USC earned the area’s Incorrect. 1 seed, however the Trojans aren’t the one workforce to get desirous about within the Portland 3 area.
From a first-time event workforce to a prolific scorer, this is the whole thing you want to understand concerning the area earlier than March Insanity starts:
5 issues to understand
USC is a Incorrect. 1 seed for the primary hour since 1986
The endmost hour USC was once a Incorrect. 1 within the NCAA event, Cheryl Miller was once nonetheless enjoying for the Trojans. It’s been 38 years since that season, which additionally marks the endmost hour USC made a Ultimate 4.
Freshman sensation JuJu Watkins and the Trojans are heading into March Insanity with momentum, due to a Pac-12 championship win. Watkins can be must-see TV for any basketball fan, because the secure is 2nd within the nation in scoring with 27 issues in keeping with sport, however she isn’t the one weapon at the roster. McKenzie Forbes, who was once named Pac-12 event MVP, is 2nd at the workforce in scoring with 13.5 issues in keeping with sport. Middle Rayah Marshall provides her workforce a robust presence inside of with 10.2 issues and 10.5 rebounds in keeping with sport.
If each groups deal their categories of the bracket, USC may play games UConn within the Elite 8, the place Watkins would face off towards any other big name secure in Paige Bueckers.
Columbia earns first bid nearest Megan Griffith’s impassioned plea
Next falling to Princeton within the Ivy League identify sport, Colombia’s possibilities on the NCAA event seemed thin. The Lions have been projected as one of the most first 4 groups out, however the committee idea in a different way, and they’re slated to play games Vanderbilt within the First 4. That is their first NCAA event look.
Next the loss to Princeton, lecturer Megan Griffith laid out her workforce’s resume, week additionally calling out the committee.
“The NCAA talks about short of to develop the sport and we simply constantly put SEC groups in which can be 15-14,” Griffith stated.
Now, Columbia will play games an SEC workforce within the first spherical, because the 22-9 Commodores earned their first bid since 2014.
Be careful for Marshall
Virginia Tech may have its fingers complete with Marshall within the first spherical, particularly if senior Liz Kitley doesn’t play games. She’s been injured since Virginia Tech’s March 3 loss to Virginia, and as of Variety Sunday, the Hokies don’t have an update on the senior’s status.
Marshall will look to play fast and force the Hokies into turnovers. They play a big rotation with 11 players getting consistent minutes, sub regularly, and force 23.7 turnovers per game. The Hokies will need to keep their composure to avoid an upset.
Dyaisha Fair could climb scoring list
Caitlin Clark will be playing in Albany, but Portland has its own prolific scorer in Fair, who plays for Syracuse. The fifth-year senior is currently fifth on the NCAA all-time scorer’s list with 3,283 points. She passed Birttney Griner this season. Fair has a chance to pass both Jackie Stiles (3,393 points) and Kelsey Mitchell (3.402 points) to slide into third place.
The No. 6 Orange take on the winner of Auburn/Arizona on Saturday.
Ohio State seeks second Final Four
Last season was a historic one for Ohio State, as the Buckeyes reached their first Elite Eight since 1993. The ’93 season was also the last (and only) time Ohio State reached the Final Four.
This year, the No. 2 Buckeyes will look to capitalize on an experienced roster to make history. Fifth-year senior Jacy Sheldon (18 issues, 3.7 assists and a pair of.1 steals in keeping with sport) and sophomore Cotie McMahon (14.1 issues, 6.5 rebounds and a pair of.2 assists in keeping with sport) will top the way in which, however Duke switch and defensive stopper Celeste Taylor could be the difference maker.
The Buckeyes will likely have to contend with Taylor’s former team in the second round before a rematch of last year’s Sweet 16 victory over UConn.
Potential rematches
If the Buckeyes want to get to the Final Four, they may have to get through UConn and Virginia Tech, both rematches from last season’s tournament.
The Buckeyes defeated UConn 73-61 behind 23 points from McMahon, before falling to Virginia Tech thanks to 25 points from Kitley and 24 from Georgia Amoore. All three teams lost significant pieces from last season’s teams, but the biggest change is what UConn got back: Paige Bueckers.
Players to watch
Paige Bueckers, UConn: The Huskies felt Bueckers’ absence last season, as their 14-year Final Four streak came to an end. Now she’s back, and the 2021 National Player of the Year will be hungry.
Georgia Amoore, Virginia Tech: Amoore was a tournament darling last season as she led Virginia Tech to their first Elite Eight and first Final Four. The Australian guard is averaging a career-best 19.2 points and 6.9 assists per game, and if Kitley isn’t healthy, Amoore will have to carry an even bigger scoring load.
Taiyanna Jackson, Kansas: There are so many of gifted bigs in faculty basketball, and Jackson is considered one of them. The 6-foot-6 senior has been underrated all through her profession, however Jackson is a drive for Kansas. She’s averaging 12.6 issues, 9.8 rebounds and three.1 blocks in keeping with sport.
