Women’s NCAA Tournament: Key Players and Teams That Could Challenge South Carolina’s Title Defense

South Carolina Eyes Another NCAA Women’s Basketball Title as Tournament Kicks Off

The NCAA women’s basketball tournament is set to begin this week, and South Carolina is hoping to add to its growing collection of trophies. The Gamecocks, along with UCLA, USC, and Texas, earned a top seed in the 68-team bracket. The tournament kicks off Wednesday and Thursday with the First Four matchups, followed by first-round action starting Friday.

South Carolina enters as the defending champion after claiming the title last year by defeating Iowa in a game watched by 18.7 million viewers, setting a record for a women’s college basketball game. South Carolina also won NCAA championships under coach Dawn Staley in 2022 and 2017.

This year’s Final Four will be held in Tampa, Florida, on April 4, with the national championship scheduled for April 6.

Ahead of the tournament, NBC News took a closer look at the teams and players to watch:

The Top Seed That Concerns Me

Nadkarni weighed in on his concerns, admitting that USC might be the top seed to watch closely. He acknowledged that the Trojans could make a strong case for the No. 1 overall seed after their competitive matchups against UCLA this season. His only concern? USC ranked sixth in the NCAA’s NET rankings with three losses in Quadrant 1, a statistic that he feels raises questions, even if other top seeds share similar numbers.

Greif pointed to Texas, which has excelled defensively, holding opponents to 55.9 points per game and earning the nation’s second-best scoring margin (23.0 points). Despite this, Texas’s 29.6% 3-point shooting, ranked 243rd out of 353 Division I teams, makes him cautious about their chances of advancing deep into the tournament.

Greif also noted that Texas faces tough competition in their region, specifically from No. 2 seed TCU and No. 3 seed Notre Dame. TCU’s experience in the tournament and Notre Dame’s strong season make this an especially challenging path for Texas.

The Cinderella Story of the Tournament

Nadkarni picked Iowa as a potential Cinderella team, citing their impressive 6-2 neutral-site record and six Quadrant 1 wins. While the field is top-heavy, Iowa has the pedigree, particularly with Caitlin Clark leading the way, making them a sleeper team capable of making a run.

Greif also sees South Dakota State as a team to watch. The Jackrabbits, a 10th-seeded team, have dominated their conference, going undefeated for three consecutive seasons and making it to the Sweet 16 in 2019. Their matchup against Oklahoma State could be a pivotal moment, and if they win, they will face the winner of the Connecticut vs. Arkansas State game.

Auerbach singled out Florida Gulf Coast, a team that has always been a tough draw in the tournament due to their strategic play. Under new head coach Chelsea Lyles, the Eagles remain formidable. Harvard, led by star Harmoni Turner, is another team to keep an eye on. A potential second-round upset over North Carolina State could thrust them into the spotlight.

Players I’m Most Excited to Watch

Nadkarni is keeping a close eye on Paige Bueckers from Connecticut. With Bueckers being the undisputed leader for the Huskies and the team looking to make their second consecutive Final Four, it’s expected that she will put on a show in what could be her final tournament.

Greif highlighted Harvard’s Harmoni Turner, who had a standout performance with 44 points in the Ivy League semifinals. Turner has been consistently dominant, and her performances have caught the attention of many.

Auerbach is excited about watching JuJu Watkins from USC, Hannah Hidalgo from Notre Dame, and Paige Bueckers from Connecticut. Watkins is a remarkable scorer and playmaker who is leading USC on a quest to reach the Final Four for the first time in nearly four decades. Hidalgo has impressed on both ends of the court, and her energy could propel Notre Dame back into form. Bueckers, despite her injury struggles, remains a must-watch player as she looks to go out with a bang in her final tournament.

Final Four and National Title Predictions

Nadkarni picked UCLA, UConn, South Carolina, and Texas to make the Final Four, with UCLA ultimately taking the title.

Greif chose Notre Dame, UCLA, USC, and South Carolina as his Final Four teams, with USC winning the national championship, citing their success against UCLA this season and the dynamic play of JuJu Watkins.

Auerbach predicted UCLA, Duke, Notre Dame, and USC for the Final Four, with USC emerging as national champions, thanks to Watkins leading the way.

The tournament promises to be an exciting ride with some intriguing matchups and standout performances expected. Stay tuned for more coverage as the action unfolds!