- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,195,041
- Reaction score
- 59
For the first time since 1992, games in the NCAA Women’s Tournament are going to be played in Morgantown, West Virginia.
The selection committee for the tournament unveiled the top 16 seeds in this year’s March Madness on Saturday afternoon in alphabetical order. West Virginia, which won the Big 12 Tournament for the second time in program history, was one of the hosting sites unveiled.
Actual seeding order will be released on Sunday night during the Selection Sunday show (8 p.m. ET, ESPN).
Joining West Virginia in the top 16 are Duke, Iowa, LSU, Louisville, Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina, Ohio State, Oklahoma, South Carolina, TCU, Texas, UCLA, UConn and Vanderbilt. These teams will host first- and second-round games during the opening weekend of the NCAA Tournament next weekend.
Excluded from the top 16 was Maryland, despite ranking 14th in NET, 17th in WAB (wins above bubble) and having six Quad 1 wins. The Terps have a higher NET than North Carolina and two more Quad 1 wins. However, Maryland has lost four of its last 10 games and exited early from the Big Ten Tournament, while North Carolina has eight wins in its last 10 games — including one over Duke — and made the semifinals of the ACC Tournament.
West Virginia has had one of its best seasons in program history under third-year coach Mark Kellogg. In November, the Mountaineers beat Duke in a game at the Greenbrier — a resort in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia — in which Kellogg’s side played the entire second half with just five players. That victory is one of three Quad 1 wins for WVU, and the latest was last Sunday over TCU in the Big 12 title game.
“We knew the things that were on the line,” WVU guard Jordan Harrison said after the win. “That was something we talked about. We wanted to get two games in Morgantown.”
The Mountaineers are 27-6 overall this season, marking the third-most wins in a single season in program history. This will be the fourth straight season WVU has played in the NCAA Tournament and 17th time overall, though the Mountaineers haven’t been to the Sweet 16 since 1992.
When West Virginia last hosted NCAA Tournament games more than three decades ago, the field was smaller at 48 teams. The Mountaineers received a first-round bye, then defeated Clemson in the only women’s March Madness game ever played in the state. WVU earned a top 16 seed in 2021, but that entire NCAA Tournament was played in the San Antonio, Texas “bubble” due to the COVID-19 pandemic. WVU also earned top 16 seeds in 2014 and 2010, but the NCAA used predetermined first-round sites during those years.
Here’s what you need to know about each top 16 seed:
The back-to-back ACC champions are hosting for the second straight year and third time in Kara Lawson’s five years at the helm. Powered by Toby Fournier’s 17.3 points and 8.2 rebounds per game, the Blue Devils also have one of the best defenses in the nation as they rank fifth in defensive rating (73.5) and third in blocks per game (6.3). Free throw shooting is a concern as Duke makes just 68.1% of its shots from the foul line this season.
The Hawkeyes will play NCAA Tournament games in Carver-Hawkeye Arena for the fourth time in the last five years. Ava Heiden leads the way with 17.4 points and 7.3 rebounds per game for an Iowa team that shoots 48.9% from the floor, which ranks sixth nationally. Iowa doesn’t get to the free throw line all that much and and ranks 250th in the country in offensive rebounds per game.
Jeff Walz’s Cardinals are hosting games in Louisville for the first time since 2022. A do-it-by-committee team, the Cardinals have seven players this season averaging at least eight points per game. The Cardinals rank in the top 20 in both offensive and defensive rating this season.
The Tigers have now earned hosting rights in each of Kim Mulkey’s five years as head coach. Eight players average at least eight points per game, and South Carolina transfer MiLaysia Fulwiley leads the team in scoring with 14.6 points and 3.7 assists per game after a strong performance in the SEC Tournament. While LSU shoots 38.1% from 3-point land, they only get 18.4% of their points from behind the arc, which ranks 343rd nationally.
Olivia Olson is the bus-driver and one of three talented sophomores leading the Wolverines, as she averages 19.2 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game. Michigan ranks in the top 10 in offensive and defensive rating, and came the closest of any team this season to defeating UConn, losing to the Huskies by just three points on a neutral court in November.
Minnesota will be hosting for the first time since 2010 after finishing the season with five Quad 1 wins and a NET ranking of ninth under third-year coach Dawn Plitzuweit. The Gophers are dancing in March Madness for the first time since 2018. Minnesota has a well-balanced scoring attack with five players averaging in double figures in points per game, and it also ranks fourth nationally in least turnovers per game with 10.9.
The Tar Heels are hosting games in the historic Carmichael Arena for the second consecutive season. Four players average double figures in scoring for North Carolina this season, and Lanie Grant is 15th nationally in 3-point shooting with a 43.1% mark. The Tar Heels have struggled to get to the free throw line and make shots from there this season, but rank 10th in defensive rating.
Kevin McGuff’s Buckeyes are hosting for the fourth consecutive season and are powered by Jaloni Cambridge’s 22.8 points, 5.6 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game. The Buckeyes struggle to defend the 3-point line — ranking 336th nationally as opponents make 33.7% of their attempts from behind the arc — but Ohio State shares the ball well on the other end, ranking 11th in assists per game with 18.1.
Few teams have as good of a guard-post combo as the Sooners, who have the steady Raegan Beers under the basket and the electrifying Aaliyah Chavez on the perimeter. Beers averages a double-double of 15.7 points and 10.4 rebounds per game, while Chavez posts 18.4 points and 4.2 assists per game. The Sooners are one of the top rebounding teams in the nation, but struggle to shoot consistently from behind the arc.
The regular season champs of the SEC, South Carolina will have a top 16 seed for the 13th straight season under Dawn Staley. If the Gamecocks have one weakness this season, it’s stopping opponents from grabbing their own misses, as they rank 269th nationally in offensive rebounds allowed per game with 12.4. The group led by Raven Johnson and Joyce Edwards ranks in the top 10 nationally in assists, blocks and total rebounds per game, and is third nationally in field goal percentage with a 50.7% clip.
The regular season champs of the Big 12 will host for the second straight season under the direction of Mark Campbell. Olivia Miles leads the Horned Frogs with 19.6 points, 6.9 rebounds and 6.4 assists per game. TCU ranks first in effective field goal percentage defense, allowing opponents to shoot just 37.9%.
Madison Booker leads the way for the SEC Tournament champions with 18.5 points, 6.5 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game. The Longhorns don’t get many points from 3-point land or the free throw line, but rank eighth in points per play with 0.97.
Expected to be the No. 2 overall seed in this year’s NCAA Tournament, the Bruins marched through a grueling Big Ten with an undefeated record and have four players averaging north of 13 points per game. The group led by Lauren Betts and Kiki Rice rank first nationally in offensive rating and totally rebounding rate.
UConn has earned a top 16 seed for the 32nd consecutive NCAA Tournament and is widely expected to be the No. 1 overall seed when the full bracket is revealed on Sunday. Steered by Sarah Strong and Azzi Fudd — both USA TODAY Sports All-American selections — the Huskies have earned all but one of their 34 victories by double digits. However, UConn is last in the nation in percentage of points from the free throw line at 10.9 percent and ranks 205th nationally in offensive rebounds per game.
Vanderbilt is also ending a drought, as it will play NCAA Tournament games at home in Nashville, Tennessee for the first time since 2012. The Commodores are led by SEC Player of the Year Mikayla Blakes and SEC Coach of the Year Shea Ralph. Defense is a bit of a concern for the Commodores, as they rank 293rd nationally with a field goal percentage of 42.3%.
The Mountaineers have four players averaging in double figures in scoring this season, led by Gia Cooke’s 14.7 points per game. Defense is West Virginia’s calling card again, as it ranks in the 10 nationally in defensive rating, forced turnover rate and rebounds allowed per game. Despite those strong numbers, if there’s a hole in the Mountaineers’ defense it’s at the 3-point arc, where they allow opponents to shoot 32.9% which ranks 314th nationally.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Women’s NCAA Tournament top 16 teams and hosts for March Madness
Continue reading...
The selection committee for the tournament unveiled the top 16 seeds in this year’s March Madness on Saturday afternoon in alphabetical order. West Virginia, which won the Big 12 Tournament for the second time in program history, was one of the hosting sites unveiled.
Actual seeding order will be released on Sunday night during the Selection Sunday show (8 p.m. ET, ESPN).
Joining West Virginia in the top 16 are Duke, Iowa, LSU, Louisville, Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina, Ohio State, Oklahoma, South Carolina, TCU, Texas, UCLA, UConn and Vanderbilt. These teams will host first- and second-round games during the opening weekend of the NCAA Tournament next weekend.
Excluded from the top 16 was Maryland, despite ranking 14th in NET, 17th in WAB (wins above bubble) and having six Quad 1 wins. The Terps have a higher NET than North Carolina and two more Quad 1 wins. However, Maryland has lost four of its last 10 games and exited early from the Big Ten Tournament, while North Carolina has eight wins in its last 10 games — including one over Duke — and made the semifinals of the ACC Tournament.
West Virginia has had one of its best seasons in program history under third-year coach Mark Kellogg. In November, the Mountaineers beat Duke in a game at the Greenbrier — a resort in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia — in which Kellogg’s side played the entire second half with just five players. That victory is one of three Quad 1 wins for WVU, and the latest was last Sunday over TCU in the Big 12 title game.
“We knew the things that were on the line,” WVU guard Jordan Harrison said after the win. “That was something we talked about. We wanted to get two games in Morgantown.”
The Mountaineers are 27-6 overall this season, marking the third-most wins in a single season in program history. This will be the fourth straight season WVU has played in the NCAA Tournament and 17th time overall, though the Mountaineers haven’t been to the Sweet 16 since 1992.
When West Virginia last hosted NCAA Tournament games more than three decades ago, the field was smaller at 48 teams. The Mountaineers received a first-round bye, then defeated Clemson in the only women’s March Madness game ever played in the state. WVU earned a top 16 seed in 2021, but that entire NCAA Tournament was played in the San Antonio, Texas “bubble” due to the COVID-19 pandemic. WVU also earned top 16 seeds in 2014 and 2010, but the NCAA used predetermined first-round sites during those years.
Here’s what you need to know about each top 16 seed:
Duke
The back-to-back ACC champions are hosting for the second straight year and third time in Kara Lawson’s five years at the helm. Powered by Toby Fournier’s 17.3 points and 8.2 rebounds per game, the Blue Devils also have one of the best defenses in the nation as they rank fifth in defensive rating (73.5) and third in blocks per game (6.3). Free throw shooting is a concern as Duke makes just 68.1% of its shots from the foul line this season.
Iowa
The Hawkeyes will play NCAA Tournament games in Carver-Hawkeye Arena for the fourth time in the last five years. Ava Heiden leads the way with 17.4 points and 7.3 rebounds per game for an Iowa team that shoots 48.9% from the floor, which ranks sixth nationally. Iowa doesn’t get to the free throw line all that much and and ranks 250th in the country in offensive rebounds per game.
Louisville
Jeff Walz’s Cardinals are hosting games in Louisville for the first time since 2022. A do-it-by-committee team, the Cardinals have seven players this season averaging at least eight points per game. The Cardinals rank in the top 20 in both offensive and defensive rating this season.
LSU
The Tigers have now earned hosting rights in each of Kim Mulkey’s five years as head coach. Eight players average at least eight points per game, and South Carolina transfer MiLaysia Fulwiley leads the team in scoring with 14.6 points and 3.7 assists per game after a strong performance in the SEC Tournament. While LSU shoots 38.1% from 3-point land, they only get 18.4% of their points from behind the arc, which ranks 343rd nationally.
Michigan
Olivia Olson is the bus-driver and one of three talented sophomores leading the Wolverines, as she averages 19.2 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game. Michigan ranks in the top 10 in offensive and defensive rating, and came the closest of any team this season to defeating UConn, losing to the Huskies by just three points on a neutral court in November.
Minnesota
Minnesota will be hosting for the first time since 2010 after finishing the season with five Quad 1 wins and a NET ranking of ninth under third-year coach Dawn Plitzuweit. The Gophers are dancing in March Madness for the first time since 2018. Minnesota has a well-balanced scoring attack with five players averaging in double figures in points per game, and it also ranks fourth nationally in least turnovers per game with 10.9.
North Carolina
The Tar Heels are hosting games in the historic Carmichael Arena for the second consecutive season. Four players average double figures in scoring for North Carolina this season, and Lanie Grant is 15th nationally in 3-point shooting with a 43.1% mark. The Tar Heels have struggled to get to the free throw line and make shots from there this season, but rank 10th in defensive rating.
Ohio State
Kevin McGuff’s Buckeyes are hosting for the fourth consecutive season and are powered by Jaloni Cambridge’s 22.8 points, 5.6 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game. The Buckeyes struggle to defend the 3-point line — ranking 336th nationally as opponents make 33.7% of their attempts from behind the arc — but Ohio State shares the ball well on the other end, ranking 11th in assists per game with 18.1.
Oklahoma
Few teams have as good of a guard-post combo as the Sooners, who have the steady Raegan Beers under the basket and the electrifying Aaliyah Chavez on the perimeter. Beers averages a double-double of 15.7 points and 10.4 rebounds per game, while Chavez posts 18.4 points and 4.2 assists per game. The Sooners are one of the top rebounding teams in the nation, but struggle to shoot consistently from behind the arc.
South Carolina
The regular season champs of the SEC, South Carolina will have a top 16 seed for the 13th straight season under Dawn Staley. If the Gamecocks have one weakness this season, it’s stopping opponents from grabbing their own misses, as they rank 269th nationally in offensive rebounds allowed per game with 12.4. The group led by Raven Johnson and Joyce Edwards ranks in the top 10 nationally in assists, blocks and total rebounds per game, and is third nationally in field goal percentage with a 50.7% clip.
TCU
The regular season champs of the Big 12 will host for the second straight season under the direction of Mark Campbell. Olivia Miles leads the Horned Frogs with 19.6 points, 6.9 rebounds and 6.4 assists per game. TCU ranks first in effective field goal percentage defense, allowing opponents to shoot just 37.9%.
Texas
Madison Booker leads the way for the SEC Tournament champions with 18.5 points, 6.5 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game. The Longhorns don’t get many points from 3-point land or the free throw line, but rank eighth in points per play with 0.97.
UCLA
Expected to be the No. 2 overall seed in this year’s NCAA Tournament, the Bruins marched through a grueling Big Ten with an undefeated record and have four players averaging north of 13 points per game. The group led by Lauren Betts and Kiki Rice rank first nationally in offensive rating and totally rebounding rate.
UConn
UConn has earned a top 16 seed for the 32nd consecutive NCAA Tournament and is widely expected to be the No. 1 overall seed when the full bracket is revealed on Sunday. Steered by Sarah Strong and Azzi Fudd — both USA TODAY Sports All-American selections — the Huskies have earned all but one of their 34 victories by double digits. However, UConn is last in the nation in percentage of points from the free throw line at 10.9 percent and ranks 205th nationally in offensive rebounds per game.
Vanderbilt
Vanderbilt is also ending a drought, as it will play NCAA Tournament games at home in Nashville, Tennessee for the first time since 2012. The Commodores are led by SEC Player of the Year Mikayla Blakes and SEC Coach of the Year Shea Ralph. Defense is a bit of a concern for the Commodores, as they rank 293rd nationally with a field goal percentage of 42.3%.
West Virginia
The Mountaineers have four players averaging in double figures in scoring this season, led by Gia Cooke’s 14.7 points per game. Defense is West Virginia’s calling card again, as it ranks in the 10 nationally in defensive rating, forced turnover rate and rebounds allowed per game. Despite those strong numbers, if there’s a hole in the Mountaineers’ defense it’s at the 3-point arc, where they allow opponents to shoot 32.9% which ranks 314th nationally.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Women’s NCAA Tournament top 16 teams and hosts for March Madness
Continue reading...
