Women’s NCAA Tournament 2025: Second Round Heats Up
The field of 68 teams vying for the national championship in the 2025 Women’s NCAA Tournament has been dramatically whittled down. Just 32 teams remain, poised to battle for a coveted spot in the Sweet Sixteen. Following a thrilling first round, which saw a record-breaking six teams eclipse the 100-point mark, the second round promises even more intense matchups and potential bracket busters.
The opening round witnessed dominant performances from top seeds, including No. 1 South Carolina, No. 1 Texas, No. 2 UConn, No. 3 Notre Dame, No. 3 LSU, and No. 5 Tennessee, all showcasing their offensive firepower. However, not all favorites escaped unscathed. Four lower-seeded teams – No. 9 Mississippi State, No. 9 Indiana, No. 10 Oregon, and No. 10 SDSU – pulled off upsets, proving that March Madness truly lives up to its unpredictable reputation.
Sunday marks the beginning of the second-round action, highlighted by a compelling reunion between Hailey Van Lith and her former team, Louisville. Van Lith, now leading the TCU Horned Frogs, will face the Cardinals at 6 p.m. ET on ESPN. On Monday, a potential Final Four preview is on the cards as No. 3 LSU clashes with No. 6 Florida State.
Here’s a comprehensive look at the remaining teams, key matchups, and players to watch as the tournament intensifies. Also, remember to grab your printable bracket to follow along!
Regional Breakdowns and Key Matchups
Region 1
No. 1 overall seed UCLA made a statement in their opening game, setting a program record for the largest margin of victory in March Madness history. They now face No. 8 Richmond, who themselves made history by securing their first-ever NCAA Tournament win. No. 3 LSU also impressed, setting a new program record for points scored in an NCAA Tournament game with a resounding 103-48 victory. Concerns surrounding the health of FlauJae Johnson and Aneesah Morrow seem to have been allayed, as the stars combined for 34 points in the dominant win. Their next challenge is a tough test against No. 6 Florida State.
Players to Watch: UCLA C Lauren Betts, a dominant force in the paint; NC State G Saniya Rivers, a versatile player who recorded a double-double in the first round; LSU G FlauJae Johnson, showing no signs of injury; Florida State G Ta’Niya Latson, leading the Seminoles’ offense; and Richmond F Maggie Doogan, who had a stellar performance in the Spiders’ historic win.
Best Second-Round Game: No. 3 LSU vs. No. 6 Florida State. This matchup pits two of the nation’s highest-scoring teams against each other. Florida State boasts Ta’Niya Latson, the top scorer in the nation, while LSU features Aneesah Morrow, the nation’s leading rebounder and double-double artist.
Region 2
No. 1 South Carolina showcased their dominance with a 60-point opening-round victory. Their impressive depth was on full display, with their bench contributing a remarkable 66 points, the most in NCAA Tournament history. No. 2 Duke also had a dominant performance, holding their opponent to the second-lowest point total in NCAA Women’s Tournament history. However, not all higher seeds had an easy time. No. 7 Vanderbilt was upset by No. 10 Oregon, raising the question of whether the Ducks can continue their Cinderella run.
Players to Watch: Duke G Oluchi Okananwa, the ACC Tournament MVP; South Carolina F Joyce Edwards, making a strong impression in her first NCAA Tournament game; Oregon G Deja Kelly, leading the Ducks’ offense; North Carolina G Lexi Donarski, a sharpshooter from beyond the arc; and Alabama G Aaliyah Nye, leading the Crimson Tide closer to their first Sweet Sixteen appearance since 1998.
Best Second-Round Game: No. 1 South Carolina vs. No. 9 Indiana. This game is a rematch of last year’s Sweet Sixteen encounter, where South Carolina narrowly defeated Indiana. It also features a reunion of former Oregon teammates Te-Hina Paopao (South Carolina) and Sydney Parrish (Indiana).
Region 3
No. 1 Texas cruised through the first round, led by a dominant performance from Madison Booker, the SEC Player of the Year. No. 2 TCU also secured their first NCAA Tournament win in 19 years. No. 3 Notre Dame bounced back from a late-season slump with a dominant first-round victory. However, Olivia Miles suffered an ankle injury, casting a shadow over their performance.
Players to Watch: TCU G Hailey Van Lith, breaking TCU’s single-season assist record; Notre Dame G Sonia Citron, a seasoned tournament performer; Tennessee G Talaysia Cooper, a key contributor to the Volunteers’ offense; Michigan G Jordan Hobbs, tying Michigan’s March Madness scoring record; and Texas F Madison Booker, a force on both ends of the court.
Best Second-Round Game: No. 2 TCU vs. No. 7 Louisville. This game is all about the reunion between Hailey Van Lith and her former team, Louisville. Van Lith has downplayed the significance of the matchup, but all eyes will be on this highly anticipated game.
Region 4
No. 10 South Dakota State pulled off an upset, defeating No. 7 Oklahoma State and setting up a second-round showdown with UConn. The Huskies are firing on all cylinders after a dominant first-round victory. The scary part is that Paige Bueckers only had 11 points in that win, so look for her to get going against SDSU. No. 1 USC and No. 5 Kansas State also won big, but concerns arise regarding USC’s JuJu Watkins, who sustained ankle and wrist injuries.
Players to Watch: Kansas State C Ayoka Lee, returning to the lineup after a foot injury; Kentucky G Georgia Amoore, tying Kentucky’s March Madness scoring record; UConn G Azzi Fudd, shining in her first NCAA Tournament game in two years; USC G Kennedy Smith, looking to bounce back from a quiet first-round performance; and Oklahoma F Raegan Beers, a dominant rebounder.
Best Second-Round Game: No. 4 Kentucky vs. No. 3 Kansas State. Kentucky narrowly avoided an upset in the first round, while Kansas State secured a comfortable victory with the return of Ayoka Lee. This game promises to be a hard-fought battle between two talented Wildcat teams.
Key Storylines and Themes
Several storylines are dominating the narrative of the 2025 Women’s NCAA Tournament. The dominance of the top seeds, particularly South Carolina and UCLA, is undeniable. However, the emergence of potential Cinderella teams like Oregon and South Dakota State adds excitement and unpredictability to the tournament.
The health of key players, such as Notre Dame’s Olivia Miles and USC’s JuJu Watkins, is also a major concern. Their availability and performance will significantly impact their teams’ chances of advancing.
Finally, the individual matchups, such as Hailey Van Lith vs. Louisville and South Carolina vs. Indiana, add intrigue and drama to the tournament. These games offer compelling narratives and potential for memorable moments.
The 2025 Women’s NCAA Tournament is shaping up to be one of the most exciting and unpredictable in recent memory. With the field now narrowed to 32 teams, the stakes are higher than ever. As the tournament progresses, expect more upsets, dramatic finishes, and unforgettable performances. Get your brackets ready and prepare to witness the best of women’s college basketball.
