March still seems far away, but the women’s college basketball crystal ball is getting less cloudy as we reach the midpoint of the season.
Our experts dived into some predictions Wednesday. We’re back to envision what this season’s NCAA Tournament will look like. From Final Four picks to betting advice, there’s plenty to talk about. We have a lot.
Deeper
Who has the power to beat South Carolina? Who?Our Women’s College Hoop Panel Discussion
1. is Iowa Final four team?
lindsey d’arcangelo: Not unless the supporting cast steps up. Clarke (averaging 26.8 points) is a big part of Iowa’s offense, so when she struggles or the team throws her out of the equation, the Hawkeyes struggle. With almost 40% utilization when she’s on the floor, she has by far the best offensive her share of wins on the team. Monica Chinano (17.6 ppg) is a solid second choice, McKenna Warnock (12.2ppg) is a strength, but Iowa needs more balanced scoring and bench help to hit a legitimate shot.
Shantel Jennings: ESPN would like that to be the case (for #CaitlinFactor), but unfortunately it’s not.
Ben Pickman: Can they go deeprun? Yes. would i choose them? No, Iowa’s offense is still strong, but unless their defense improves, it’s unlikely they’ll come to Dallas in late March.
sabrina merchant: Iowa returned the same starting lineup from the teams that won a share of both Big Ten titles. Kaitlyn Clark Got well. Still, somehow, I feel worse about their prospects than they did a year ago. The best opponents can’t be slowed down. To be fair, I’m not counting that unless Clarke does something absolutely historic, but this isn’t a Final Four team.
Dorothy J. Gentry: LOL, Chantelle. #fact. But yeah no. Kaitlyn Clarke is, well, Kaitlyn Clarke. in the world. But the rest of the team hasn’t reached their full potential. No, not Iowa.
2. Which conference sends the most teams to Suite 16?
lindsey: Big Ten: Ohio, Indiana, IllinoisIowa, Michigan
Chantelle: Pac-12: Stanford, UCLA, USC, Oregon, Utah
Ben: Big Ten: Ohio, Indiana, Iowa, MarylandMichigan
sabrina: Big Ten: Ohio, Indiana, Maryland, Iowa, Michigan
dorothy: seconds: south carolina, ole miss, Tennessee, LSUs, Alabama
Is UCLA a smart long shot final for bet? (Katherine Rotze/Getty Images)
3. Now I have $1,000 to bet on the national champion. where do you put your money
lindsey: If you’re going to bet that much money, you want to be sure. And now the South Carolina repeat looks like a sure thing.
Chantelle: My head says we should at least bet on the surest thing available to us without losing money and having fun. So with that in mind we put $435 in South Carolina ( +130 paid for $1,000.50). Then my gut tells me to pick something out of the box…as long as that team is still a seed or two. , I’ve seen enough college basketball to know that “outside the box” is limited to college hoops for women’s colleges in April…it’s tempting now, and if the Buckeyes win, I’ll pocket $8,400 ), and put the last $165 into the LSU (+1000, paid with $1,815).
Ben: South Carolina is the safest, but the odds aren’t as attractive. But if you want a long shot, check out Bruins (+10,000). UCLA is tied with South Carolina heading into the fourth quarter of their matchup in late November, just two points behind Stanford in this weekend’s loss, where he played 10 minutes. The Bruins have both top-end talent. Charisma Osborne When kiki riceand incredible depth — nine players averaging over 14 minutes per game — and while their defense has struggled this season, at that odds, they’re just cash sprinkles. He has proven to be talented enough to be worth it.
sabrina: Invest $900 in South Carolina and $100 in Maryland. diamond mirror Great and +8000 cashes out very well.
dorothy: South Carolina Gamecock all day every day — $1,000 plus some change required.
4. Suppose South Carolina advances to the Final Four. What about the other 3 teams?
lindsey: LSU, Stamford, Ohio.i know to disagree U Conn It’ll probably come back and haunt me, and LSU is still in doubt, but there could be a Final Four shakeup this year.
Ben: Stanford, Notre Dame and UConn. Several familiar programs will advance to the Final Four. This year’s tournament will be remembered for the return of Niele Ivey’s group to the sport’s biggest stage.
Chantelle: Stamford, Ohio, UCLA. UCLA anticipates his March magic on a team that has already gone head-to-head with South Carolina and Stanford. With such a young roster, the Bruins have a chance to raise the ceiling and be a much different team in December than he is in January (which makes scouting opponents a lot harder). increase).
sabrina: Stanford, Indiana, UConn. Over the years, I’ve oscillated between Stanford and He UConn as the #2 team in my power rankings, so both seem likely to succeed. As mentioned in the previous question, Maryland has dark his hose to get this far, as the tarp is very tough and Diamond Mirror is one of his most difficult covers in the country. A pick, but I was very impressed with Indiana’s poise. Including the recent game against Maryland. But we’re confident the Big Ten will lead at least one team into the final weekend.
dorothy: LSU, duke and Notre Dame. I have ridden with the Duke and caused a ruckus, surprising many.
(Caitlyn Clarke top photo: Carmen Mandert/Getty Images)
