Women’s March Madness Sweet 16 Predictions and Game Picks
The 2025 Women’s NCAA Tournament has reached the Sweet 16. This year’s tournament promises thrilling matchups with top seeds and historic rivalries.
Fans and analysts are eagerly anticipating the outcomes of today’s games. Today’s games feature powerhouse teams and intense competition.
Today’s Sweet 16 Matchups
Table of Contents
Today’s Sweet 16 schedule is packed with four exciting games that are sure to keep fans on the edge of their seats. The matchups include:
- No. 2 Duke vs. No. 3 UNC
- No. 1 South Carolina vs. No. 4 Maryland
- No. 2 NC State vs. No. 3 LSU
- No. 1 UCLA vs. No. 5 Ole Miss
No. 2 Duke vs. No. 3 UNC
The rivalry between Duke and UNC is one of the most storied in college basketball. Today’s matchup is expected to be nothing short of spectacular.
According to the expert predictions from the USA TODAY Sports Network, the majority of analysts are favoring Duke to come out on top:
- Nancy Armour, USA TODAY: Duke
- Cora Hall, Knoxville News-Sentinel: Duke
- Meghan L. Hall, For The Win: Duke
- Cydney Henderson, USA TODAY: Duke
- Jordan Mendoza, USA TODAY: UNC
- Cory Diaz, Lafayette Advertiser: Duke
- Maxwell Donaldson, The Gadsden Times: Duke
- Jenna Ortiz, The Arizona Republic: Duke
With a 7-1 split in favor of Duke, the Blue Devils are the clear favorites in this matchup. However, UNC’s lone supporter, Jordan Mendoza, believes the Tar Heels have what it takes to pull off an upset.
No. 1 South Carolina vs. No. 4 Maryland
South Carolina, the top seed, faces off against Maryland in what promises to be a high-stakes game. The experts are unanimous in their predictions, with all analysts backing South Carolina:
- Nancy Armour, USA TODAY: South Carolina
- Cora Hall, Knoxville News-Sentinel: South Carolina
- Meghan L. Hall, For The Win: South Carolina
- Cydney Henderson, USA TODAY: South Carolina
- Jordan Mendoza, USA TODAY: South Carolina
- Cory Diaz, Lafayette Advertiser: South Carolina
- Maxwell Donaldson, The Gadsden Times: South Carolina
- Jenna Ortiz, The Arizona Republic: South Carolina
This overwhelming support suggests that South Carolina is expected to dominate this matchup, continuing their impressive tournament run.
No. 2 NC State vs. No. 3 LSU
The clash between NC State and LSU is one of the most intriguing matchups of the day. The predictions are split, indicating a closely contested game:
- Nancy Armour, USA TODAY: NC State
- Cora Hall, Knoxville News-Sentinel: NC State
- Meghan L. Hall, For The Win: NC State
- Cydney Henderson, USA TODAY: NC State
- Jordan Mendoza, USA TODAY: LSU
- Cory Diaz, Lafayette Advertiser: LSU
- Maxwell Donaldson, The Gadsden Times: LSU
- Jenna Ortiz, The Arizona Republic: NC State
With a 5-3 split in favor of NC State, the Wolfpack are slightly favored. However, LSU’s supporters believe the Tigers have the potential to secure a victory.
No. 1 UCLA vs. No. 5 Ole Miss
In the final game of the day, top-seeded UCLA takes on Ole Miss. The predictions heavily favor UCLA, with only one analyst picking Ole Miss:
- Nancy Armour, USA TODAY: UCLA
- Cora Hall, Knoxville News-Sentinel: Ole Miss
- Meghan L. Hall, For The Win: UCLA
- Cydney Henderson, USA TODAY: UCLA
- Jordan Mendoza, USA TODAY: UCLA
- Cory Diaz, Lafayette Advertiser: UCLA
- Maxwell Donaldson, The Gadsden Times: UCLA
- Jenna Ortiz, The Arizona Republic: UCLA
Expert Analysis and Predictions
The expert predictions from the USA TODAY Sports Network provide valuable insights into today’s matchups. The consensus among analysts highlights the strength of the top seeds, but there is always room for surprises in March Madness.
Key Factors to Watch
Several key factors will play a crucial role in determining the outcomes of today’s games:
- Team Depth: The ability to rotate players and maintain a high level of performance is critical in the later stages of the tournament.
- Star Performers: Individual performances can make a significant difference, with standout players often leading their teams to victory.
- Coaching Strategies: Effective game plans and in-game adjustments by coaches can be the deciding factor in close matchups.
- Defense: Strong defensive play can disrupt opponents’ rhythm and create scoring opportunities.
Conclusion
As the Sweet 16 unfolds, fans can expect a day filled with excitement, drama, and high-level basketball.
The expert predictions provide a glimpse into the potential outcomes, but the unpredictability of March Madness means anything can happen.
Stay tuned for live updates and in-depth coverage of today’s games. Be sure to follow the action as the road to the Elite Eight continues.
For more detailed predictions and live updates, visit the USA TODAY Sports Network.