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Women's NCAA Tournament 2026: Key Matchups and Storylines
3 months agoUS
The 2026 Women's NCAA Tournament is underway, with first-round action wrapping up and the second round set to begin. Here's a look at key matchups, potential upsets, and storylines to follow as the tournament progresses.
Key Insights
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The opening day saw few upsets, but several close calls, setting the stage for potentially more unpredictable games in the second round.
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Top teams like Texas, Michigan, and LSU advanced without much difficulty, while other highly-seeded teams face tough challenges.
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Keep an eye on matchups like Fairfield vs. Notre Dame where an upset is possible, and Syracuse vs. Iowa State, a clash of top centers.
In-Depth Analysis
The first round of the Women's NCAA Tournament provided a mix of expected wins and near-upsets, offering a glimpse into the competitive landscape of women's college basketball.
Key Matchups to Watch:
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No. 9 Syracuse vs. No. 8 Iowa State (5:30 p.m. ET, ESPN2): A battle of dominant centers, with Iowa State's Audi Crooks (25.2 ppg) facing Syracuse's ACC Freshman of the Year.
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No. 11 Fairfield vs. No. 6 Notre Dame (2 p.m. ET, ESPN): An upset alert as Fairfield's nation-leading 3-point offense challenges Notre Dame's weaker perimeter defense.
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No. 9 USC vs. No. 8 Clemson (3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN2): Clemson, back in the tournament for the first time since 2019, rides high on recent wins, while USC relies on Jazzy Davidson.
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No. 7 Georgia vs. No. 10 Virginia (1:30 p.m. ET, ESPN2): Virginia makes its first tournament appearance since 2018, led by coach Amaka Agugua-Hamilton, against Katie Abrahamson-Henderson's Georgia squad.
**Second Round Schedule Highlights (Sunday):
**
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No. 5 Maryland vs. No. 4 North Carolina (12 p.m. ET, ESPN)
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No. 7 NC State vs. No. 2 Michigan (1 p.m. ET, ABC)
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No. 5 Ole Miss vs. No. 4 Minnesota (2 p.m. ET, ESPN)
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No. 7 Texas Tech vs. No. 2 LSU (3 p.m. ET, ABC)
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No. 6 Baylor vs. No. 3 Duke (4 p.m. ET, ESPN)
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No. 8 Oregon vs. No. 1 Texas (6 p.m. ET, ESPN)
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No. 5 Michigan State vs. No. 4 Oklahoma (8 p.m. ET, ESPN)
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No. 6 Washington vs. No. 3 TCU (10 p.m. ET, ESPN)
FAQs
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Q: What was the biggest upset in the first round?
While there weren't many significant upsets, No. 10 Tennessee's loss to NC State was a notable surprise.
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Q: Which teams are favored to win their regions?
UConn, UCLA, Texas, and South Carolina are considered strong contenders for the Final Four.
Key Takeaways
The 2026 Women's NCAA Tournament promises exciting matchups and potential for upsets. Keep an eye on teams with strong offenses and those facing defensively vulnerable opponents. The second round will further shape the landscape as teams battle for a spot in the Sweet Sixteen.
Discussion
Which underdog team do you think has the best chance to make a deep run? Share your predictions below! Share this article with others who need to stay ahead of this trend!
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