We have a bracket. The 2024 girls’s NCAA Tournament subject is now set, with 68 groups now vying for one title. Here are 10 takeaways from the bracket that was revealed earlier this night. For the full bracket, click on right here.
South Carolina in a well-known spot
For the third straight 12 months, the Gamecocks are the No. 1 total seed. South Carolina, at 32-0, is seeking to win its third nationwide title since 2017 — a feat that might solely additional set up Dawn Staley’s program as the premier one in the sport.
Texas nabs the ultimate No. 1 seed
For the first time since 2004, the Longhorns are a No. 1 seed. However, that does not include a cakewalk, as Texas’ portion of the bracket is suffering from perennial heavyweights, significantly second-seeded Stanford and third-seeded N.C. State.
Albany Regional 2 is loaded
Holy smokes. Not solely are Caitlin Clark and Iowa on this part of the bracket as a No. 1 seed, however we even have high-scoring UCLA and the defending nationwide champions in LSU (who beat Iowa in the title recreation final April), as the second and third seed on this area, respectively.
Given Clark’s immense reputation, the Hawkeyes are prone to be a well-liked choose to win all of it. But, given their draw, they should be at their greatest simply to make it to Cleveland for the Final Four.
Watch out for Virginia Tech
Any crew that finishes on high of the ACC regular-season standings will not be one to be trifled with. The fourth-seeded Hokies will face No. 13 seed Marshall in the first spherical.
Whether star large Elizabeth Kitley — the ACC Player of the Year — will play towards the Thundering Herd (she missed the convention event with a knee harm) continues to be up in the air. Head coach Kenny Brooks expressed uncertainty about that risk throughout a Sunday information convention. If she comes again and is her ordinary self, although, look out.
Ditto for Indiana
The Hoosiers are harmful. Indiana completed the common season tied with Iowa for second place in the Big Ten, and are sixteenth nationally in factors per recreation (79.5). As the No. 4 seed in the Albany Regional 1, the Hoosiers are certain to make some noise — a Sweet 16 matchup towards South Carolina can be spicy.
USC will want JuJu Watkins to be particular
The Trojans could also be the high seed in the Portland Regional 3, however attending to Cleveland can be a tall order.
Ohio State (the Big Ten regular-season champs), UConn (the Big East regular-season and event champs) and Virginia Tech occupy seeds two by way of 4 in that area, with frisky groups like Syracuse (No. 6 seed), Duke (No. 7 seed) and Richmond (No. 10 seed) lurking.
All that being stated, it is clear that Watkins, the greatest freshman in the nation, might want to carry her A-game if USC is to make the Final Four.
Richmond might be this 12 months’s Cinderella
About Richmond. The Spiders received the Atlantic 10 regular-season and event titles, and enter the NCAA Tournament having misplaced simply twice since the calendar flipped to 2024.
A primary-round matchup towards Duke (a rematch of the season-opener, which the Blue Devils received by 30) can be powerful, however hold tabs on this bunch.
UConn may bow out early
The final time the Huskies did not advance to the Sweet 16, Bill Clinton was in the midst of his first time period as president. But with Syracuse, which completed in a tie for second in the rugged ACC, presumably lurking in the second spherical, UConn should battle simply to make it to the regional semifinal.
Final Four picks: South Carolina, Stanford, Iowa, Virginia Tech
Three of the 4 members from final 12 months’s Final Four will make it to Cleveland, with Stanford reaching the ultimate weekend for the 14th time beneath the legendary Tara VanDerveer.
National title choose: Iowa over South Carolina
I do know, I do know. This is a chalky prediction. But the greatest crew in the nation, towards the greatest participant? It’s too good to be true. In an outstanding second for the sport, Clark finishes her school profession in fashion, main the Hawkeyes to their first title a 12 months after dropping to LSU in the nationwide championship recreation.
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