UVA Stuns Iowa to Reach Sweet 16 in March Madness!

UVA Stuns Iowa, Becomes First First Four Team in Sweet 16

The NCAA Women’s Championship first weekend delivered everything fans could hope for: upsets, dominant performances, and nail-biting finishes. The field of 168 teams has been narrowed down to just 16, with many favorites advancing while some lower seeds pulled off stunning victories. The journey to the Sweet 16 was packed with unforgettable moments, proving once again why March Madness is a national obsession.

Top Seeds Dominate, But Not Without Drama

The top seeds largely showed their class in the opening rounds. South Carolina, UCLA, Texas, and UConn all moved forward with convincing wins, showcasing the experience, depth, and talent that earned them their No. 1 seeds. These teams navigated tough regular seasons, with South Carolina and Texas battling in the SEC, UCLA going undefeated in the Big Ten, and UConn demonstrating its usual tournament prowess.

UConn extended its NCAA Tournament opener win streak to 32 games, while UCLA and Texas also continued impressive streaks of their own. The talent on these rosters is immense, with many players projected to be WNBA lottery picks next season. This level of play often feels like a preview of the professional league, with future stars battling it out on the college stage.

Olivia Miles’ Triple-Double Masterclass

One of the standout individual performances came from TCU’s Olivia Miles. She recorded her second triple-double of the tournament and 12th of her career, with 12 points, 16 rebounds (a career high), and 14 assists (also a career high). Miles, a transfer from Notre Dame, made history as the first player in NCAA Division I to achieve multiple triple-doubles for different programs.

Her coach, Mark Campbell, emphasized the importance of intangibles like ego management when integrating new players. Miles embodies this, focusing on distributing the ball and grabbing rebounds when her shot isn’t falling. This team-first mentality, coupled with her chemistry with teammate Marta Suarez, has fueled TCU’s success.

Historic Scoring and Buzzer-Beaters

The first round also saw historic scoring outbursts. LSU set a program record with 116 points in their victory over Jacksonville, a total that ranks fifth all-time in NCAA Tournament history. Vanderbilt also achieved a program best with 102 points in their win over High Point.

The madness of March was on full display in an 8-9 matchup between Clemson and USC. Nia Moore’s potential game-winning shot at the buzzer was a moment of sheer drama.

After a lengthy review, it was determined the ball was still on her fingertips as time expired, and a foul was called after regulation. This sequence of events sent the game to overtime, where USC ultimately prevailed, but the moment was pure March Madness chaos.

Charleston and Iowa State Shine Despite Early Exits

Even teams that bowed out early left their mark. Iowa State’s Audi Crooks put on a show with 37 points against Syracuse, scoring 26 points in the paint, more than the entire Syracuse team managed. She and Ashley Jones are the only Iowa State players with multiple 30-point games in the tournament.

Charleston, making its first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance, also earned accolades. Ariya and Zairen Barbo combined for 36 points in their loss to Duke, with Barbo scoring 24 in the second half and hitting six three-pointers. Their performance, second only to Elena Delle Donne’s scoring in tournament history for a Coastal Athletic player, etched their names in the program’s history books.

Second Round Thrillers and Sweet 16 Bound

The second round continued the excitement. Minnesota secured a thrilling 65-63 victory over Ole Miss thanks to Amaya Battle’s game-winning shot, sending the Gophers to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2005. Battle, a Minnesota native, delivered a clutch performance, finishing with 14 points and 11 rebounds, while Mara Braun added 17 points.

Texas’s Madison Booker had a career night, scoring 40 points, a Texas record in an NCAA Tournament game, in their dominant win over Oregon. LSU continued their scoring spree, reaching 100 points for the 16th time this season, an NCAA single-season record. Flau’jae Johnson, a key player for LSU, showcased her growth as a leader and athlete, aiming for another national championship.

Notre Dame and Louisville Advance

Notre Dame, the No. 6 seed, upset No. 3 seed Ohio State, 83-73, with Hannah Hidalgo leading the charge with 26 points, 13 rebounds, and 8 steals. Hidalgo broke Arike Ogunbowale’s single-season scoring record for the program, proving her elite status. The Irish had five players score in double figures, showing their depth as they head to their fifth straight Sweet 16.

Louisville advanced to the Sweet 16 for the 13th time under coach Jeff Walz, narrowly defeating Alabama 69-68 in a game that came down to a half-court heave at the buzzer. The Cardinals have excelled through balanced scoring and strong ball movement, with transfer Loryn Siegrist leading the way, even playing with a missing tooth.

UCLA’s Dominance and Virginia’s Cinderella Run

Top-ranked UCLA also advanced, with Lauren Betts setting a new career high of 35 points in their win over Oklahoma State. Kiki Rice continues to lead the team by example, with seniors like Gabby Haulk and Angela Dugalic also contributing significantly. UCLA will face Minnesota in the Sweet 16.

In the biggest Cinderella story of the first weekend, 10-seeded Virginia stunned No. 2 seed Iowa in double overtime, 71-69. This marks the first time a First Four team has ever reached the Sweet 16.

Kiki Rice, a hometown hero, led the way with 28 points, while Paris Clark added 20 crucial points, including key baskets in overtime. The Cavaliers’ victory is proof of their belief and the strong connection within the program, proving that anything is possible in March Madness.

Source: Upsets, Dominance & Drama: The NCAAW First Weekend Had EVERYTHING | The Wrap-Up (YouTube)