NCAA: Women's March Madness Sweet 16 power rankings

The first weekend of March Madness has come and gone, and only the fittest survived. Here’s a look at power rankings for the 16 remaining teams in the field.

1. UConn (No.1 Fort Worth 1)

Nothing has changed at the top, and the 36-0 Huskies are still the best team in the field. It was smooth sailing for Geno Auriemma’s squad in a round of 32 win over Syracuse, in which UConn held a 65-12 lead at halftime.

Azzi Fudd matched her career-high 34 points to lead the Huskies to a 32nd straight Sweet 16 appearance. The competition will start to get tougher for the defending champions, starting with a meeting against North Carolina at 5 p.m. Friday.

2. UCLA (No.1 Sacramento 2)

As the regular season wrapped up, the Bruins showed the gap between the top two teams might not be very large. UCLA shot over 50% from the field in its round of 32 win over Oklahoma State.

The Bruins’ offense was led by Big Ten Player of the Year Lauren Betts, who recorded a career high 35-points as UCLA advanced to its fourth straight Sweet 16.

The Bruins have a 7:30 p.m. Friday matchup with in-conference opponent Minnesota awaiting. UCLA handled the Gophers pretty convincingly back in January, but it's always harder to win in March.

3. Texas (No.1 Fort Worth 3)

Winning the SEC Tournament was a huge momentum booster for the Longhorns, but it also meant they got to stay in their home state for the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight.

Madison Booker had a dominant second-round performance, posting 40 points for a career high and Texas NCAA Tournament record. The Longhorns aren’t known for their three-point game, only averaging 4.3 per game. However, against Oregon, Texas shot 8-for-12 from beyond the arc.

Texas will take on SEC foe Kentucky at 3 p.m. Sunday. The Longhorns outlasted the Wildcats with an 11-point victory in February.

4. South Carolina (No.1 Sacramento 4)

Losing in the SEC Tournament Championship didn’t throw off Dawn Staley’s team at all. The Gamecocks surpassed 100 points in each of their first two round games. Joyce Edwards’ 19.9 points per game will be the backbone for South Carolina as it has a tough Sweet 16 match ahead.

The Gamecocks take on Oklahoma at 5 p.m. Saturday, looking to avenge a late January overtime loss.

5. LSU (No. 2 Sacramento 2)

After reaching 100-plus points in each of their first two games, the Tigers now own the NCAA record for most 100-point games in a season with 16.

LSU is set for its fourth Sweet 16 in five seasons under Kim Mulkey. Flau’jae Johnson leads the Tigers with 14.3 points per game, and is looking to end her collegiate career the same way it started – with a national championship.

LSU takes on Duke, who they beat by 16 points earlier this season, but the Blue Devils aren’t near the same team they were in December. The rematch is set for 10 p.m. Friday.

6. Michigan (No. 2 Fort Worth 3)

After falling to Iowa in the Big Ten Tournament semifinals, the Wolverines raised doubt about whether they should be a 2-seed, but after the way they’ve performed, any concerns have been thrown out the window.

A 30-point win over NC State proved this, led by 27 second-half points from Olivia Olson. Michigan has arguably the most important thing a team could have in March, which is depth.

The Wolverines look for their second Elite Eight appearance in program history when they take on Louisville at 12:30 p.m. Saturday.

7. Vanderbilt (No. 2 Fort Worth 1)

The Commodores' storybook season continues as they’re set for their first Sweet 16 since 2009. Sophomore star Mikayla Blakes leads the nation with 27 points per game and was one assist short of a triple-double in Vanderbilt's dominant win over Illinois.

Blakes will continue to lead the charge as Vanderbilt faces Notre Dame at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, looking to return to the Elite Eight for the first time in 24 years.

8. Duke (No. 3 Sacramento 2)

The Blue Devils are a new team than they were to start the season, proving so in a 23-point round of 32 victory over Baylor. The key to Duke’s game is defense, holding opponents to 58.7 points and 17.2 turnovers per game.

However, the Blue Devils have yet to face an offense like LSU. Duke’s looking to return to the Elite Eight for the second-straight season.

9. Oklahoma (No. 4 Sacramento 4)

Oklahoma’s strong guard-center duo of Aliyah Chavez and Reagan Beers is lethal. The pair proved why as each netted 18 points in a second-round win over Michigan State.

All but two of the Sooners’ losses this season are to teams that were a No. 1 or 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament. Oklahoma’s looking to advance past the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2010.

10. TCU (No. 3 Sacramento 4)

TCU survived an overtime win against Washington to advance to a second-straight Sweet 16. Olivia Miles has been phenomenal in her lone season with the Horned Frogs. The senior combined for 30 points, 26 rebounds and 22 assists in TCU’s first round games.

The Horned Frogs are set for a matchup with Virginia at 7:30 p.m. Saturday.

11. Louisville (No. 3 Fort Worth 3)

The Cardinals squeaked by Alabama with a one-point victory to return to the Sweet 16 for the first time in three years. Laura Ziegler scored 12 points in each of Louisville’s games and has been the team's most consistent player. Ziegler will have to step up again in a tough matchup against Michigan.

12. Notre Dame (No. 6 Fort Worth 1)

The Irish are one of the hottest teams left in the field, winning 11 of their last 13 games. Hannah Hidalgo was unstoppable against Ohio State, recording 26 points, 13 rebounds and eight steals. The best thing for the Irish is that Hidalgo’s supporting cast has started to show up big.

Niele Ivey has now led Notre Dame to the Sweet 16 for the fifth straight season, but has yet to make an Elite Eight appearance.

13. North Carolina (No. 4 Fort Worth 1)

Sophomores Elina Aarnislo and Lanie Grant combined for 41 points in the Tar Heels' round of 32 win over Maryland.

The defense also stepped up big for North Carolina as they held the Terrapins to 32% from field-goal range. The Tar Heels will need another strong defensive performance if they hope to pull off the upset over UConn.

14. Kentucky (No. 5 Fort Worth 3)

Kentucky was the only 5-seed to make it out of the first weekend, defeating West Virginia by one point in the second round. Teonni Key and Clara Strack both recorded double-doubles and have been responsible for the Wildcats success as of late. The duo will be heavily needed when Kentucky takes on Texas.

15. Minnesota (No. 4 Sacramento 2)

The Gophers survived in the second round against Ole Miss thanks to a last-second shot from Amaya Battle. The senior’s heroics sent Minnesota to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2005. Mara Braun also stepped up big for the Gophers, going 4-of-5 from three and scoring 17 points.

Minnesota will need more big-time performances as they prepare to take on UCLA.

16. Virginia (No.10 Sacramento 4)

Virginia made history in a double-overtime win against Iowa, becoming the first-ever First Four team to reach the Sweet 16. Kymora Johnson is the name to know for the Cavaliers, and she netted 28 points against the Hawkeyes, but combined for 14-points in the two overtimes.

Virginia faces a tough TCU squad, but has already proved they’re made for March.

Gianna Dowling is a third-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact her, please email gmd5738@psu.edu.