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Women’s NCAA Tournament 2025: Schedule, Scores, TV Channels, and Bracket

ByCoach

The 2025 NCAA Women’s Tournament has kicked off with a thrilling first round. The first round was packed with surprises and set up some highly anticipated second-round matchups.

Fans are eagerly awaiting the rematch between South Carolina and Indiana. The clash promises to be as intense as their 2024 Sweet 16 encounter.

As the tournament progresses, top-seeded UCLA faces a challenging path to the championship. Meanwhile, reigning champions South Carolina and other formidable teams like Texas and USC are all vying for the coveted title.

This blog post delves into the key highlights, matchups, and must-watch games of the 2025 Women’s NCAA Tournament.

Key Highlights from the First Round

The first round of the 2025 Women’s NCAA Tournament was nothing short of spectacular. It featured several standout performances and unexpected outcomes.

Some of the most notable highlights include:

  • Michigan’s Narrow Victory: The Wolverines edged out Iowa State with a score of 80-74, showcasing their resilience and determination.
  • Kentucky’s Close Call: Kentucky narrowly defeated Liberty 79-78, proving that every point counts in March Madness.
  • Indiana’s Upset: Indiana, a ninth seed, triumphed over eighth-seeded Utah with a score of 76-68, setting up their exciting rematch with South Carolina.
  • South Carolina’s Dominance: The reigning champions demonstrated their strength with a commanding 108-48 victory over Tennessee Tech.

Top Seeds and Their Journey

The top seeds, UCLA, South Carolina, Texas, and USC, are all looking to make their mark in this year’s tournament. Each team has its unique strengths and challenges as they navigate their way through the competition.

UCLA Bruins

As the top overall seed, UCLA enters the tournament with high expectations. Led by Lauren Betts and Kiki Rice, the Bruins have shown exceptional skill and teamwork throughout the season.

However, their path to the championship is fraught with potential obstacles. These include formidable opponents and the pressure of maintaining their top-seed status.

South Carolina Gamecocks

The reigning champions are determined to defend their title, and their first-round performance against Tennessee Tech was a clear statement of intent. With JuJu Watkins leading the charge, South Carolina is a force to be reckoned with.

Texas Longhorns

Rounding out the No. 1 seeds, Texas has had an impressive season. They tallied up 31 wins en route to the NCAA Tournament.

Their journey continues with a second-round matchup against Illinois, where they aim to demonstrate why they deserve their top-seed status.

USC Trojans

USC, led by the talented JuJu Watkins, is another top contender in this year’s tournament. Their first-round victory over UNC Greensboro showcased their defensive prowess and scoring ability, setting the stage for further success in the upcoming rounds.

Second Round Matchups to Watch

The second round of the tournament promises even more excitement. Several key matchups that fans won’t want to miss include:

South Carolina vs. Indiana

This rematch of the 2024 Sweet 16 is one of the most highly anticipated games of the second round. Both teams have a lot to prove, and the outcome could have significant implications for the rest of the tournament.

Duke vs. Oregon

Duke, a second seed, faces off against the tenth-seeded Oregon. The Ducks have already proven they can pull off an upset, and they’ll be looking to continue their Cinderella story against a strong Duke team.

UCLA vs. Richmond

As the top overall seed, UCLA will take on Richmond in what promises to be an exciting matchup. The Bruins will need to stay focused and execute their game plan to avoid any surprises from the eighth-seeded Richmond.

Texas vs. Illinois

Texas, another top seed, will face Illinois in the second round. The Longhorns have been dominant all season, but they’ll need to bring their A-game to advance against a competitive Illinois team.

Unique Aspects of the Women’s Tournament

One of the unique features of the Women’s NCAA Tournament is that the highest seed in each four-team pod hosts the first weekend of games. This setup provides a home-court advantage for the top seeds, adding another layer of excitement to the tournament.

Additionally, the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight rounds will be hosted in two cities: Birmingham, Alabama, and Spokane, Washington. After that, the remaining teams will head to Florida for the Final Four and national championship game in Tampa.

Upcoming Schedule and Viewing Information

For those looking to keep up with all the action, here’s the schedule for the second round:

Sunday, March 23

  • 12 p.m.: (2) Duke vs. (10) Oregon at Cameron Indoor Stadium, Durham, N.C. — ESPN
  • 1 p.m.: (3) Notre Dame vs. (6) Michigan at Purcell Pavilion, South Bend, Ind. — ABC
  • 2 p.m.: (4) Kentucky vs. (5) Kansas State at Memorial Coliseum, Lexington, Ky. — ESPN
  • 3 p.m.: (1) South Carolina vs. (9) Indiana at Colonial Life Arena, Columbia, S.C. — ABC
  • 4 p.m.: (4) Baylor vs. (5) Ole Miss at Foster Pavilion, Waco, Texas — ESPN
  • 6 p.m.: (2) TCU vs. (7) Louisville at Schollmaier Arena, Fort Worth, Texas — ESPN
  • 8 p.m.: (4) Ohio State vs. (5) Tennessee at Schottenstein Center, Columbus, Ohio — ESPN
  • 10 p.m.: (1) UCLA vs. (8) Richmond at Pauley Pavilion, Los Angeles — ESPN

Monday, March 24

  • 12 p.m.: (2) NC State vs. (7) Michigan State at Reynolds Coliseum, Raleigh, N.C. — ESPN
  • 2 p.m.: (1) Texas vs. (8) Illinois at Moody Center, Austin, Tex. — ESPN
  • 4 p.m.: (3) Oklahoma vs. (6) Iowa at Lloyd Noble Center, Norman, Okla.– ESPN
  • 5 p.m.: (4) Maryland vs. (5) Alabama at XFINITY Center. College Park, Md. — ESPN2
  • 6 p.m.: (3) LSU vs. (6) Florida State at Pete Maravich Assembly Center, Baton Rouge, La. — ESPN
  • 7 p.m.: (3) North Carolina vs. (6) West Virginia at Carmichael Arena, Chapel Hill, N.C — ESPN2
  • 8 p.m: (2) UConn vs. (10) South Dakota State at Gampel Pavillon, Storrs, Conn. — ESPN
  • 10 p.m.: (1) USC vs. (9) Mississippi State at Galen Center, Los Angeles — ESPN

Looking Ahead

As the tournament progresses, fans can expect even more thrilling matchups and unforgettable moments.

The Sweet 16 and Elite Eight rounds will be held in Birmingham, Alabama, and Spokane, Washington, before the remaining teams head to Tampa, Florida, for the Final Four and national championship game.

Be sure to stay updated with all the latest scores, schedules, and highlights by visiting CBS Sports.

The 2025 Women’s NCAA Tournament is shaping up to be one of the most exciting in recent memory.

With top-tier talent, intense matchups, and the unique aspects of the women’s tournament, fans are in for a treat.

Stay tuned for more updates and analysis as we continue to cover all the action from this year’s March Madness.

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