And we’re onto the Elite Eight in women’s March Madness! What a slate of matchups we’ve got ahead. All four No. 1 seeds — UCLA, South Carolina, USC, Texas — are still alive, but their opponents are real threats.
Paige Bueckers and No. 2 UConn keep cooking, Bueckers dropping 40 points in the Sweet 16 against Oklahoma. Hailey Van Lith and No. 2 TCU continued their historic run, Van Lith pouring in 26 to upset Notre Dame.
So, here is the full Elite Eight March Madness schedule and expert predictions from reporters across the USA TODAY Sports Network.
South Carolina vs. Duke women’s basketball predictions
Time, TV: 1 p.m. Sunday (ABC)
- Meghan L. Hall, For The Win: South Carolina
- Lulu Kesin, The Greenvile News: South Carolina
- Cydney Henderson, USA TODAY: South Carolina
- Jenna Ortiz, Arizona Republic: South Carolina
- Maxwell Donaldson, The Gadsden Times: South Carolina
If South Carolina wants to beat Duke and keep its title defense alive, the Gamecocks will need contributions from more than just Chloe Kitts and MiLaysia Fulwiley. South Carolina is in pursuit of its fifth consecutive Final Four, while Duke looks to move on to the Final Four for the first time since 2006.
UCLA vs. LSU women’s basketball predictions
Time, TV: 1 p.m. Sunday (ABC)
- Meghan L. Hall, For The Win: UCLA
- Lulu Kesin, The Greenvile News: LSU
- Cydney Henderson, USA TODAY: UCLA
- Jenna Ortiz, Arizona Republic: UCLA
- Nancy Armour, USA TODAY: UCLA
- Maxwell Donaldson, The Gadsden Times: LSU
This matchup marks a rematch of last year’s Sweet 16, when LSU defeated UCLA 78-69. The Bruins are in search of their first Final Four appearance, while LSU looks to return to the Final Four for the first time since their title run in 2023.
Texas vs. TCU women’s basketball predictions
Time, TV: 7 p.m. Monday (ESPN)
- Meghan L. Hall, For The Win: TCU
- Lulu Kesin, The Greenvile News: Texas
- Cydney Henderson, USA TODAY: TCU
- Jenna Ortiz, Arizona Republic: TCU
- Nancy Armour, USA TODAY: Texas
- Maxwell Donaldson, The Gadsden Times: TCU
- Jordan Mendoza, USA TODAY: TCU
The Horned Frogs advance to their first Elite Eight appearance (and Hailey Van Lith’s fifth) riding a 13-game win streak, and will meet No. 1 Texas and Madison Booker, the SEC Player of the Year, in the Elite Eight. Texas’ offense has grabbed all the headlines, but the Longhorns defense has stepped up in the NCAA tournament. Texas forced the nation’s top scoring offense into 18 turnovers, nine of which came in fourth quarter.
UConn vs. USC women’s basketball predictions
Time, TV: 9 p.m. Monday, ESPN
- Meghan L. Hall, For The Win: UConn
- Lulu Kesin, The Greenvile News: UConn
- Cydney Henderson, USA TODAY: UConn
- Jenna Ortiz, Arizona Republic: UConn
- Nancy Armour, USA TODAY: UConn
- Maxwell Donaldson, The Gadsden Times: UConn
USC proved they are fully capable of winning without Watkins in a 67-61 win over No. 5 Kansas State. Freshman guard Kennedy Smith led the way with 19 points. The Trojans will be tasked with slowing down a red-hot Bueckers, who’s in midst of a legendary streak in the final women’s NCAA Tournament of her career. She scored a career-high 40 points in UConn’s win blowout win over No. 3 Oklahoma.
