Women's March Madness: Round of 32 Recap

Looking to advance to the Sweet Sixteen, the matchups in the Women's Round of 32 were not ones to miss.

Top Performing Teams and Players

Madison Booker and the Texas Longhorns

Facing off against an Oregon team that just made their way past Virginia Tech in the Round of 64, the Texas Longhorns were not only hoping to advance to the Sweet Sixteen, but to make a statement. Led by a monstrous 40-point 8-rebound game from Madison Booker, Texas cruised by Oregon, 100-58. In the running for National Player of the Year, Madison Booker is proving each and every day that she deserves her flowers. Vic Shafer's Texas squad shot a 56% field-goal percentage and shot 67% from deep, an efficient game to say the least from the No. 1 team in Regional 3. After making it out the Round of 32 with ease, Booker and the Longhorns look to take on Clara Strack and the Kentucky Wildcats, the No. 5 team in Regional 3 that just upset No. 4 West Virginia. Will Booker be able to continue this momentum yet again?

Azzi Fudd and the UConn Huskies

In another dominant performance in her last home game as a Huskie, Azzi Fudd led the No. 1 UConn Huskies to a statement win over No. 9 Syracuse. Starting off the game far more than on a strong note, UConn was up 33-8 at the end of the first quarter, Fudd contributing 12 of the team's 33 points. This was just the beginning for Fudd as she would go on to tie her career high 34 points in her last game in Gampel Pavilion. Fudd was automatic as she shot approximately 72% field-goal and three-point percentages. What more can Coach Geno Auriemma ask for? Not to mention their standout sophomore, Sarah Strong chipped in 18 points and 9 rebounds and an additional 18 points from the Big East Freshman of the Year, Blanca Quinonez. Time and time again, the Huskies prove they still have it all after the dominance from Paige Bueckers and other past UConn legends and look to continue this dominance as they enter their 32nd straight Sweet Sixteen.

Three Upsets that Shook Up the Round of 32

No. 6 Notre Dame Upsets No. 3 Ohio State

Despite the impressive 41 points from Ohio State's, Jaloni Cambridge, Hannah Hidalgo and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish advance to another Sweet Sixteen. Led by a 26-point 13-rebound and 8-steal clinic from Notre Dame's star junior, Hannah Hidalgo, the Fighting Irish were able to pull of the 83-73 upset against Ohio State. At the end of the first half, Notre Dame was down two, but they turned on the jets when it mattered most and outscored Ohio State by six in the fourth quarter. Although it seems as if it was solely the Hannah Hidalgo show powering through Jaloni Cambridge's outstanding effort, there were three other pivotal pieces to the Fighting Irish's victory. In this matchup, Cassandre Prosper, Vanessa de Jesus, and Iyana Moore each contributed 13+ points crucial to Notre Dame's victory. The consistent scoring abilities of players like Prosper, de Jesus, and Moore takes the load off Hidalgo to simply play her game. Can Notre Dame continue the series of upsets and take a Sweet Sixteen win against No. 2 Vanderbilt?

No. 10 Virginia Takes the Double OT Thriller Over No. 2 Iowa

With an absolute masterclass of a game from UVA duo, Paris Clark and Kymora Johnson, the Virginia Cavaliers were able to barely squeak by the electrifying Iowa Hawkeyes. This matchup started close and the lead jumped back and forth with a tie at the end of the first quarter, 13-13. At this point, no one was sure if the Cavaliers' energy and rhythm would fizzle out and if the Hawkeyes would click and if things would start to flow. Once halftime hit and UVA was up two points, reality set in that this would be a Round of 32 game for the ages. Despite Ava Heiden dropping 26 points with ease and next-level showing from Hannah Stuelke's 15-point 19-rebound double-double, Kymora Johnson and the Cavaliers' efforts were just enough to make it through double overtime. Johnson led UVA in scoring with 28 points, followed by senior guard, Paris Clark with 20 points. This thriller of a game between Iowa and Virginia was nothing like we've seen before as the Cavaliers advance to their first Sweet Sixteen since 2000. Can Kymora Johnson and UVA beat the odds and win yet another tournament game against No. 3 TCU?

A Full Kentucky Team Effort is Enough to Upset West Virginia

Just as many expected, No. 5 Kentucky was able to pull off the upset against No. 4 West Virginia. Although many would have expected this victory to have been carried by a dominant performance from Clara Strack, it was truly a team effort from the Wildcats. Teonni Key led Kentucky in scoring with 19 points followed by Clara Strack's 18 points, and Tonie Morgan's 15 points. Key and Strack both recorded double-doubles and it was through their incredible defense that Kentucky was able to hold off West Virginia to win 74-73. Completely controlling the paint on defense, Strack recorded 4 crucial blocks. Although West Virginia's Gia Cooke and Sydney Shaw both putting up exciting 23-point games, neither was enough to outplay Coach Kenny Brooks' Kentucky team. Looking to find a way to the Elite Eight for the second time as a coach in three years, Coach Brooks and the Wildcats must defeat No. 1 Texas in the Sweet Sixteen.

Possible Bracket-Busters in the Sweet Sixteen

With the Sweet Sixteen beginning March 27th, and ending March 28th, there are three games to keep an eye on. As No. 2 Michigan looks to take on No. 3 Louisville, this matchup may be closer than expected. With the consistent scoring of Louisville's Laura Ziegler, Imari Berry, and Mackenly Randolph, the Cards could make their presence known and continue their run towards the National Championship. The specific matchup between Michigan's Olivia Olson and Louisville's Laura Ziegler will be a true battle in the paint and I'm curious to see who will come out on top. Another contest that could be made interesting is the No. 2 LSU Tigers vs. the No. 3 Duke Blue Devils. If Coach Kara Lawson's Duke team led by Toby Fournier and Ashlon Jackson can gel at the perfect time, they have potential to spoil senior LSU guard, Flau'jae Johnson's final season with the Tigers. This will be a spectacular matchup not only between two incredible teams, but also between two well-respected coaches. One final Sweet Sixteen game to keep an eye on is No. 6 Notre Dame and No. 2 Vanderbilt. With the crazy run Notre Dame is on with Hannah Hidalgo and her supporting squad, they have the potential to end Mikayla Blakes' and Vanderbilt's run in the tournament. This contest will truly be a battle of the point guards as Hannah Hidalgo and Mikayla Blakes are two of the most prestigious PGs in the country.