March Madness Preview
Much like the Michigan weather in March, the only thing you can count on during women’s college basketball’s biggest month is chaos. When the 2026 March Madness tournament officially tips off on Friday, we may see a bright and sunny outing between Duke & Charleston, but the days that follow could bring stormy matchups, chilly rivalries, or even a few inches of snow! Oh, sorry - getting our March madnesses mixed up.
Anyway, back to the basketball madness. For the next three weeks, we’ll all be glued to the tournament to watch the juicy matchups, stunning upsets, new heroines emerging, and yes, of course, our brackets.
We’ll have two strong Michigan teams to follow this year between the Michigan Wolverines and Michigan State Spartans, but read on if you’re looking for a backup team to cheer on or an enticing storyline to follow. March Madness never disappoints, and there’s no reason to believe this year’s tournament will be any different.
Michigan & Michigan State
Let’s start with our home state teams, though. #2 seed Michigan matches up against #15 Holy Cross on Friday, while #5 Michigan State takes on #12 Colorado State.
Michigan
Michigan’s sophomore trio of Syla Swords, Olivia Olson and Mila Holloway will lead the Wolverines on their quest to the program’s first Final Four appearance. Two All-Big Ten First Teams and an honorable mention among them this season, the success of this trio will go a long way in determining how far the Wolverines will advance.
Michigan was one of the few teams this year to push UConn through all four quarters, in an early season three point loss to the Huskies that saw Swords hit clutch three after clutch three in the final minutes. The Wolverines had similar showings against front runners UCLA and a strong Vanderbilt squad during regular season play, proving that they should be included in conversations about the Final Four or even a championship appearance.
If Michigan can get through the early rounds of the bracket as they’re expected, they could be a real threat to bust some brackets in the later rounds. Go Blue!
Michigan State
But also, Go Green! This year marks the Spartans highest tournament seed since 2016 and MSU is hoping to take advantage of a historic year, including starting the season on a 17-1 run. Guard Kennedy Blair is a player to watch who could potentially have a breakout on the national stage. Her minutes per game have increased by 20 since last year, and her points per game have followed suit, going from 3.4 in 2024-2025 to 14.4 this season.
The Spartans bring a top 10 scoring offense (83.0 ppg) and a 48% shooting average to the tournament that will be exciting and fast paced. An experienced team, MSU has seven seniors on the roster including Grace VanSlooten and Emma Shumate, who can both impact the game in a big way.
If MSU gets hot and can maintain their efficiency, don’t be surprised to see them have a successful run this year.
The #1 Seeds
Uconn
This year’s UConn team will be primetime viewing - and for good reason. The defending champion Huskies lead the nation in nearly every major statistical category and feature two of the best players in the country: senior Azzi Fudd and sophomore Sarah Strong. Some pundits already wonder if Strong could become the best player in UConn history - a history that includes Paige Bueckers, Breanna Stewart, Maya Moore, Diana Taurasi, Sue Bird… and many more (we’d run out of space before finishing the list). Because of UConn’s stifling defense in the paint, their opponents often have to take their chances from the outside - so unless a team gets hot with three pointers, it’s hard to imagine UConn not bringing home another national title.
UCLA
UCLA is anchored by Lauren Betts, widely considered the best center in the country. The Bruins, who also feature Betts’ younger sister Sienna, are chasing the program’s first national championship of the modern NCAA era. Hard to believe given UCLA’s recent consistency, but the last time the Bruins won a title game was in 1978, back when the tournament was the AIAW Championship and March Madness was a little less… mad.
South Carolina
Perennial winners South Carolina enter the tournament as a No. 1 seed that feels oddly under the radar this year, but you should never count out a Dawn Staley coached team. Looking to avenge an underwhelming National Championship game versus UConn last season, the Gamecocks return with a balanced roster that communicates well, moves the ball beautifully, and plays relentless defense. They’re comfortable grinding games down - and when a team is this well-coached, that style tends to travel deep into March.
Texas
Texas always seems to be hovering near the national spotlight - but hasn’t quite been able to kick down the door. The Longhorns’ engine runs through their point guard Rori Harmon, whose relentless pace also fuels a defense that thrives on forcing turnovers. On offense, Madison Booker is the kind of scorer who can take over a game in a hurry and Longhorn fans are hoping the rest of the country gets a good look at that over the next three weeks.
The “Could Make a Run” Seeds
Sometimes teams sitting in the middle of the bracket can be more dangerous than #1 seeds or the ever-chic Cinderella teams. They’re good enough to make a run, but perhaps the most unsuspecting.
Regional 1 - Fort Worth
Some might say a #2 seed can’t be considered “middle of the bracket,” but we’re putting Vanderbilt and player of the year candidate Mikayla Blakes here as one of the few teams who could dethrone UConn as Regional 1’s representative in the Final Four.
Regional 2 - Sacramento
Holding defenses to under 59 points and 39% shooting per game, Texas Tech can use their stubborn defense along with an efficient offense to sneak by some higher seeds.
Regional 3 - Forth Worth
West Virginia thrives on chaos ranking near the top of the nation in turnover margin. Known for eating lemons pre-game, the Mountaineers are looking to sour (ha ha) their opponents’ hopes.
Regional 4 - Sacramento
TCU brings a big name in Olivia Miles and a fast paced offense full of pick-and-rolls and scrappy ingenuity that can easily dizzy opponent defenses.
And Those Ever-Chic Cinderellas
Fairfield: Because they can shoot threes!
Nebraska/Richmond: Because Baylor is vulnerable!
Rhode Island: Because they can slow down a game!
South Dakota State: Because they’re called the Jackrabbits!
Do Not Miss:
In addition to all aforementioned players, don’t sleep on any chance to watch electric LSU guard MiLaysia Fulwiley, floor general for the Fighting Irish Hannah Hidalgo, prolific scorer Jaloni Cambridge of Ohio State, big time blocker Clara Strack of Kentucky, and freshman standout for the Oklahoma Sooners Aaliyah Chavez.
Here’s to women’s basketball and the madness that’s about to take over our lives! We hope you can join us at our April watch parties:
Final Four, April 3: J’s Penalty Box in Ferndale, along with WBB Club Detroit, starting at 6:30pm
Final Four, April 3: Collect Beer Bar in Detroit, with Midwest Sapphic Society, starting at 5pm (ticketed event)
National Championship, April 5: Third Street Bar in Detroit, starting at 3pm
And if you want in on the mayhem, represent Bar IX with a bracket of your own here! (Deadline to complete your bracket is Friday, March 20, 12pm ET)
