WASHINGTON (HUNS) — With the NCAA Division I Women’s Bracket now made official, millions of basketball fans all set out to make their predictions and pick who they think will win it all. For the women, the 68-team tournament known as March Madness begins its first game with the first four on Wednesday at 7 p.m. before the round of 64 begins Friday at 11:30 a.m.
UCONN vs. Everybody
Almost half of the bracket, 46%, has picked the University of Connecticut (UCONN) Huskies, according to the NCAA website. UCONN got the majority vote after going 34-0 in the regular season, winning all their games by an average of 38 points and being given the overall 1 seed after being ranked the No. 1 team in the country for the entire season.
History Says a Top 3 Seed Will Win It All
Since the tournament has expanded to its 64-team format in 1994, the four regions with 16 teams in each region favor the heavy favorites. In its history a 1st seed won it all 23 times while a 2nd seed was crowned champions five times and a 3rd seed only three times.
No team below a No. 3 seed has won a national title, but on one instance each a 4th or 5th seed has been runner-up. A 6th seed, 7th seed and 9th seed have reached the Final Four each on one or two occasions showing that the likelihood of the better going far, more than likely.
14 and 15 Seeds Attempt to Make History
In 1998, Harvard became the one and only 16th seed to win in the first round. But for the 14th and 15th seed, history spells impending doom as teams in those places have never won. So for 14th seeds Howard, UC San Diego, Charleston and Vermont along with 15th seed High Point, FDU, Jacksonville and Holy Cross, a win would make history and shock the world.
Other Heavy Favorites
After UCONN received 46% of votes for national champion. The second third and fourth place leaders are the other 1st seeds, South Carolina, UCLA and Texas. The South Carolina Gamecocks were second in the vote with 12% after a 31-3 season. UCLA then follows with 10% of the vote coming off a 31-1 season. Texas then gained 7% of votes to win it all following a 31-3 campaign.
NC State vs Tennessee: A First-Round, Must-See Matchup
While most matchups have heavy favorites, there is a 7th seed vs. 10 seed matchup that has great potential. Seventh seed NC State is coming off a 20-10 season while its opponent, 10th seed Tennessee is coming off a 16-13 season.
What makes this matchup so interesting comes from the previous matchup between the two opponents. NC State and Tennessee played to open the season in which NC State won 80-77. Now in a win-or-go home matchup, this is a game that you don’t want to miss.
D.J. Harding is a sports reporter for HUNewsService.com.
