Women's NCAA Tournament 2026: Round 1 Recap and Key Takeaways

In-Depth Analysis

### Standout Games and Performances

**TCU vs. UC San Diego:** Olivia Miles led TCU to a commanding 86-40 victory, showcasing her all-around skills and setting a new program record for assists in an NCAA Tournament game.
**Duke vs. College of Charleston:** Duke secured an 81-64 win, but not without highlighting areas for improvement, as noted by Coach Kara Lawson. Jordan Wood and Toby Fournier acknowledged the need to control the game's pace better.
**Texas vs. Missouri State:** Texas dominated with an 87-45 victory, led by Jordan Lee's 19 points. The Longhorns' size and speed proved too much for Missouri State to handle.
**Michigan vs. Holy Cross:** Michigan cruised to an 83-48 win, with Mila Holloway and Syla Swords combining for 33 points, underscoring the Wolverines' offensive firepower.
**LSU vs. Jacksonville:** LSU showcased its offensive prowess with a 116-58 victory, marking their 15th game of the season with 100+ points.
**Minnesota vs. Green Bay:** Minnesota survived a scare, pulling away in the fourth quarter for a 75-58 victory, fueled by Amaya Battle's 21 points.
**NC State vs. Tennessee:** NC State defeated Tennessee 76-61, led by Zamareya Jones's career-high 30 points. The Lady Vols struggled, extending their losing streak to eight games.
**Texas Tech vs. Villanova:** Texas Tech held off Villanova 57-52, with Bailey Maupin scoring key points in the final minutes.
**Oklahoma vs. Idaho:** Oklahoma defeated Idaho 89-59, led by Raegan Beers's 18 points and 10 rebounds. Oklahoma stopped Idaho’s win streak at 18 games.

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FAQ

Who was the standout performer in the first round?

Olivia Miles from TCU, who recorded a triple-double.

Were there any major upsets in the first round?

No, all higher-seeded teams won their games, though some faced tougher challenges than expected.

Which teams are considered strong contenders based on their first-round performance?

Texas, Michigan and LSU demonstrated their potential with dominant wins.

Takeaways

Following the standout players, like Olivia Miles, that are making a big impact on their teams.
Keeping an eye on teams like Duke and Michigan State that may have shown weaknesses in the first round.
Watching the top-seed teams like Texas, Michigan and LSU to see if they continue to dominate the tournament.

Discussion

What were your biggest surprises from the first round of the Women's NCAA Tournament? Do you think the top seeds will continue their dominance? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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Sources

Women's March Madness live updates: Follow all of Saturday's action March Madness: Full schedule and results of Friday's NCAA games in women's tournament Women’s NCAA tournament Day 1 takeaways: Olivia Miles makes history as Duke, other top seeds advance

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