There hasn’t been a rematch within the NCAA girls’s basketball nationwide championship sport since UConn and Notre Dame performed one another in 2014 and 2015. Despite the fact that we’re nonetheless a number of days away from this yr’s event tipping off, that streak is assured to proceed.
In one of the crucial beautiful reveals of Choice Sunday, Iowa and reigning nationwide champions LSU have been positioned in the identical area. The Hawkeyes earned the No. 1 seed within the Albany 2 area, whereas LSU obtained the No. 3 seed in that part of the bracket. Ought to every workforce win their first three video games, they might meet once more within the Elite Eight.
With Caitlin Clark main the best way, Iowa is predicted to contend for a nationwide title, and it might be a significant shock if they do not attain at the very least the Elite Eight. The identical is true for LSU, who missed out on a prime seed as a consequence of a mid-season droop, however has the top-end expertise to win all of it once more.
This is a fast look again at how every workforce acquired so far, and their potential paths to an Elite Eight showdown.
No. 1 Iowa
- Document: 29-4
- NET rating: fifth
- Convention event outcome: Massive Ten champions
- Document vs. High-25 groups: 4-2
- Offensive score: 119.2
- Defensive score: 93.0
- Web score: plus-26.2
The Hawkeyes are a No. 1 seed for the primary time since 1992, and can host the primary two rounds in Iowa Metropolis. They need to have little bother in opposition to whoever wins the No. 16 seed First 4 sport between Holy Cross and UT-Martin, however being at house shall be an enormous increase within the second spherical versus both West Virginia or Princeton.
Assuming they handle enterprise, they might then transfer on to the Candy Sixteen in Albany, N.Y., the place the possible opponent could be No. 4 seed Kansas State or No. 5 seed Colorado. The Wildcats are certainly one of 4 groups to beat the Hawkeyes this season, and would supply an actual problem. If it is the Buffaloes, that may characterize one other rematch. The Hawkeyes beat the Buffaloes within the Candy Sixteen by 10 final yr. A win there this season would ship Iowa again to the Elite Eight. This system hasn’t been that far in consecutive seasons since 1987-88.
No. 3 LSU
- Document: 28-5
- NET rating: eighth
- Convention event outcome: SEC runner-up
- Document vs. High-25 groups: 1-3
- Offensive score: 111.1
- Defefnsive score: 80.5
- Web score: plus-30.6
LSU has drawn a comparatively straightforward first spherical opponent in Rice. The Owls completed 9-9 within the AAC and have been the No. 10 seed within the convention event, however gained 4 video games in 4 days to earn an automated bid. Regardless of their scorching streak, they determine to be overmatched in opposition to the Tigers. Up subsequent, LSU would have the winner of Louisville and Center Tennessee State. Louisville began off robust however has alternated wins and losses since Feb. 1, whereas Center Tennessee State is a mid-major darling. Neither could be the best contest, however LSU could be favored both method.
If the Tigers advance to the Candy Sixteen they might virtually actually face the No. 2 seed UCLA. The battle-tested Bruins went to the Candy Sixteen final yr and have been ranked within the top-10 for almost your entire season. They’ve the dimensions to match the Tigers within the paint and could be an especially robust out. However ought to LSU get previous UCLA, it might be on to the Elite Eight, and that potential championship rematch in opposition to Iowa.