Postponed games, long COVID-19 pauses for some programs and few nonconference contests have made this season different from any we have ever seen. Yet the 2021 women’s NCAA tournament is coming into focus, and is expected to be contested by 64 teams. After last season’s tournament was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic, getting to this point feels like a mission accomplished even if the journey was unlike any other.
The NCAA tournament also will look different. The entire tourney will be played at a single destination — the San Antonio region — with multiple venues, limited fans and an adjusted schedule. The Women’s Final Four will be held at the Alamodome on April 2 and 4. The road to the Lone Star State begins with Selection Monday on March 15. Along the way, and as automatic bids are won, we will continue to update Bracketology and the projected tournament field.
Bracket Watch
Louisville faltered on Sunday, falling to unranked Florida State, and Texas A&M — which is 8-0 against teams in the NET top-50 rankings — replaces the Cardinals on the top line. The SEC now has two No. 1 seeds and the pair will clash Sunday (ESPN2/ESPN App, 2 p.m. ET) when South Carolina visits College Station. The game will decide the SEC crown, but will likely not cost either a No. 1 seed. Jackson State, Oregon State and Utah Valley are new to the field this week, while DePaul (No. 7 to No. 8 seed) and Mississippi State (No. 8 to No. 7 seed) were moved a seed line to accommodate bracketing procedures.
