These 7 Women's March Madness games are can't-miss in NCAA Tournament first round
These 7 Women's March Madness games are can't-miss in NCAA Tournament first round
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Players in March Madness to watch before the WNBA draft
Mackenzie Salmon and Meghan Hall give a guide on what players to look out for in the March Madness tournament before the WNBA draft.
Sports Seriously
Women's March Madness tips off first-round action on Friday, with 32 games over the next two days deciding who moves on in the NCAA Tournament bracket.
But which of those contests are poised to produce the most exciting on-court action? Which are absolutely must-watch games for any hoops fans?
Harmoni Turner and No. 10 Harvard against No. 7 Michigan State is up there. As is No. 6 Iowa vs. No. 11 Murray State. Also watch out for Mikayla Blakes and No. 7 Vanderbilt against No. 10 Oregon.
We asked our USA TODAY Sports Network experts which first-round games are the best on the schedule. Here's what they said.
No. 8 Utah vs. No. 9 Indiana
Time, TV: Friday, 1:30 p.m. | ESPN2 (Fubo)
Both teams are fresh from a long break and have veteran talent in Utah's Gianna Kneepkens and IU's Yarden Garzon. Both consistently score in double figures, so it's a matter of which team can contain the other. — Jenna Ortiz, Arizona Republic
No. 7. Vanderbilt vs. No. 10 Oregon
Time, TV: Friday, 5:30 p.m. | ESPNews (Fubo)
Mikayla Blakes is already one of the best scorers in the country as a freshman. Oregon is going to have a tough time keeping her in check. The Ducks have bodies to throw at her — we'll see if there are enough. — Mike Sykes, For The Win
Stream women's NCAA Tournament games on Fubo
No. 7 Louisville vs. No. 10 Nebraska
Time, TV: Friday, 6 p.m. | ESPN (Fubo)
If Britt Prince, Nebraska's otherworldly freshman, gets hot, it's going to be a long day for Louisville. — Nancy Armour, USA TODAY
No. 6 Iowa vs. No. 11 Murray State
Time, TV: Saturday, 12 p.m. | ESPN (Fubo)
Murray State has the leading scoring offense in the nation (87.8 ppg) and averages 10.2 3-pointers per game. Speaking of threes, Iowa's Lucy Olsen is averaging a career-high 36% from beyond the arc. Look forward to a high-scoring game. Look forward to a high-scoring game. — Cydney Henderson, USA TODAY
If you like points, be sure to tune into this one. Murray State, led by Katelyn Young, averages almost 90 points per game. Iowa will have to score a lot to fend off the Racers. — Cory Diaz, The Daily Advertiser
No. 7 Oklahoma State vs. No. 10 South Dakota State
Time, TV: Saturday, 3:30 p.m. | ESPN2
Oklahoma State had a great season but it faces a Jackrabbit team that knows how to win in March. South Dakota State has shown it is capable of playing against top teams, and the Cowgirls have a tough test awaiting them. — Jordan Mendoza, USA TODAY
These two teams have done a lot of winning this season and the Jackrabbits have hung around with top competition this season and could pull the upset on Saturday. — Maxwell Donaldson, Gadsden Times
Women's NCAA March Madness: Keys to a deep run
Local reporters break down some of the top teams, and their keys to victory in the 2025 March Madness tournament.
No. 7 Michigan State vs. No. 10 Harvard
Time, TV: Saturday, 4:30 p.m. | ESPNews (Fubo)
Harmoni Turner is a three-level scorer with a signature three-point shot that's hard to defend. Teams have struggled to contain her, making Michigan State a prime candidate for the upset list. — Meghan Hall, For The Win
Harmoni Turner is one of the best guards in the nation, and she just might lead Harvard to an upset on Saturday. — Cora Hall, Knoxville News Sentinel
No. 8 Cal vs No. 9 Mississippi State
Time, TV: Saturday, 5:30 p.m. | ESPN2 (Fubo)
Both teams hung with top talent late in the regular season (MSU almost beat Texas, Cal lost by 9 to Notre Dame) but both also have some interesting losses. Sam Purcell and his Bulldogs have a lot of heart, but can they stop five scorers from Cal who are averaging 11 or more points per game? — Lulu Kesin, Greenville News
First Four: March 19-20
March 19-20 First round: March 21-22
March 21-22 Second round: March 23-24
March 23-24 Sweet 16: March 28-29
March 28-29 Elite Eight : March 30-31
: March 30-31 Final Four: Friday, April 4 (both semifinals; first game begins at 7 p.m. ET)
Friday, April 4 (both semifinals; first game begins at 7 p.m. ET) NCAA championship: Sunday, April 6 (Game scheduled for 3 p.m. ET)
Where to watch Women's March Madness
All games will be televised on the ESPN family of networks, which includes ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, and ESPNews.
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