Your Ultimate Guide to the 2024 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament
Whether you’re a seasoned March Madness aficionado, a budding enthusiast eager to dive in, or someone who rediscovered their love for the tournament last year and is back for more, welcome! We’ve got everything you need to navigate the thrilling world of women’s college basketball’s biggest stage.
The brackets are set, the debates have erupted, and we’re here to provide you with a comprehensive overview of the tournament. We’ll cover the key players, the top contenders, the potential upsets, and the long-overdue financial equity the women’s programs are finally experiencing. So grab your bracket, a marker, and get ready to become a women’s basketball expert before the First Four tips off on Wednesday.
March Madness 101: The Basics
March Madness, officially the NCAA Division I Basketball Championship, is the annual culmination of the college basketball season for both men and women. It’s a single-elimination tournament featuring 68 teams. Thirty-one teams automatically qualify by winning their respective conference championships, while the remaining 37 receive at-large bids from a selection committee. The name of the game is win or go home; a single loss ends a team’s tournament run.
And here’s a historical tidbit you should know: the women’s tournament was not allowed to use the "March Madness" moniker until 2022. The reason? Pure, unadulterated misogyny. Thankfully, that’s finally changed.
The Lay of the Land: Who’s In, Who’s Out, and Who’s Hot
Let’s talk about the teams and players that will define this year’s tournament.
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Who’s In (Stars to Watch): Keep your eyes peeled for JuJu Watkins of USC, a phenomenal freshman guard who’s taken the college basketball world by storm with her scoring prowess and dazzling skill set. And don’t forget Paige Bueckers of UConn, a former national player of the year who’s back after battling injuries and determined to lead the Huskies to another title. These two players represent the exciting present and future of the sport.
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Who’s Out (Notable Absences): While the tournament boasts incredible talent, some familiar faces won’t be participating. Caitlin Clark, the record-breaking scorer from Iowa, and Angel Reese, the dominant forward from LSU, have both moved on to the WNBA. Their absence leaves a void, but also creates opportunities for new stars to shine.
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Who’s Hot (The Favorites): South Carolina, led by legendary coach Dawn Staley, is the team to beat. They’ve been dominant all season with their suffocating defense and balanced offense. The Gamecocks are hungry to avenge last year’s Final Four loss and reclaim the national championship.
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Who’s Not (Underperforming Teams): Notre Dame, a program with a rich history, has struggled to find consistency this season. While they’re still a talented team, they haven’t lived up to preseason expectations and could be vulnerable to an early upset.
The No. 1 Seeds and Title Contenders
UCLA earned the coveted overall No. 1 seed in the tournament. The Bruins have consistently topped the polls this season, showcasing a balanced attack and a stifling defense. Their only losses came against their crosstown rivals, USC, but they avenged those defeats by beating the Trojans in the Pac-12 tournament final. They also routed South Carolina earlier in the year, adding to their impressive resume.
Joining UCLA as No. 1 seeds are South Carolina, Texas, and Southern California. These four teams represent the elite of women’s college basketball and are all legitimate contenders for the national championship.
Beware the Upsets: Underdogs to Watch
The beauty of March Madness is the unpredictability. While the top seeds are always formidable, the tournament is known for its Cinderella stories and bracket-busting upsets. Don’t be surprised if some of the lower-seeded teams make deep runs.
This year, keep an eye on 12-seeds Green Bay and Fairfield, both of whom have the potential to shock some higher-ranked opponents. And don’t underestimate 10-seed Harvard, an Ivy League squad with a smart and disciplined style of play. Additionally, Duke and Ohio State could make some noise.
Tournament Format and Venue Changes
The first and second-round games of the women’s tournament are traditionally played at campus venues, creating an electric atmosphere and giving the home teams a distinct advantage. However, the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight are being held at "super regional" sites for the second year in a row. This year’s sites are in Spokane, Washington, and Birmingham, Alabama.
This format differs from the men’s tournament, which uses individual, neutral venues for every round. The rationale behind the "super regional" format is to consolidate fan interest, attract media attention, and potentially spur more cities to bid to host future rounds. It seems to be working, as attendance records were set for both the first- and second-rounds and regional sites last year.
TV Ratings: The Caitlin Clark Effect and Beyond
Last year, the women’s championship game outdrew the men’s final, a historic moment fueled by the star power of Caitlin Clark and the compelling narrative of Iowa facing Dawn Staley’s South Carolina team. However, it’s important to note that the men’s game was broadcast on TBS, a cable channel with limited reach, while the women’s final was on ABC, a major network.
This year, the men’s final is back on CBS, which is expected to generate higher ratings. While the women’s tournament may not surpass the men’s in viewership, it’s still poised to draw a large audience, especially if Watkins or Bueckers make it to the final to challenge Staley and South Carolina.
Financial Equity: A Long-Overdue Step Forward
One of the most significant developments in women’s college basketball is the long-awaited financial equity the programs are finally receiving. For years, men’s conferences received "units" based on their teams’ tournament performance, which translated into millions of dollars that were distributed to their member schools. The women’s tournament was denied these units, with the NCAA claiming it lacked a large enough unique revenue stream.
However, now that the NCAA’s deal with ESPN includes a specific valuation for the women’s tournament ($65 million per tournament), the NCAA has approved giving units to the women. This year’s fund is $15 million, representing 25% of the TV contract. While the dollar amounts are still significantly smaller than the men’s, this is a crucial step towards leveling the playing field and recognizing the growing value and popularity of women’s basketball.
The Million-Dollar Question: Who Will Win?
Will South Carolina become the first team to repeat as champions since UConn in 2016? Will UCLA finally capture its first women’s basketball title? Will Bueckers lead UConn to another championship? Or will "JuJuMania" sweep the nation?
If I had the answers, I’d be cashing in my bets in Las Vegas, not writing this guide! But what I can guarantee is that this year’s NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament is going to be an exhilarating spectacle, a must-watch event for any sports fan.
