UCLA Eyes First NCAA Championship Appearance

Standing in its way? The only team to beat the Bruins this season...

Final Four: UCLA vs. Texas II

For the second consecutive year, No. 1 seed UCLA stands among the NCAA’s Final Four. After outscoring its tournament opponents by an average of 27 points a game, the Bruins will head to Phoenix riding a 29-game winning streak – but standing in the way of their first-ever appearance in the NCAA Tournament's championship game is the only team to beat them this season, fellow No. 1 seed Texas.

UCLA coach Cori Close has said that “team defense is everything for us,” and the Bruins will need to contend with two-time First Team All-American Madison Booker, who – after being named MVP of the SEC Tournament – dropped 40 points (a new career-high) for the Longhorns last week against No. 8 seed Oregon and has converted more than 58% of her shots from the floor during March Madness.

But make no mistake: UCLA can score too – Bruins center (and Big Ten Player of the Year) Lauren Betts has outpaced Booker in this year’s NCAA Tournament, 96-90 – and their experienced roster, which features five starters whose careers will come to a close when this season does, recognize that last year’s loss in the national semifinal left the team with unfinished business. “We’re not excited just to get to the Final Four,” Betts said. “We want to win.”

When they tip off tonight at 9:30 p.m. ET (ESPN), keep an eye on the glass: UCLA averages close to four more rebounds a game than the Longhorns – and even though Texas came out on top when the teams met in November , the Bruins had the edge on the boards. The winner will meet either UConn or South Carolina for the title on Sunday.

Read UCLA's preview here .

Michigan Closes Elite Season

Texas clinched its Final Four berth by topping No. 2 seed Michigan, 77-41 on Monday in Fort Worth. The Wolverines’ season ended with a program record-tying 28 wins and the second Elite Eight appearance in team history, leading coach Kim Barnes Arico to say “I know our team is really disappointed tonight, but I also want us to be able at some point to celebrate the best season in program history. Last year, we were extremely disappointed when we lost in the second round at Notre Dame, and this year we came back, and we made it to the Elite Eight.” Sophomore Olivia Olson, who averaged over 17 points in the tournament, echoed her coach’s optimism, saying “We’re going to use this as fuel to keep going. They’re a Final Four team. We’re not there yet, but we’re gonna keep working to get there.” More from Michigan .

Wisconsin's WBIT Run Ends in Semifinal

The WBIT semifinal marked the end of No. 3 seed Wisconsin’s season, as the Badgers fell to No. 4 seed Columbia , 67-50, in Wichita on Monday. Destiny Howell led the team with a 15.25 scoring average over four tournament games and closed out her college career by saying she “had no idea how much Wisconsin was going to impact my life and impact me as a player.” Coach Robin Pingeton’s first year in charge resulted in the Badgers’ highest win total since 2010-11 and a school-record 285 3-pointers, but after the game, she was quick to move past reflection and on to preparation, saying “I'm not satisfied. We want more. I can't wait to get back to work."

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Final Four Action

Bru-Wins are in – will Michigan join them?

Bruins Battle Back to Final Four

A four-minute scoring drought in the second quarter left No. 1 seed UCLA trailing No. 3 seed Duke at halftime for just the second time all season, 39-31, in the Elite Eight. A lot of teams would have panicked under that pressure and the weight of the NCAA Tournament stage. But when the outside world gets loud, champions turn inward – and that's exactly what the Bruins did.

After addressing necessary adjustments in the locker room (some even before head coach Cori Close came in), UCLA dominated the third quarter, 20-8, to pull ahead en route to a 70-58 win to clinch its second consecutive Final Four appearance. Coach Close credits the team's resilience to their daily dedication to excellence.

"Team culture is not this nebulous thing or phrases on a wall," Close said. "It's a group of people that are willing to be committed to the hard, right behaviors over and over again. And that's everybody from the staff, to the managers, to everybody in between, and most importantly, every single person in the program. I cannot tell you how many times throughout that game we
referred to our values, who we are, what our identity was, what we had to get back to... What you saw on the court is a reflection and a byproduct of what's happened on the inside."

But if their shirts didn't make it clear already, the Bruins aren't done.

"This is a business trip," said Angela Dugalic. "And we have a job to do. And that's to win a national championship."

Lauren Betts not only led the Bruins with 23 points and 10 rebounds, but also became the program's all-time leading shot blocker, finishing with five on the day. She was named the regional's Most Outstanding Player. Read UCLA's full recap .

For a spot in the NCAA Tournament Championship Game, the Bruins will face the winner of No. 2 seed Michigan vs. No. 1 seed Texas...

Michigan vs. Texas: Can the Wolverines Make History?

The No. 2-seeded Michigan Wolverines (28-6) are one win away from becoming the first team in program history to advance to the Final Four; the top-seeded Texas Longhorns (34-3) are the only squad in their way.

Both teams have explosive offenses led by a star guard in Olivia Olson and Madison Booker. Neither relies too heavily beyond the arc. Look for this one to be a scrappy, tightly contested battle of the boards with aggressive defenses – each squad averages an 8+ rebounding margin and 24+ points off turnovers.

Texas is the No. 3-ranked team in the country and is the only team to defeat UCLA this season. Michigan fell to UConn and UCLA (also No. 1 seeds) by just three points. Can the Wolverines get that last push on the tournament stage? We'll find out tonight at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN.

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Bruins, Wolverines in the Elite Eight

UCLA faces Duke, Michigan battles Texas for Final Four bids

NCAA Sweet 16 Updates

UCLA Triumphs in Big Ten Showdown

On Friday night in Sacramento, No. 1 seed UCLA topped No. 4 seed Minnesota for the second time this season, 80-56, to earn a spot in the Elite Eight. The Bruins – who have now won 28 games in a row – connected on 52.5 percent of their shots from the field and pounded the Golden Gophers with a 52-22 advantage in the paint. Senior guard Kiki Rice paced UCLA with 21 points, while Lauren Betts (1,000 rebounds) and Angela Dugalić (1,000 points) both hit career milestones.

After the Bruins reached the regional final for the second consecutive year, coach Cori Close complimented their Big Ten opponents, saying that playing in the conference has gotten her team “ready for these moments,” and that “part of the way we were able to play today is because of the way they got us ready.” In their three tournament wins, the Bruins have outscored their opponents by an average of 32 points a game and will post up next against No. 3 seed Duke on Sunday at 3 p.m. ET with a chance to advance to the Final Four in Phoenix.  More from UCLA .

Minnesota’s first trip to the Sweet Sixteen in 21 years ended in a loss, but coach Dawn Plitzuweit is already looking towards next season with what she called a “program… that is continuing to grow and a team that is continuing to… make some noise.”

Michigan Comes Back... and Then Some!

No. 2 seed Michigan erased an 11-point second quarter deficit and  rolled to a 71-52 win  over No. 3 seed Louisville on Saturday in Fort Worth, Texas. Wolverines coach Kim Barnes Arico addressed the slow start, saying “it took us a minute to settle, but then once we did, I think our confidence exploded and we just were really disruptive on the defensive end… and that allowed the floodgates to open on offense.” The Michigan D held Louisville to its lowest-scoring total of the season, while Olivia Olson (19) and Syla Swords (16) both hit double figures for the third straight tournament game.

The Wolverines – who matched their season-best win total with 28 – are now just one victory away from the first Final Four appearance in program history; to get it, they’ll need to defeat top-seeded Texas (a Final Four team last year) on Monday at 7 p.m. ET.

Down Eight with a Minute to Go, Wisconsin Advances

The Wisconsin Badgers trailed Harvard by eight points with under a minute to go in the WBIT Quarterfinals before forcing a couple turnovers, rallying back, and tying the game on a Destiny Howell layup with 11 seconds to go. The comeback forced overtime, where the teams traded buckets before Ronnie Porter forced the Crimson's 18th turnover and Howell buried her free throws to seal the win. UW will make its first postseason semifinal appearance since 2007-08 when they face Columbia on Monday. More from Wisconsin .

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NCAA Tournament Second Round Updates, Previews

Two Big Ten squads have already advanced to the Sweet 16, while five more take the court to battle for third-round bids tonight. Check out all the scores and updates for every team in the 2026 NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament.

Minnesota, Michigan, UCLA advance to Sweet 16

Battle's Final-Second Jumper Pushes Gophers to Third Round

For the first time in 21 years, the Minnesota Golden Gophers are headed to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament. No. 5 seed Ole Miss outscored the No. 4 seed Gophers 25-14 in the third quarter, giving Minnesota an eight-point deficit heading into the final period.

But the Gophers fought back, and a Sophie Hart drop-step to the basket gave them the lead with just 18 seconds remaining. Rebel Latasha Lattimore tied it back up with three seconds remaining before Amaya Battle drained a contested, game-winning jumper with just 0.8 left on the clock.

Williams Arena erupted.

"It was an epic type of a game," said head coach Dawn Plitzuweit. "Really appreciative of our fans... It was deafening. It was a really great atmosphere... Overall just really proud of our ladies. We showed a lot of resilience." More from Minnesota .

Olson's Massive Second Half Lifts Wolverines to Sweet 16

No. 2 seed Michigan will make its third all-time Sweet 16 appearance after stifling the Wolfpack's attack to secure a 92-63 victory at the Crisler Center. The Wolverines forced 22 turnovers and tallied 14 steals, with Brooke Quarles Daniels leading the charge with five steals, six rebounds, and five assists. Olivia Olson delivered a second-half scoring explosion, netting all 27 of her points after the break, while Syla Swords added 26 points, including four three-pointers.

After a tight first half, Michigan broke the game open with a 15-3 third-quarter run, fueled by Olson's scoring and five team steals. The Wolverines carried a 16-point lead into the fourth and never looked back, outscoring NC State 64-38 in a dominant second half to advance to the next round. The Maize and Blue's story here .

Bruins "capable of winning it all" after win over Cowgirls

It’s four Sweet Sixteen appearances in a row for No. 1 seed UCLA after the Bruins  stopped No. 8 seed Oklahoma State at Pauley Pavilion on Monday night, 87-68 . In her final home game, Lauren Betts established a new career-best with 35 points on 15-19 shooting and added nine boards. "I was just working really hard on getting seals," Betts said. "My teammates did a really great job finding me. Some of those passes were absolutely insane." UCLA has now won 27 straight games and outscored every opponent in March by double digits, leaving Oklahoma State coach Jacie Hoyt impressed: "They have a team that I believe is capable of winning it all," she said.

Five teams fight for third-round bids today:

Cambridge's Big Day Sets up Meeting with Notre Dame

A 23-4 edge in the second quarter provided No. 3 seed Ohio State with more than enough breathing room to  push past No. 14 seed Howard, 75-54 , in a first round game in Columbus. Super sophomore Jaloni Cambridge topped all scorers with 21 points and has reached double figures in every one of the Buckeyes’ 34 games this season. The second frame featured runs of 10-0 and 11-0 by the Buckeyes, who forced 17 turnovers in the game and did not allow a single three-pointer for the first time in more than six years.

That tough D will be key in Ohio State’s second round match-up against No. 6 seed Notre Dame; the Fighting Irish are led by ACC Player of the Year Hannah Hidalgo, the third-leading scorer in the nation (25.2 points per game). Tip-off is scheduled for this afternoon at 4 p.m. ET from Columbus.

Davidson Scores 31 Points in OT Epic. Now? USC vs. USC.

In an instant classic that featured 19 lead changes and seven ties, No. 9 seed USC used a 9-0 run in overtime to take control and  outlast No. 8 seed Clemson , 71-67, on the road. Jazzy Davidson sizzled, setting a new school record for points (31) in a tournament game by a freshman – and adding six rebounds and five assists as a bonus. She’s the first freshman with at least 20 points, five boards and five assists in an NCAA women’s tournament debut in a quarter century. Senior guard Kara Dunn contributed 22 points of her own – 11 of them in the fourth quarter – as the Trojans advanced to the second round for the third straight year.

Their reward? A juggernaut: No. 1 seed South Carolina has played in five consecutive Final Fours and tripled the score of its first round opponent, beating No. 16 seed Southern, 103-34 – but when the Gamecocks faced USC in November, the Trojans held the lead at halftime before falling short. The second round match-up is tonight at 8 p.m. ET.

Halftime Adjustments Haul Dominant Bruins to Second Round

After a slow start that coach Cori Close called “unacceptable,” No. 1 seed UCLA played a scintillating second half and  ran away with a first round victory  over No. 16 seed California Baptist, 96-43, at Pauley Pavilion. Some of the Bruins’ stats are simply staggering: a 62-21 advantage in rebounds, a 52-9 second half score, and a trio of double-doubles from Lauren Betts, Sienna Betts, and Angela Dugalić. Halftime adjustments were key, according to Dugalić, who said “in the locker room it was made very clear to us that we needed to do a better job — and that was before the coaches came in.” 

The Bruins’ quest for a second straight trip to the Final Four continues tonight when they host No. 8 seed Oklahoma State at 10 p.m. ET, and it could be a high-scoring affair. Both teams entered the tournament among the nation’s top 15 in scoring offense and topped their average points per game in the first round.

Heiden, Hawkeyes Earn Seventh Straight Second Round Spot

Sophomore center Ava Heiden scored 29 to reach 700 career points, and Jan Jensen earned her 50th win as head coach in No. 2 seed Iowa’s  first round win over No. 15 seed Fairleigh Dickinson , 58-48. Senior Hannah Stuelke tied a career-high with 16 rebounds as the Hawkeyes dominated the boards, 47-28, and weathered ten 3-pointers by the Knights. “I'm just really pleased that we found a way to win,” said Jensen. “Credit FDU. They're scrappy. Small ball teams can do a lot of damage from the three. We did what we needed to do, and I am really thrilled and proud of our team.” 

After advancing past the first round for the seventh consecutive time, the Hawkeyes will host No. 10 seed Virginia today at 2 p.m. ET. The Cavaliers have won two tight ones in a row, topping Arizona State in a First Four match-up on Thursday and then upsetting No. 7 seed Georgia in overtime on Saturday.

Youngest Squad in the Tournament Marches on

With  a 66-57 win over No. 10 seed Colorado , No. 7 seed Illinois advanced to the second round for a second straight season. Freshman forward Cearah Parchment led the way with 21 as the youngest team in the tournament was not intimidated by the big stage, scoring the final six points of the second quarter to take a lead they would not surrender. “We can keep this group together, big picture it's going to be really fun to see what we can do," coach Shauna Green said. From the Fun Fact Dept.: Illinois is the only school in the nation to win a football bowl game and NCAA Men's and Women's Basketball tournament games in each of the last two seasons.

Next up for the Illini: No. 6 seed Vanderbilt, who has not lost to a non-conference opponent all season and averages over 85 points per game. They'll tip off tonight at 7 p.m. ET in Nashville.

Seasons come to a close:

Huskers Close Season in Heartbreaker

Nebraska sophomore Britt Prince scored 22 of her 27 points in the second half, but it wasn’t enough to extend the season for the No. 11 seed Cornhuskers, who lost to No. 6 seed Baylor on Friday, 67-62, in the first round. Recognizing the growth that came from booking a win in the tournament’s First Four, coach Amy Williams is already looking towards the future, saying the next step is to "put ourselves in position to be hosting… next year in Lincoln, and what we need to do in the off-season to make that happen.”  More from Nebraska .

Terps' Comeback Falls Short in Second Round

In an old ACC rivalry matchup, No. 5 seed Maryland fell to No. 4 seed North Carolina, 74-66. Oluchi Okananwa led the Terps with 21 points, and Mir McLean and Saylor Poffenbarger recorded a combined 24 rebounds. Maryland gritted its way to a third-quarter tie, but clutch free throws and three-pointers from the Tar Heels ended the Terps' outstanding season. Maryland's story here .

Ducks drop meeting with top-seeded Texas

No. 8 seed Oregon fell to the No. 1 seed in the second round on Sunday, 100-58, in large part due to a career-high 40-point performance from Longhorn Madison Booker.

"We're disappointed that we're not moving on, but at the same time, I'm not going to be negative and down, because this was a great year," head coach Kelly Graves said. "We had players that had smaller roles last year, and they moved into bigger roles... And they stepped up." More from UO .

Michigan State drops back-and-forth bout with Oklahoma

The second-round matchup between No. 5 seed Michigan State and No. 4 seed Oklahoma was a seesaw affair, including a first half that featured nine lead changes and seven ties. The Spartans led at the half, but the Sooners pulled ahead in the third quarter and got some key baskets from Aaliyah Chavez down the stretch to advance with a 77-71 victory. Junior guard Rashunda Jones led MSU in scoring with 20 points off the bench. Read Michigan State's report .

Washigton loses in OT to TCU in second-round thriller

No. 6 seed Washington held No. 3 seed TCU to its lowest-scoring first half of the season (just 19 points), but the Horned Frogs chipped away in the second half. A layup from Husky Brynn McGaughy forced overtime, but TCU opened the extra period with a 7-0 run and held off Washington to advance, 62-59. Sayvia Sellers led UW's scoring with 18 points. Read the Huskies' breakdown .

Stuelke closes out Hawkeye career with double-double

Senior Hannah Stuelke set a new career high with 19 rebounds and produced her 11th double-double of the season, but No. 2 seed Iowa fell at home in double overtime to No. 10 seed Virginia on Monday, 83-75. Coach Jan Jensen said the Hawkeyes’ season ended in the second round for the second straight year because the Cavaliers “just made big plays. Usually, when you win in March, someone's gonna make big plays. And they made some really big plays." Stuelke, who “grew up wanting to be a Hawkeye,” summarized her four years at Iowa as “a fun ride,” saying “there’s no place better in [her] heart.”  Read Iowa’s recap .

Cambridge drops 41, Buckeyes fall short

41 points from sophomore Jaloni Cambridge were not enough for No. 3 seed Ohio State to stop Hannah Hidalgo (26 points, 13 rebounds, 8 steals) and No. 6 Notre Dame from advancing to the Sweet Sixteen with an 83-73 win in Columbus. The Buckeyes raced to an 11-0 lead to start the game but trailed by eight at the half and could not close the gap. Ohio State coach Kevin McGuff said the future remains bright for a team that finished the season with 27 victories: ““I think if we can keep… the core of this group together, and keep growing and getting better, we could really end up in some great places,” McGuff said.   The Ohio State report .

Trojans fall to Gamecocks in USC battle

No. 9 seed USC fell into a 13-0 hole to start the game and was not able to keep up with No. 1 seed South Carolina, falling in the second round, 101-61, on Monday night. The Trojans shot 48% from behind the arc – their best long-range percentage of the season – and got 20 points from senior Londynn Jones off the bench, but a third straight trip to the Elite Eight was not in the cards. Jazzy Davidson, who scored in double-figures for the 30th time, was proud of her freshman campaign at USC, despite how it ended: "I’ve grown so much not only as a player but as a human being. I’m really excited for the offseason, get back in the gym, get better and I’m excited to come back next season," she said.  More from the Trojans .

Illini to ride postseason experience into next season

The youngest team in the NCAA tournament field will look to “run it back,” according to Illinois head coach Shauna Green after closing the season with a 75-57 loss to No. 2 seed Vanderbilt. The Illini could not contain the nation’s leading scorer, Commodore Mikayla Blakes, who scored 25 and was one assist shy of a triple-double. Green, whose teams have won at least 20 games in three of her four seasons as head coach, said “Experience matters. Having that experience now, now they know what it's like, and …we've got to continue to bump that up so every single day, every single game, every single possession, that's how you take that next step.”  Read the Illinois’ recap .

More postseason action:

Badgers' Sharpshooting Earns WBIT Quarterfinal Bid

No. 3 seed Wisconsin shot a season-high 56.5% (13-of-23) from three-point range to power past No. 2 seed Miami, 72-65. The Badgers set the tone early and fought off every Hurricanes' run – including a spurt of six Miami triples in the final quarter – to advance. Destiny Howell fueled UW with a game-high 23 points on 8-of-16 shooting.

The victory also marked head coach Robin Pingeton's 600th career win! Read Wisconsin's recap .

Want more insights like this? Click here .

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NCAA Tournament First Round Previews

Is your multi-screen ready? The bracket is set, and 68 teams are preparing for the first round NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament.

The Big Ten Conference is sending a record-tying 12 teams to the Big Dance, which leads all conferences nationwide. The Madness tips off Wednesday. Scroll down for the bracket and the Big Ten's first-round matchups, or click here for the full schedule and viewing info .

Huskers Fly through First Four, Baylor Next

In a First Four matchup in Durham, NC on Wednesday, No. 11 seed Nebraska  stung Richmond, 75-56 , to advance in the NCAA tournament. The Huskers exploded after halftime with 17 straight points and outscored the Spiders 26-8 in the third quarter. All-Big Ten point guard Britt Prince led Big Red with 22 points, and sophomore Petra Bozan contributed six boards. After the win, Nebraska coach Amy Williams said “we knew our team … deserved to be playing on this stage, but we needed to silence the doubters.”

Next up: No. 6 seed Baylor today at 2 p.m. ET. This will be the Huskers' first meeting with the Bears since they were part of the Big 12 Conference. We'll see stars collide when Prince faces off against All-Big 12 First Team selection Taliah Scott, who averages 20.2 points per game.

No. 1 seed UCLA vs. No. 16 Cal Baptist

The Big Ten Champion Bruins, led by three national positional award finalists , earned the conference's automatic qualifier for the second year in a row after defending their tournament title last weekend. UCLA, who finished undefeated in Big Ten play and with just one loss on the season overall, earned a No. 1 seed and will face Cal Baptist in its opening matchup.

There is no relief on UCLA's roster. Of course, you've got Big Ten Player and Defensive Player of the Year Lauren Betts, who has been unstoppable in the paint. But even IF you find a way to limit Betts, you've still got All-Big Ten selections Kiki Rice, Gabriela Jaquez, Gianna Kneepkens, and Big Ten Sixth Player of the Year Angela Dugalić to contend with. The Bruins made their first Final Four appearance last season; expect another deep run in 2026. More from UCLA .

No. 2 seed Iowa vs. No. 15 seed Fairleigh Dickinson

The Hawkeyes will host the first two round of the NCAA Tournament after earning a No. 2 seed behind a 26-6 record and a championship game appearance in the Big Ten Tournament. Iowa has multiple top-10 wins this season, but has not played No. 7 seed Georgia, or No. 10 seeds Arizona State and Virginia, who could all await the Hawkeyes in the second round.

The FDU Knights captured back-to-back NEC Titles and has now won 22 consecutive games, which is the third-longest active streak in the country. The Knights' defense holds its opponents to 51.3 points per game; we'll see if it holds up against Hannah Stuelke, Ava Heiden, and the Hawkeyes. More from Iowa City .

No. 2 seed Michigan vs. No. 15 seed Holy Cross

The Wolverines earned the highest NCAA seed in program history after a 25-6 season featuring several ranked wins. They also played two No. 1 seeds in UConn and UCLA, losing by just one possession in each game. It was the Huskies' closest contest all season by far.

First, Michigan faces the Patriot League Champion Holy Cross in Ann Arbor. The Crusaders have won nine straight games and 13 of their last 14 matchups. However, the Crusaders haven't notched a win over a ranked opponent. As long as Olivia Olson and the Wolverines play their game, we'll see them in the second round. More from U of M .

No. 3 seed Ohio State vs. No. 14 seed Howard

Jaloni Cambridge and the Buckeyes will host at least one game of the NCAA Tournament for the fourth consecutive year after earning a top-four seed for the 17th time in program history. OSU finished with a 26-7 record (13-5 B1G).

Howard, the 2026 MEAC Champion, is led by MEAC Player of the Year Zennia Thomas and Rookie of the Year Ariella Henigan, who combine for nearly 27 points per game. We'll see if they can keep up with OSU's fast pace. Ohio State's stories here .

No. 4 seed Minnesota vs. No. 13 seed Green Bay

The Gophers return to the tournament for the first time since 2018 and host for the first time since 2005. Minnesota finished the season with a 22-8 record and went 13-3 at home, and recorded marquee victories over Iowa and Ohio State.

Green Bay three-peated its Horizon League title to earn yet another bid to the NCAA Tournament despite graduating seven seniors last season. The Pheonix are led by HL Coach of the Year Kayla Karius and Player of the Year Jenna Guyer, and should provide a fun contest against the Gophers. Minnesota's insights here .

No. 5 seed Maryland vs. No. 12 seed Murray State

The Terps earned their 16th consecutive NCAA Tournament bid after posting a 23-8 record, including a 10th-nationally six Quad 1 wins. When Maryland is firing on all cylinders with star guard Oluchi Okananwa, sharpshooter Yarden Garzon, and playmaker Saylor Poffenbarger, it's hard to stop.

The Terps are set to meet Murray State, the Missouri Valley Champion, for the first time ever. The Racers swept the conference's postseason honors, including Halli Poock's Player of the Year nod. The Terps' defense will need to be ready to go; three Racers average over 17 points per game. More from Maryland .

No. 5 seed Michigan State vs. No. 12 seed Colorado State

The Spartans achieved their highest seed since 2016 in their third season under head coach Robyn Fralick. She is the first MSU women's basketball leader to guide the Spartans to the NCAA Tournament in each of their first three seasons.

Michigan State has only played CSU one other time, when the Spartans steamrolled the Rams 72-45 back in 2011. Colorado State has a tough defense that shined in the championship game of the Mountain West Tournament, where it held Air Force to just 42 points. We'll see how it stacks up against Grace VanSlooten and an MSU offense averaging 78.1 points per game. More from MSU .

No. 6 seed Washington vs. No. 11 seed South Dakota State

With six Quad 1 victories and their highest seed since 2017, the Huskies head to Fort Worth, Texas to take on South Dakota State. Washington is 9-6 against the tournament field this season with notable wins over Michigan, Minnesota, Maryland, USC, and Oregon.

SDSU won the Summit League's automatic bid after claiming its fourth consecutive tournament title last weekend. The Jackrabbits are led by four all-conference selections, including Brooklyn Meyer, who's averaging 22.4 points per game. If the Huskies can corral Meyer, we could see them in the second round. Preview from UW .

No. 7 seed Illinois vs. No. 10 seed Colorado

The Illini clinched back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances for the first time since 2000 behind a 21-11 record. The 2025-26 season marked the first time in program history that Illinois recorded two consecutive 21 win seasons.

The Big 12's Colorado Buffaloes also earned an at-large bid following a 22-11 season. Berry Wallace and the Illini offense will look to push past a Colorado defense allowing opponents just 60.7 points per game. Illinois' insights here .

No. 8 seed Oregon vs. No. 9 seed Virginia Tech

Ehis Etute, Katie Fiso, and the Oregon Ducks earned their seventh tournament appearance in nine seasons. The Ducks showed strong resolve in the Big Ten Tournament, defeating Maryland en route to a quarterfinal appearance.

"It never gets old hearing your name," said head coach Kelly Graves. "If you've never experienced it, it's pretty special. It really is." The outlook from Oregon .

No. 9 seed USC vs. No. 8 seed Clemson

Big Ten Freshman of the Year Jazzy Davidson and the Trojans face the Clemson Tigers for the first time in program history in South Carolina. It's USC's fourth consecutive tournament appearance under head coach Lindsay Gottlieb.

"It's the best tournament in all of sports," said Gottlieb. "So just an absolute thrill to be involved and we never take it for granted. I certainly don't. We're excited to play another game." More from USC .

Wisconsin advances to WBIT second round

In the first round of the WBIT (which the Big Ten has won two years in a row), Wisconsin triumphed over Oregon State, 62-58. Dorja Zaja led three Badgers in double figures with a game-high 18 points on 8-of-10 shooting. UW's recap here .

Let the Madness Begin

The stage is ready. Who will be the Cinderella story? What team will make the deepest run? Will the Big Ten have a national champion? March Madness brings the kind of basketball that sports fans live for. Come back here for updates, and don't miss a moment of the Big Ten's battles –  Click here  for tournament updates, and tell us who you root for.

Bracket courtesy of NCAA.com.  See the full interactive bracket here .

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First Four

No. 11 seed Nebraska vs. No. 11 seed Richmond

Britt Prince and the Huskers make their third straight NCAA Tournament appearance in the First Four on Wednesday in Durham, N.C.

"We are so excited to be dancing," head coach Amy Williams said. "We have been working hard as coaches and players the past week... and we are so happy to be back in the NCAA Tournament. Now, we have to do our best to put our best basketball game together against an outstanding Richmond team."  The preview from Lincoln .