The ultimate day of the second spherical of the 2026 girls’s NCAA match is underway. We’re monitoring each sport because the regional semifinals take form.
The Candy 16 is ready! Eight extra groups received Monday within the second spherical of the 2026 girls’s NCAA match, setting the bracket for each regional semifinals.
The three No. 1 seeds moved on simply, however there was loads of intrigue elsewhere, together with 10-seed Virginia’s double-overtime win towards Iowa, making the Cavaliers the primary First 4 crew in NCAA historical past to maneuver on to the second weekend.
Right here is ESPN’s information to all of the Day 4 outcomes, with evaluation from reporters of how every sport was received, and our specialists’ takes on every winner’s probabilities to advance to the Elite Eight.
How UCLA received the sport: UCLA took management early, leaping out to a 21-6 lead after the primary quarter, and Oklahoma State could not overcome that early gap. The Bruins scored the primary 9 factors within the sport and by no means trailed. As soon as once more, middle Lauren Betts was a standout for the Bruins, ending with 35 factors and 9 rebounds. Based on ESPN Analysis, that is Betts’ third NCAA match with 30 or extra factors. All different gamers in UCLA historical past have mixed for 3 30-point video games within the NCAA match in program historical past. Betts acquired a standing ovation after she was taken out of the sport in her ultimate sport at Pauley Pavilion.
UCLA’s Candy 16 opponent: (4) Minnesota
How the Bruins can advance to the Elite Eight: Within the first two video games of this match, the Bruins have proven how dominant they are often in stretches, and so they can lean on their Closing 4 expertise for resilience. On Monday evening, the Bruins survived the Cowgirls’ 9-0 run within the third quarter, by no means letting them get inside single digits in that span. As UCLA continues within the match, the Bruins cannot give groups an opportunity to get again into the sport.
How South Carolina received the sport: The Gamecocks took over this sport from the beginning, due to well-rounded performances from everybody who performed. The Gamecocks had 5 gamers rating in double figures, led by Joyce Edwards‘ 23 factors and 10 rebounds. Madina Okot completed with 15 factors and 15 rebounds, whereas Ta’Niya Latson had 12 factors and 4 steals. South Carolina’s protection was stifling, holding USC to only 16 made area objectives on 33% taking pictures. The Gamecocks despatched USC to the free throw line solely as soon as. They held Jazzy Davidson to 12 factors.
South Carolina’s Candy 16 opponent: (4) Oklahoma
How the Gamecocks can advance to the Elite Eight: South Carolina has received its first two video games of the match by a mixed 109 factors, and scored at the very least 100 factors in each video games — the primary time it has scored 100 twice in the identical match. Between its measurement, quickness, protection and depth, groups are challenged to decelerate South Carolina. However Oklahoma, the Gamecocks’ Candy 16 opponent, was one of many three groups that beat them in the course of the common season. In that matchup — a 94-82 extra time loss in January — Aaliyah Chavez scored 15 of her 26 factors within the additional interval. Raegan Beers additionally had a powerful exhibiting, with 18 factors and 14 rebounds. South Carolina constructed a snug lead heading into halftime, but it surely took its foot off the gasoline within the third and its offense was disrupted. The Gamecocks can’t change into complacent after the early success they’ve had within the match.
How Vanderbilt received: The Commodores confirmed they’ve depth past their star, Mikayla Blakes. With Illinois double-teaming Blakes, Aubrey Galvan and Justine Pissott mixed for 30 factors and 6 rebounds. And Blakes nonetheless completed with 25 factors, 10 rebounds and 9 assists, turning into the fourth participant in Vanderbilt historical past with at the very least 20 factors, 5 rebounds and 5 assists in an NCAA match sport (she’s the primary since 2003). She’s the primary Vanderbilt participant to attain at the very least 25 factors in every of her first three NCAA match video games.
Vanderbilt’s Candy 16 opponent: (6) Notre Dame
How the Commodores can advance to the Elite Eight: Vanderbilt hadn’t made it previous the second spherical of the match since 2009. The Commodores will face Olivia Miles and Notre Dame. Blakes is the nation’s main scorer, however Miles is the third-best scorer within the nation. She can be a pesky defender. The Commodores common simply 13.1 turnovers per sport, however they must be much more cautious with the ball. Vanderbilt shot properly from 3-point vary within the first spherical of the match, pulling down 11 pictures from distance. Blakes hit extra 3-pointers than Illinois. Vanderbilt averages 26.3 3-point makes an attempt per sport and converts 36.3% of them.
How the sport was received: It was full domination for the Huskies. Their protection/press set the tone, because it has all season, with the Huskies tallying seven steals within the first quarter. UConn shot 66% within the first half, together with 60% from the 3-point arc — a results of unbelievable taking pictures and lackluster protection from the Orange. A 31-0 run — the primary within the girls’s match since ESPN started monitoring, which dates again to 2019 — sealed the win. With the best way the Huskies had been forcing turnovers, hitting pictures, passing the ball and taking part in on a string, it was an virtually flawless first half. Azzi Fudd, who performed solely 17 minutes due to foul hassle within the Huskies’ first-round win over UTSA, scored 26 of her 34 factors within the first half. She shot 13 of 18 from the ground and eight of 11 from 3. Sarah Strong added 18 factors and 9 boards, and Blanca Quiñonez adopted up her robust NCAA match debut with 18 factors and 4 assists.
UConn’s Candy 16 opponent: North Carolina
How UConn can advance to the Elite Eight: If the Huskies maintain taking part in this fashion, they are going to don’t have any points advancing to the Elite Eight. That is no disrespect to North Carolina, however the Huskies are simply that good. Geno Auriemma will need to make sure that his crew would not get complacent after this early success or that it begins to really feel the stress of a 40-0 season because the Huskies get deeper into the match. No coach within the nation is best outfitted to navigate gamers via these dynamics than Auriemma. And having a bunch that has largely been via the NCAA match earlier than — to not point out emerged as champions — ought to solely assist.
How Kentucky received the sport: Although West Virginia made this a decent and intense sport down the stretch, Kentucky led for 33 minutes and by no means trailed after the primary quarter. The Wildcats led by as many as 14 factors, however as soon as the Mountaineers discovered their footing on protection, it grew to become a tighter contest. Kentucky received due to the play of its high three scorers: Teonni Key, Clara Strack and Tonie Morgan. Key led the group with 19 factors and 10 rebounds — her second-highest scoring mark of the season. Strack recorded her sixteenth double-double of the season, and her fourth double-double in six profession NCAA match video games, with 18 factors and 15 rebounds. Morgan added 15 factors.
Kentucky’s Candy 16 opponent: (1) Texas
How the Wildcats can advance to the Elite Eight: The Wildcats are advancing to the Candy 16 for the primary time since 2016, and have an opportunity to make it to the Elite Eight for the primary time since 2013. They’ll face Madison Booker and the Longhorns within the third spherical of the match. To get previous that group, the Wildcats must use their measurement to their benefit. The Wildcats have 4 gamers listed at 6-foot-4 and taller, and so they common 40 rebounds per sport. This might assist them work previous the high-powered offense of Texas.
How Notre Dame received: The Irish misplaced 4 starters and two essential reserves to commencement and transfers from final 12 months’s Candy 16 crew. However they’d junior guard Hannah Hidalgo again, and he or she has had one other incredible season. In Columbus, Ohio, on Monday, she was the catalyst for every thing, ending with 26 factors, 13 rebounds, eight steals and two assists. She additionally had good help, as Vanessa de Jesus had 15 factors, Cassandre Prosper and Iyana Moore added 13 every, and KK Bransford chipped in 10. The Irish compelled 21 turnovers and scored 25 factors off them.
Notre Dame’s Candy 16 opponent: (2) Vanderbilt
How Notre Dame can advance to the Elite Eight: Notre Dame is rolling and shall be a problem for any foe. However that wasn’t the case earlier this season. The Irish went 3-6 in January — after falling at Cal on Jan. 29, they had been 13-8 general and 5-5 within the ACC. Then, their season began to show round Feb. 1 after a victory at Stanford. The Irish have misplaced simply twice since then: 81-70 at Virginia on Feb. 8 and 65-63 to Duke on March 7 within the ACC match semifinals. Hidalgo has been the rock for the Irish. Prosper’s progress and the improved chemistry of transfers Moore (from Vanderbilt) and de Jesus (from Duke) have helped the Irish change into maybe probably the most improved crew within the nation since midseason. — Voepel
How Virginia received: Merely put: tireless, gutsy, efficient guard play. Kymora Johnson had 28 factors, and Paris Clark added 20, plus they’d a mixed 9 rebounds and eight assists. And one other Cavalier guard, Romi Levy, had 13 factors. The Cavaliers made 9 of 27 3-pointers and had been 18-of-23 from the foul line. And although Virginia had 20 turnovers to Iowa’s 16, the Cavaliers capitalized way more on them. They obtained 27 factors off turnovers to Iowa’s 14. Iowa led 42-24 in factors within the paint. However in a decent sport that went to 2 additional durations, there have been too many occasions the Hawkeyes did not execute in clutch moments. They’d the ball with a chance to win on the finish of regulation, however Chazadi Wright missed a turnaround jumper. They’d the ball once more on the finish of the primary extra time however missed a 3-pointer and an tried putback. Then, Iowa sophomore standout middle Ava Heiden and senior guard Kylie Feuerbach fouled out within the second extra time. The Hawkeyes additionally missed vital free throws late within the sport, ending 8-of-16 from the road. They had been 5-of-29 from 3-point vary. Iowa misplaced its finest 3-point shooter, senior Taylor McCabe, to a knee damage Jan. 25, and her absence as a fringe menace and ball handler was felt in Monday’s loss. The Hawkeyes finish the season 27-7 and lose senior ahead Hannah Stuelke, who was a part of their Closing 4 groups in 2023 and 2024. She had 15 factors, 19 rebounds and 6 assists in her ultimate sport, however was 1-of-6 from the road.
Virginia’s Candy 16 opponent: (3) TCU
How Virginia can advance to the Elite Eight: The Cavaliers appeared to really feel at residence at Carver-Hawkeye Area in Iowa Metropolis, successful three video games there to advance to this system’s first Candy 16 since 2000. Every sport went right down to the wire — Virginia beat Arizona State 57-55 within the First 4 and No. 7 seed Georgia 82-73 in extra time earlier than the marathon win over Iowa. The Cavaliers are the primary crew because the First 4 started for the ladies’s match in 2022 to advance from that spherical to the Candy 16. Johnson had a mixed 73 factors within the three video games and can face off with TCU celebrity guard Olivia Miles within the regional ultimate. The Cavaliers should proceed their stellar guard play and protection, which can give them an opportunity to knock off the Horned Frogs. — Michael Voepel
How Louisville received: The Cardinals misplaced 5 video games at residence this season, and Alabama virtually made it six Monday. Louisville did simply sufficient to carry off the Crimson Tide regardless of leaving the door open: The Cardinals had been simply 8-of-16 from the free throw line and 7-of-26 from behind the 3-point arc, whereas Alabama was 4-of-4 from the stripe and 12-of-26 from 3. However Louisville additionally managed the boards 41-24 and was referred to as for simply 10 fouls to Alabama’s 21.
Louisville’s Tajianna Roberts and Elif Istanbulluoglu every had 18 factors, and Laura Ziegler had 12. The Cardinals have superior to the Candy 16 for the thirteenth time and head to the Fort Price Regional. On the opposite facet, freshman Ace Austin had 17 factors to guide Alabama, which was making an attempt to make this system’s first Candy 16 since 1998. As a substitute, the Crimson Tide finish their season at 24-11.
Louisville’s Candy 16 opponent: (2) Michigan
How Louisville can advance to the Elite Eight: The Cardinals face a Michigan crew that cruised in its first two match video games, beating Holy Cross by 35 and NC State by 29. Sophomore standouts Olivia Olson (27 factors towards the Wolfpack) and Syla Swords (26) have posed challenges for defenders all season, and the Cardinals might want to work out some technique to maintain them from taking up the sport. Louisville did not guard the 3-point line towards Alabama in addition to it needed to, and it might’t afford to offer the Wolverines these sorts of appears to be like. Louisville is in search of its ninth journey to the Elite Eight, whereas Michigan seeks its second. — Voepel
