The women’s March Madness bracket was revealed on Sunday.

Undefeated South Carolina earned the top overall seed and is in the first Albany Region. Iowa and Caitlin Clark, poised for another Final Four run after her landmark season where she broke the all-time scoring record, earned the No. 1 seed in the second Albany Region.

USC and Texas are the top seeds in the Portland 3 and Portland 4 regions, respectively. LSU’s Angel Reese, Stanford’s Cameron Brink, Connecticut’s Paige Bueckers and South Carolina’s Te-Hina Paopao are hoping to stand in the way of Clark’s first national title.

See the complete women’s bracket here.

South Carolina earns No. 1 seed in Albany 1 Region

Undefeated South Carolina earned the tournament’s top overall seed. Here’s how the first regional in Albany shook out.

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No. 1 South Carolina (32-0) vs. No. 16 Sacred Heart/Presbyterian, Friday, 2 p.m. ET (ESPN)

No. 8 North Carolina (19-12) vs. No. 9 Michigan State (22-8), Friday, 11:30 a.m. (ESPN2)

No. 5 Oklahoma (22-9) vs. No. 12 FGCU (29-4), Saturday, 4 p.m. (ESPNews)

No. 4 Indiana (24-5) vs. No. 13 Fairfield (31-1), Saturday, 1:30 p.m. (ESPN2)

No. 6 Nebraska (22-11) vs. No. 11 Texas A&M (19-12), Friday, 10:30 p.m. (ESPNU)

No. 3 Oregon State (24-7) vs. No. 14 Eastern Washington (29-5), Friday, 8 p.m. (ESPNU)

No. 7 Ole Miss (23-8) vs. No. 10 Marquette (23-8), Saturday, 4:45 p.m. (ESPNU)

No. 2 Notre Dame (26-6) vs. No. 15 Kent State (21-10), Saturday, 2:15 p.m. (ESPN)

No. 8 is a tough seed for North Carolina, but know that they’re dangerous. If Deja Kelly takes over a game, anything could happen. Oklahoma as a 5 seed:

A little surprising given Sooners won the Big 12 regular season, but faltering in the conference tournament has consequences. Notre Dame as a No. 2 seed is a surprise as they weren’t even on the top 16 seed line the last committee reveal. Read Lindsay Schnell’s full breakdown of the region here.

Iowa women’s basketball, Caitlin Clark are No. 1 seed in Albany 2 Region

Caitlin Clark and the Hawkeyes will face No. 16 Holy Cross/UT Martin in the first round. Here’s how the second regional in Albany turned out.

No. 1 Iowa (29-4) vs. No. 16 Holy Cross/UT Martin, Saturday, 3 p.m. ET (ABC)

No. 8 West Virginia (24-7) vs. No. 9 Princeton (25-4), Saturday, 5:30 p.m. (ESPN2)

No. 5 Colorado (22-9) vs. No. 12 Drake (29-5), Friday, 7 p.m. (ESPNews)

No. 4 Kansas State (25-7) vs. No. 13 Portland (21-12), Friday, 4:30 p.m., (ESPNews)

No. 6 Louisville (24-9) vs. No. 11 Middle Tennessee (29-4), Friday, 1:30 p.m. (ESPN2)

No. 3 LSU (28-5) vs. No. 14 Rice (19-14), Friday, 4 p.m. (ESPN)

No. 7 Creighton (25-5) vs. No. 10 UNLV (30-2), Saturday, 7 p.m. (ESPNews)

No. 2 UCLA (25-6) vs. No. 15 California Baptist (28-3), Saturday, 9:30 p.m. (ESPN2)

That is one hell of a path for Caitlin Clark and Iowa to get through. … I really like Kansas State and could see them surprising some people. And remember, they’ve already beat Iowa once and lost to Iowa once. Game 3 for all the marbles? … Also, suffice it to say everyone will be pulling for an Iowa-LSU rematch. Read Lindsay Schnell’s full breakdown of the region here.

Here’s what you need to know about Iowa’s first-round matchup. And here’s some advice from UCLA head coach Cori Close.

USC secures No. 1 seed in the Portland 3 Region
JuJu Watkins and the Trojans (26-5) will face No. 16 A&M-Corpus Christi (23-8) in the first round. Here’s a look at region.

No. 1 USC (26-5) vs. No. 16 A&M-Corpus Christi (23-8), Saturday, 4:30 p.m. ET, (ESPN)
No. 8 Kansas (19-12) vs. No. 9 Michigan (20-13), Saturday, 2 p.m. (ESPNews)
No. 5 Baylor (24-7) vs. No. 12 Vanderbilt/Columbia, Friday, 6 p.m. (ESPNU)
No. 4 Virginia Tech (24-7) vs. No. 13 Marshall (26-6), Friday, 3:30 p.m. (ESPN2)
No. 6 Syracuse (23-7) vs. No. 11 Auburn/Arizona, Saturday, 3:30 p.m. (ESPN2)
No. 3 UConn (29-5) vs. No. 14 Jackson State (26-6), Saturday, 1 p.m. (ABC)
No. 7 Duke (20-11) vs. No. 10 Richmond (29-5), Friday, 2:30 p.m. (ESPNews)
No. 2 Ohio State (25-5) vs. No. 15 Maine (24-9), Friday, noon, (ESPN)

Potential Paige vs. JuJu? Yes, please! But first Paige & Co. will have to exact some revenge on Ohio State. … This is interesting: The teams closest to their regionals — Oregon State and UConn, with Portland and Albany — are going across the country. Is this a sign of parity?

I’m not sure, but it’s a bummer for both of their fan bases … Arizona and Vanderbilt look to be two of the last in, given that they’re both playing in First Four games. I thought Arizona could have and should have been safely in.

Awesome for Vanderbilt, which started the season hot but struggled a bit in SEC play. The ‘Dores haven’t been to the NCAA tournament since 2014, and this is a big step forward for them as Shea Ralph continues to rebuild that program. …

Will Virginia Tech’s Liz Kitley play in the postseason? The three-time ACC player of the year didn’t play in the ACC tournament after injuring her knee in the Hokies’ regular season finale, but no one knows her availability. Read Lindsay Schnell’s full breakdown of the region here.

Texas earns No. 1 seed in Portland 4 Region

The Texas Longhorns (30-4) are the top seed in the Portland 4 Region. They will face No. 16 Drexel (19-14) in the first round. Here’s a look at the whole region.

No. 1 Texas (30-4) vs. No. 16 Drexel (19-14), Friday, 3 p.m. ET (ESPNU)
No. 8 Alabama (23-9) vs. No. 9 Florida State (23-10), Friday, 5:30 p.m. (ESPN2)
No. 5 Utah (22-10) vs. No. 12 South Dakota State (27-5), Saturday, 10 p.m. (ESPNU)
No. 4 Gonzaga (30-3) vs. No. 13 UC Irvine (23-8), Saturday, 7:30 p.m. (ESPN2)
No. 6 Tennessee (19-12) vs. No. 11 Green Bay (27-6), Saturday, noon, (ESPN)
No. 3 NC State (27-6) vs. No. 14 Chattanooga (28-4), Saturday, 2:30 p.m. (ESPNU)
No. 7 Iowa State (20-11) vs. No. 10 Maryland (19-13), Friday, 7:30 p.m. (ESPN2)
No. 2 Stanford (28-5) vs. No. 15 Norfolk State (27-5), Friday, 10 p.m. (ESPN2)

Texas as a No. 1 seed: I can’t help but think the committee wasn’t as impressed with the Pac-12 as many in the West were, given that Stanford didn’t earn a No. 1 seed but the Longhorns did. Still, if things go chalk, we’ll still get a Texas-Stanford matchup, which I’ve been itching to see all season. …

Utah-Gonzaga is a super interesting potential second-round game. They both play fast and run a fun style … Iowa State-Maryland is a really interesting first-round matchup. Read Lindsay Schnell’s full breakdown of the region here.

Women’s March Madness first-round game schedule

Friday, March 22

No. 1 South Carolina (32-0) vs. No. 16 Sacred Heart/Presbyterian, Colonial Life Arena, Columbia, S.C.
No. 1 Texas (30-4) vs. No. 16 Drexel (19-14), Moody Center, Austin, Texas
No. 2 Ohio State (25-5) vs. No. 15 Maine (24-9), Value City Arena, Columbus, Ohio
No. 2 Stanford (28-5) vs. No. 15 Norfolk State (27-5), Maples Pavilion, Stanford, Calif.
No. 3 LSU (28-5) vs. No. 14 Rice (19-14), Pete Maravich Assembly Center, Baton Rouge, La.
No. 3 Oregon State (24-7) vs. No. 14 Eastern Washington (29-5), Gill Coliseum, Corvallis, Ore.
No. 4 Virginia Tech (24-7) vs. No. 13 Marshall (26-6), Cassell Coliseum, Blacksburg, Va.
No. 4 Kansas State (25-7) vs. No. 13 Portland (21-12), Bramlage Coliseum, Manhattan, Kan.
No. 5 Baylor (24-7) vs. No. 12 Vanderbilt/Columbia, Cassell Coliseum, Blacksburg, Va.
No. 5 Colorado (22-9) vs. No. 12 Drake (29-5), Bramlage Coliseum, Manhattan, Kan.
No. 6 Louisville (24-9) vs. No. 11 Middle Tennessee (29-4), Maravich Assembly Center, Baton Rouge, La.
No. 6 Nebraska (22-11) vs. No. 11 Texas A&M (19-12), Gill Coliseum, Corvallis, Ore.
No. 7 Iowa State (20-11) vs. No. 10 Maryland (19-13), Maples Pavilion, Stanford, Calif.
No. 7 Duke (20-11) vs. No. 10 Richmond (29-5), Value City Arena, Columbus, Ohio
No. 8 North Carolina (19-12) vs. No. 9 Michigan State (22-8), Colonial Life Arena, Columbia, S.C.
No. 8 Alabama (23-9) vs. No. 9 Florida State (23-10), Moody Center, Austin, Texas

Saturday, March 23

No. 1 Iowa (29-4) vs. No. 16 Holy Cross/UT Martin, Carver-Hawkeye Arena, Iowa City, Iowa
No. 1 USC (26-5) vs. No. 16 A&M-Corpus Christi (23-8), Galen Center, Los Angeles, Calif.
No. 2 Notre Dame (26-6) vs. No. 15 Kent State (21-10), Purcell Pavilion, South Bend, Ind.
No. 2 UCLA (25-6) vs. No. 15 California Baptist (28-3), Pauley Pavilion, Los Angeles, Calif.
No. 3 UConn (29-5) vs. No. 14 Jackson State (26-6), Gampel Pavilion, Storrs, Conn.
No. 3 NC State (27-6) vs. No. 14 Chattanooga (28-4), Reynolds Coliseum, Raleigh, N.C.
No. 4 Indiana (24-5) vs. No. 13 Fairfield (31-1), Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall, Bloomington, Ind.
No. 4 Gonzaga (30-3) vs. No. 13 UC Irvine (23-8), McCarthey Athletic Center, Spokane, Wash.
No. 5 Utah (22-10) vs. No. 12 South Dakota State (27-5), McCarthey Athletic Center, Spokane, Wash.
No. 5 Oklahoma (22-9) vs. No. 12 FGCU (29-4), Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall, Bloomington, Ind.
No. 6 Tennessee (19-12) vs. No. 11 Green Bay (27-6), Reynolds Coliseum, Raleigh, N.C.
No. 6 Syracuse (23-7) vs. No. 11 Auburn/Arizona, Gampel Pavilion, Storrs, Conn.
No. 7 Ole Miss (23-8) vs. No. 10 Marquette (23-8), Purcell Pavilion, South Bend, Ind.
No. 7 Creighton (25-5) vs. No. 10 UNLV (30-2), Pauley Pavilion, Los Angeles, Calif.
No. 8 West Virginia (24-7) vs. No. 9 Princeton (25-4), Carver-Hawkeye Arena, Iowa City, Iowa
No. 8 Kansas (19-12) vs. No. 9 Michigan (20-13), Galen Center, Los Angeles, Calif.

Wednesday, March 20

Sacred Heart vs. Presbyterian, Colonial Life Arena, Columbia, S.C., 7 p.m. ET (ESPNU)
Vanderbilt vs. Columbia, Cassell Coliseum, Blacksburg, Va., 9 p.m. (ESPNU)

Thursday, March 21

Auburn vs. Arizona, Gampel Pavilion, Storrs, Conn., 7 p.m. ET (ESPN2)
Holy Cross vs. UT Martin, Carver-Hawkeye Arena, Iowa City, Iowa, 9 p.m. (ESPN2)

Women’s March Madness 2024 schedule

Here is the women’s schedule:

First Four: March 20-21
First round: March 22-23
Second round: March 24-25
Sweet 16: March 29-30
Elite Eight: March 31-April 1
Final Four: Friday, April 5 at 7:30 and 9 p.m. ET on ESPN

NCAA championship game: Sunday, April 7 at 3 p.m. ET on ABC

If Caitlin Clark leaves Iowa with a national title, she’ll have earned every bit of it. The NCAA Tournament selection committee did Clark and the Hawkeyes no favors in the bracket that was released Sunday night. Sure, they’re a No. 1 seed, as expected. They’ll host the first and second rounds at Carver-Hawkeye Arena, where they’ve lost all of two games in the past two seasons. They’re in the Albany regional, which is an easier trip for their diehard fans than the other regional in Portland, Oregon.

But the actual games? Woof.

There’s a potential Sweet 16 matchup with Kansas State, which Iowa has already played twice this season, losing at home and winning on a neutral court. A rematch of last year’s national title game against LSU looms in the regional final. If it’s not Angel Reese and the Tigers, then it will likely be second-seeded UCLA, which is battle tested after the bruising Pac-12 season. Read Nancy Armour’s full column here.

NCAA women’s tournament locations 2024

Like with the 2023 tournament, the 2024 tournament will feature two super regionals, with two 16-team brackets at each regional, which are in Portland, Ore., and Albany, N.Y. Here are all the venues we know are hosting tournament games over the next several weeks. Location and venues for the First Four and first and second rounds will be determined on Selection Sunday.

Round Location Venue Dates
First Four TBD TBD March 20-21
First round TBD TBD March 22-23
Second round TBD TBD March 24-25
Sweet 16 Portland Moda Center March 29-30
Sweet 16 Albany, N.Y. Times Union Center March 29-30
Elite Eight Portland Moda Center March 31-April 1
Elite Eight Albany, N.Y. Times Union Center March 31-April 1
Final Four Cleveland Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse April 5
National championship Cleveland Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse April 7
Enter JuJu Watkins and Hannah Hidalgo, the women’s basketball faces of the future

It’s understandable why JuJu Watkins, the front-runner for national freshman of the year, sparks reaction every time she’s on the floor. The 6-foot-2 rookie from the Watts neighborhood of Los Angeles, has a silky smooth jumper, a veteran’s poise and a combination of skill, power and body control rarely seen.

With Caitlin Clark headed to the 2024 WNBA draft, where she’s projected No. 1 overall, Watkins, the nation’s second leading scorer this season behind Clark, is positioned to become the face of women’s basketball.

She’ll be joined by Notre Dame point guard Hannah Hidalgo, the other favorite for freshman of the year. Not lost on any of the powerbrokers in the game: Both of these players are Black. And in a game built by Black women, it matters that the faces of the future look like the faces of the past. Read Lindsay Schnell’s full feature here.

Women’s March Madness tickets

NCAA women’s tournament is the main draw for March Madness this year

Caitlin Clark is must-see TV, JuJu Watkins and Hannah Hidalgo are her heirs apparent, and the big question ahead of Selection Sunday is whether top-seeded South Carolina and LSU might fight, err, face each other again in the Final Four. — Nancy Armour

How to watch women’s March Madness 2024

ESPN will air the Selection Sunday show. ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPNews and ABC will broadcast games in the first and second rounds, the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight. ESPN will show Final Four games. ABC will air the national championship game.

Bracket Challenge 2024: How to enter USA TODAY Sports Bracket Challenge with a chance to win $1 million

The USA TODAY Sports Bracket Challenge is back. There’s a $1 million grand prize for a perfect bracket. The Challenge is free to enter for those age 21 and over. Terms apply, void where prohibited by law. See official rules and get in the game.

NCAA women’s tournament stars to watch: Who you need to know

The Hawkeyes’ Caitlin Clark is poised for another Final Four run after her landmark season where she broke Pete Maravich’s all-time scoring record. LSU’s Angel Reese, Stanford’s Cameron Brink, Connecticut’s Paige Bueckers and South Carolina’s Te-Hina Paopao are hoping to stand in the way of her first national title.