Takeaways from the 2024 women’s NCAA Tournament bracket

Texas nabs the final No. 1 seed 

For the first time since 2004, the Longhorns are a No. 1 seed. However, that doesn’t come with a cakewalk, as Texas’ portion of the bracket is littered with perennial heavyweights, particularly second-seeded Stanford and third-seeded N.C. State.

Albany Regional 2 is loaded

Holy smokes. Not only are Caitlin Clark and Iowa in this section of the bracket as a No. 1 seed, but we also have high-scoring UCLA and the defending national champions in LSU (who beat Iowa in the title game last April), as the second and third seed in this region, respectively.

Given Clark’s immense popularity, the Hawkeyes are likely to be a popular pick to win it all. But, given their draw, they will have to be at their best just to make it to Cleveland for the Final Four.

Watch out for Virginia Tech

Any team that finishes on top of the ACC regular-season standings is not one to be trifled with. The fourth-seeded Hokies will face No. 13 seed Marshall in the first round. 

Whether star big Elizabeth Kitley — the ACC Player of the Year — will play against the Thundering Herd (she missed the conference tournament with a knee injury) is still up in the air. Head coach Kenny Brooks expressed uncertainty about that possibility during a Sunday news conference. If she comes back and is her usual self, though, look out.

Ditto for Indiana

The Hoosiers are dangerous. Indiana finished the regular season tied with Iowa for second place in the Big Ten, and are 16th nationally in points per game (79.5). As the No. 4 seed in the Albany Regional 1, the Hoosiers are sure to make some noise — a Sweet 16 matchup against South Carolina would be spicy. 

USC will need JuJu Watkins to be special

The Trojans may be the top seed in the Portland Regional 3, but getting to Cleveland will be a tall order. 

Ohio State (the Big Ten regular-season champs), UConn (the Big East regular-season and tournament champs) and Virginia Tech occupy seeds two through four in that region, with frisky teams like Syracuse (No. 6 seed), Duke (No. 7 seed) and Richmond (No. 10 seed) lurking. 

All that being said, it’s clear that Watkins, the best freshman in the country, will need to bring her A-game if USC is to make the Final Four.

Richmond could be this year’s Cinderella

About Richmond. The Spiders won the Atlantic 10 regular-season and tournament titles, and enter the NCAA Tournament having lost just twice since the calendar flipped to 2024.

A first-round matchup against Duke (a rematch of the season-opener, which the Blue Devils won by 30) will be tough, but keep tabs on this bunch.

UConn could bow out early

The last time the Huskies failed to advance to the Sweet 16, Bill Clinton was in the midst of his first term as president. But with Syracuse, which finished in a tie for second in the rugged ACC, possibly lurking in the second round, UConn will have to battle just to make it to the regional semifinal.

Final Four picks: South Carolina, Stanford, Iowa, Virginia Tech

Three of the four participants from last year’s Final Four will make it to Cleveland, with Stanford reaching the final weekend for the 14th time under the legendary Tara VanDerveer. 

National title pick: Iowa over South Carolina

I know, I know. This is a chalky prediction. But the best team in the country, against the best player? It’s too good to be true. In a phenomenal moment for the sport, Clark finishes her college career in style, leading the Hawkeyes to their first title a year after losing to LSU in the national championship game.