Women's NCAA Tournament Fresno Regional Overview
This regional might be the most straight forward regionals to forecasts as not a lot of mid-major potential for upsets. Stanford has been rolling like a freight train and even with having to travel back East for the first weekend to Hampton, Virginia, they should be able to survive Hampton, and a second round matchup against either West Virginia or Texas.
South Carolina and Duke are potentially able to get out of this region but they can’t afford to have any type of an off shooting night if they are going to compete and knock off Stanford.
Who Can Win?
Stanford, until somebody proves otherwise in any region involving Stanford, is going to need to put together a fantastic performance to advance to the Final Four. Duke could make things interesting if they get great play up front out of Elizabeth Williams to match-up against the Oguwmike sisters that could be a possible upset. The biggest challenge for Duke would be going across country and playing in Fresno so for all and intense and purposes it would be a road game for the Blue Devils if they were to get to the Elite Eight.
Who Can Surprise?
South Carolina under coach Dawn Staley could surprise with their ability to defend the basketball. A Sweet 16 matchup with Stanford would be an interesting contrast in styles of play. The Gamecocks are at number four overall in the country for scoring defense and are extremely battle tested from their SEC gauntlet against the likes of Tennessee, LSU, Vanderbilt and others. Stanford also has been slowed down by tough defensive teams especially Arizona State which held the Cardinal to 52 points in the Pac 12 Tournament Semifinal.
Who’s Hot?
Stanford comes in rolling as they ran the table once again in the Pac-12 Conference. Toni Kokenis running things in the backcourt has been a huge boost for Stanford in opening things up for the frontline of the Cardinal. Duke has been rolling all season until getting knocked off in the ACC Tournament over NC State
Who’s Cold?
Oklahoma comes in losing three out of its last five contests including a home loss against Kansas. They might be a little bit overseeded. Michigan has been struggling as well as they lost have five out of their last eight and have been struggling offensively.
Upset Alert!
Middle Tennessee State over Vanderbilt in the 7-10 matchup. You factor in the in-state nature of this matchup from a rivalry perspective this has all the makings of an upset.
What Possible Matchup is Interesting?
The West Virginia-Texas matchup is interesting as the Longhorns have underachieved for the majority of the season until getting hot as of late until losing to Texas Tech in the Big 12 Conference Tournament. This also has a fun contrast in styles of the Mountaineers defensive minded approach versus the more up tempo nature of Texas. Also, this game will be a preview of a future Big 12 Conference matchup with West Virginia moving into the league next season
Which Player Will Dominate?
Nemadki Oguwmike, she led the Cardinal to another Pac 12 double as Regular Season and Conference Tournament Champions. She continues to get stronger as the season goes along. Duke’s Elizabeth Williams has had an excellent freshman season and should help the Blue Devils make a deep run in this Regional as well.
Fresno Region 1st Round Game Breakdowns
