FORT WORTH, Texas — The Sweet Sixteen of the women’s NCAA Tournament is a familiar stage for UConn and Notre Dame, programs consistently among the nation’s elite. This year, they’ll share the spotlight in the Fort Worth Regional with North Carolina and Vanderbilt, teams also boasting a history of success in March, though not always at the same consistent level. The four programs, all among just 15 to reach the second weekend of the tournament at least 15 times, will compete in regional semifinal matchups on Friday, setting the stage for a compelling battle for a spot in the Final Four.
Defending national champion UConn (36-0) enters the regional as the top seed, riding a remarkable 52-game winning streak. They’ll face No. 4 seed North Carolina (28-7), while No. 2 seed Vanderbilt (29-4) takes on No. 6 seed Notre Dame (24-10) in a contest featuring two of the country’s leading scorers. The stakes are high, as UConn coach Geno Auriemma emphasized, “You play, what, 36 games and you try to put yourself in this situation as often as you can. I feel every team that’s here knows that this weekend is probably the biggest weekend of the year. I know everybody talks about the Final Four and all that, but getting there is a lot harder than what happens after you get there, I think.”
UConn’s Dominance and a Familiar Foe
The Huskies are making their record 32nd consecutive Sweet Sixteen appearance and their 33rd a testament to their sustained excellence. Led by AP All-Americans Azzi Fudd and North Carolina native Sarah Strong, UConn appears poised to continue their championship pursuit. Strong, a sophomore averaging 17.4 points over 75 games, has a personal connection to the opposing Tar Heels. She was heavily recruited by UNC before choosing the Huskies. “She’s a special kid. It’s a kid I’ve loved for a long time. I think she’s a generational talent,” UNC coach Courtney Banghart said. “It’s been fun to support her. I’ve watched a lot of their games because I’m a Sarah Strong fan.”
Banghart recounted a heartwarming moment from a previous meeting between the teams, when her young children excitedly greeted Strong. UConn won that game, a victory that also marked Auriemma’s 1,216th career win, tying the Division I record for both men’s and women’s basketball. Strong acknowledged the difficult decision to choose UConn, stating, “It was definitely a tough decision. I love Courtney. I love UNC. Just, yeah, every time I visited, she’s made me feel so welcome. I think she’s a great coach. I have a lot of respect for her and very excited to be playing against them.”
A Vanderbilt Transfer Faces Her Former Team
The matchup between Vanderbilt and Notre Dame carries a unique emotional weight for graduate transfer guard Iyana Moore. Moore, now a key player for the Fighting Irish, spent three seasons with the Commodores, averaging 13.1 points in 100 games. She’ll now face her former teammates and close friend, Sacha Washington, a Vanderbilt senior forward and her former roommate. “She was a sizeable part of our rebuild at Vanderbilt, so I’m excited to see her and I’m just excited to play against her, see what she’s learned,” Washington said.
Notre Dame has reached the Sweet Sixteen 15 consecutive times when making the NCAA Tournament, a streak only broken by their absence in 2021. Despite past success, including a national title in 2018 and a runner-up finish in 2019, the Irish haven’t advanced beyond this stage since. This year, they’re led by Hannah Hidalgo, who leads the nation in steals (5.6 per game) and ranks third in scoring (25.2 points per game). The Irish rebuilt their roster significantly after last season, losing eight players, including three who are now playing professionally and three who transferred, including Olivia Miles, who is now competing with TCU in the Sweet Sixteen. Coach Niele Ivey highlighted the team’s chemistry, saying, “It speaks volumes. … The team that we have, they just are connected. The last several weeks we’ve done a great job of really peaking at the right time, and our chemistry is clicking at the right time.”
A Clash of Scoring Titans
The Vanderbilt-Notre Dame game promises a high-scoring affair, featuring a head-to-head matchup between two of the nation’s most prolific scorers. Vanderbilt guard Mikayla Blakes leads the country with 27 points per game, while Notre Dame’s Hidalgo is close behind at 25.2 points per game. Audi Crooks of Iowa State also averaged 25.8 points per game, but her team was eliminated in the first round. This offensive showdown will be a key factor in determining which team advances.
Vanderbilt’s impressive season, their first Sweet Sixteen appearance since 2009, has been a testament to their growth and resilience. Moore believes the Commodores are well-prepared for the challenges ahead, stating, “I think it’s incredible what Vandy has done this year. They’ve been put in a great position just to go out there and be polished in March.”
The Fort Worth Regional semifinals are set to deliver compelling basketball action, showcasing the talent and determination of these four storied programs. Fans can follow the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament bracket and coverage at the AP’s dedicated page and March Madness coverage.
The winners of Friday’s games will advance to the regional final on Sunday, bringing them one step closer to the Final Four in Cleveland. The NCAA will announce the schedule for Sunday’s game following the conclusion of Friday’s contests. Stay tuned to AP News for continued coverage of the women’s NCAA Tournament.
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, please reach out for assist. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) offers support and resources at https://www.nami.org/. You can also contact the Crisis and Suicide Lifeline by calling or texting 988 in the US and Canada, or dialing 111 in the UK.
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