For the first time in a quarter-century, the Sweet 16 of the 2023 women’s NCAA tournament will include just two No. 1 seeds: South Carolina, the defending champion in pursuit of a perfect season, and Virginia Tech, which hopes to make the program’s first women’s Final Four. And for the first time ever, there are just two regional sites: Greenville 1 and 2 in South Carolina, and Seattle 3 and 4.
Some things are very familiar, though, such as UConn — the No. 2 seed in Seattle 3 — going for a 15th consecutive Final Four appearance. The Huskies are probably the healthiest they’ve been all season, at just the right time, including the return of star sophomore guard Azzi Fudd.
No. 1 seeds Stanford and Indiana were upset on their home courts in the second round, which means No. 8 seed Ole Miss is making its first appearance in the regional semifinals since 2007, and No. 9 seed Miami its first since 1992.
Iowa‘s Caitlin Clark and South Carolina’s Aliyah Boston continue their campaigns for national player of the year, but both are much more concerned about their teams advancing. South Carolina is seeking its third consecutive Final Four appearance and fifth overall, while Iowa seeks its second appearance but first since 1993.
Games begin in both cities on Friday, with two regional…
