Championship Week Heats Up: Five Must-Watch Women’s College Basketball Conference Tournament Rematches
The intensity is palpable. The stakes are sky-high. It’s conference tournament time in women’s college basketball, a period of frantic competition where dreams are either realized or dashed against the unforgiving wall of elimination. For many teams, this week represents their final opportunity to impress the all-important NCAA Tournament selection committee. Every possession, every rebound, every whistle carries amplified weight as teams battle for automatic bids and solidify their standing in the eyes of the evaluators.
The race for the coveted No. 1 seeds is particularly fierce this year, with a constellation of programs vying for those prized positions that offer the most favorable path through the tournament bracket. As many as eight teams realistically remain in contention for a top seed, adding another layer of intrigue to the already captivating conference tournament landscape. These games aren’t just about winning a conference title; they’re about dictating your destiny in the national championship chase.
The Big Ten Conference finds itself in a particularly advantageous position. The league’s depth and overall strength this season are undeniable, and a record-breaking number of teams could potentially hear their names called on Selection Sunday. Currently, projections suggest that the Big Ten could send as many as 12 teams to the NCAA Tournament, shattering the existing all-time record for representation from a single conference. This remarkable achievement underscores the Big Ten’s ascent as a dominant force in women’s college basketball.
Meanwhile, in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), the path to a No. 1 seed seems almost exclusively tied to the performance of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. If Notre Dame can navigate the challenges of the ACC Tournament and emerge victorious, a top seed in the NCAA Tournament appears to be virtually theirs to lose. The Irish have displayed consistent excellence throughout the season, and a conference championship would solidify their claim as one of the nation’s elite teams.
After the conference tournament trophies are handed out and the confetti settles, teams will finally get a brief respite. They’ll have a week to regroup, recover, and prepare for the ultimate test: the NCAA Tournament. The Women’s NCAA Tournament Selection Show, scheduled for March 16th, will reveal the full bracket and officially kick off the madness.
To whet your appetite for the excitement ahead, here’s a breakdown of five compelling conference tournament games to watch this weekend. Each matchup is a rematch of a regular-season contest, offering a chance for teams to avenge past defeats and prove their growth over the course of the season.
1. Michigan Wolverines vs. [Presumably USC Trojans – context implies]
- Time/TV: Saturday, 3 p.m. ET, Big Ten Network
The Wolverines face a daunting task as they look to contain JuJu Watkins, the USC Trojans’ sensational freshman and a leading candidate for National Player of the Year. Watkins torched Indiana in the conference quarterfinals with 31 points and 10 rebounds, continuing her dominant scoring campaign. However, Michigan enters this game with momentum after a decisive victory over Maryland in their own quarterfinal matchup.
The Wolverines are a different team than the one that fell to the Trojans by 20 points in late December. For Michigan to neutralize Watkins and keep the game within striking distance, they must excel from beyond the arc, forcing the Trojans to defend the perimeter. More importantly, they need to aggressively attack the basket and draw fouls, putting the Trojans in foul trouble and potentially limiting Watkins’ effectiveness.
2. North Carolina Tar Heels vs. NC State Wolfpack
- Time/TV: Saturday, Noon ET, ESPN2
The Wolfpack understand the significance of this game. A strong showing in the ACC Tournament could propel them towards a coveted No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. However, they face a tough opponent in the North Carolina Tar Heels, who defeated them 66-65 in Chapel Hill three weeks ago, inflicting one of NC State’s only two ACC losses.
The Tar Heels possess a balanced offensive attack, further strengthened by the return of Reniya Kelly and Alyssa Utsby from injury. These two are crucial double-digit scorers for North Carolina, and their presence will test the Wolfpack’s defense. NC State will need to find a way to slow down the Tar Heels’ multifaceted offense while simultaneously generating their own scoring opportunities.
3. Oklahoma Sooners vs. South Carolina Gamecocks
- Time/TV: Saturday, 4:30 p.m. ET, ESPN2
The last time these two teams met, the Oklahoma Sooners experienced a nightmarish performance in Columbia. They found themselves trailing by 19 points after the first quarter and ultimately suffered a 41-point defeat. A major culprit in that game was turnovers. The Sooners coughed up the ball 22 times, resulting in 32 points for South Carolina.
South Carolina, aiming for their third consecutive SEC tournament title, narrowly escaped an upset against Vanderbilt, nearly squandering a 25-point halftime lead. Chloe Kitts led the Gamecocks with 25 points and 10 rebounds, demonstrating her impressive inside presence. The balanced Gamecocks also received contributions from MiLaysia Fulwiley (15 points) and Sania Feagin (13 points). Oklahoma must drastically improve their ball security and defensive intensity if they hope to avoid a similar outcome this time around.
4. West Virginia Mountaineers vs. [Presumably TCU Horned Frogs – context implies]
- Time/TV: Saturday, 4 p.m. ET, ESPN+
The TCU Horned Frogs, the regular-season conference champions, received a scare from Colorado in the quarterfinals, but Hailey Van Lith’s five 3-pointers and 24 points were enough to secure the victory. Sedona Prince added 18 points, providing crucial support in the paint.
TCU now faces the fourth-seeded West Virginia Mountaineers, who eliminated Kansas State in their quarterfinal matchup. In their previous encounter, TCU dominated West Virginia, securing a 71-50 victory. The Mountaineers struggled offensively, shooting only 31% from the field. They were also outrebounded and outscored in the paint. West Virginia’s two leading scorers, JJ Quinerly and Jordan Harrison, combined for a mere 24 points. For the Mountaineers to advance this time, they must find a way to ignite their offense and get significant contributions from Quinerly and Harrison.
5. LSU Tigers vs. Texas Longhorns
- Time/TV: Saturday, 7 p.m. ET, ESPN
The LSU Tigers entered the tournament with some uncertainty, having lost two of their previous three games. However, they rebounded with a dominant win over Florida, showcasing their potential. Meanwhile, Texas and their SEC Player of the Year, Madison Booker, needed every one of her 19 points and seven rebounds to narrowly defeat Ole Miss.
The Longhorns are riding a remarkable 14-game winning streak and have likely secured a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament, regardless of the outcome of this game. However, LSU is still in contention for a top seed, although they need assistance from other teams. First and foremost, the Tigers must conquer the nation’s top-ranked team, Texas, to even be considered for a No. 1 seed. This game promises to be a high-stakes, electrifying clash between two of the sport’s powerhouse programs.
These five games represent just a small sample of the thrilling action unfolding across the women’s college basketball landscape this weekend. Tune in, follow the scores, and witness the drama unfold as teams battle for conference supremacy and positioning for the NCAA Tournament. The road to the Final Four begins now.
