Postponed games, long COVID-19 pauses for some programs and few nonconference contests have made this season different than 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.
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Bracket Watch
Mississippi State is no longer in the field, pushed out when the Missouri Valley Conference became a two-bid league. Missouri State’s decision to opt out of the MVC tournament on Saturday means that either Drake or Bradley will get the conference’s automatic bid. The Lady Bears, who were the MVC’s No. 1 seed, are assured of an at-large berth as the MVC steals a bid. Three other conference tournament No. 1 seeds were eliminated on Saturday. Bowling Green (MAC), Rice (C-USA) and Delaware (CAA) all lost in their championship games. With Mississippi State’s exit, the field includes eight ACC teams and seven apiece from the SEC and Big Ten. North Carolina (No. 9 seed to a No. 10) and Michigan State (No. 19 to a No. 9) were adjusted one seed line to accommodate bracketing principles and procedures.
