Around the NCAAWBB: Week of March 15

Selection Sunday, arguably one of the most exciting days in the collegiate basketball world, is this week.

The Women’s Tournament Bracket will be announced at 8 p.m. on Sunday, March 17, 2024, televised on ESPN.

South Carolina Gamecocks

The No. 1 South Carolina Gamecocks head into March Madness with an undefeated season, 32-0.

Their season has been undefeated due to offensive contributions from Kamilla Cardoso and Te-Hina Paopao.

They struggled in their SEC tournament games playing a close game against Texas A&M and then almost losing to the Tennessee Volunteers before Cardoso nailed a go-ahead three-pointer with just 1.1 seconds remaining on the clock.

Her first career three-pointer led her team to victory.

In their last game against LSU for the SEC tournament title, a fight broke out on the court.

The Gamecocks won the game 79-72, but not without dramatics as both benches emptied following an intentional foul on South Carolina’s MiLaysia Fulwiley from LSU’s Flau’jae Johnson. Johnson shoved South Carolina’s Ashlyn Watkins and then Cardoso retaliated against Johnson.

Cardoso is suspended for the first game of the NCAA tournament.

Teams to Watch

University of Connecticut Huskies

UConn is a program that has been a women’s basketball powerhouse. They have struggled the last couple of seasons, especially when missing star Paige Bueckers due to injuries.

Although it may be odd to consider them an “underdog”, they could be considered one in this year’s tournament.

While they’ve had an overall successful season, sitting at 29-5, they also have notable losses to top programs such as Texas, South Carolina and UCLA.

Interestingly, their closest game of the season has been decided by 11 points including wins and losses.

The Huskies will likely have their first tests of a close game in this upcoming week, in a win-or-go-home scenario.

University of Southern California Trojans

The Trojans have a young team and finished second in the Pac-12 with a 26-5 record. They beat Stanford 74-61 to become the Pac-12 Tournament Champions.

They look to make a deep run as they return to the NCAA Tournament for the second year in a row.

Juju Watkins, freshman guard, sits at 810 points in her freshman season with an average of 27 a game.

The Trojans have three players who average more than 10 points a game.

They may not have the experience to make it all the way this season against veteran-heavy teams like Iowa or South Carolina.

The Trojans are a team who have heated up this season and look to continue playing strong into March.

In March, anything can happen. This is the most exciting week of the season where Cinderella teams are made and top seeds fall.

Enjoy a very exciting week of watching college basketball all day, every day.

Julia Henry is a first-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact her please email jbh6443@psu.edu.