Charlie CremeMar 25, 2025, 01:45 AM ET
Shut
- Charlie Creme tasks the ladies’s NCAA event bracket for ESPN.com.
Editor’s be aware: This tale used to be posted sooner than USC introduced that JuJu Watkins had suffered a season-ending knee harm and can omit the remainder of the 2025 girls’s NCAA event. ESPN’s Shams Charania stories that Watkins suffered a torn ACL in her proper knee.
The country’s very best groups made it via to the ladies’s Candy 16 with little resistance.
Apart from 5-seed Kansas State and 4-seed Maryland wanting exciting beyond regular time video games to advance, the primary two rounds of the 2025 girls’s NCAA event introduced little drama. No longer a unmarried seed less than a No. 5 reached the regionals.
However big-time matchups anticipate — and there may be a number of motion in ESPN’s Candy 16 scores.
UConn used to be the making a bet favourite heading into the NCAA event and has been probably the most spectacular workforce of March Insanity up to now. South Carolina had the nearest sport a number of the No. 1 seeds. Some groups, corresponding to NC State, Oklahoma and TCU, had been even higher within the around of 32 than they had been of their event openers. How does all of it have an effect on their positioning?
That is where to determine.
1. UConn Huskies
Unique seed: No. 2 (Spokane 4)
Match effects: Defeated No. 15 Arkansas State 103-34 (first around); defeated No. 10 South Dakota State 91-57 (around of 32)
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The Huskies scored 103 issues in opposition to Arkansas State on Saturday with Paige Bueckers scoring simply 11 and most commonly deferring to teammates. She deferred to no person in opposition to the Jackrabbits. She took whole regulate of her ultimate sport at Gampel Pavilion halfway in the course of the first quarter and not relinquished it till she left the ground within the fourth quarter after tying her profession excessive with 34 issues. She additionally did not have a turnover in 29 mins. Bueckers, Sarah Sturdy (15 issues) and Azzi Fudd (17 issues) blended to attain or help on 78 of the Huskies’ 91 issues. It has taken lots of the season, however UConn, now in a thirty first consecutive Candy 16, has a completely shaped large 3. The Huskies’ margins of victory of their two video games have totaled 103 issues, the 8th time a workforce has long gone over a 100-point cumulative margin — and a large reason why they have got moved to the highest of the Candy 16 scores.
Up subsequent: Oklahoma (Saturday, 5:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)
2. UCLA Bruins
Unique seed: No. 1 (Spokane 1)
Match effects: Defeated No. 16 Southern 84-46 (first around); defeated No. 8 Richmond 84-67 (around of 32)
Let’s hope Cori Shut recorded that halftime speech. She may want it once more as it labored so smartly Sunday. The Bruins were given sliced up through Richmond’s precision offense in a primary 1/2 that ended tied at 36, but it surely used to be all UCLA after that. The Bruins outscored the Spiders 29-7 within the 3rd quarter, snuffing out a possible disappointed sooner than it might achieve to any extent further momentum. Kiki Rice and Londynn Jones blended to make 4 3-pointers and Lauren Betts had 10 issues within the length. Betts used to be dominant all the sport and had 32 issues and 14 rebounds, the primary UCLA participant to head 30-10 in an NCAA event sport. The Bruins have reached the Candy 16 for the 3rd 12 months in a row, however each earlier journeys ended there. In reality, most effective as soon as has UCLA reached a regional ultimate, and that used to be in 1999, sooner than somebody in this roster used to be born.
Up subsequent: Ole Pass over (Friday, 10 p.m. ET, ESPN)
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Lauren Betts’ 30-point double-double leads UCLA to Candy 16
Lauren Betts tallies 30 issues with 13 rebounds as UCLA handles Richmond to advance to the Candy 16.
3. South Carolina Gamecocks
Unique seed: No. 1 (Birmingham 2)
Match effects: Defeated No. 16 Tennessee Tech 108-48 (first around); defeated No. 9 Indiana 64-53 (around of 32)
Even all over remaining 12 months’s romp to an undefeated nationwide name, the Gamecocks had one slight scare. It got here in opposition to Indiana within the Candy 16. Those self same Hoosiers made South Carolina paintings once more this 12 months in the second one around. Indiana led at halftime and driven the Gamecocks deep into the fourth quarter. Whilst the bench delivered monster numbers within the opening-round win, Morning time Staley leaned extra closely on her starters and South Carolina went inside of extra in opposition to Indiana. Chloe Kitts had a double-double (10 issues, 11 rebounds) and Sania Feagin (10 issues) had the most productive NCAA event sport of her profession past the second one around.
Up subsequent: Maryland (Friday, 5 p.m. ET, ESPN)
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Andraya Carter: South Carolina were given ‘warning call’ in win over Indiana
Andraya Carter praises South Carolina’s intensity of scoring choices however says the Gamecocks want higher decision-making heading into the Candy 16.
4. USC Trojans
Unique seed: No. 1 (Spokane)
Match opener: Defeated No. 16 UNC Greensboro 71-25 (first around); defeated No. 9 Mississippi State 96-59 (around of 32)
With the standing of JuJu Watkins unknown after she left the sport in opposition to the Bulldogs within the first quarter with an obvious knee harm, the Trojans hang their spot at No. 4 for now. USC’s nationwide championship hopes leisure with Watkins’ well being, however her teammates had no drawback casting off Mississippi State with out her. Instantly following Watkins’ departure, USC prolonged a 13-2 result in a 28-8 benefit after the primary quarter. At the back of Kiki Iriafen’s season-high 36 issues, the Trojans coasted right into a moment instantly Candy 16.
Up subsequent: Kansas State (Saturday, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN)
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Andraya Carter: JuJu Watkins’ harm is ‘devastating’
Andraya Carter joins Scott Van Pelt to speak about the have an effect on that JuJu Watkins’ harm may have on USC.
5. Texas Longhorns
Unique seed: No. 1 (Birmingham 3)
Match effects: Defeated No. 16 William & Mary 105-61 (first around); defeated No. 8 Illinois 65-48 (around of 32)
Protection is the consistent with any Vic Schaefer workforce — or even in video games through which the Longhorns combat to attain, they’re punishing defensively. Illinois, the most recent workforce to enjoy the Texas toughness, used to be held to a season-low 48 issues on Monday. The Longhorns have not allowed an opponent to attain 70 issues since Jan. 23, and it has took place most effective 4 instances all season. The remaining foe to hit 70? Tennessee, which is subsequent up within the Candy 16. The Longhorns received that sport 80-76 on an evening when Texas ahead Madison Booker tallied most effective 8 issues. However Booker led the best way in opposition to the Illini and was the second one Longhorn in 25 years (becoming a member of Imani McGee-Stafford) to attain 20 or extra issues in consecutive NCAA event video games.
Up subsequent: Tennessee (Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC)
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Madison Booker ratings 20 to steer Texas to Candy 16
Madison Booker leads Texas to the Candy 16 with 20 issues within the Longhorns’ 65-48 win over Illinois.
6. LSU Tigers
Unique seed: No. 3 (Spokane 1)
Match effects: Defeated No. 14 San Diego State 103-48 (first around); defeated No. 6 Florida State 101-71 (around of 32)
For a 1/2, LSU as opposed to Florida State used to be the vintage many idea it might be. Then the Tigers put in combination a 3rd quarter for the ages, turning a one-point sport into devastation. LSU joined the 1988 Lengthy Seashore State workforce as the one squads to attain 100 issues in consecutive NCAA event video games. That 31-6 quarter used to be highlighted through 27 issues from LSU’s large 3 — Flau’Jae Johnson, Aneesah Morrow and Mikaylah Williams. However probably the most sure building used to be the 20-point, 12-rebound, 5-assist sport from redshirt sophomore Sa’Myah Smith in what used to be simply the most productive sport of her profession.
Up subsequent: NC State (Friday, 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)
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Mulkey credit LSU for commanding efficiency in face of adversity
Kim Mulkey breaks down how smartly the Tigers answered to demanding situations early within the sport and nonetheless controlled to play at a excessive stage following a powerful win over FSU.
7. TCU Horned Frogs
Unique seed: No. 2 (Birmingham 3)
Match effects: Defeated No. 15 FDU 73-51 (first around); defeated No. 7 Louisville 85-70 (around of 32)
Hailey Van Lith has performed 5 school seasons with 3 other faculties and has made it to the Candy 16 in every one. Her newest NCAA event run has TCU in a regional for the primary time. Van Lith did it in opposition to her first faculty, Louisville, which she helped to a few Elite 8 appearances, together with one Ultimate 4. Her passing and talent to overcome double groups fueled the Horned Frogs’ 63% capturing and 11 3-pointers Sunday. Van Lith completed with a career-high-tying 10 assists, lots of which arrange Agnes Emma-Nnopu (23 issues) and Donovyn Hunter (18 issues), who blended to hit 8 treys. Now comes a rematch with Notre Dame. The groups met in November within the Cayman Islands. That disappointed win through the Horned Frogs set the level for TCU’s very best season in program historical past.
Up subsequent: vs. Notre Dame (Saturday, 1 p.m. ET, ABC)
8. NC State Wolfpack
Unique seed: No. 3 seed (Spokane 1)
Match effects: Defeated No. 15 Vermont 75-55 (first around); defeated No. 7 Michigan State 83-49 (around of 32)
Taking pictures propelled the Wolfpack to the Ultimate 4 remaining 12 months. Nevertheless it used to be by no means as just right because it used to be Monday in opposition to Michigan State. NC State made 10 first-half 3-pointers and 15 for the sport — this system’s maximum within the NCAA event — and cruised to a 6th Candy 16 in seven years. Aziaha James and Madison Hayes blended for 11 treys. However Saniya Rivers’ playmaking may had been crucial a part of the Wolfpack assault; her 11 assists helped make 13 of NC State’s 15 3-pointers uncontested. One thing to observe within the subsequent around: NC State had most effective 12 assists as a workforce in a 17-point loss to its subsequent opponent, LSU, in November.
Up subsequent: LSU (Friday, 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)
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Saniya Rivers’ 17 issues, 11 assists fuels NC State to Candy 16
Saniya Rivers stuffs the stat sheet with 17 issues, 11 assists and eight rebounds within the Wolfpack’s takedown of Michigan State.
9. Notre Dame Preventing Irish
Unique seed: No. 3 (Birmingham)
Match effects: Defeated No. 14 SFA 106-54 (first around); defeated No. 6 Michigan 76-55 (around of 32)
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The Preventing Irish had 13 days off between their ACC event semifinal loss and the beginning of the NCAA event, and it kind of feels to be precisely what they wanted. The offensive firepower that disappeared on the finish of the common season returned for his or her two video games. What needed to please trainer Niele Ivey much more used to be the Irish totally shutting down a Michigan workforce that entered Sunday because the Twentieth-highest-scoring workforce within the nation. Sonia Citron’s bounce-back additionally bodes smartly transferring ahead. She averaged 9 issues in step with sport in Notre Dame’s 3 video games previous to the NCAA event however scored 40 issues on 15-of-28 capturing over the weekend. The ankle harm scare for Olivia Miles additionally gave the impression alleviated. She seemed to roll an ankle overdue within the win over Lehigh however performed 28 mins in opposition to the Wolverines with none obvious lingering have an effect on.
Up subsequent: TCU (Saturday, 1 p.m. ET, ABC)
10. Oklahoma Sooners
Unique seed: No. 3 (Spokane 4)
Match effects: Defeated No. 14 Florida Gulf Coast 81-58 (first around); defeated No. 6 Iowa 96-62 (around of 32)
Jennie Baranczyk has damaged via in Norman. After 3 consecutive second-round losses since taking on as trainer of the Sooners, Oklahoma has complicated to its first Candy 16 since 2013. The Sooners had been moment within the nation in rebounds all over the common season and taken that excellence at the forums to the NCAA event. After grabbing a single-game tourney-record 72 within the opening around in opposition to Florida Gulf Coast, Oklahoma outrebounded Iowa 64-33 and notched this system’s biggest margin of victory in a second-round sport or later. Led through Raegan Beers (11 issues, 13 rebounds) inside of, the Sooners had 38 issues within the paint. Outdoor, Skylar Vann (3-of-5 from the sphere, 17 issues) helped the Sooners make 11 3-pointers.
Up subsequent: UConn (Saturday, 5:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)
11. Duke Blue Devils
Unique seed: No. 2 (Birmingham 2)
Match effects: Defeated No. 15 Lehigh 80-57 (first around); defeated No. 10 Oregon 59-53 (around of 32)
The growth that Duke’s offense made overdue within the season took a step again in Spherical 2 and it virtually price the Blue Devils an disappointed loss to Oregon. The protection got here to the rescue, because it has so frequently underneath Kara Lawson. Main 51-50 with 4:35 ultimate, Duke held the Geese and not using a box function the remainder of the sport and, regardless of sloppy play overdue, clinched its moment consecutive shuttle to the Candy 16. Taking part in with out ACC freshman of the 12 months and main scorer Toby Fournier allowed Oregon to stick within the sport. The 59 issues had been Duke’s lowest issues overall since a Feb. 17 loss to Notre Dame. That is why Ashlon Jackson’s 14-point 3rd quarter, when Duke took the lead it would not relinquish, used to be so pivotal.
Up subsequent: North Carolina (Friday, 2:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)
12. North Carolina Tar Heels
Unique seed: No. 3 (Birmingham 2)
Match effects: Defeated No. 14 Oregon State 70-49 (first around); defeated No. 6 West Virginia 58-47 (around of 32)
The Tar Heels are not only a just right defensive workforce. They’re a grasp defensive workforce. Oregon State controlled a trifling 25 issues in the second one 1/2 in opposition to North Carolina in Spherical 1. NC State beat the Tar Heels within the ACC event semifinals however did so scoring simply 12 fourth-quarter issues. North Carolina used to be even higher on Monday, protecting the Mountaineers and not using a fourth-quarter box function till there have been 39 seconds ultimate. Lexi Donarski used to be the Large 12 Defensive Participant of the 12 months at Iowa State in 2022. Alyssa Ustby used to be voted to the ACC’s All-Defensive workforce this 12 months. And now they’ll cross head-to-head with rival and defensive fit Duke for a shuttle to the Elite 8.
Up subsequent: vs. Duke (Friday, 2:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)
13. Tennessee Woman Vols
Unique seed: No. 5 (Birmingham 3)
Match effects: Defeated No. 12 South Florida 101-66 (first around); defeated No. 4 Ohio State 82-67 (around of 32)
The philosophy of first-year Tennessee trainer Kim Caldwell is threefold: use relentless force with fast substitutions to stay legs recent; shoot 3-pointers freely with out retribution; and crash the offensive forums relentlessly. All of the ones had been on show in opposition to Ohio State and had been the important thing the reason why the Woman Vols are again within the Candy 16. The Woman Vols compelled 23 Ohio State turnovers and transformed them into 37 issues. They introduced 34 3-pointers that ended in 10 makes. Their 14 offensive rebounds was 21 issues. All bins had been checked. Tennessee even took just right care of the ball, committing most effective 14 turnovers in opposition to the Buckeyes’ similarly consistent force. Regulate the turnovers Tennessee reasons, as a result of they’re the important thing to the Woman Vols’ luck. They went 18-3 this season when forcing 20 or extra turnovers and 6-6 when they did not. A kind of six losses used to be in opposition to Texas, when the Longhorns became the ball over simply 12 instances.
Up subsequent: Texas (Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET, AB)
14. Ole Pass over Rebels
Unique seed: No. 5 (Spokane 1)
Match effects: Defeated No. 12 Ball State 83-65 (first around); defeated No. 4 Baylor 69-63 (around of 32)
Ole Pass over wasn’t ready to do it in entrance of its house enthusiasts like trainer Yolett McPhee-McCuin sought after, however the Rebels are nonetheless off to the Candy 16 for the second one time in 3 years. The NCAA event variety committee put Ole Pass over at No. 17 total, simply at the outdoor of website hosting first- and second-round video games. However down the stretch at the highway at Baylor, the Rebels had been the simpler workforce. Extra particularly, KK Deans used to be the most productive participant at the courtroom. Trainer Yo introduced Deans to Oxford to solidify the Ole Pass over level guard spot and make large performs. Taking part in in her first event video games since her sophomore season, Deans — now in her 6th 12 months in school basketball — scored 11 of Ole Pass over’s 21 issues within the ultimate 10 mins.
Up subsequent: UCLA (Friday, 10 p.m. ET, ESPN)
15. Kansas State Wildcats
Unique seed: No. 5 (Spokane 4)
First around: Defeated No. 12 Fairfield 85-41 (first around); defeated No. 4 Kentucky 80-79 OT (around of 32)
Kansas State was the primary workforce to win a real highway sport on this NCAA event in what used to be additionally the most productive sport of the outlet 3 days. The 2 Wildcat groups traded punches and counterpunches for far of the second one 1/2 sooner than Temira Poindexter’s 8th 3-pointer of the sport with 56 seconds left in beyond regular time delivered the overall blow in opposition to Kentucky. Poindexter completed with 24 issues and was the primary participant in NCAA event historical past with 8 3-pointers and 6 blocks in the similar sport. Serena Sundell’s 19 issues and 14 assists had been additionally a key piece to Kansas State’s first shuttle to the Candy 16 since 2022. Having Ayoka Lee (16 issues, 9 rebounds) again at middle has made a gigantic distinction. Kansas State used to be 6-6 with out her within the lineup whilst her foot harm healed and scored greater than 70 issues simply 3 times with out her. The Wildcats have averaged 82.5 issues in two event video games.
Up subsequent: USC (Saturday, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN)
16. Maryland Terrapins
Unique seed: No. 4 (Birmingham 2)
Match effects: Defeated No. 13 Norfolk State 82-69 (first around); defeated No. 5 Alabama 111-108 2OT (around of 32)
Regardless of how Maryland fares within the regional semifinals in opposition to South Carolina, Monday’s win over Alabama — probably the most exciting on this NCAA event — can be remembered for a very long time. The Terrapins gave up 60 issues within the paint, allowed Alabama’s Sarah Ashlee Barker to attain 45 issues and trailed through 17 issues within the 3rd quarter — and nonetheless received. The second one-largest NCAA event comeback in program historical past, fueled through 15 issues within the fourth quarter and beyond regular time from Sarah Te-Biasu, put Maryland within the Candy 16 for the fourth time in 5 years. Te-Biasu (26 issues) and Shyanne Dealers (28 issues) made tricky photographs all the way through the sport and may well be required to do this once more if the Terps are to avenge an Elite 8 loss to the Gamecocks from 2023.
Up subsequent: South Carolina (Friday, 5 p.m. ET, ESPN)
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Maryland beats Alabama in double-overtime mystery
Sarah Ashlee Barker ratings 45 issues for Alabama, however Maryland holds directly to win in double beyond regular time.
