Mon Mar 23 23:30:00 UTC 2026: # Experts Predict Potential Upsets and Final Four Outcomes in Women’s NCAA Tournament

The Story:
As the first round of the Women’s NCAA Tournament commences, CBS Sports experts offer their bold predictions for the Big Dance. Despite the strong performance of the top seeds, analysts anticipate potential upsets and shifts in the Final Four landscape. The article highlights specific teams like UCLA, Texas, Michigan, and Notre Dame, assessing their strengths, weaknesses, and potential to disrupt the tournament bracket.

Key Points:

  • For only the third time in history, and the first time since 2013, all four No. 1 seeds from the previous year’s Final Four (UConn, UCLA, Texas, South Carolina) are the top seeds again.
  • One expert predicts UCLA will not make the championship game, citing a difficult bracket with potential matchups against Ole Miss, Duke, and LSU.
  • Michigan is identified as a potential upset team, with their perimeter shooting and previous close games against top teams like UCLA and UConn being key factors.
  • Texas is considered a strong contender with an improved offense and previous victory over UCLA, as well as two wins against South Carolina.
  • Notre Dame, a No. 6 seed, is predicted to advance to the Elite Eight despite a challenging path, thanks to the performance of Hannah Hidalgo and a peaking team.
  • The article acknowledges the infrequency of all No. 1 seeds reaching the Final Four, occurring only four times in the tournament’s history (1989, 2012, 2015, and 2018).

Key Takeaways:

  • The Women’s NCAA Tournament is ripe for upsets, despite the dominance of the top seeds.
  • Michigan’s perimeter shooting and close games against top teams make them a dangerous opponent.
  • Texas’s improved offense and previous wins against strong teams position them as a legitimate Final Four contender.
  • Notre Dame’s peaking performance and the presence of Hannah Hidalgo could lead to a deeper tournament run than their seeding suggests.
  • Predicting March Madness outcomes is notoriously difficult, highlighting the excitement and unpredictability of the tournament.

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