Women’s March Madness live updates: Previews, action from Sunday’s second round
The second round of Madness is here! After two exciting days of big wins, close matches and star performances, the Round of 16 kicks off on Sunday with 16 teams vying to advance to the Sweet 16.
Will Duke hold another defensive clinic? Can Washington – or anyone – stop Olivia Miles? Before the games start, our ESPN college basketball analysts offer a key to winning the game for each team.
Be sure to check back as the matches begin for live updates from the second round.
Go to: Sunday Match Previews
6 p.m. ET, ESPN
How the Ducks can advance to the Sweet 16: The Ducks, who beat Maryland in the second round of the Big Ten tournament, have now won three of their last four games, their best streak since four straight wins in late January. When Oregon beat Maryland in Indianapolis, Michigan was next — and the Wolverines handed the Ducks a 22-point loss. Oregon’s next likely opponent, Texas, offers an even greater challenge.
It was also the Ducks’ 23rd win of the season, making it their most successful campaign since Sabrina Ionescu’s senior year in 2020, when the NCAA Tournament was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. — Cream
How the Longhorns can advance to the Sweet 16: The Longhorns, who have reached at least the Elite Eight four in the last five years, will face No. 8 seed Oregon in the second round. The Ducks beat Virginia Tech 70-60 in the first round. You can be sure Texas coach Vic Schaefer is focused on a defensive game plan to limit Oregon’s standout guard Katie Fiso, who had 22 points on 9-of-12 shooting against the Hokies. — Voepel
8 p.m. ET, ESPN
How the Spartans can advance to the Sweet 16: Against Oklahoma, the Spartans will have to contend with the home crowd and one of the game’s best point guards in freshman Aaliyah Chavez, not to mention one of the most dominant centers in Raegan Beers. The Spartans need to knock down some 3-pointers to help stretch the field and open up the court for Grace VanSlooten down low. Michigan State’s guard lineup has been here before and is more experienced, which could be an X-factor against Chavez. — ESPN
How the Sooners can advance to the Sweet 16: Keep doing what they’re doing. Oklahoma was efficient in the frontcourt and backcourt, shot 51 percent from the field and had four players score in double figures. As impressive as Beers and Sahara Williams were, it was perhaps more remarkable that Chavez — making his NCAA tournament debut — had no turnovers in 31 minutes. — ESPN
10 p.m. ET, ESPN
How the Huskies can advance to the Sweet 16: It was Washington’s first tournament victory since 2017, the year the Huskies reached the Sweet 16 behind Kelsey Plum’s 30 points per game. Washington will face No. 3 seed TCU – and triple-double threat Olivia Miles – in the second round. The Huskies can’t fall into an early hole like they did against South Dakota State. Washington needs to make sure its defense works quickly. — Andres
How the Horned Frogs can advance to the Sweet 16: After the Horned Frogs scored just 53 points in the Big 12 Tournament championship game against West Virginia, they scored 48 in the first half against UC San Diego, erasing the memory of their second-lowest offensive output of the season. The Tritons certainly aren’t the Mountaineers, but an offensive play like this helps restore TCU’s confidence. The pick-and-roll offense looked strong again with the Horned Frogs recording 23 assists on their 32 field goals. The 13 3-pointers on 26 attempts were also the most for TCU since early December. Having that shot against Georgia or South Dakota State in the second round will be important. — Cream
