The NCAA women’s tournament begins with the first round on Friday, featuring top players such as Paige Bueckers #5 of the UConn Huskies and JuJu Watkins #12 of the USC Trojans. The South Carolina Gamecocks aim to secure their second consecutive national championship and third in four seasons, facing tough competition from talented teams in the bracket. As the teams battle for a spot in the Final Four in Tampa, keep an eye on standout players like JuJu Watkins, a skilled guard for the USC Trojans known for her scoring ability and free-throw prowess. Watkins seeks to lead her team to the Final Four, potentially facing off against the UConn Huskies for revenge.
Another player to watch is Paige Bueckers, the guard for the Connecticut Huskies and a projected top pick in the WNBA Draft. After a successful return from injury last season, Bueckers has elevated her playmaking skills while maintaining her scoring prowess. With the goal of restoring UConn’s championship legacy, Bueckers will need to lead her young team to success this year.
Hannah Hidalgo, a guard for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, has shown improvement in her game, excelling on both ends of the court with her scoring and defensive skills. She will be a key player to watch as Notre Dame aims for a deep tournament run.
Lastly, Madison Booker, a forward for the Texas Longhorns, looks to bounce back from a recent tough performance in the SEC tournament final and showcase her scoring abilities in the NCAA tournament. While not the most consistent scorer, Booker has the potential to make a significant impact for Texas as they strive for success in the tournament.
The tournament subplot to watch will be Caliber’s battle against formidable defenses that aim to disrupt her every move on the court. One player to keep an eye on is Lauren Betts, the center for the UCLA Bruins. Betts is entering her second season with the Bruins, having started her collegiate career at Stanford. She had an impressive season, posting career-high averages of 19.6 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game. Standing at an impressive 6-foot-7, Betts utilizes her size effectively on both offense and defense. She excels in scoring close to the basket and is a defensive force that deters opponents from driving to the rim, evident by her 2.9 blocks per game which ranked fifth in the nation during the regular season.
