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Women's March Madness 2026: First Round Highlights and Key Matchups | Women's March Madness 2026: First Round Highlights and Key Matchups

WomensCollegeBasketball / NCAATournament

Women's March Madness 2026: First Round Highlights and Key Matchups

The first round of the 2026 Women's NCAA Tournament delivered thrilling matchups and a few surprises. Here's a recap of the key games and standout performances that have set the stage for the rest of the tournament.

Mar 20, 2026 04:31 Women's March Madness: Ranking the eight best first-round NCAA Tournament games

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Key Insights

**Upset Potential Realized:** Several lower-seeded teams showed their potential, with a few close calls and outright upsets challenging higher-ranked programs.
**Key Matchups Delivered:** Games like NC State vs. Tennessee lived up to the hype, providing intense competition and showcasing top talent.
**Individual Performances Shine:** Players like Audi Crooks from Iowa State and Kymora Johnson from Virginia had standout games, highlighting the individual talent across the tournament field.
**Nebraska's Momentum:** After a First Four win, Nebraska carried momentum into their matchup against Baylor, demonstrating the impact of early tournament play.

In-Depth Analysis

The first round saw intense battles across various regions. Some of the most notable games included:

**NC State vs. Tennessee:** Despite Tennessee's historical tournament presence, NC State secured a victory in a tightly contested match, 80-77, overcoming chemistry issues that plagued them during the season.
**Virginia vs. Arizona State:** Virginia edged out Arizona State 57-55 in a game that went down to the wire, with Kymora Johnson's late 3-pointer proving decisive. Virginia will advance to play No. 7 Georgia on Saturday.
**Baylor vs. Nebraska:** Nebraska, fresh off a First Four victory, posed a threat to Baylor, highlighting the potential for lower-seeded teams to make a run.
**Iowa State vs. Syracuse:** Iowa State, led by Audi Crooks, faced a tough challenge from Syracuse, with Crooks aiming to join an elite group of players with multiple 40-point games in the NCAA Tournament.

These games underscored the unpredictable nature of March Madness and the importance of strong individual performances and tactical execution.

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FAQ

- **Q: Which teams pulled off the biggest upsets in the first round?

- **Q: Which players stood out in the first round?

- **Q: What are some key storylines to watch moving forward?

Takeaways

**Momentum Matters:** Teams entering the tournament with momentum, like Nebraska, can leverage that into early success.
**Individual Brilliance:** Star players can elevate their teams, but strong team play is essential for advancing.
**Underestimate No One:** The first round proved that any team can be a threat, regardless of seeding.

Discussion

Do you think these trends will continue throughout the tournament? Which teams do you think have the best chance to make a deep run? Let us know in the comments!

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Sources

Women's March Madness: Ranking the eight best first-round NCAA Tournament games Women's basketball tournament betting: Odds, spreads, totals and BPI projection for every game March Madness live updates, scores, bracket: Arizona State-Virginia wraps up First Four, Southern defeats Samford in women's NCAA tournament Thursday

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