Welcome to the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament, where the games are sweet, the players are hungry and according to the data, viewers can’t get enough of women’s basketball.
There wasn’t much madness in the first two rounds of the women’s tournament, save for second-seeded Ohio State getting beaten at home, which was definitely a shocker. And yes, technically Baylor winning at Virginia Tech was an upset according to seeds, but given that the Hokies were missing the three-time ACC player of the year, a lot of people expected that outcome.
We can argue at a different time if that’s fun or not. For now, let’s re-seed the tournament based on which teams are left.
1. South Carolina
You’re not surprised, are you? The Gamecocks haven’t forgotten they were upset last year and in fact, they still seem upset about it. They’re taking it out on anyone in their way — look out, Indiana — and seem eager to prove there won’t be a repeat of last spring.
2. Southern California
The Trojans have survived everything this season, from the toughest conference in America to a stifling zone Monday night designed to slow super freshman JuJu Watkins . But USC, playing in its first Sweet 16 since 1994, is much more than one player, and the Trojans will be ready to show that vs. Baylor.
Texas forward Madison Booker celebrates a score during the game against Alabama. Aaron E. Martinez, Austin American-Statesman/USA TODAY NETWORK
The Longhorns have yet to play like they’re missing an All-American, even though Rori Harmon is one of the most impactful players in the country on both ends of the floor. It helps that in Harmon’s absence, UT crowned another All-American in freshman Madison Booker. So far, Booker's postseason inexperience hasn’t been an issue.
It’s Caitlin Clark and everyone else — there’s maybe one other future WNBA player on this roster in sophomore Hannah Stuelke, but that’s it. But Clark is so spectacular, described as a generational player by nearly everyone who watches her, that she might be able to lead Iowa back to the Final Four .
In a loaded ACC, the quietly excellent Wolfpack is often overlooked. We should probably stop doing that, given that NC State has five players who score in double figures, with any of them capable of taking over a game.
8. Oregon State
The Beavers, picked to finish 10th in the Pac-12 this season, have that always coveted inside-out attack and, according to the numbers, are the second-best defensive team left in the tournament, behind only South Carolina. They were rolling in mid-February before sophomore center Raegan Beers broke her nose and missed a few games, stalling their momentum. Can they get back to that level of play?
9. Colorado
As the joke goes, bring your football pads to match up with this team. The Buffs are tough, physical and make you work hard for every basket. They’re also battle tested after playing in the Pac-12, and have one of the best on-ball defenders in the country in Jaylyn Sherrod. But is it enough to knock off Iowa?
10. Gonzaga
Can we stop calling the Zags a mid-major team already? GU has one of the best and most experienced lineups in the country behind forward Yvonne Ejim and twin guards Kayleigh and Kaylynne Truong. If they knock off top-seeded Texas, will they finally get the respect they deserve?
11. Notre Dame
The Irish are practically playing on fumes at this point, having lost another player (forward Kylee Watson) to a season-ending injury just before the NCAA Tournament. They’ve got a spectacular freshman point guard in Hannah Hidalgo , who has yet to well, play like a freshman. Is that coming at some point?
12. UCLA
There’s no question the Bruins, led by the best sophomore class in the country, are deep on talent. But they have a history of underachieving, which makes many leery of picking them to make the Final Four. Can Lauren Betts and Charisma Osborne help change that narrative?
13. Baylor
The Bears are here because of terrific late-game execution and the play of Jada Walker, who had a career game in the second round. It doesn’t seem very realistic that scenario repeats itself.
The Cardinal needed 41 points and 16 rebounds from Kiki Iriafen to survive Iowa State on its home floor, partially because its All-American couldn’t stay on the floor. Stanford can’t advance in the tournament if Cameron Brink is on the bench in foul trouble; the Cardinal's guards aren't good enough to cover for her.
15. Indiana
The Hoosiers are one of a handful of teams to handle Iowa this year, which is certainly an impressive accomplishment, but does anyone really think they can hang with South Carolina and the Gamecocks’ athleticism?
16. Duke
It’s amazing that the Blue Devils have made it this far, and they’ve got the play of Reigan Richardson to thank for it. But the road likely ends here, given that at 68.8 points per game, Duke ranks 111th in scoring offense nationally. That’s 34 spots behind Oregon State, the other lowest scoring team left in the tournament.
Email Lindsay Schnell at lschnell@usatoday.com and follow her on social media @Lindsay_Schnell
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