If you read my full NCAA Tournament bracket picks earlier this week, you’ve already seen the first-round matchups to keep an eye on. But the excitement of the tournament doesn’t end on Saturday (thank goodness), and there are plenty of storylines to hold the interest of even a casual fan.

So, let’s break down the potential matchups in each region.

Greensboro

Second round: No. 4 Arizona vs. No. 5 North Carolina

I mentioned on Monday that I think UNLV has the potential to give Arizona trouble in the first round. If the Wildcats get past the Rebels, they’ll have another tough opponent in the Tar Heels.

UNC is a consistent team that upset a great Louisville squad late in the season, proving they have what it takes to top elite competition. Led by sophomore guards Deja Kelly (15.9 points per game) and Alyssa Ustby (13.2 ppg, 8.6 rebounds per game), and aided by a rebounding advantage, UNC moves on.

Sweet 16: No. 2 Iowa vs. No. 3 Iowa State

There’s nothing quite like a regular-season rematch in the NCAA Tournament. This one has extra intrigue because the two teams are instate rivals. Iowa State topped Iowa 77-70 on Dec. 8, led Ashley Joens’ 25 points.

But that Iowa team and the one playing now couldn’t be more different. The Hawkeyes blasted through the end of the season, winning eight straight, including the Big Ten tournament championship. And unlike when they were struggling early in the season, it’s no longer just the Caitlin Clark show. Everyone on this squad is playing at a high level, and because of that, they top the Cyclones and move into the Elite Eight.

Elite Eight: No. 1 South Carolina vs. No. 2 Iowa

All of that brings me to another juicy matchup. The committee loves a good narrative, and so do I, which is why this game has the potential to be one of the best of the tournament. Caitlin Clark vs. Aliyah Boston, the two favorites for National Player of the Year, will take the court against each other, trying to get their teams to the Final Four. In the end, South Carolina has more weapons, and the guard duo of Zia Cooke and Destanni Henderson will give the Gamecocks a leg up.

Wichita

Second round: No. 4 Tennessee vs. No. 5 Oregon

Oregon is a team with the potential to be great. The Ducks have all the pieces and, at times, they’ve come together — a Jan. 17 win over UConn being the prime example. But now that the tournament has come around and they still haven’t realized their full potential, I’m thinking twice about the Ducks even getting past Belmont in the opening round.

Meanwhile, Tennessee looked great for most of the season, before dropping seven of their last 12 games. At least part of that slide can be attributed to leading scorer Jordan Horston hurting her elbow on Feb. 17. If the Vols are healthy, they should handle Oregon. If not, this region could get a lot more interesting.

Second round: No. 2 Baylor vs. No. 7 Ole Miss

Watching Baylor’s NaLyssa Smith and Ole Miss’ Shakira Austin battle in the paint will be intense. But Baylor has more pieces, particularly shooters, to keep the Ole Miss defense honest around doubling and sagging on Smith. That gives Baylor the edge.

Sweet 16: No. 2 Baylor vs. No. 3 Michigan

This one, a rematch of Michigan’s 74-68 overtime win on Dec. 19, features another elite post matchup between Smith and Naz Hillmon. Leigha Brown led the Wolverines with 25 points in that contest, and the Bears shot just 22.2 percent from 3. Expect Baylor to have a better defensive game plan and a better performance from beyond the arc. Add those together, and Baylor has the upper hand.

Sweet 16: No. 1 Louisville vs. No. 4 Tennessee

Now, here is a spot in the bracket where I start to question myself. Louisville has been outstanding this season, and as I mentioned earlier, Tennessee has fallen off as of late. So why am I picking Tennessee in this matchup? The Vols have a height advantage with 6-foot-6 Tamari Key, leading to second-chance points and one-shot possessions. The Vols also have athletic defenders to slow down Louisville’s guards. Player to player, this is a good matchup for the Vols, and they just have to play their game.

Spokane

Second round: No. 1 Stanford vs. No. 9 Georgia Tech

Stanford should win this game, but it’s going to get messy. The Yellow Jackets have pulled off several upsets this season thanks to intense on-ball defense, holding opponents to 51.9 points per game as the fifth-best scoring defense in the country. The toughest thing for Stanford is that it’s impossible to replicate Georgia Tech’s defense in practice; the real thing is always more chaotic. That said, Stanford is certainly experienced enough to handle the pressure. The scoreline might be closer than the Cardinal would like, but Stanford will come out on top.

Second round: No. 3 LSU vs. No. 6 Ohio State

This matchup is one between great guards: LSU’s Khayla Pointer and Alexis Morris vs. OSU’s Jacy Sheldon and Taylor Mikesell. LSU has an advantage inside with Faustine Aifuwa going up against OSU’s Rebeka Mikulasikova. Aifuwa’s 44 blocks this season will give the Buckeyes something to think about when they drive to the hoop.

Sweet 16: No. 1 Stanford vs. No. 4 Maryland

When these two teams played back in November, Stanford came away with a lopsided 86-67 win. But Maryland was short-handed, dressing only seven players, and Angel Reese struggled. She was 2-for-13 from the field and played just 15 minutes before fouling out. On the other side, Cameron Brink played just nine minutes due to illness.

In other words, we didn’t see the full potential of this matchup. Maryland has serious offensive firepower, averaging 78.1 points per game, but the Terrapins can’t match up with Stanford defensively. Because of that, I’m going with the Cardinal.

Sweet 16: No. 3 LSU vs. No. 2 Texas

Texas freshman Rori Harmon has been incredible all season, but in the Big 12 Championship she was on another level, scoring 30 points against Iowa State and 20 against Baylor. With her attacking, Aliyah Matharu coming off the bench (12.5 points per game) and Lauren Ebo in the paint, Texas has a complete offense. That, plus their overwhelming defense and unrelenting pace of play, will send the Longhorns to the Elite Eight.

Elite Eight: No. 1 Stanford vs. No. 2 Texas

When these teams met in November, it was Texas’ coming-out party. The Longhorns forced Stanford into 20 turnovers and just 35.4 percent shooting (14.8 percent from 3). Since then, the Cardinal have figured out their rotation and gotten healthy. Now, Stanford will be ready for Texas’ speed and pressure. The Cardinal will get revenge, and a Final Four appearance.

Bridgeport

Second round: No. 1 NC State vs. No. 9 Kansas State

This tournament is full of exciting post matchups, and NC State vs. Kansas State boasts two of the best bigs in the country in Elissa Cunane and Ayoka Lee. The Wolfpack got the better of this matchup back in November, in a 90-69 win, and I don’t think that changes this time around.

Second round: No. 3 Indiana vs. No. 6 Kentucky

There is no team hotter than Kentucky right now, but with Mackenzie Holmes finally looking healthy, Indiana is too good at every position. Expect the maturity and poise of the Hoosiers to be a factor as they move on to the Sweet Sixteen.

Sweet Sixteen: No. 2 UConn vs. No. 3 Indiana

With Paige Bueckers back and Azzi Fudd starting to peak, UConn is the team we thought it would be heading into the season. Injuries allowed Bueckers’ teammates to get some much-needed experience, and now everyone is playing at a high level. Expect a player like Christyn Williams to have a huge performance as IU throws all of its resources at Bueckers. Plus, with a short bench, Aaliyah Edwards (6-foot-3) and Olivia Nelson-Ododa (6-5) will be too much for the Hoosiers to handle.

Elite Eight: No. 1 NC State vs. No. 2 UConn

Unlike a lot of teams in the country, UConn has the personnel to defend Cunane. The Huskies will also be able to go toe-to-toe with NC State’s guards, and their overall talent will prevail.

Final Four

No. 1 Stanford vs. No. 2 UConn

The Cardinal and the Huskies have met six times in the Final Four and 18 times total since 1988. UConn holds an 11-7 advantage, and I expect the Huskies to add another win to that list. Like with NC State, UConn has the personnel to guard Brink in the paint. And when it comes to overall talent and athleticism, the Huskies have the edge over the Cardinal. Haley Jones could give them problems with her versatility, but UConn takes this one by a slim margin.

No. 1 South Carolina vs. No. 2 Baylor

I don’t anticipate this game to be as close. Baylor may have the best player on the floor in Smith, but Boston hasn’t been stopped all season. That won’t change against Baylor, and the Gamecock guards also have a leg up over Baylor’s.Their ability to attack and draw fouls will impact this game enough to send them to the championship.

Championship

No. 1 South Carolina vs. No. 2 UConn

Apart from two bumps in the road (losses to Missouri and Kentucky), South Carolina has been consistently elite this season. That tells me the Gamecocks have the tools to go all the way. Meanwhile, UConn has been tested with injuries and upsets, but the healthy Huskies can get right back to where basketball fans are used to seeing them.

This game comes down to overall talent. Both squads have star power, but South Carolina doesn’t have a weak spot on the floor. One through five, the Gamecocks are too talented for even the Huskies to stop, giving Dawn Staley’s squad a second NCAA title banner to add to their collection.

Eden Laase is a contributing writer at Just Women’s Sports. She previously ran her own high school sports website in Michigan after covering college hockey and interning at Sports Illustrated. Follow her on Twitter @eden_laase.

For the first time in the NWSL's 12-year history, fans can now buy their own goalkeeper jerseys. And while replica goalkeeper jerseys representing all 14 NWSL teams hit the market on Wednesday, some didn't stick around for long. 

Fans across women's soccer have long vocalized their discontent over the position's lack of availability on social media, often comparing the shortcoming to the widespread availability of men’s goalkeeper jerseys. And as the NWSL has grown, so has demand — and not just from those in the stands. 

"To have goalkeeper kits available for fans in the women’s game as they have been for so long in the men’s game is not only a long-awaited move in the right direction, it’s just good business," said Washington Spirit goalie Aubrey Kingsbury in an team press release. "I can’t wait to see fans representing me, Barnie [Barnhart], and Lyza in the stands at Audi!"

just went looking at #nwsl goalkeeper kit stock out of curiosity — Alyssa Naeher's $145 kit already sold out S-XL (league announced GK jerseys on sale 3 hours ago)https://t.co/8bYA7tlwcx

— Meg Linehan (@itsmeglinehan) April 17, 2024

Business does, in fact, appear to be booming. Alyssa Naeher’s Chicago Red Stars kit sold out less than three hours after the league's announcement. Jerseys for other keepers like DiDi Haračić, Abby Smith, Michelle Betos, Katelyn Rowland, and Bella Bixby aren’t currently available via the Official NWSL Shop, though blank goalkeeper jerseys can be customized through some individual team sites. Jerseys start at $110 each.

"This should be the benchmark," said Spirit Chief Operations Officer Theresa McDonnell. "The expectation is that all players’ jerseys are available to fans. Keepers are inspiring leaders and mentors with their own unique fan base who want to represent them... I can’t wait to see them all over the city."

Decorated gymnast Simone Biles took to the popular Call Her Daddy podcast this week to open up about her experience at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, revealing she thought she was going to be "banned from America" for her performance.

After Biles botched her vault routine due to a bout of the "twisties," she withdrew from the team final as well as the all-around final in order to focus on her mental health. She later reentered the competition to win bronze in the individual balance beam final.

In her interview with podcast host Alex Cooper, Biles admitted to feeling like she let the entire country down by failing her vault attempt.

"As soon as I landed I was like 'Oh, America hates me. The world is going to hate me. I can only see what they’re saying on Twitter right now,'" she recalled thinking. "I was like, ‘Holy s---, what are they gonna say about me?'"

"I thought I was going to be banned from America," she continued. "That’s what they tell you: Don’t come back if not gold. Gold or bust. Don’t come back."

Widely regarded as the greatest gymnast of all time, Biles has hinted at a desire to join her third Olympic team in Paris, though her participation won't be confirmed until after the gymnastics trials in late June. She holds over 30 medals from the Olympic Games and World Artistic Gymnastics Championships combined, and if qualified, would be a sure favorite heading into this summer’s games.

Caitlin Clark is reportedly close to cementing a hefty endorsement deal with Nike.

The Athletic was the first to break the news Wednesday evening, commenting that the deal would be worth "eight figures" and include her own signature shoe. On Thursday afternoon, the publication tweeted that the deal would top $20 million, according to lead NBA Insider Shams Charania. Both Under Armour and Adidas are said to have also made sizable offers to the college phenom and expected future WNBA star.

The new agreement comes after Clark's previous Nike partnership ended with the conclusion of the college basketball season. She was one of five NCAA athletes to sign an NIL deal with the brand back in October, 2022. 

Considering Clark's overwhelming popularity and Nike's deep pockets, the signing's purported value doesn't exactly come as a shock. New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu’s deal with the brand is reportedly worth $24 million, while NBA rookie and No. 1 overall pick Victor Wembanyama’s deal is rumored to weigh in at $100 million. And in 2003, LeBron James famously earned $90 million off his own Nike deal. 

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Clark’s star power continues to skyrocket, with the NCAA championship averaging 18.9 million viewers and the 2024 WNBA Draft more than doubling its previous viewership record. Following the draft, Fanatics stated that Clark's Indiana Fever jersey — which sold out within an hour — was the top seller for any draft night pick in the company’s history, with droves of unlucky fans now being forced to wait until August to get their hands on some official No. 22 gear.

In Wednesday's Indiana Fever introductory press conference, the unfailingly cool, calm, and collected Clark said that turning pro hasn’t made a huge impact on how she’s conducting her deals.

"If I’m being completely honest, I feel like it doesn’t change a ton from how I lived my life over the course of the last year," she said. "Sponsorships stay the same. The people around me, agents and whatnot, have been able to help me and guide me through the course of the last year. I don’t know if I would be in this moment if it wasn’t for a lot of them."

Former Oklahoma slugger Jocelyn Alo has signed on with Athletes Unlimited and will compete in the AU Pro Softball AUX this June.

The NCAA record holder in career home runs (122), total bases (761), and slugging percentage (.987), Alo was originally drafted by the league in 2022 but opted instead to join the newly debuted Women’s Professional Fastpitch. 

Alo currently plays for independent pro softball team Oklahoma City Spark, with team owner Tina Floyd reportedly on board with her recent AUX signing. AUX games are scheduled for June 10-25, while the Spark's season will kick off June 19th. Alo will play for both. 

Among those joining Alo on the AUX roster are former James Madison ace pitcher Odicci Alexander and former Wichita State standout middle infielder Sydney McKinney.

According to Alo, the decision to play in the Athletes Unlimited league was fueled by her desire to propel women's sports forward as well as provide more exposure to a sport that's given her "so many opportunities."

"Not only to challenge myself more, but just for the growth of the game," Alo said, explaining her reasoning to The Oklahoman. "I genuinely believe that professional softball can be a career for girls."

Joining AUX is also one more step in her plan toward representing Team USA at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

"I’m constantly thinking about how can I do these little things right in these four years to prepare me for the biggest stage of softball," she told The Oklahoman. "I definitely want to play in the Olympics, for sure."

Alo further expressed enthusiasm in the hope that the rise of other women’s sports, like women’s basketball and the NWSL, will push softball’s professional viability even higher.

"We’re seeing the NWSL (National Women’s Soccer League) get their stuff going, I see the WNBA starting to get hot," she continued. "I feel like the softball community is like, 'All right, it’s our turn and it’s our turn to just demand more.'"