Editor’s note: This story was posted before USC announced that JuJu Watkins had suffered a season-ending knee injury and will miss the rest of the 2025 women’s NCAA tournament. ESPN’s Shams Charania reports that Watkins suffered a torn ACL in her right knee.
The nation’s best teams made it through to the women’s Sweet 16 with little resistance.
Aside from 5-seed Kansas State and 4-seed Maryland needing thrilling overtime games to advance, the first two rounds of the 2025 women’s NCAA tournament offered little drama. Not a single seed lower than a No. 5 reached the regionals.
But big-time matchups await — and there is plenty of movement in ESPN’s Sweet 16 rankings.
UConn was the betting favorite heading into the NCAA tournament and has been the most impressive team of March Madness so far. South Carolina had the closest game among the No. 1 seeds. Some teams, such as NC State, Oklahoma and TCU, were even better in the round of 32 than they were in their tournament openers. How does it all impact their positioning?
This is the place to find out.
1. UConn Huskies
Original seed: No. 2 (Spokane 4)
Tournament results: Defeated No. 15 Arkansas State 103-34 (first round); defeated No. 10 South Dakota State 91-57 (round of 32)
The Huskies scored 103 points against Arkansas State on Saturday with Paige Bueckers scoring just 11 and mostly deferring to teammates. She deferred to no one against the Jackrabbits. She took complete control of her final game at Gampel Pavilion midway through the first quarter and never relinquished it until she left the floor in the fourth quarter after tying her career high with 34 points. She also didn’t have a turnover in 29 minutes. Bueckers, Sarah Strong (15 points) and Azzi Fudd (17 points) combined to score or assist on 78 of the Huskies’ 91 points. It has taken most of the season, but UConn, now in a 31st consecutive Sweet 16, has a fully formed big three. The Huskies’ margins of victory in their two games have totaled 103 points, the eighth time a team has gone over a 100-point cumulative margin — and a big reason they have moved to the top of the Sweet 16 rankings.
Up next: Oklahoma (Saturday, 5:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)
2. UCLA Bruins
Original seed: No. 1 (Spokane 1)
Tournament results: Defeated No. 16 Southern 84-46 (first round); defeated No. 8 Richmond 84-67 (round of 32)
Let’s hope Cori Close recorded that halftime speech. She might need it again because it worked so well Sunday. The Bruins got sliced up by Richmond’s precision offense in a first half that ended tied at 36, but it was all UCLA after that. The Bruins outscored the Spiders 29-7 in the third quarter, snuffing out a potential upset before it could gain any more momentum. Kiki Rice and Londynn Jones combined to make four 3-pointers and Lauren Betts had 10 points in the period. Betts was dominant the entire game and had 32 points and 14 rebounds, the first UCLA player to go 30-10 in an NCAA tournament game. The Bruins have reached the Sweet 16 for the third year in a row, but both previous trips ended there. In fact, only once has UCLA reached a regional final, and that was in 1999, before anyone on this roster was born.
Up next: Ole Miss (Friday, 10 p.m. ET, ESPN)
2:13
Lauren Betts’ 30-point double-double leads UCLA to Sweet 16
Lauren Betts tallies 30 points with 13 rebounds as UCLA handles Richmond to advance to the Sweet 16.
3. South Carolina Gamecocks
Original seed: No. 1 (Birmingham 2)
Tournament results: Defeated No. 16 Tennessee Tech 108-48 (first round); defeated No. 9 Indiana 64-53 (round of 32)
Even during last year’s romp to an undefeated national title, the Gamecocks had one slight scare. It came against Indiana in the Sweet 16. Those same Hoosiers made South Carolina work again this year in the second round. Indiana led at halftime and pushed the Gamecocks deep into the fourth quarter. While the bench delivered monster numbers in the opening-round win, Dawn Staley leaned more heavily on her starters and South Carolina went inside more against Indiana. Chloe Kitts had a double-double (10 points, 11 rebounds) and Sania Feagin (10 points) had the best NCAA tournament game of her career beyond the second round.
Up next: Maryland (Friday, 5 p.m. ET, ESPN)
0:50
Andraya Carter: South Carolina got ‘wake-up call’ in win over Indiana
Andraya Carter praises South Carolina’s depth of scoring options but says the Gamecocks need better decision-making heading into the Sweet 16.
4. USC Trojans
Original seed: No. 1 (Spokane)
Tournament opener: Defeated No. 16 UNC Greensboro 71-25 (first round); defeated No. 9 Mississippi State 96-59 (round of 32)
With the status of JuJu Watkins unknown after she left the game against the Bulldogs in the first quarter with an apparent knee injury, the Trojans hold their spot at No. 4 for now. USC’s national championship hopes rest with Watkins’ health, but her teammates had no problem disposing of Mississippi State without her. Immediately following Watkins’ departure, USC extended a 13-2 lead to a 28-8 advantage after the first quarter. Behind Kiki Iriafen‘s season-high 36 points, the Trojans coasted into a second straight Sweet 16.
Up next: Kansas State (Saturday, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN)
1:31
Andraya Carter: JuJu Watkins’ injury is ‘devastating’
Andraya Carter joins Scott Van Pelt to discuss the impact that JuJu Watkins’ injury will have on USC.
5. Texas Longhorns
Original seed: No. 1 (Birmingham 3)
Tournament results: Defeated No. 16 William & Mary 105-61 (first round); defeated No. 8 Illinois 65-48 (round of 32)
Defense is the constant with any Vic Schaefer team — and even in games in which the Longhorns struggle to score, they are punishing defensively. Illinois, the latest team to experience the Texas toughness, was held to a season-low 48 points on Monday. The Longhorns haven’t allowed an opponent to score 70 points since Jan. 23, and it has happened only four times all season. The last foe to hit 70? Tennessee, which is next up in the Sweet 16. The Longhorns won that game 80-76 on a night when Texas forward Madison Booker tallied only eight points. But Booker led the way against the Illini and became the second Longhorn in 25 years (joining Imani McGee-Stafford) to score 20 or more points in consecutive NCAA tournament games.
Up next: Tennessee (Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC)
1:35
Madison Booker scores 20 to lead Texas to Sweet 16
Madison Booker leads Texas to the Sweet Sixteen with 20 points in the Longhorns’ 65-48 win over Illinois.
6. LSU Tigers
Original seed: No. 3 (Spokane 1)
Tournament results: Defeated No. 14 San Diego State 103-48 (first round); defeated No. 6 Florida State 101-71 (round of 32)
For a half, LSU versus Florida State was the classic many thought it could be. Then the Tigers put together a third quarter for the ages, turning a one-point game into devastation. LSU joined the 1988 Long Beach State team as the only squads to score 100 points in consecutive NCAA tournament games. That 31-6 quarter was highlighted by 27 points from LSU’s big three — Flau’Jae Johnson, Aneesah Morrow and Mikaylah Williams. But the most positive development was the 20-point, 12-rebound, 5-assist game from redshirt sophomore Sa’Myah Smith in what was easily the best game of her career.
Up next: NC State (Friday, 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)
2:06
Mulkey credits LSU for commanding performance in face of adversity
Kim Mulkey breaks down how well the Tigers responded to challenges early in the game and still managed to play at a high level following a convincing win over FSU.
7. TCU Horned Frogs
Original seed: No. 2 (Birmingham 3)
Tournament results: Defeated No. 15 FDU 73-51 (first round); defeated No. 7 Louisville 85-70 (round of 32)
Hailey Van Lith has played five college seasons with three different schools and has made it to the Sweet 16 in each one. Her latest NCAA tournament run has TCU in a regional for the first time. Van Lith did it against her first school, Louisville, which she helped to three Elite Eight appearances, including one Final Four. Her passing and ability to beat double teams fueled the Horned Frogs’ 63% shooting and 11 3-pointers Sunday. Van Lith finished with a career-high-tying 10 assists, many of which set up Agnes Emma-Nnopu (23 points) and Donovyn Hunter (18 points), who combined to hit eight treys. Now comes a rematch with Notre Dame. The teams met in November in the Cayman Islands. That upset win by the Horned Frogs set the stage for TCU’s best season in program history.
Up next: vs. Notre Dame (Saturday, 1 p.m. ET, ABC)
8. NC State Wolfpack
Original seed: No. 3 seed (Spokane 1)
Tournament results: Defeated No. 15 Vermont 75-55 (first round); defeated No. 7 Michigan State 83-49 (round of 32)
Shooting propelled the Wolfpack to the Final Four last year. But it was never as good as it was Monday against Michigan State. NC State made 10 first-half 3-pointers and 15 for the game — the program’s most in the NCAA tournament — and cruised to a sixth Sweet 16 in seven years. Aziaha James and Madison Hayes combined for 11 treys. But Saniya Rivers‘ playmaking might have been the most important part of the Wolfpack attack; her 11 assists helped make 13 of NC State’s 15 3-pointers uncontested. Something to watch in the next round: NC State had only 12 assists as a team in a 17-point loss to its next opponent, LSU, in November.
Up next: LSU (Friday, 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)
1:10
Saniya Rivers’ 17 points, 11 assists fuels NC State to Sweet 16
Saniya Rivers stuffs the stat sheet with 17 points, 11 assists and 8 rebounds in the Wolfpack’s takedown of Michigan State.
9. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Original seed: No. 3 (Birmingham)
Tournament results: Defeated No. 14 SFA 106-54 (first round); defeated No. 6 Michigan 76-55 (round of 32)
The Fighting Irish had 13 days off between their ACC tournament semifinal loss and the start of the NCAA tournament, and it seems to be exactly what they needed. The offensive firepower that disappeared at the end of the regular season returned for their two games. What had to please coach Niele Ivey even more was the Irish completely shutting down a Michigan team that entered Sunday as the 20th-highest-scoring team in the country. Sonia Citron‘s bounce-back also bodes well moving forward. She averaged nine points per game in Notre Dame’s three games prior to the NCAA tournament but scored 40 points on 15-of-28 shooting over the weekend. The ankle injury scare for Olivia Miles also seemed alleviated. She appeared to roll an ankle late in the win over Lehigh but played 28 minutes against the Wolverines without any apparent lingering impact.
Up next: TCU (Saturday, 1 p.m. ET, ABC)
10. Oklahoma Sooners
Original seed: No. 3 (Spokane 4)
Tournament results: Defeated No. 14 Florida Gulf Coast 81-58 (first round); defeated No. 6 Iowa 96-62 (round of 32)
Jennie Baranczyk has broken through in Norman. After three consecutive second-round losses since taking over as coach of the Sooners, Oklahoma has advanced to its first Sweet 16 since 2013. The Sooners were second in the country in rebounds during the regular season and brought that excellence on the boards to the NCAA tournament. After grabbing a single-game tourney-record 72 in the opening round against Florida Gulf Coast, Oklahoma outrebounded Iowa 64-33 and notched the program’s largest margin of victory in a second-round game or later. Led by Raegan Beers (11 points, 13 rebounds) inside, the Sooners had 38 points in the paint. Outside, Skylar Vann (3-of-5 from the field, 17 points) helped the Sooners make 11 3-pointers.
Up next: UConn (Saturday, 5:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)
11. Duke Blue Devils
Original seed: No. 2 (Birmingham 2)
Tournament results: Defeated No. 15 Lehigh 80-57 (first round); defeated No. 10 Oregon 59-53 (round of 32)
The progress that Duke’s offense made late in the season took a step back in Round 2 and it almost cost the Blue Devils an upset loss to Oregon. The defense came to the rescue, as it has so often under Kara Lawson. Leading 51-50 with 4:35 remaining, Duke held the Ducks without a field goal the rest of the game and, despite sloppy play late, clinched its second consecutive trip to the Sweet 16. Playing without ACC freshman of the year and leading scorer Toby Fournier allowed Oregon to stay in the game. The 59 points were Duke’s lowest points total since a Feb. 17 loss to Notre Dame. That’s why Ashlon Jackson‘s 14-point third quarter, when Duke took the lead it wouldn’t relinquish, was so pivotal.
Up next: North Carolina (Friday, 2:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)
12. North Carolina Tar Heels
Original seed: No. 3 (Birmingham 2)
Tournament results: Defeated No. 14 Oregon State 70-49 (first round); defeated No. 6 West Virginia 58-47 (round of 32)
The Tar Heels aren’t just a good defensive team. They are a clutch defensive team. Oregon State managed a mere 25 points in the second half against North Carolina in Round 1. NC State beat the Tar Heels in the ACC tournament semifinals but did so scoring just 12 fourth-quarter points. North Carolina was even better on Monday, holding the Mountaineers without a fourth-quarter field goal until there were 39 seconds remaining. Lexi Donarski was the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year at Iowa State in 2022. Alyssa Ustby was voted to the ACC’s All-Defensive team this year. And now they will go head-to-head with rival and defensive match Duke for a trip to the Elite Eight.
Up next: vs. Duke (Friday, 2:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)
13. Tennessee Lady Vols
Original seed: No. 5 (Birmingham 3)
Tournament results: Defeated No. 12 South Florida 101-66 (first round); defeated No. 4 Ohio State 82-67 (round of 32)
The philosophy of first-year Tennessee coach Kim Caldwell is threefold: use relentless pressure with quick substitutions to keep legs fresh; shoot 3-pointers freely without retribution; and crash the offensive boards relentlessly. All of those were on display against Ohio State and were the key reasons why the Lady Vols are back in the Sweet 16. The Lady Vols forced 23 Ohio State turnovers and converted them into 37 points. They launched 34 3-pointers that resulted in 10 makes. Their 14 offensive rebounds turned into 21 points. All boxes were checked. Tennessee even took good care of the ball, committing only 14 turnovers against the Buckeyes’ equally constant pressure. Keep an eye on the turnovers Tennessee causes, because they are the key to the Lady Vols’ success. They went 18-3 this season when forcing 20 or more turnovers and 6-6 when they didn’t. One of those six losses was against Texas, when the Longhorns turned the ball over just 12 times.
Up next: Texas (Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET, AB)
14. Ole Miss Rebels
Original seed: No. 5 (Spokane 1)
Tournament results: Defeated No. 12 Ball State 83-65 (first round); defeated No. 4 Baylor 69-63 (round of 32)
Ole Miss wasn’t able to do it in front of its home fans like coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin wanted, but the Rebels are still off to the Sweet 16 for the second time in three years. The NCAA tournament selection committee put Ole Miss at No. 17 overall, just on the outside of hosting first- and second-round games. But down the stretch on the road at Baylor, the Rebels were the better team. More specifically, KK Deans was the best player on the court. Coach Yo brought Deans to Oxford to solidify the Ole Miss point guard spot and make big plays. Playing in her first tournament games since her sophomore season, Deans — now in her sixth year in college basketball — scored 11 of Ole Miss’s 21 points in the final 10 minutes.
Up next: UCLA (Friday, 10 p.m. ET, ESPN)
15. Kansas State Wildcats
Original seed: No. 5 (Spokane 4)
First round: Defeated No. 12 Fairfield 85-41 (first round); defeated No. 4 Kentucky 80-79 OT (round of 32)
Kansas State became the first team to win a true road game in this NCAA tournament in what was also the best game of the opening three days. The two Wildcat teams traded punches and counterpunches for much of the second half before Temira Poindexter‘s eighth 3-pointer of the game with 56 seconds left in overtime delivered the final blow against Kentucky. Poindexter finished with 24 points and became the first player in NCAA tournament history with eight 3-pointers and six blocks in the same game. Serena Sundell‘s 19 points and 14 assists were also a key piece to Kansas State’s first trip to the Sweet 16 since 2022. Having Ayoka Lee (16 points, nine rebounds) back at center has made a big difference. Kansas State was 6-6 without her in the lineup while her foot injury healed and scored more than 70 points just three times without her. The Wildcats have averaged 82.5 points in two tournament games.
Up next: USC (Saturday, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN)
16. Maryland Terrapins
Original seed: No. 4 (Birmingham 2)
Tournament results: Defeated No. 13 Norfolk State 82-69 (first round); defeated No. 5 Alabama 111-108 2OT (round of 32)
No matter how Maryland fares in the regional semifinals against South Carolina, Monday’s win over Alabama — the most thrilling in this NCAA tournament — will be remembered for a long time. The Terrapins gave up 60 points in the paint, allowed Alabama’s Sarah Ashlee Barker to score 45 points and trailed by 17 points in the third quarter — and still won. The second-largest NCAA tournament comeback in program history, fueled by 15 points in the fourth quarter and overtime from Sarah Te-Biasu, put Maryland in the Sweet 16 for the fourth time in five years. Te-Biasu (26 points) and Shyanne Sellers (28 points) made tough shots throughout the game and might be required to do that again if the Terps are to avenge an Elite Eight loss to the Gamecocks from 2023.
Up next: South Carolina (Friday, 5 p.m. ET, ESPN)
1:59
Maryland beats Alabama in double-overtime thriller
Sarah Ashlee Barker scores 45 points for Alabama, but Maryland holds on to win in double overtime.
