2024 Women's NCAA Tournament: A Preview of the Field


2024 Women's NCAA Tournament: A Preview of the Field

With only a few months to go until the 2024 Women’s NCAA Tournament, excitement is building for what promises to be another thrilling edition of the tournament. The field of 68 teams is set, and the battle for the national championship is sure to be fierce. Here’s a preview of what to expect in this year’s tournament.

The top teams in the country are all vying for a spot in the Final Four. Defending champion Stanford is looking to repeat as champions, while other contenders include South Carolina, UConn, and Louisville. However, there are plenty of other teams that could make a run in this year’s tournament. Keep an eye on teams like Iowa, Baylor, and Tennessee, who all have the potential to make some noise in March.

The tournament will tip off on March 15th with the First Four games. The First Four is a play-in round that involves four teams competing for the final two spots in the main draw. The First Four games are always exciting, as they give underdog teams a chance to make a name for themselves and potentially reach the Sweet 16.

2024 Women’s NCAA Tournament

The 2024 Women’s NCAA Tournament is shaping up to be an exciting event with plenty of storylines to follow. Here are five key points to keep an eye on:

  • Defending champion Stanford is looking to repeat.
  • Other contenders include South Carolina, UConn, and Louisville.
  • Upset potential from teams like Iowa, Baylor, and Tennessee.
  • First Four games will determine the final two spots in the main draw.
  • Tournament tips off on March 15th.

With so much talent and parity in the field, this year’s tournament is sure to be one for the ages. Be sure to tune in and catch all the action!

Defending champion Stanford is looking to repeat.

Stanford women’s basketball has been a dominant force in recent years, winning the NCAA Tournament in 2021 and 2022. Led by All-American forward Cameron Brink, the Cardinal are looking to make it three in a row in 2024.

  • Experience and talent: Stanford has a wealth of experience and talent, with four starters returning from last year’s championship team. Brink is one of the best players in the country, and she is surrounded by a talented supporting cast that includes guards Haley Jones and Hannah Jump.
  • Strong coaching: Stanford head coach Tara VanDerveer is one of the most successful coaches in NCAA history. She has won three national championships at Stanford and has a career winning percentage of over 80%. VanDerveer knows how to get her teams to perform at their best in March.
  • Home-court advantage: Stanford will host the first two rounds of the NCAA Tournament at Maples Pavilion, which is one of the toughest places to play in college basketball. The Cardinal have a 131-10 record at Maples Pavilion since it opened in 1993.
  • Favorable draw: Stanford received a favorable draw in the NCAA Tournament bracket. The Cardinal are projected to be a No. 1 seed, which means they will have a relatively easy path to the Sweet 16. If they can take care of business in the early rounds, they will be in a good position to make a run to the Final Four.

Stanford is the team to beat in the 2024 Women’s NCAA Tournament. They have the experience, talent, coaching, and home-court advantage to make it three national championships in a row.

Other contenders include South Carolina, UConn, and Louisville.

Stanford may be the defending champion, but there are plenty of other teams that are capable of winning the 2024 Women’s NCAA Tournament. Here are three of the top contenders:

  • South Carolina: The Gamecocks are led by reigning National Player of the Year Aliyah Boston. Boston is a 6’5″ center who is virtually unstoppable in the paint. She averaged 16.8 points, 12.5 rebounds, and 2.7 blocks per game last season. South Carolina also has a strong supporting cast, led by guards Destanni Henderson and Brea Beal.
  • UConn: The Huskies are one of the most successful programs in NCAA history, with 11 national championships. They are led by head coach Geno Auriemma, who is widely considered to be the greatest coach in women’s basketball history. UConn has a talented roster that includes guards Azzi Fudd and Paige Bueckers. Fudd is a 6’2″ wing who is one of the best shooters in the country. Bueckers is a 5’11” point guard who is one of the most dynamic players in the country.
  • Louisville: The Cardinals are led by head coach Jeff Walz, who has won two national championships at Louisville. Walz is known for his up-tempo style of play. Louisville has a talented roster that includes guards Hailey Van Lith and Kianna Smith. Van Lith is a 6’1″ wing who is one of the best scorers in the country. Smith is a 5’8″ point guard who is one of the best distributors in the country.

South Carolina, UConn, and Louisville are all legitimate contenders for the 2024 Women’s NCAA Tournament. They all have talented rosters and experienced coaches. It will be interesting to see how these teams perform when the tournament rolls around.

Upset potential from teams like Iowa, Baylor, and Tennessee.

While Stanford, South Carolina, UConn, and Louisville are the favorites to win the 2024 Women’s NCAA Tournament, there are a number of other teams that could make a run to the Final Four. Here are three teams to watch out for:

Iowa: The Hawkeyes are led by All-American guard Caitlin Clark. Clark is one of the most dynamic players in the country, averaging 27.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 8.0 assists per game last season. Iowa also has a strong supporting cast, led by guard Monika Czinano and forward Hannah Stuelke. Czinano is a 6’3″ center who is one of the best post players in the country. Stuelke is a 6’4″ forward who is a versatile scorer and rebounder.

Baylor: The Lady Bears are led by head coach Nicki Collen, who won a national championship at Baylor in 2019. Collen has a talented roster that includes guard Sarah Andrews and forward Aaliyah Moore. Andrews is a 5’9″ point guard who is one of the best shooters in the country. Moore is a 6’4″ forward who is a versatile scorer and rebounder.

Tennessee: The Lady Vols are led by head coach Kellie Harper, who is a former Tennessee player and assistant coach. Harper has a talented roster that includes guard Jordan Horston and forward Tamari Key. Horston is a 6’2″ wing who is one of the best athletes in the country. Key is a 6’6″ center who is one of the best shot-blockers in the country.

Iowa, Baylor, and Tennessee all have the potential to make a deep run in the 2024 Women’s NCAA Tournament. They all have talented rosters and experienced coaches. If they can play their best basketball in March, they could all be playing in the Final Four.

In addition to these three teams, there are a number of other teams that could make a run in this year’s tournament. Keep an eye on teams like Texas, Maryland, and Oregon. With so much talent and parity in the field, this year’s tournament is sure to be one for the ages.

First Four games will determine the final two spots in the main draw.

The First Four games are a play-in round that involves four teams competing for the final two spots in the main draw of the NCAA Tournament. The First Four games are always exciting, as they give underdog teams a chance to make a name for themselves and potentially reach the Sweet 16.

This year’s First Four games will be played on March 15th and 16th. The four teams that will compete in the First Four games will be determined by the NET rankings, which are used to seed the NCAA Tournament field. The four lowest-seeded teams in the field will play in the First Four games.

The First Four games are typically played at neutral sites. This year’s First Four games will be played in Greensboro, North Carolina.

The winners of the First Four games will advance to the main draw of the NCAA Tournament. They will be seeded No. 16 in their respective regions.

The First Four games are a great opportunity for underdog teams to make a statement. In recent years, we have seen several Cinderella teams emerge from the First Four games and make deep runs in the NCAA Tournament. For example, in 2021, Oral Roberts, a No. 15 seed, reached the Sweet 16. In 2022, Saint Peter’s, a No. 15 seed, reached the Elite Eight.

This year’s First Four games are sure to be just as exciting. Keep an eye on the NET rankings to see which teams will be competing for the final two spots in the main draw.

The First Four games are a great way to kick off the NCAA Tournament. They give underdog teams a chance to shine and they always provide plenty of excitement. Be sure to tune in to the First Four games on March 15th and 16th.

Tournament tips off on March 15th.

The 2024 Women’s NCAA Tournament will tip off on March 15th with the First Four games. The First Four games will be played in Greensboro, North Carolina. The four teams that will compete in the First Four games will be determined by the NET rankings, which are used to seed the NCAA Tournament field. The four lowest-seeded teams in the field will play in the First Four games.

The winners of the First Four games will advance to the main draw of the NCAA Tournament. The main draw of the tournament will begin on March 17th. The first two rounds of the tournament will be played at regional sites. The Sweet 16 and Elite Eight games will be played at regional sites. The Final Four games will be played in Dallas, Texas.

The championship game of the 2024 Women’s NCAA Tournament will be played on April 1st. The championship game will be televised on ESPN.

The NCAA Tournament is one of the most exciting sporting events of the year. The tournament always provides plenty of drama and excitement. Be sure to tune in to the 2024 Women’s NCAA Tournament to catch all the action.

Here are some key dates to keep in mind for the 2024 Women’s NCAA Tournament:

  • First Four games: March 15th and 16th
  • Main draw begins: March 17th
  • Sweet 16: March 24th and 25th
  • Elite Eight: March 30th and 31st
  • Final Four: April 1st and 2nd
  • Championship game: April 1st

Be sure to mark these dates on your calendar so you don’t miss any of the action.

FAQ

Here are some frequently asked questions about the 2024 Women’s NCAA Tournament:

Question 1: When is the 2024 Women’s NCAA Tournament?

Answer: The 2024 Women’s NCAA Tournament will take place from March 15th to April 1st.

Question 2: Where is the 2024 Women’s NCAA Tournament being held?

Answer: The First Four games will be played in Greensboro, North Carolina. The main draw of the tournament will be played at regional sites across the country. The Sweet 16 and Elite Eight games will also be played at regional sites. The Final Four games will be played in Dallas, Texas.

Question 3: How many teams are in the 2024 Women’s NCAA Tournament?

Answer: There are 68 teams in the 2024 Women’s NCAA Tournament.

Question 4: Who are the favorites to win the 2024 Women’s NCAA Tournament?

Answer: The favorites to win the 2024 Women’s NCAA Tournament are Stanford, South Carolina, UConn, and Louisville.

Question 5: Are there any Cinderella teams that could make a run in the 2024 Women’s NCAA Tournament?

Answer: Yes, there are a number of Cinderella teams that could make a run in the 2024 Women’s NCAA Tournament. Keep an eye on teams like Iowa, Baylor, and Tennessee.

Question 6: How can I watch the 2024 Women’s NCAA Tournament?

Answer: The 2024 Women’s NCAA Tournament will be televised on ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPNU. You can also stream the tournament online at ESPN.com and the ESPN app.

Question 7: What is the prize money for the winner of the 2024 Women’s NCAA Tournament?

Answer: The winner of the 2024 Women’s NCAA Tournament will receive $1 million.

Closing Paragraph for FAQ:

These are just a few of the frequently asked questions about the 2024 Women’s NCAA Tournament. Be sure to check back for more information as the tournament gets closer.

In addition to the FAQ, here are some tips for following the 2024 Women’s NCAA Tournament:

Tips

Here are a few tips for following the 2024 Women’s NCAA Tournament:

Tip 1: Pick your bracket.

Filling out a bracket is a great way to get involved in the tournament. You can create your own bracket online or you can join a bracket challenge with your friends. Just be sure to do your research before making your picks.

Tip 2: Watch the games.

The best way to experience the tournament is to watch the games. You can watch the games on TV, online, or at a sports bar. If you can, try to attend a game in person. There’s nothing like the excitement of being in the stands and cheering on your favorite team.

Tip 3: Follow the experts.

There are a number of women’s college basketball experts who provide analysis and commentary on the tournament. Follow these experts on social media or read their articles online. This will help you stay up-to-date on the latest news and trends in the tournament.

Tip 4: Get involved in the conversation.

The NCAA Tournament is a great time to connect with other fans and discuss the games. Join the conversation on social media or join a message board dedicated to the tournament. This is a great way to share your thoughts and predictions with other fans.

Closing Paragraph for Tips:

These are just a few tips for following the 2024 Women’s NCAA Tournament. Be sure to check back for more information as the tournament gets closer.

Now that you know how to follow the tournament, it’s time to start making your picks. Be sure to do your research and pick teams that you think have a good chance of winning. Good luck!

Conclusion

The 2024 Women’s NCAA Tournament is shaping up to be one of the most exciting tournaments in recent memory. There are a number of talented teams that are capable of winning the championship, and there are sure to be plenty of upsets along the way.

Here is a summary of the main points that we discussed in this article:

  • Stanford is the defending champion and they are looking to repeat in 2024.
  • Other contenders for the championship include South Carolina, UConn, and Louisville.
  • There are a number of Cinderella teams that could make a run in the tournament, such as Iowa, Baylor, and Tennessee.
  • The First Four games will determine the final two spots in the main draw of the tournament.
  • The tournament tips off on March 15th and the championship game will be played on April 1st.

We hope you enjoyed this preview of the 2024 Women’s NCAA Tournament. Be sure to tune in to the tournament to catch all the excitement.

Closing Message:

The Women’s NCAA Tournament is a great way to celebrate the incredible talent and athleticism of women’s college basketball players. We hope you enjoy the tournament and we hope you find a team to cheer for.

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