The 2026 NCAA Basketball Tournament is here! The biggest women’s college basketball event of the year begins in earnest this Friday, March 20 and, as always, there will be no shortage of things to watch for.
Sure, the opening round of the tournament can feel like a bit of a formality at times. The highest-seeded teams typically win big, and there aren’t as many marquee matchups as there are later in the tournament. But let’s not be afraid to expand our palettes; the Round of 64 is going to have plenty
of excitement, drama and—of course—great hoops, and we’ve got you covered every step of the way. Join the conversation in the comments below.
Which teams have the best shot at an upset?
First, let’s talk about what everyone (well, almost everyone) wants to see: upsets. While there will probably be at least a few blowouts on Friday, there’s also the potential for several close games, and a handful of lower-seeded teams have a realistic shot at advancing past the first round.
The No. 11-seed Nebraska Cornhuskers (19-12; 7-11 Big Ten) may have barely snuck into the tournament, but they looked awfully sharp in their First Four matchup against Richmond, cruising past the Spiders 75-56. Britt Prince is one of the most efficient scoring guards in the nation, averaging 18.6 points per game on 54.1 percent shooting from the field, and if the Huskers can stay hot from 3-point range as a team, they could give the No. 6-seed Baylor Bears (24-8; 13-5 Big 12) some major problems.
Meanwhile, in the Fort Worth 1 Region, all eyes will be on the No. 10-seed Tennessee Lady Vols (16-13; 8-8 SEC). They, too, barely made the tournament after a rough finish to the regular season, and as one of the country’s most legendary programs, their poor performance in the SEC garnered some heavy scrutiny.. The NCAA Tournament presents an opportunity for the talented Lady Vols to find their second wind; no one doubts that this team has the athleticism to win a game or two against equal competition, and the No. 7-seed NC State Wolfpack (20-10; 13-5 ACC) will need to find a way to stymy the breakneck pace Tennessee likes to play at.
Finally, don’t look past the No. 11-seed South Dakota State Jackrabbits (27-6; 14-2 Summit League), who are a perennial first-round upset candidate. Jackrabbit victories against Oklahoma State in 2025 and USC in 2023 should still be fresh in people’s memories, and this year they’ll draw the No. 6-seed Washington Huskies (21-10; 10-8 Big Ten) in the Sacramento 4 region. Few teams have been more efficient offensively than South Dakota State; as a team, they’re shooting 48.4 percent from the field, and star forward Brooklyn Meyer is shooting 64.6 percent. Washington will have to defend the paint well enough to take away this advantage and keep the Jackrabbits at bay.
Who are you picking to shock the world—or will Friday’s slate be pure chalk?
Which of the higher seeds will look the most championship-worthy?
On the other hand, it’s always fun to see the very best teams play, too. Only one of the No. 1 overall seeds will be in action on Friday (the Texas Longhorns), but they and a slew of other teams will be out to prove that they’re championship-caliber.
Texas (31-3; 13-3 SEC) is typically known for its fearsome defense, and as per usual under head coach Vic Schaefer, the Longhorns rank third in the country in defensive rating, allowing 77.2 points per 100 possessions (Her Hoop Stats). But they can score, too, thanks to the talents of players like Madison Booker and Jordan Lee, and while the 3-point shot isn’t a big part of the Longhorns’ gameplan, they more than make up for it with efficient scoring elsewhere and taking excellent care of the basketball. Needless to say, the No. 16-seed Missouri State Lady Bears (23-12; 11-7 Conference USA) will have their hands full.
A pair of No. 2-seeds will also take the court on Friday: the Michigan Wolverines (25-6; 15-3 Big Ten) and the LSU Tigers (27-5; 12-4 SEC). Despite an underwhelming performance in the Big Ten Tournament, Michigan is having one of the most successful seasons in program history, with sophomore scorers Olivia Olson and Syla Swords leading the way. LSU, meanwhile, has remained near the top of the SEC since winning it all in 2023, and with an offense that features dynamic guards such as Flau’Jae Johnson, Mikaylah Williams and MiLaysia Fulwiley, the Tigers can put up points in a hurry. On Friday, Michigan will take on the No. 15-seed Holy Cross Crusaders (23-9; 14-4 Patriot League), while LSU will play the No. 15-seed Jacksonville Dolphins (24-8; 13-5 ASUN).
Do Michigan and LSU have what it takes to make it to the Final Four? Who else should be considered? Perhaps the No. 3-seed TCU Horned Frogs?
Which star player will have the biggest game?
If there’s one thing we truly love about March, it’s that the country’s best players are put on the biggest stages. On Friday, we’ll have the opportunity to watch some of the brightest stars in the game.
Booker leads Texas as its go-to scorer, and the sweet-shooting junior is having her finest season yet. Booker has the ability to rise and fire over any defender in the midrange, and she’s averaging 18.9 points per game and shooting 51.6 percent from the field—both career-bests. She was named SEC Tournament MVP after Texas’ win over South Carolina, earned First-team All-American honors for the second consecutive season and is a finalist for the Cheryl Miller Award, given annually to the nation’s top small forward.
Staying in the SEC, Cotie McMahon has been outstanding in her first and only season at Ole Miss. The conference’s Newcomer of the Year, McMahon embodies the Rebels’ hard-nosed style of play, bringing overwhelming physicality and an air of undeniability whenever she attacks the rim. She’s averaging 19.9 points per game while also leading the Rebels in assists, and much will be expected of her when No. 5-seed Ole Miss (23-11; 8-8 SEC) plays the No. 12-seed Gonzaga Bulldogs (24-9; 14-4 WCC).
Speaking of transfers who have made immediate impacts, how about TCU’s Olivia Miles? Her flashy playmaking has done wonders for the Horned Frogs, who finished in first place in the Big 12, but she’s more than just a passer: Miles is averaging 19.6 points, 6.9 rebounds and 6.4 assists per game, and she recorded five triple-doubles during the regular season. Expect a big line from Miles when the No. 3-seed Horned Frogs (29-5; 15-3 Big 12) take on the No. 14-seed UC San Diego Tritons (24-8; 17-3 Big West).
That’s just the tip of the iceberg; there are countless other players to watch when the games tip-off on Friday. Who’s at the top of your list?
