The first two rounds of the 2024 NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Tournament saw some outstanding fierce battles, but few upsets. Top-seeded University of South Carolina had decisive victories over their first two opponents and will next face Indiana in the Sweet 16. The number two seed in the Albany 1 regional, the University of Notre Dame, is also through to the Sweet 16 and will play Oregon State.
Top seed in the Albany 2 regional, Iowa, which of course features leading scorer in all of NCAA history, Caitlin Clark, is also headed to the Sweet 16 and will play Colorado. Ivy League Champion Princeton also played in this region, losing to West Virginia in the first round.
The Portland 3 regional saw the top seed, USC, which includes former Columbia standout Kaitlyn Davis, advance to the Sweet 16; they will next face Baylor. The HBCU in this regional, Jackson State, put up quite a battle against UConn before losing 86–64 in the first round. UConn will play Duke in the Sweet 16.
In the Portland 4 regional, the number one seed, Texas, and two seed, Stanford, are also Sweet 16-bound. In the first round, Stanford played the other HBCU school in the Tournament, Norfolk State, which put up a battle before succumbing 79–50.
The inaugural WBIT Tournament is underway. Seton Hall lost to Saint Joseph’s in the first round. Stony Brook advanced to the second round, where they lost to Illinois. It was a historic season for the Stony Brook Seawolves, whose 28 wins tied a program record and earned them the CAA regular season title. St. John’s also advanced to the second round before a heartbreaking 72–71 loss to Toledo. Mississippi State, which includes former Seton Hall scoring sensation Lauren Park-Lane, is on to the third round. The lone local team in the WNIT, Monmouth, was defeated by Duquesne in the second round.
There is intense pressure on all the Division I players in postseason action amid the excitement about the NCAA Women’s Tournament outselling the Men’s. This will also be the college finale for Clark, UConn’s Aaliyah Edwards, and Stanford’s Cameron Brink, who have all declared for the upcoming WNBA Draft. UConn’s Paige Bueckers wants to win an NCAA title this year, but even if she does, she has said she will return to Storrs and play one more season.