select in nearest past’s WNBA draft, is flanked via a couple of surefire stars in sharpshooter Azzi Fudd and presumptive nationwide freshman of the yr Sarah Strong. And the urgency is plethora majestic in Storrs with this being Bueckers’ ultimate season in faculty. She has propelled the workforce to the Ultimate 4 each and every season she has performed (and to the nationwide name match in 2022), however an elusive nationwide name extra her endmost function. — Philippou
NO. 3 SEEDS
LSU Tigers
Upcoming settingup 20-0, the Tigers misplaced 4 video games in SEC play games and completed 0.33 within the league. They led the SEC in scoring moderate in tutor Kim Mulkey’s first 3 seasons, however ranked 0.33 this yr (84.5 PPG) at the back of Tennessee and Oklahoma. That’s nonetheless very a lot on-target for the way the Tigers need to play games. Senior Aneesah Morrow led the country in rebounding (13.6) and double-doubles (27) time averaging 18.5 PPG. Teenager Flau’Jae Johnson (18.9 PPG) is LSU’s peak scorer, however she has now not performed for the reason that Tigers’ extra time loss to Alabama on Feb. 27 on account of shin irritation.
LSU (28-5) hopes to have Johnson and Morrow, who left the Tigers’ SEC event semifinal loss to Texas with a footing sprain, again wholesome for the NCAA event to rejoin their alternative large offensive warning, Mikaylah Williams (17.2 PPG). LSU misplaced 3 of its final 4 video games, however the accidents performed a large phase in that. — Voepel
North Carolina Tar Heels
The Tar Heels are angling for his or her moment Candy 16 look underneath sixth-year head tutor Courtney Banghart, and they’re well-poised to manufacture it occur. Their 27-7 list options essentially the most wins in a season within the Banghart day, and time they misplaced within the ACC event semifinals to NC Order, it was once their inner most look within the match since 2014. They faltered on the finish of the steady season with losses to Duke and Virginia, once they have been significantly with out standouts Alyssa Ustby and Reniya Kelly on account of trauma, however each returned in era for the postseason. Ustby, a first-team All-ACC select, has been a gradual presence in her 5 years as a Tar Heel, time Kelly and Maria Gakdeng, each second-team alternatives, have taken on better roles this season. Even Lanie Grant — a tender freshman at simply 17 years impaired — has shined in stretches.
North Carolina is understood for its stingy protection, conserving combatants to 36.6% capturing at the season, however getting plethora offensively from its upperclassmen particularly would assistance towards a deep March run. As an example: In 3 in their losses – to UConn, Duke and NC Order – the Tar Heels controlled an insignificant 58 or fewer issues. — Philippou
Notre Dame Fighting Irish
The Irish (26-5) have been regular-season co-champions with NC Order within the ACC at 16-2. At one level, Notre Dame gained 19 consecutive video games and was once ranked Incorrect. 1 within the AP ballot. However the Irish misplaced 3 in their final 5. The ones losses have been to alternative peak groups within the ACC, nevertheless it nonetheless provides them some fear heading into the NCAA event — together with questions concerning the anticipated power in their offense. Notre Dame scored a season-low 56 issues of their ACC event semifinal loss to Duke.
Nonetheless, led via guards Hannah Hidalgo (24.2 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 3.7 SPG), Olivia Miles (16.2 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 5.8 APG) and Sonia Citron (13.8 PPG, 5.3 RPG), Notre Dame had the ACC’s second-leading offense (84.7 PPG) and Incorrect. 3 scoring protection (62.1 PPG). Forwards Liatu King (11.2 PPG, team-best 10.4 RPG) and Maddy Westbeld (7.6 PPG) are large keys. Once they play games effectively in conjunction with the famous person guards, Notre Dame is parched to overcome. — Voepel
Oklahoma Sooners
Utmost season’s Obese 12 regular-season champions added switch middle Raegan Beers as they moved to the SEC, the place they fasten for fourth with Kentucky at 11-5. An all-league first-team select, Beers averages 17.5 issues and eight.9 rebounds, time capturing an SEC-best 66% from the ground. The Sooners introduced their fast moving offense to the SEC: They have been moment within the league in scoring (85.2 PPG) and primary in assists (21.9 APG). Payton Verhulst (14.9 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 4.0 APG), Sahara Williams (10.8 PPG) and Skylar Vann (9.2 PPG) began all season in conjunction with Beers. The Sooners (25-7) even have a deep bench; 10 gamers moderate double-digit mins. Oklahoma has gained 9 of its occasion 11 video games, with the loss coming to South Carolina within the SEC event semifinals. — Voepel
NO. 4 SEEDS
Baylor Bears
Baylor (27-7) ranked moment within the league in scoring in Obese 12 video games (75.8 PPG) and 0.33 in scoring protection (62.9). The Bears completed moment within the Obese 12 and misplaced the league event ultimate to TCU. Even supposing Baylor fell in its Obese 12 opener to Oklahoma Order on Jan. 1, the Bears’ simplest losses since were to UCLA and TCU (thrice). Senior middle Aaronette Vonleh (14.6 PPG) leads a balanced Baylor scoring assault. Teenager shield/ahead Darianna Littlepage-Buggs (14.3 PPG, 10.5 RPG) has been out since Feb. 15 with a knee trauma, however Baylor hopes to have her again for the NCAA event. — Voepel
Kentucky Wildcats
Mentor Kenny Brooks, who led Virginia Tech to its first Ultimate 4 in 2023, left Blacksburg to enter the this season at Kentucky, which is again within the NCAA event then lacking it the occasion two years. Former Hokies gamers Georgia Amoore and Clara Strack got here to Lexington, as effectively, and feature been a few of the maximum impactful transfers within the nation. The 22-7 Wildcats completed fasten for fourth with Oklahoma within the SEC at 11-5. Amoore led Kentucky in scoring (19.1 PPG) and assists (6.9 APG), time Strack (15.2 PPG) led in rebounding (9.7 RPG) and blocks (2.4 BPG) and was once the SEC defensive participant of the yr. With Strack main the best way, Kentucky was once the SEC’s preferrred shot-blocking workforce (6.9 BPG). Two alternative transfers, shield Dazia Lawrence (12.7 PPG) and ahead Teonni Key (11.5 PPG, 8.1 RPG), are also large individuals. — Voepel
Maryland Terrapins
Gamers would possibly come and cross, however Brenda Frese all the time reveals some way. Coming off the earliest NCAA event go in Frese’s tenure, this system welcomed 10 beginners this season, together with seven transfers, or even with the entire untouched faces, the Terps (23-7) controlled to fix for 0.33 within the Obese Ten standings. Early within the yr, they rose as majestic as Incorrect. 7 within the Related Press ballot, cruising to a 16-1 get started that featured an disenchanted over Duke, sooner than falling backpedal to earth with a 6-7 list of their occasion 13 video games.
It hasn’t helped to lose key stock Bri McDaniel to a season-ending ACL trauma and that megastar Shyanne Sellers has been enjoying thru a knee sprain a lot of the season. Later any momentum the Terps garnered from provoking Ohio Order of their regular-season finale was once extinguished with a 27-point loss to Michigan to unhidden the Obese Ten event, the workforce’s second-worst lack of the season. Nonetheless, the Terps may also be difficult to stand with the second-highest scoring offense within the Obese Ten, a unit led via doable first-round WNBA draft select Dealers and beginners Kaylene Smikle, Sarah Te-Biasu and Saylor Poffenbarger. — Philippou
Ohio State Buckeyes
Ohio Order’s season began off in addition to conceivable, with the Buckeyes’ 17-0 list making them one of the most ultimate 3 unbeaten groups within the nation. Obese Ten play games, at the alternative hand, has been up-and-down: They completed fasten for 0.33 within the standings, however misplaced their contests to the Los Angeles faculties via a median margin of 21 issues and input the NCAA event having long gone 5-5 of their occasion 10 video games.
Cotie McMahon, a first-team all-conference variety, and Taylor Thierry are the workforce’s simplest returning starters, however transfers Chance Gray and Ajae Petty, plus megastar freshman Jaloni Cambridge, have are compatible in effectively. The Buckeyes (25-6) is usually a tricky workforce to stand in a event atmosphere if combatants aren’t impaired to going up in opposition to their trademark press, which is helping power 22 yieldings in keeping with match.
Fitness extra of paramount fear then Cambridge and McMahon, who mix for 32 issues in keeping with match, each exited the Obese Ten event semifinal with accidents. — Philippou
NO. 5 SEEDS
Alabama Crimson Tide
That is the 0.33 NCAA event look in a row for the Stream, the 1st era that has came about since they made 8 consecutive appearances within the Nineteen Nineties. Alabama next went thru two bleak many years, now not making the NCAA ground from 2000-2019. The Stream were given again in 2021, complicated to the WNIT quarterfinals in 2022 and still have 4 instantly 20-win seasons underneath tutor Kristy Curry. Alabama fasten Ole Omit for 6th within the SEC at 10-6, and at 23-8 general, will end this season with single-digit losses for the 1st era since 1997. Standouts Sarah Ashlee Barker (17.5 PPG), Zaay Green (15.7 PPG) and Aaliyah Nye (15.1 PPG) all began their faculty careers at alternative faculties however are completing them in combination at Alabama. — Voepel
Kansas State Wildcats
Okay-Order was once necessarily two other groups this season: 18-1 within the video games senior middle Ayoka Lee performed in, and 8-6 within the video games she was once out injured. Lee, who final performed Feb. 2 vs. Kansas, averaged 15.5 issues, 6.1 rebounds and a couple of.2 blocks. If she will be able to go back for the NCAA event, she may assistance Okay-Order aim to exit to the Candy 16 for the 1st era since 2002. With Lee out, the Wildcats are led via senior shield Serena Sundell (13.6 PPG, Obese 12-best 7.1 APG) and senior ahead Temira Poindexter (12.5 PPG). — Voepel
Ole Miss Rebels
Mentor Yolett McPhee-McCuin has led the Rebels (20-10) to their fourth consecutive NCAA event look in her 7th season at Ole Omit. Scoring steadiness is the secret for the Rebels, with 5 gamers who moderate between 11.9 and 9.4 issues. Madison Scott and Kennedy Todd-Williams govern the best way offensively. The Rebels are in a similar way balanced in rebounding, led via Starr Jacobs‘ 6.0 in keeping with match. Ole Omit went 10-6 in league play games, tying for 6th with Alabama. The Rebels are moment within the SEC in steals (11.5 SPG) and 0.33 in scoring protection (58.2 PPG). — Voepel
Tennessee Lady Vols
Upcoming one season at Marshall, tutor Kim Caldwell were given the decision to enter the at Tennessee. She introduced a device this is high-pressure on offense and protection and calls for a quantity from gamers’ stamina. In some ways, it labored as meant, with Tennessee main the SEC in scoring moderate (87.2 PPG) and forcing a league-best 22.4 yieldings. Preserve Talaysia Cooper (16.7 PPG) led 5 Woman Vols who averaged double-figure scoring. Then again, Tennessee (22-9) fasten Vanderbilt for 8th within the SEC at 8-8 and gave the impression to put on ill slightly via season’s finish. The Woman Vols have misplaced 3 in their occasion 4 video games, together with within the SEC event moment around to Vanderbilt. However there have been some remarkable highlights, together with a nonconference win over UConn. — Voepel
NO. 6 SEEDS
Florida State Seminoles
Ta’Niya Latson achieved the noteceable double-dip of turning into a extra prolific scorer time getting extra environment friendly on the similar era. She higher her scoring moderate from 21.4 to a best-in-the-nation 24.9 issues in keeping with match. Her 3-point capturing proportion (35.8%) and her isolated throw makes an attempt (7.6 in keeping with match) each and every considerably stepped forward as effectively.
Pair Latson’s perimeter with the 17.6 issues and 10.6 rebounds in keeping with match from Makayla Timpson and the Seminoles (23-8) had one of the most preferrred duos within the ACC. O’Mariah Gordon (16.2 PPG) and Sydney Bowles (10.5 PPG) have been additionally large individuals to the second-highest scoring offense within the nation. The Seminoles are hoping that offense can raise them to their first NCAA event win since 2019. — Charlie Creme
Iowa Hawkeyes
The post-Caitlin Clark day in Iowa Town has had some ups and downs, however there’s a quantity to love about Jan Jensen’s first yr on the helm, which produced this system’s 9th consecutive 20-win season. Changing Clark on the level, Villanova switch Lucy Olsen has shined as a Hawkeye, incomes first-team All-Obese Ten honors. Hannah Stuelke and Sydney Affolter returned as skilled upperclassmen, complementing a program that welcomed in a top-15 recruiting elegance. And time the ten losses would possibly arise out, each and every of them have been — in lieu excruciatingly for Hawkeyes lovers — via 10 issues or fewer.
Their 5 consecutive losses in January dropped the Hawkeyes (22-10) out of the Supremacy 25 ratings, however they rebounded with a powerful end within the Obese Ten, handing USC its simplest regular-season convention loss and just about knocking off Ohio Order within the quarterfinals of the Obese Ten event because the 11-seed. Iowa’s offense isn’t as high-powered because it was once with Clark, averaging simply 74.3 PPG this season, but when it may be extra constant in March, the crowd may give groups some hassle. — Philippou
Michigan Wolverines
With a slew of gamers hitting the switch portal then final season, it was once tricky to grasp what to anticipate from Michigan in 2024-25. However due to the top-ranked recruiting elegance in program historical past (Incorrect. 8 within the nation), the Wolverines (22-10) are proper the place they’ve been lately: compiling a 20-plus-win season, completing within the higher quarter of the Obese Ten and enjoying within the NCAA event.
Syla Swords had a splashy freshman debut, bright with 27 issues and 12 forums in opposition to South Carolina in early November, however classmate Olivia Olson was once tabbed the league’s Co-Freshman of the Era. In combination, Olson and Swords are the country’s simplest pair of freshman teammates to each and every moderate 15.0 issues in keeping with match. Senior Jordan Hobbs is a veteran steadying power and the one holdover from Michigan’s Elite 8 run in 2022. As Maryland and USC came upon within the Obese Ten event — the Wolverines overwhelmed the Terps within the quarterfinals and just about disenchanted the Trojans within the semis — Michigan is usually a sneaky-tough matchup within the early rounds of March Insanity. — Philippou
West Virginia Mountaineers
The Obese 12’s peak defensive workforce (permitting 55.9 PPG general and 57.9 in league play games), West Virginia fasten for fourth with Kansas Order and Utah, next misplaced to TCU within the league event semifinals. The 24-7 Mountaineers are not any amusing to stand. They focus on disrupting opposing offenses, developing 23.7 yieldings in keeping with match with a handover margin of 8.26 — each score first amongst Energy 4 convention groups. Senior shield JJ Quinerly leads West Virginia in scoring (20.6 PPG) and is moment in steals (3.0) to Kyah Watson (3.2). Fellow guards Jordan Harrison (13.5 PPG) and Sydney Shaw (11.7) additionally moderate in double figures in scoring. — Voepel
NO. 7 SEEDS
Louisville Cardinals
Mentor Jeff Walz has became the Cardinals right into a constant ACC contender, such a lot in order that even in a season when their 21-10 list doesn’t bounce off the web page, they nonetheless completed 13-5 in league play games with feature wins over Georgia Tech, Cal, Florida Order and Duke. This staff skews younger, with 8 novices and simply 5 returners from final season’s workforce, together with five-year starter Olivia Cochran. The megastar of the first-years is Tajianna Roberts (13.1 PPG), a ramification to the All-ACC Freshman Crew who along Jayda Curry (13.4 PPG) leads the Playing cards in scoring. Upcoming some difficult early-season losses to UConn and NC Order via 30-plus issues, Louisville gave the impression to in finding its stride as convention play games stepped forward. To fortify upon final yr’s NCAA event first-round go, Walz will want Curry again then she neglected the occasion two video games, together with the ACC event quarterfinal, with a shoulder trauma. — Philippou
Michigan State Spartans
Mentor Robyn Fralick is making her moment NCAA event look in as many seasons with the Spartans (21-9). They completed in a three-way fix for 5th within the Obese Ten with Michigan and Illinois at 11-7 however have been disenchanted in the second one around of the league event via Incorrect. 11 seed Iowa. Michigan Order had 24 yieldings in that match, fasten for its second-highest general of the season and uncharacteristic for a workforce that averaged 15.1 yieldings in keeping with match. The Spartans will have to be desperate to erase the disappointment from that match as they begin NCAA play games.
Preserve Grace VanSlooten, who performed her first two years at Oregon, led the best way for Michigan Order this season, averaging 15.4 issues and seven.0 rebounds. Guards Julia Ayrault (14.8 PPG, 7.4 RPG) and Theryn Hallock (13.7 PPG) additionally averaged double-figure scoring. — Voepel
Oklahoma State Cowgirls
In tutor Jacie Hoyt’s 0.33 yr, the Cowgirls have had one of the most preferrred seasons at school historical past at 25-6. That ties for this system’s second-most wins for the reason that NCAA day started in 1981-82; the one seasons Oklahoma Order gained extra video games (27) have been in 2007-08 and 1990-91. OSU entered the Related Press ballot in January for the 1st era since 2018, next completed 0.33 within the Obese 12 and made the league event semifinals. The Cowgirls’ preferrred wins of the season got here in opposition to Obese 12 champ TCU and Kansas Order, they usually break with West Virginia. Sophomore shield Stailee Heard leads OSU in scoring (16.7), rebounding (8.1) and steals (1.8). — Voepel
Vanderbilt Commodores
The Commodores (22-10) made the NCAA event ground for the 1st era in a decade final yr, and now they’re again. Vanderbilt fasten Tennessee for 8th within the SEC at 8-8 and beat its in-state opponents two times in the similar season for the 1st era. Preserve Mikayla Blakes (23.2 PPG) leads the Commodores; she scored 50-plus issues two times this season and was once the SEC’s Freshman of the Era. Sophomore ahead Khamil Pierre averaged 20.5 issues, 9.7 rebounds and three.0 steals. Mentor Shea Ralph now has back-to-back 20-win seasons, the 1st era Vanderbilt has finished that since 2011-12 and 2012-13. — Voepel
NO. 8 SEEDS
California Golden Bears
When Charmin Smith went from Lindsay Gottlieb’s peak laborer in Berkeley to go tutor, she to begin with couldn’t replica this system’s luck underneath Gottlieb. In her first 4 seasons, Cal completed beneath .500, however final season’s development became full-blown luck this season, and the Bears are of their first NCAA event since 2019. The journey to the ACC got here at a just right era for the Bears (25-8), whose seventh-place end was once higher than this system had ever completed within the Pac-12 underneath Smith. The Bears aren’t deep, however all 5 starters moderate in double figures, led via Ioanna Krimili (14.2 PPG), a fearless shooter, and hugely stepped forward shield Lulu Twidale (13.2 PPG). Cal ranks 9th within the nation in assists. — Creme
Illinois Fighting Illini
Illinois is again within the NCAA event for the second one era in 3 years underneath Shauna Greene and enters the Obese Dance because the reigning WBIT champion. The Illini are one in every of 4 faculties this season that returned 4 1,000-point scorers (Kendall Bostic, Genesis Bryant, Makira Cook and Adalia McKenzie) however were with out Cook dinner, plus sophomore Gretchen Dolan, since early January because of condition problems. Nonetheless, Greene’s staff controlled to succeed in 21 victories (together with a season-opening disenchanted over Florida Order) in addition to an 11-7 mark in Obese Ten festival. The squad will hope to channel the robust play games from its eight-game Obese Ten successful streak that without delay preceded its wave four-game dropping skid, which incorporated an disenchanted loss to Nebraska in the second one around of the Obese Ten event. Bostic, a first-team all-conference select, is likely one of the preferrred rebounders within the country, score moment amongst all energetic Category I gamers in profession forums. She, Bryant (a second-team variety) and McKenzie gas the Illini’s offense, each and every averaging double-figures scoring. — Philippou
Richmond Spiders
Led via its large 3 of Maggie Doogan, Rachel Ullstrom and Addie Budnik, Richmond is in its 5th NCAA event however simply the second one era as an at-large ask over. The Spiders ruled the Atlantic 10’s steady season, successful the league via 3 video games sooner than stumbling within the A-10 event semifinals to Saint Joseph’s, a loss that ended a school-record 17-game successful streak. Doogan (16.3 PPG, 6.9 RPG, 54.9 FG%) was once the A-10 Participant of the Era. She and Ullstrom (15.5 PPG, 53.9 FG%) helped manufacture Richmond the second-most correct capturing workforce within the nation, and the Spiders govern the country in issues in keeping with scoring try. — Creme
Utah Utes
The Utes entered a untouched convention, becoming a member of the Obese 12. Later they misplaced tutor Lynne Roberts simply 4 video games into her tenth season at Utah as she left for the WNBA’s Los Angeles Sparks. Longtime laborer Gavin Petersen took over, guiding Utah (22-8) to a three-way fix for fourth within the Obese 12. Utah led the league in 3-pointers in keeping with match (10.0) and was once 0.33 in 3-point proportion (37.1). Teenager shield Gianna Kneepkens was once moment within the league in 3-point proportion (45.0) and primary in isolated throw proportion (89.5) time averaging 19.2 PPG. — Voepel
NO. 9 SEEDS
Creighton Bluejays
This event marks the “last dance” for Creighton’s senior core of Lauren Jensen, Morgan Maly, Molly Mogensen, Mallory Brake and Jayme Horan, who all returned to Omaha for his or her 5th yr in hopes of 1 final magical NCAA event run. That staff was once liable for one of the most extra splendid tale of March upsets lately, knocking off Caitlin Clark’s Iowa and next Iowa Order to exit to the 2022 Elite 8. This system didn’t manufacture it occasion the 1st weekend the occasion two years however is hoping to modify that this past at the heels of a 26-6 marketing campaign. 3 of the losses have been to UConn, which defeated the Bluejays via 20 of their first Obese East event ultimate look since 2016; a couple of them have been blowouts by the hands of UCLA and Kansas Order. However Jim Flanery’s movement offense is hard to play games in opposition to, particularly on a decrease turnaround, and Creighton is usually a difficult out come event era. — Philippou
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
The understructure that Nell Fortner started to manufacture two years in the past with Kara Dunn and Tonie Morgan delivered this season when freshman Dani Carnegie was once added to the combination. The Yellow Jackets’ 22 wins are their maximum since 2017 as they manufacture their first NCAA event look since 2022. Dunn (15.8 PPG), Morgan (13.8 PPG) and Carnegie (13.1 PPG) blended to attain 53.3% of Georgia Tech’s issues. Morgan was once additionally 0.33 within the ACC in assists (5.6 APG), and Carnegie was once named ACC 6th Participant of the Era. Led via Morgan’s play games on the level, the Yellow Jackets (22-10) ranked 7th within the nation in assist-to-turnover ratio. They struggled little late within the season, dropping their final 4 regular-season video games, however just about disenchanted NC Order within the ACC event quarterfinals. — Creme
Indiana Hoosiers
Getting impaired to week with out Mackenzie Holmes and Sara Scalia took at some point, as losses in November to Butler and Harvard illustrated. Wins over Columbia and Baylor within the Bahamas righted the send, and the Hoosiers rode the 3-point capturing of Yarden Garzon (41.5%) and Shay Ciezki (37.7%) to a 10-8 Obese Ten list. The Hoosiers rank fifteenth within the nation in 3-point capturing. With extra alternative and extra revel in as a youth, Garzon (14.5 PPG, 3.2 APG) emerged as Indiana’s preferrred participant and made the All-Obese Ten moment workforce. Making the ones photographs is essential for the Hoosiers, who don’t get many moment probabilities. They rank 355th within the nation in offensive rebounds in keeping with match. — Creme
Mississippi State Bulldogs
Utmost season, the Bulldogs went 8-8 within the SEC however didn’t manufacture the NCAA event partly because of a sinister end, as they misplaced six in their final seven. They reached the ground this season regardless of a worse SEC list at 7-9. That’s since the league is known as harder this season, particularly with the additions of Texas and Oklahoma. Mississippi Order is 4-3 in its occasion seven video games, and the Bulldogs (21-11) even have victories in opposition to Oklahoma and Vanderbilt. Senior shield Jerkaila Jordan leads the Bulldogs in scoring (16.1 PPG) and steals (2.0), time youth middle Madina Okot averaged 11.3 issues and a team-best 9.6 rebounds. — Voepel
NO. 10 SEEDS
Harvard Crimson
For the 1st era since 2007, Harvard (24-4) is within the NCAA event — and it took a plethora weekend from Harmoni Turner to do it. The 5-foot-10 senior scored an Ivy Insanity-record 44 issues to assistance the Red come again to overcome Princeton within the semifinals. Twenty-four hours nearest, she reached 2,000 issues for her profession and Harvard edged Columbia to earn the name and the Ivy’s automated berth. Turner (22.5 PPG) was once the league’s main scorer via just about 5 issues in keeping with match. She additionally led the Ivy in steals, spearheading a protection that allowed the second-fewest issues in keeping with match within the nation. — Creme
Nebraska Cornhuskers
The veteran — senior middle Alexis Markowski — and the rookie — freshman shield Britt Prince — are the catalysts for the Cornhuskers. Markowski will drop Lincoln with the second-most rebounds in program historical past and is the best-ever chief in double-doubles. Prince was once moment at the workforce in scoring (13.4 PPG) and led Nebraska with 3.7 assists in keeping with match. The Huskers percentage the ball effectively — 0.33 within the Obese Ten in assists — which ends up in unhidden seems to be. That has helped shooters like Prince, Alberte Rimdal (8.0 PPG) and Logan Nissley (7.0 PPG) form Nebraska’s conference-leading 37.1% 3-point capturing proportion. — Creme
Oregon Ducks
Upcoming lacking the NCAA event the occasion two seasons, Kelly Graves necessarily began over, incorporating 4 untouched starters because the Geese started their untouched week within the Obese Ten. Deja Kelly all set profession highs in assists (3.4 APG) and ground function proportion (38.3%) then shifting from North Carolina and gave Oregon balance at level shield. Having a most commonly wholesome Peyton Scott again additionally helped then she neglected the vast majority of final season in Eugene. A 2,000-point profession scorer, maximum of which got here at Miami (Ohio), Scott provides the Geese their 3-point warning (34.9% on 3-pointers). However the important thing to Oregon advancing is a protection that limits combatants to 62.9 issues in keeping with match. — Creme
South Dakota State Jackrabbits
South Dakota Order continues to dominate the Height League, going undefeated in convention play games for the 0.33 consecutive season. The Jackrabbits picked up remarkable nonconference wins over Creighton and Oregon and misplaced a near game to Duke. Their protection was once their engine in convention play games, permitting simply 61 issues via Height League groups, however their 48.3% ground function capturing ranks 6th within the nation and offers them a probability within the Obese Dance. This program is aware of tips on how to win: South Dakota Order is 135-28 (.828) over the occasion 5 seasons, which is the fourth-best list of any Category I program in that span. And the Jackrabbits are 5-12 within the NCAA event, with one Candy 16 look (2019). — Kendra Andrews
NO. 11 SEEDS
Columbia Lions
Ahead of final yr, the Lions (23-6) had by no means been to the NCAA event. Now they’re making it two in a row even then graduating this system’s all-time main scorer. A extra balanced assault and the third-best offensive rebounding charge within the nation helped Columbia to a 3rd instantly Ivy League regular-season name and its first outright. Riley Weiss (17.8 PPG) was once the league’s third-leading scorer and Kitty Henderson (13.4 PPG, 4.8 APG, 2.4 APG) led the Ivy in assists and was once moment in steals. Two years in the past, Columbia made a shuttle to the WNIT ultimate. Utmost yr, the Lions misplaced to Vanderbilt within the First 4. Now they’re hoping the nearest step is an NCAA event victory. — Creme
George Mason Patriots
Mentor Vanessa Blair-Lewis has became round a George Mason program that went winless within the A-10 within the yr previous to her 2021 hiring. The development has been noticeable each and every season, together with final season when the workforce gained 23 video games and gave the impression within the WBIT, however 2024-25 proved to be the leap forward: The Patriots, the Incorrect. 2 seed within the convention event, went 25-7 on their solution to incomes their first A-10 name and NCAA event look. They did it via beating a fourth-seeded Saint Joseph’s squad that had knocked off convention energy Richmond within the A-10 semifinals, making the convention a multibid league. Paula Suarez, the league’s Maximum Advanced Participant, first-team variety Zahirah Walton and second-team select Kennedy Harris govern George Mason. The workforce confirmed the power to compete with Energy 4 squads previous this season when it gave Maryland a difficult match in nonconference motion. — Philippou
Iowa State Cyclones
This season didn’t are living as much as expectancies for the 22-11 Cyclones, who have been picked Incorrect. 8 within the Related Press preseason ballot however completed 7th within the Obese 12. Then again, the occasion past has been just right: Iowa Order has gained seven of its occasion 9, with each losses to Baylor. Sophomore middle Audi Crooks led the Obese 12 in scoring (23.2 PPG) and ground function proportion (60.2), time senior shield Emily Ryan was once moment within the league in assists (6.3). As all the time, depend at the Cyclones to clash 3-pointers; they moderate 8.2 in keeping with match. — Voepel
Murray State Racers
Murray Order (25-7) had waited over 15 years to get again to the NCAA event, and the drought is formally over as of Sunday, when the Racers beat Belmont within the past due afternoon for the MVC event crown. It marks this system’s moment NCAA event look (and primary since 2008), coming on the heels of its winningest season at school historical past with 25 victories. Because the top-seed within the MVC event, Murray Order has gained 10 consecutive video games, the longest streak underneath head tutor Rechelle Turner. The Racers recreation 4 scorers averaging a minimum of 13 issues in keeping with match — all-MVC alternatives Katelyn Young (22.2 PPG, additionally this system’s main scorer who already has her jersey retired), Halli Poock (17.1 PPG), Haven Ford (15.2 PPG) and Ava Learn (13.9 PPG) — giving them some of the environment friendly offenses within the nation. LSU lovers would possibly take note Murray Order for giving their Tigers a difficult match in November — Kim Mulkey’s staff wanted a large fourth quarter to place them away. — Philippou
Princeton Tigers
For the 1st era since 2018, the Tigers didn’t win Ivy Insanity and the league’s automated bid. Additionally they didn’t win the regular-season Ivy League name. However they snuck into the NCAA ground for the 6th instantly yr (now not counting 2020, when the NCAA event was once canceled, or 2021, when the Ivy League didn’t take part within the season). Mentor Carla Berube impaired a rotation in large part constructed round her sophomore elegance then peak participant Madison St. Rose went out with a knee trauma 4 video games into the season. Skye Belker (13.1 PPG) and Ashley Chea (12.5 PPG, 2.6 APG) are the most productive of the ones second-year gamers and mix to offer Princeton one of the most preferrred mid-major backcourts within the nation. — Creme
Washington Huskies
A late-season five-game successful streak and a near-upset of USC propelled the Huskies into their first NCAA event since 2017. They usually did it with capturing. Washington ranked moment within the Obese Ten and peak 10 nationally in ground function proportion and 3-point ground function proportion. Teenager Elle Ladine (17.1 PPG) and sophomore Sayvia Sellers (15.2 PPG) each shot over 39% from 3-point length and have been top-10 scorers within the convention. All over their past due surge, the Huskies shot 44.7% from deep. Mentor Tina Langley is based closely on her starters, specifically her peak 4 gamers: Ladine, Dealers, Hannah Stines and Dalayah Daniels. Washington ranks 328th within the nation in bench issues in keeping with match. — Creme
NO. 12 SEEDS
Ball State Cardinals
Unutilized off successful its first MAC regular-season name in 22 years, Ball Order punched its price ticket to the Obese Dance on Saturday then defeating Toledo within the MAC event ultimate. The Cardinals were regulars in alternative postseason occasions, however this marks their first NCAA event berth since 2009, and primary underneath Brady Sallee. The tutor made positive his staff was once examined in nonconference play games, the place it beat Texas A&M and Davidson and had near video games in opposition to the likes of North Carolina and South Dakota Order. Alex Richard, a second-team all-league select, leads Ball Order in scoring (16.5 PPG) and rebounding (7.1 RPG), however MAC Participant of the Era Ally Becki runs the operation with 6.3 assists in keeping with game, one of the most preferrred marks within the nation. Utmost era Ball Order (27-7) made the NCAA event, it disenchanted then-defending champion Tennessee as a 12-seed, a monitor list this system hopes to proceed on this yr’s match. — Philippou
Fairfield Stags
Previous this past, Fairfield’s 42-game win streak in opposition to MAAC combatants was once snapped when it misplaced its regular-season finale at Quinnipiac. On Saturday, the Stags (28-4) were given revenge over the Bobcats within the MAAC event ultimate, securing a place of their moment consecutive NCAA event underneath third-year head tutor Carly Thibault-DuDonis. The workforce misplaced Janelle Brown, the 2024 MAAC Participant of the Era, early within the season because of trauma however has been in a position to incline on its intensity with 10 gamers averaging a minimum of 12 mins in keeping with match. Meghan Andersen (15.1 PPG) and Kaety L’Amoreaux (12.5 PPG), first- and second-team All-MAAC alternatives respectively, life Fairfield in scoring. However other gamers confirmed up all over the MAAC event — together with Sydni Scott (18 issues) within the ultimate — to assistance the Stags clinch the name. They hope their scorching 3-point capturing within the championship match, once they clash 15 of 29 3-point makes an attempt, will raise over into the NCAA event. — Philippou
Green Bay Phoenix
At the back of first-year tutor Kayla Karius, Inexperienced Bay (28-5) rides a 22-game successful streak into the NCAA event and completely ruled the Horizon League event, beating its combatants via 29, 14 and 13 issues. The Phoenix’s scoring protection ranks nineteenth within the country (55.8 opponent issues in keeping with match). Natalie McNeal has been a power on each ends of the court docket for the Phoneix, main the workforce in issues (14.9) and rebounds (7.3) and recording 13 double-doubles. — Andrews
South Florida Bulls
Two losses to groups rated out of doors the peak 100 of the NET price the Bulls a probability for an at-large bid, so in lieu they took the direct trail to the NCAA event via successful the AAC event in Fortress Importance. South Florida (23-10) performed one of the most preferrred nonconference schedules within the nation, dropping to alternative NCAA event groups UConn, Louisville, TCU, Mississippi Order and South Carolina. The Bulls additionally beat Duke in past due December. They’re led via former Florida Order shield Sammie Puisis (14.8 PPG) and AAC defensive participant of the yr Mama Dembele (2.5 SPG). — Creme
NO. 13 SEEDS
Grand Canyon Lopes
Lavish Canyon (32-2) capped its absolute best run during the Western Athletic Convention with the event name Saturday to earn a shuttle to its first NCAA event. The Lopes carry the country’s longest win streak — their 30 consecutive victories could also be a WAC list — to March Insanity. That includes WAC Participant of the Era Trinity San Antonio, Defensive Participant of the Era Tiarra Brown and Mentor of the Era Molly Miller, the Lopes show a well-balanced assault at the court docket. San Antonio led the workforce in scoring (15.5 PPG) and made 72 extra assists than any of her teammates (165 general). Brown completed moment at the workforce in rebounding (146) and was once the workforce chief in blocks (37) and steals (37). — Andrews
Liberty Flames
The Flames (26-6) were knocking at the door of an NCAA event bid for a time, first with a slew of runner-up finishes within the ASUN event, and next final season with an look within the Convention USA event ultimate. In the end, 2025 is their leap forward. On Saturday, the Flames avenged final yr’s championship match loss to Heart Tennessee to clinch a berth within the Obese Dance for the 1st era since 2018. The Flames returned 4 in their starters from final season, together with first-team all-conference variety Bella Smuda (11.8 PPG) however are identified for his or her intensity, with their 27.7 bench issues in keeping with match a top-10 mark within the nation. They may be able to additionally execute effectively from the 3-point arc (36.9%), which helped conserve Independence in video games as opposed to Duke and Tennessee in nonconference play games. — Philippou
Montana State Bobcats
Upcoming dominating the Obese Sky all season, the Bobcats (30-3) wanted a buzzer-beating putback via second-leading scorer Marah Dykstra to overcome Montana within the event ultimate and store their moment shuttle to the NCAA event in 4 years. Esmeralda Morales (15.5 PPG, 3.6 APG) joined Montana Order from Portland Order for her ultimate season and gained the Obese Sky maximum decent participant. Taylee Chirrick ranks 6th within the nation with 3.4 steals in keeping with match, and the Bobcats are the country’s preferrred workforce at taking the ball away (14.2 SPG). — Creme
Norfolk State Spartans
The Spartans (30-4) have ruled the MEAC in fresh seasons, and this season was once negative other. They have been absolute best in convention play games on their solution to a 3rd instantly MEAC event name, essentially the most consecutive championships within the league since Hampton (2010-14). Norfolk Order has misplaced just one MEAC game since former NC Order megastar Diamond Johnson joined this system forward of the 2023-24 marketing campaign. This season, Larry Vickers guided the Spartans to their first 30-win season of their Category I day, which featured a couple of wins over SEC faculties Missouri and Auburn. 3 in their 4 losses — together with to Alabama and Washington Order — have been via 10 or fewer issues. Their 19-game win streak is fasten for moment longest via a MEAC workforce this century.
Johnson, the MEAC Participant of the Era, led the league with 19.0 issues in keeping with match and ranked moment with 4.1 assists in keeping with game. However she hasn’t needed to do all of it abandoned, with final season’s convention participant of the yr, Kierra Wheeler, flanking her and contributing 15.6 issues and 9.0 forums in keeping with match. — Philippou
NO. 14 SEEDS
Florida Gulf Coast Eagles
Upcoming settingup this system in 2002 and overseeing its transition to Category I in 2007-08, Karl Smesko left two video games into this season to enter the as tutor of the WNBA’s Atlanta Dream. Longtime laborer Chelsea Lyles was once increased to go tutor, and the championship effects endured. The Eagles (30-3) gained the ASUN event name for the 8th era in a row — and eleventh general — then going 18-0 in regular-season league play games. Senior shield Emani Jefferson (14.4 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 3.4 APG) was once ASUN Participant of the Era for the second one season in a row, and Lyles was once the league’s Mentor of the Era. The Eagles have gained 23 consecutive video games. — Voepel
Oregon State Beavers
The Beavers are heading to the NCAA event then successful the West Coast Convention championship of their first season within the convention. Because the 4-seed within the convention event, the Beavers knocked off top-seeded Gonzaga within the semifinals and second-seeded Portland within the name match. It’s a fantastic run: Upcoming achieving the Elite 8 a yr in the past, 4 of the workforce’s peak scorers transferred because the Pac-12 dissolved amongst realignment. Oregon Order began the season 1-5 and was once 9-13 then a four-game skid in January. However the Beavers appear to be peaking within the stretch run.
Each member of the settingup lineup — Kelsey Rees (12.8), AJ Marotte (11.4), Catarina Ferreira (9.2), Tiara Bolden (8.3) — in addition to Kennedie Shuler (8.3) averaged profession highs in scoring, and peak stock Sela Heide additionally averaged a career-best 7.4 issues in keeping with match. — Andrews
San Diego State Aztecs
It took 3 extra time classes, however San Diego Order (22-9) gained the Mountain West championship to punch its price ticket to the Obese Dance for the 1st era since 2012. The Aztecs entered the Mountain West event using a scorching streak — successful their ultimate 5 video games of the steady season. They boast the second-best protection within the league, permitting combatants to attain simply 60.4 issues and conserving them to a league-best 29.6% from 3-point length. — Andrews
Stephen F. Austin Ladyjacks
Upcoming 3 seasons away within the WAC, the Ladyjacks (28-5) picked up proper the place they left off via successful the Southland Convention event. SFA final gained the Southland in 2021. The Ladyjacks next left for the WAC, successful that event in 2022. Upcoming beating regular-season champ SE Louisiana, they’re again within the NCAA event for the 0.33 era in 5 years. Faith Blackstone, who began her profession at Syracuse and has performed at a untouched college each and every yr, leads the most productive offense within the Southland at 14.8 issues in keeping with match. However 3-pointers are the Ladyjacks’ calling card. They rank 9th within the nation with 9.5 makes in keeping with match from at the back of the arc. — Creme
NO. 15 SEEDS
Arkansas State Red Wolves
Upcoming successful the Solar Belt Convention championship, Arkansas Order is heading to the NCAA event for the 1st era in program historical past. The Crimson Wolves (21-10) have been picked to complete thirteenth within the league however entered the convention event because the Incorrect. 2 seed. Arkansas Order is understood for its 3-point capturing, hitting a league-high 328 3s all over the season, and its 32.6% from past the arc ranks fourth within the convention. — Andrews
FDU Knights
Any other first-timer is in our midst: FDU (29-3) will manufacture its first NCAA event look, representing the NEC via advancing to the championship match, the place opponent Stonehill is ineligible for the Obese Dance as a reclassifying establishment (the Knights next proceeded to overcome the Skyhawks in Sunday’s ultimate for just right measure). Below second-year tutor Stephanie Gaitley, FDU has made historical past all season, notching essentially the most wins in program historical past (29, greater than double final season’s general) and an ideal regular-season league list (16-0). The workforce ruled within the procedure, successful the ones video games via a median margin of 17.6 issues to clinch its 0.33 regular-season name in 4 years. The Knights haven’t misplaced since mid-December, once they fell to Rutgers, giving them one of the most longest win streaks (22 video games) within the country. First-team all-NEC alternatives Teneisia Brown and Ava Renninger gained the league’s defensive participant of the yr and rookie of the yr honors, respectively. — Philippou
Lehigh Mountain Hawks
The Mountain Hawks (27-6) have been one of the most ultimate groups to reserve their price ticket to the NCAA event then taking ill Military on Sunday within the Patriot League event ultimate. It is going to be their 5th general look within the Obese Dance and primary since 2021. 3rd-year tutor Addie Micir was once tabbed Patriot League Mentor of the Era then main the squad to a 15-3 convention list, which featured a 12-game win streak, and their first outright regular-season name since 2008-09. In nonconference play games, the Mountain Hawks additionally took ill their first Energy 4 opponent since 2010 once they beat Northwestern via 17. They’ve revel in on their aspect, returning seven in their peak scorers from final season, together with first-team all-conference select Maddie Albrecht (15.7 PPG) and second-team variety Ella Stemmer (11.3 PPG). The Mountain Hawks are also one of the most peak isolated throw capturing groups within the nation (80.7%) and feature made 32.8% in their 3-point makes an attempt. — Philippou
Vermont Catamounts
Vermont spent all of the The us East season chasing Albany and in the end stuck the regular-season champs and beat them when it counted maximum: within the convention event name match. The Catamounts did it the similar manner they’ve succeeded all season: sluggish the life and guard within the part court docket. Albany scored 55 issues in that match, which is greater than Vermont (21-12) in most cases lets in. Fighters averaged simply 51.7 issues in keeping with match in opposition to the Catamounts, which was once the third-lowest quantity within the nation, and negative workforce within the country had fewer possessions in keeping with match than Vermont. Ahead Ana Olson has been a mainstay for 5 years and led the workforce with 12.6 issues in keeping with match. — Creme
NO. 16 SEEDS
UC San Diego Tritons
This system moved to Category I in 2020, so this was once the 1st season UC San Diego was once eligible for the NCAA event. The Tritons punched their price ticket with their first Obese West event name, beating UC Davis 75-66 within the ultimate then splitting video games with the Aggies within the steady season. The Incorrect. 4 seed Tritons made the name match via provoking Obese West regular-season champion and event Incorrect. 1 seed Hawaii 51-49 within the semifinals on a last-second layup via sophomore shield Sumayah Sugapong. She leads the workforce in scoring (14.7 PPG) and assists (3.6 APG). The Tritons are coached via Heidi VanDerveer, more youthful sister of former Stanford tutor Tara VanDerveer. Former Stanford participant and WNBA tutor Vanessa Nygaard is a Tritons laborer. UC San Diego began the season 1-8 however is 20-15 heading within the NCAA event. — Voepel
High Point Panthers
Top Level (21-11) returns to the NCAA event for the 1st era since 2021 then successful the Obese South event. The workforce was once led via youth Nevaeh Zavala, who averaged a workforce majestic in issues (10.6) and rebounds (4.1). Nakyah Terrell has been the ground common for the Panthers, completing moment within the convention in assists (3.4 in keeping with match); she had the second-best assist-to-turnover ratio (1.3). — Andrews
UNC Greensboro Spartans
UNC Greensboro create a ancient season, going undefeated at house on its solution to a 13-1 convention list and culminating within the Spartans’ first NCAA event berth since 1998. They usually did it at the back of the robust play games of Nya Smith, who was once named SoCon Freshman of the Era and 6th Girl of the Era. Smith averaged a team-high 13.6 issues in convention play games time capturing 40.1% from the ground. The Spartans even have a robust protection led via Khalis Cain, who was once named to the SoCon moment workforce and all-defensive workforce. She ranked thirteenth nationally with 4.2 offensive rebounds in keeping with match and fourth general within the SoCon with 34 general blocks and 1.2 blocks in keeping with match. — Andrews
Southern Jaguars
Southern (20-14) is again within the NCAA event then fresh appearances in 2019 and 2023. Mentor Carlos Funchess didn’t again clear of scheduling difficult: The Jaguars confronted 9 Energy 4 groups in nonconference play games — the place some video games, akin to a 12-point loss to Illinois, have been extra aggressive than others, akin to a 58-point loss to Texas — they usually didn’t select up a win over a Category I program till early January. The ones demanding situations paid off as soon as Southern moved into league play games, the place it went 15-3 and gained the SWAC regular-season crown. Later, then knocking off protecting champion Jackson Order within the semifinals of the league event, the Jags took serve of industrial in opposition to 6-seed Alcorn Order within the name match, securing their moment 20-win season within the occasion 10 years within the procedure. 2nd-team all-conference select Aniya Gourdine paces the squad with 11.9 issues in keeping with match. — Philippou
Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles
The Blonde Eagles (26-5) are showing of their twelfth NCAA event however making simply their moment look within the final twenty years (in addition they complicated in 2023). The Eagles trip a 17-game successful streak into March Insanity, together with two wins within the Ohio Valley event. The Blonde Eagles led the league in scoring, averaging 72 issues in keeping with match, and likewise held their combatants to the second-fewest issues (62.1). Steadiness is a plus; 4 starters — led via Reghan Grimes‘ 12.9 issues in keeping with match — moderate double-figure scoring, and the 5th simply misses the reduce at 9.9 PPG. — Andrews
William & Mary Tribe
The final autobid punched for the 2025 ladies’s NCAA event was once liable for the best Cinderella storyline this Champ Past. Led via third-year tutor Erin Dickerson Davis, William & Mary entered the CAA event with a 11-18 list (8-10 in convention) sooner than damn off 4 wins in 4 days to clinch its first-ever look within the Obese Dance. The workforce’s trail incorporated overcoming a 12-point inadequency within the quarterfinals to knock off 1-seed North Carolina A&T in extra time, and next on Sunday – within the college’s first championship match look since 1993 – erasing a 14-point inadequency to overcome 3-seed Campbell. The Tribe are the 7th workforce on this century to manufacture the NCAA event a minimum of 3 video games underneath .500, and primary since 2022, and because the Incorrect. 9 seed, are the bottom seed ever to win the CAA event. 2nd-team all-CAA variety Bella Nascimento etched her identify in program historical past on Sunday, shining with 33 issues and 11 forums. – Philippou
