It’s conference tournament time in women’s college basketball, marking the final opportunity to make an impression on the selection committee. The battle for the No. 1 seeds is still wide open, with up to eight teams vying for those coveted spots. The Big Ten could potentially benefit the most by sending a record-breaking 12 teams to the NCAA Tournament. Over in the ACC, Notre Dame appears to have a firm hold on a No. 1 seed if they can clinch the conference title.
Following the awarding of trophies, teams will have a week of rest before the Women’s NCAA Tournament Selection Show on March 16. Here are five key matchups to keep an eye on this weekend, all featuring rematches of regular-season games:
1. No. 2 USC vs. Michigan, in the Big Ten semifinals
Date/Time: Saturday, 3 p.m. ET, Big Ten Network
JuJu Watkins, a top contender for Player of the Year, delivered an impressive performance with 31 points and 10 rebounds as USC defeated Indiana in the quarterfinals. Michigan, on the other hand, looked strong in their victory over Maryland. Michigan will need to focus on hitting 3-pointers and drawing fouls to contain Watkins and keep the game competitive.
2. No. 14 North Carolina vs. No. 8 North Carolina State, in the ACC semifinals
Date/Time: Saturday, Noon ET, ESPN2
North Carolina State aims to secure a top seed in the NCAA Tournament by winning the conference tournament. North Carolina previously defeated NC State and has strengthened their offense with the return of key players from injuries.
3. No. 5 South Carolina vs. No. 10 Oklahoma, in the SEC semifinals
Date/Time: Saturday, 4:30 p.m. ET, ESPN2
South Carolina seeks their third consecutive SEC tournament title, while Oklahoma looks to avenge their previous loss to the Gamecocks. Turnovers plagued Oklahoma in their last matchup, and they’ll need to improve their ball control to stand a chance against South Carolina.
4. No. 7 TCU vs. No. 16 West Virginia, in the Big 12 semifinals
Date/Time: Saturday, 4 p.m. ET, ESPN+
TCU, the regular season conference champions, narrowly advanced past Colorado and now face West Virginia. In their first meeting, TCU dominated on both ends of the floor, and West Virginia will need a stronger offensive showing to progress.
5. No. 1 Texas vs. No. 9 LSU, in the SEC semifinals
Date/Time: Saturday, 7 p.m. ET, ESPN
LSU regained momentum with a convincing win over Florida, while Texas relied on SEC Player of the Year Madison Booker to lead them to victory. This matchup promises to be intense as both teams vie for a spot in the conference final.
The Longhorns narrowly defeated Ole Miss, extending their impressive 14-game winning streak and securing a likely No. 1 seed in the upcoming NCAA Tournament. Meanwhile, LSU remains in contention for a tournament spot but will require assistance. The Tigers must first triumph over the top-ranked team in the nation to bolster their chances. Check out this article on USA TODAY for a spotlight on exciting women’s college basketball matchups, including the Michigan-USC game.
