The NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament is coming to Birmingham this week, and the matches are set for March Madness’ trip to the Magic City.
The games get started with a doubleheader on Friday, March 28, with the first game between No. 2 Duke and No. 3 North Carolina tipping off at 1:30 p.m. CT, followed by No. 1 South Carolina and No. 4 Maryland at 4 p.m. The games continue Saturday with No. 2 NC State and No. 3 LSU at noon CT and No. 5 Ole Miss and No. 1 UCLA at 2:30 p.m.
The Elite Eight games will be on Sunday and Monday, with Sunday’s game tipping off at noon CT and Monday’s tipping off at 6 p.m. CT.
The USA Today Network team of Maxwell Donaldson from the Gadsden Times, Anna Snyder from the Tuscaloosa News and Sara Tidwell of the Athens Banner Herald will be at the regional all weekend, and the experts gave their picks for each of the six games in Birmingham.
NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament in Birmingham: Expert picks for each game
South Carolina vs. Maryland
Friday, March 28 at 4 p.m. CT
Maxwell: South Carolina 78, Maryland 65 — The Gamecocks are one of the best teams in the tournament, and while Maryland will be a tough out — ask Alabama, which led by as much as 17 before falling 111-108 in double overtime in Monday’s Round of 32 — Dawn Staley’s squad will get the job done.
Anna: South Carolina 80, Maryland 68 — Dawn Staley’s South Carolina squad has been nearly unstoppable, and I do not see that slowing down anytime soon. Maryland is a strong competitor but did not draw an easy path.
Sara: South Carolina 75, Maryland 55 — This is really a no-brainer. While Maryland will be a tough competitor, they’re no type of pressure the Gamecocks haven’t faced before. I mean, you saw their last few runs in March Madness, facing LSU with Angel Reese in 2023 and Iowa with Caitlin Clark in 2024 — both of whom are now WNBA stars.
Duke vs. UNC
Friday, March 28 at 1:30 p.m. CT
Maxwell: Duke 65, UNC 55 — Tobacco Road comes to the Women’s NCAA Tournament for the first time, and it should be a fun one. Duke has been a little more consistent this year, so I’ll give it the edge.
Anna: Duke 65, UNC 58 — Duke has shown it can dominate UNC in the teams’ second meeting this season, but Toby Fournier’s uncertainty could impact rebounding. However, with depth, defensive pressure and adjustments, the Blue Devils should be in prime position for a close win.
Sara: UNC 62, Duke 58 — I’m going to be different here because I’ve been doing some reading on the Tar Heels, and I think, given the rich history between the two programs over the last 50 years, North Carolina is going to come out on top. Doesn’t mean it won’t be a close one, but I think Alyssa Ustby will give them the edge they need. She’s averaging 10.9 points and 9.4 rebounds per game, and they didn’t have her or Reniya Kelly when they lost to Duke in February.
Texas vs. Tennessee
Saturday, March 29 at 2:30 p.m. CT
Maxwell: Texas 82, Tennessee 75 —Kim Caldwell has the Lady Vols balling like they used to, but in Year One, Texas is still one of the premier programs and wins the battle of the UTs.
Anna: Texas 82, Tennessee 78 — This will be the second meeting between these two teams this season, Texas narrowly defeating Tennessee, 80-76, on Jan. 23. Expect Saturday to be another close match-up but one where Texas comes out on top.
Sara: Texas 85, Tennessee 80 — The Longhorns’ first year in the SEC has been nothing short of phenomenal. Especially with SEC Player of the Year and Wade Trophy finalist Madison Booker, who averages 16.4 points per game as a sophomore. I mean, when the two UT teams met in the regular season, Booker dropped 26 points on the Vols for the win so…
Notre Dame vs. TCU
Saturday, March 29 at noon CT
Maxwell: TCU 72, Notre Dame 63 — Hailey Van Lith has elevated this program from needing midseason walk on to dreams of a Final Four, and Notre Dame has been fading down the stretch.
Anna: TCU 80, Notre Dame 72 — With Hailey Van Lith on its roster, TCU got the bump it needed. Van Lith should have no issue leading the Horned Frogs to the Elite 8.
Sara: TCU 76, Notre Dame 68: As much as I think the Fighting Irish have this in the bag after their semi-insane 21-point win over a higher-ranked Michigan in the second round, TCU boasts one thing Notre Dame can’t: Hailey Van Lith. She dropped 21 points on the Irish in November during their regular season meeting to give TCU the win, and with Sedona Prince to match — well, there’s no stopping them.
WHAT TO KNOW: NCAA women’s basketball tournament in Birmingham: Schedule, tickets, parking and more
WHERE TO EAT: Where to eat for Birmingham Regional in NCAA women’s basketball tournament: BBQ and more
Elite Eight from Regional 1
Sunday, March 30 at noon
Maxwell: South Carolina 76, Duke 60 — It’s hard to bet against Dawn Staley and her squad, especially in the month of March, and that won’t change in the Elite Eight.
Anna: South Carolina 82, Duke 70 — Again, Dawn Staley and her Gamecock squad have been merely unstoppable. I do not see that slowing down anytime soon.
Sara: South Carolina 94, UNC 72 — Everyone should know by now that nothing stops Dawn Staley and her South Carolina crew. If UNC does manage to squeeze past Duke in their third rivalry matchup this season, then they’ve got the test of a lifetime ahead, I’ll just say that.
Elite Eight from Regional 2
Monday, March 31 at 6 p.m.
Maxwell: TCU 76, Texas 72 — These two schools are friendly, especially with the recent history in the Big 12. Texas holds a 53-4 record against its instate foe, but Hailey Van Lith will lead the Horned Frogs to more history and the Final Four.
Anna: Texas 75, TCU 68 — This is not a new meeting between these two in-state foes, but it would be the first of the season. Texas holds a large edge over TCU, and I do not see that changing with a Final Four bid on the line.
Sara: Texas 70, TCU 68: As much as H.V.L. and Prince bring to TCU’s offense, Madison Booker is the two of them in one body. I just do not think this will be the year TCU will be able to add another win to the slim column against its in-state rival, but it’s OK if I end up wrong.
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Expert picks for the NCAA Women’s basketball tournament in Birmingham
