Top-tier teams remain locked in on the 2026 March Madness bracket, as all four No. 1 seeds advanced to the NCAA women's basketball tournament's Sweet 16 round — with a lot of daylight between the title contenders and their challengers.
On Monday, No. 1 UConn blew out No. 9 Syracuse 98-45 before No. 1 South Carolina handled No. 9 USC 101-61, with No. 1 UCLA later dominating No. 8 Oklahoma State 87-68 as the trio joined No. 1 Texas in the Sweet 16.
"After being in this business for 37 years, and to have to be in this particular bracket every freakin' year is unacceptable," said Syracuse head coach Felisha Legette-Jack after the Huskies secured their 15th 50-point NCAA tournament win.
Seniors also stole the show on Monday, as graduating talents bid goodbye to their home crowds before moving on to the third round's neutral courts.
UCLA center Lauren Betts scored a career-high 35 points in her last game at Pauley Pavilion, while UConn guard Azzi Fudd dropped 34 points to tie her career high in Storrs.
"It's kind of what Azzi does — not miss," said fellow Husky Sarah Strong. "I'm happy to see her at her most confident self."
How to watch the No. 1 seeds in the Sweet 16
Two of the top March Madness seeds return on Friday, when UConn takes on No. 4 UNC at 5 PM ET before UCLA faces fellow Big Ten contender No. 4 Minnesota at 7:30 PM ET.
Then on Saturday, both Texas and South Carolina will enter all-SEC matchups as the Longhorns face No. 5 Kentucky at 3 PM ET before the Gamecocks battle No. 4 Oklahoma at 5 PM ET.
Except for Texas vs. Kentucky, which will air live on ABC, all No. 1 seed Sweet 16 games will air on ESPN.
