Carter Predicts All No. 1 Seeds in Women’s Final Four

Carter Predicts All No. 1 Seeds in Women’s Final Four

The stakes are rising in the Women’s NCAA Tournament, and analyst Andraya Carter is putting her reputation on the line with a bold prediction: all four No. 1 seeds will advance to the Final Four. Speaking on SportsCenter, Carter laid out her vision for the tournament’s latter stages, highlighting a specific first-round matchup that has caught her eye.

Tennessee vs. NC State: A Storied Rivalry Ignites

The opening round presents an immediate clash of titans that has Carter, a former Lady Vol, particularly intrigued: Tennessee versus NC State. “As an analyst, this is an intriguing matchup. As a former Lady V, this is a very intriguing matchup,” Carter stated. She elaborated on the historical significance of both programs, noting Tennessee’s multiple national championships and the enduring legacy of the late Pat Summitt, while acknowledging NC State’s recent Final Four appearance just a couple of seasons ago.

The narrative is further deepened by the fact that these two teams have already met this season. “These two teams faced off earlier this year. They played each other in November. It was a three-point game,” Carter recalled. She highlighted the statistical parity, with both teams featuring four players averaging double-figure scoring and averaging 77 points per game. “Tennessee hits more threes. NC State gets out in transition,” she added, pointing out key stylistic differences. The close nature of their previous encounter, coupled with both teams experiencing “struggles throughout the season” – particularly NC State at times and Tennessee towards the end of their campaign – makes this matchup a must-watch event for Carter.

A Final Four of Dominance: Carter’s Picks

Looking beyond the first round, Carter confidently projected a Final Four comprised entirely of top seeds: UConn, UCLA, Texas, and South Carolina. “My final four, I have all the number one seeds going to the final four,” she declared, acknowledging that this scenario, while rare, has occurred before. “This has only happened four times where all four number one seeds make it to the final four. So, it’s not like I’m saying something that’s coming,” she explained.

UConn Reigns Supreme: Huskies to Go Back-to-Back

Carter’s national championship prediction centers on the UConn Huskies, a team she believes is poised to repeat as champions. “My national championship winner is the Connecticut Huskies,” she announced. “I am going with Yukon to go back-to-back.” Her confidence stems from the team’s exceptional talent and versatility, particularly highlighting the contributions of Sarah Strong and Ay Fudd.

“To me, the pieces that they have, the versatility of Sarah Strong, she can score from the inside, she can score from the out. She can pick and roll, pick and pop, she can come off of ball screens, and she has 135 assists on the season, so she makes the right play,” Carter detailed. “Ay Fudd is a sharp shooter.” However, Carter emphasized that UConn’s strength lies beyond its star players. “But it’s everyone around those two players and their ability to consistently be stars in their role. KK Arnold pushing the ball, Ashlin Shade knocking down shots, giving defensive pressure.”

The Huskies’ success, according to Carter, is rooted in their disciplined approach. “UConn is a system team and they run their system on both ends of the floor to perfection,” she concluded. Comparing their dominance to international play, Carter noted, “We were looking at that team USA women’s highlight. You said that’s what Yukon has been doing. What they did to New Zealand is what Yukon has been doing to the Big East.”

As the tournament unfolds, fans are encouraged to fill out their brackets on ESPN.com and the ESPN app for the Women’s Tournament Challenge. Andraya Carter’s insights provide a compelling narrative for what promises to be an exciting and potentially predictable, yet thrilling, NCAA Tournament.

Source: Andraya Carter has ALL No. 1 seeds in the Final Four in the Women's NCAA Tournament | SportsCenter (YouTube)