Faces of March Madness: Women to watch in tourney
After last year’s record-breaking championship game between Iowa and LSU, this year’s NCAA women’s basketball tournament is being met with frenzied anticipation as one of the most famous basketball players in the country — Caitlin Cark — begins her final run at a title.
But coach Dawn Staley’s South Carolina team, the top overall seed, will have something to say about that as the Gamecocks look to get back on top. And there’s a burgeoning superstar freshman in southern California who could upend everything.
In 2023, 9.9 million people tuned into the final. That number has a chance to soar even higher this spring.
Here’s what to watch for in this year’s tournament.
Women’s players to watch
Caitlin Clark: Iowa guard who has the record for most career points scored by a Division I basketball player, men’s or women’s, and is the consensus choice to be the top pick in the WNBA draft. Clark can score from just about anywhere on the court, and is averaging 31.9 points, 8.9 assists and 7.3 rebounds per game.
Angel Reese: LSU’s 6-3 forward is one of the most recognizable faces in college basketball. If she does leave for the WNBA, she should be a top-10 pick. Averaging 19 points, 13.1 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game.
JuJu Watkins: USC freshman guard is one of the most exciting newcomers in the country. A projected future No. 1 overall pick in the WNBA draft, she averages 27 points, 7.2 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game.
Kamilla Cardoso: South Carolina’s 6-7 center creates havoc inside for opposing players and averages 14 points, 9.5 rebounds, 2.6 blocks and 2.1 assists per game.
Cameron Brink: Stanford’s 6-4 forward is likely to follow Clark in the WNBA draft. One of the most dominant paint presences in the game, she averages 17.8 points, 12 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game.
Paige Bueckers: The Connecticut guard recently made headlines by announcing she’s staying for a fifth season and forgoing the WNBA draft. A dynamic playmaker, she averages 21.3 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game.
Rickea Jackson: Tennessee power forward is also a projected top pick in the WNBA draft. Averaging 19.4 points, 8 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game.
Hannah Hidalgo: Notre Dame guard who is one of the top scorers in the country, averaging 23.3 points, 6.4 rebounds and 5.5 assists per game. She also leads the NCAA in steals per game at 4.6.
Alissa Pili: Utah power forward is a skilled offensive player who is a projected top-10 pick in the WNBA draft. She is averaging 20.8 points, 6.5 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game.
Aaliyah Edwards: UConn’s 6-3 power forward could be wearing a mask in the tournament after breaking her nose in the Big East quarterfinals. Will be a top WNBA draft pick if she decides to leave, averaging 17.8 points, 9.3 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game.
Mackenzie Holmes: Indiana forward is one of the most efficient scorers in the nation, shooting 66.7% from the field. Averages 20 points and 6.9 rebounds per game.
Dyaisha Fair: Syracuse’s star senior guard passed Brittney Griner for fifth on the all-time scoring list this season. She might get a shot at facing Arizona in Syracuse’s first tournament game on Saturday, as it will get the winner of UA-Auburn First Four game on Thursday.
Women’s coaches to watch
Dawn Staley: Used to dominate as a player while at Virginia, now she’s leading a dominant program as a coach at South Carolina, which has won two titles during her tenure (2017, 2022).
Tara VanDerveer: The Stanford coach this season broke the NCAA record for most coaching wins in men’s or women’s basketball. She’s one of four coaches all time to win at least three championships, the most recent in 2021.
Geno Auriemma: Architect of the UConn dynasty has won 11 national titles, the most in NCAA history. Hasn’t won one since 2016, the longest drought during his time at the school.
Kim Mulkey: In her third season at LSU, which is the defending NCAA champion. Previously led Baylor to three national titles, including one in 2012 that went 40-0 with current Phoenix Mercury star Brittney Griner.
Lisa Bluder: Iowa’s coach since 2000 has won five Big Ten titles, including the last three in a row with Caitlin Clark, and looks to take the final step after losing the title last year to LSU.
Mascots
Lucas The Stag, Fairfield: Would give Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer a run for his money.
Griff II, Drake: It’s an English bulldog who wears a letterman jacket and sometimes wears a crown and sits on a throne.
Wally Pilot, Portland: The only NCAA-affiliated school to use the nickname “pilot.”
Bananas T. Bear, Maine: I mean, look at that name.
The Spider, Richmond: It’s not often you see a giant, hairy spider walking around a basketball game.