Women's March Madness Sweet 16 preview

Spokane Region 1

No. 1 UCLA vs No. 5 Ole Miss

An 84-67 victory over Richmond sent UCLA to its third straight Sweet 16. In the win, National Player of the Year finalist Lauren Betts shot 14-for-17 with 30 points and 17 rebounds. This outing marked Betts’ 17th double-double and third 30-point game of the season. The Bruins’ high-power offense and strong defense have proven to be lethal for opponents. UCLA has a top scoring margin in the nation at 21.4.

Ole Miss is in the Sweet 16 for the second time in three years after defeating Baylor 69-63. The Rebels have four players averaging 10 or more points per game, and each one could step up at any time. Recently it's been Madison Scott, who’s scored double digits in the last four games. Ole Miss plays tough defense, holding opponents to just 58.5 points per game.

No. 2 NC State vs No. 3 LSU

This has all the makings of being the best game of the Sweet 16 and is a rematch of an early-season matchup that saw LSU come out on top 82-65.

NC State advanced with a 34-point win over Michigan State, led by Aziaha James’ 26 points and Saniya Rivers’ double-double. As a team, the Wolfpack average 77 points a game, with four players averaging double-digit points. The advantage for NC State is that many of its key players were a part of last year's Final Four run.

The Tigers are coming off a convincing 101-71 win over Florida State. LSU lost three of its last four games to end the regular season, but has come back to life in the NCAA Tournament. The Tigers have a strong trio in Flau’Jae Johnson, Aneesah Morrow and Mikaylah Williams – all averaging over 17 points. Morrow will be the x-factor if the Wolfpack struggle to match her dominance in the paint.

Birmingham Region 2

No. 1 South Carolina vs No. 4 Maryland

South Carolina has advanced to every Sweet 16 since 2014 and every Elite Eight since 2021. The Gamecocks overcame an early deficit to defeat Indiana 64-53 in the second round. South Carolina has arguably the deepest lineup of the 16 teams left, with six players averaging over eight points.

Maryland earned a spot in the Sweet 16 after defeating Alabama 111-108 in double overtime. The Terps average 81 points per game, led by Kaylene Sminkle, who’s scored a combined 45 points in the teams first two tournament games. Maryland will have to use its potent offense if there is any hope of pulling off the upset.

No. 2 Duke vs No. 3 North Carolina

There are few things better in basketball than the Tobacco Road rivalry, especially in a high-stakes game.

Duke has won its last eight games, showing no signs of slowing down. The key to the Blue Devils’ success has been defense, allowing just 84 points through the first two rounds. Offensively, Duke has four players who average more than nine points per game.

This game will be a true defensive battle as North Carolina holds its opponents to just 57.6 points per game. The Tar Heels have a slow-paced offense, scoring 70.5 points per game, and Maria Gakdeng is their leading scorer with 11.1 points per game.

Birmingham Region 3

No. 1 Texas vs No. 5 Tennessee

Texas defeated Illinois 65-48 to advance to its fourth Sweet 16 in five seasons. The Longhorns have a lethal defense, holding opponents to 55.8 points per game. This is the second least behind UConn (51.5) of the teams left in the field. SEC Player of the Year Madison Booker has been a force for Texas, averaging 16.4 points per game.

Kim Caldwell has led Tennessee to the Sweet 16 in her first season in Knoxville. The Lady Vols have the nation's highest scoring offense, averaging 87.5 points per game. The offensive production is led by Talaysia Cooper’s 16.8 points per game, along with four other players averaging double-digit points.

No. 2 TCU vs No. 3 Notre Dame

TCU continues its historic season by advancing to the Sweet 16 for the first time in program history. Hailey Van Lith and Sedona Prince have been a dominant duo, combining for 35.2 points per game. Earlier in the season, the Horned Frogs overcame a 14-point deficit to defeat Notre Dame 76-68.

The Irish raised concerns after losing three of their last five games, but cruised through their first two games, scoring a combined 182 points. Hannah Hidalgo is the top scorer left in the tournament, averaging 24.1 points per game. Notre Dame has been to every Sweet 16 since 2022, but has not advanced to the Elite Eight since 2019.

Spokane Region 4

No. 1 USC vs No. 5 Kansas State

USC has to continue its quest for a National Title without JuJu Watkins after it was announced that she tore her ACL. In the second round, Kiki Iriafen and Avery Howell stepped up big. Iriafen scored a season-high 36 points, and Howell scored a career-high 18 points. Even without Watkins, the Trojans are dangerous.

Kansas State is sweet for the first time in 23 years after a 80-79 overtime win over Kentucky. The Wildcats are led by Ayoka Lee’s 15.6 points per game. Kansas State is strongest from behind the arc, with a .388 three-point percentage.

No. 2 UConn vs No. 3 Oklahoma

UConn has now advanced to 31 straight Sweet 16s. The Huskies have also looked like the best team in the tournament, outscoring their opponents 194-91 in the first two rounds. Paige Bueckers dominated against South Dakota State, matching her career-high 34 points. UConn has won 12 straight games and shows no signs of slowing down.

Oklahoma is in the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2013, behind strong second-round performances from Skylar Vann and Payton Verhulst. The Sooners have one of the best offenses in the nation, averaging 85.4 points per game.

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