The second round of the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament is where the stakes are higher, the competition is fiercer, and every possession matters. Tonight’s matchups are set to deliver nonstop action. Here’s part 2 of our deep dive of the most intriguing battles, breaking down the numbers, the matchups, and the best bets to cash in on. Let’s get into it!
Iowa Hawkeyes vs. Oklahoma Sooners
Game Details:
- Time: 4:00 PM ET
- Location: Lloyd Noble Center, Norman, Oklahoma
- Broadcast: ESPN
- Betting Line: Oklahoma -4.5 points
- Total: Over/Under set at 157.5
Team Matchup:
‣Offense:
✶Iowa: The Hawkeyes average 79.5 points per game, showcasing a high-tempo offense that emphasizes quick transitions and perimeter shooting. Guard Caitlin Clark leads the nation with 27.5 points per game, contributing significantly to Iowa’s offensive prowess.
✶Oklahoma: The Sooners average 81.2 points per game, employing a balanced offensive approach that combines strong inside play with effective three-point shooting. Forward Madi Williams leads the team with 18.3 points per game, providing versatility in scoring.
‣Defense:
✶Iowa: The Hawkeyes allow 70.2 points per game, often engaging in high-scoring affairs. Their defense focuses on creating turnovers to fuel their fast-paced offense but can be vulnerable to teams with strong interior play.
✶Oklahoma: The Sooners concede 68.5 points per game, employing a physical man-to-man defense that challenges opponents’ ball movement and shot selection. Their ability to defend the perimeter is crucial against teams like Iowa that rely on outside shooting.
Keys 🔑 to the Game:
✶Iowa must capitalize on their transition offense and maintain high shooting efficiency, particularly from three-point range, to counter Oklahoma’s physical defense.
✶Oklahoma should leverage their home-court advantage and exploit Iowa’s defensive vulnerabilities by establishing a strong presence in the paint and controlling the game’s tempo.
Players to Watch:
✶Iowa: Forward Hannah Stuelke, is expected to be a key contributor, leveraging her scoring against opposing defenses. Her versatility and scoring ability in the paint are vital to the Hawkeyes’ success.
✶Oklahoma: Forward Raegan Beers, known for her ability to score in a variety of ways, including finishing strong around the rim and knocking down mid-range shots. Standing at 6’3″, she combines size and athleticism, allowing her to excel in both offensive and defensive situations. Beers also contributes significantly on the boards, helping her team maintain possession and create second-chance opportunities. Her scoring ability and presence in the paint make her a crucial player for Oklahoma, especially in high-stakes moments during the tournament.
Best Bets and Predictions:
- 🔅Spread: Oklahoma covers the -4.5 spread. The Sooners’ balanced offense and home-court advantage position them to edge out a victory in a closely contested game.
- 🔅Total: Over 157.5 points.
Both teams possess high-scoring offenses and have shown tendencies for high-scoring games, suggesting the total points will surpass the set line. - 🔅Player Prop: Hannah Stuelke over 15.5 points. Showing consistent scoring ability both in the paint and from mid-range, making her a versatile threat. In recent games, Stuelke has averaged over 17 points per game, Given that Iowa often plays at a fast pace, Stuelke will likely have plenty of opportunities to capitalize on mismatches against opposing defenders, making the over on 15.5 points a strong play.
- 🔅Final Score Prediction: Oklahoma 85, Iowa 80.
2. Alabama Crimson Tide vs. Maryland Terrapins
Game Details:
- Time: 5:00 PM ET
- Location: XFINITY Center, College Park, Maryland
- Broadcast: ESPN2
- Spread: Maryland -1 point
- Total: Over/Under at 153.5
Team Matchup:
‣Offense:
✶Alabama: The Crimson Tide average 74.8 points per game, utilizing a perimeter-oriented offense that emphasizes three-point shooting. Guard Aaliyah Nye leads the team with 16.2 points per game, showcasing exceptional accuracy from beyond the arc.
✶Maryland: The Terrapins average 78.3 points per game, employing a fast-paced offense that thrives on quick ball movement and transition opportunities. Guard Sarah Te-Biasu leads with 17.5 points per game, contributing significantly to their offensive success.
‣Defense:
✶Alabama: The Crimson Tide allow 65.4 points per game, focusing on perimeter defense to contest outside shots. Their ability to defend the three-point line is critical against teams with strong shooting capabilities.
✶Maryland: The Terrapins concede 67.1 points per game, utilizing an aggressive, pressuring defense that aims to force turnovers and disrupt opponents’ offensive rhythm.
Keys 🔑 to the Game:
✶Alabama needs to maintain high efficiency from three-point range and minimize turnovers against Maryland’s aggressive defense.
✶Maryland should leverage their transition game and capitalize on any defensive lapses by Alabama to create scoring opportunities.
Players to Watch:
✶Alabama: Guard Aaliyah Nye, whose exceptional three-point shooting ability can greatly influence the game’s momentum. With a shooting percentage of over 40% from beyond the arc, Nye has proven to be a reliable scorer who can stretch defenses and create spacing for her teammates. Her ability to hit timely shots can shift the game’s dynamics, making her a key player for Alabama.
✶Maryland: Te-Biasu excels in driving to the basket, utilizing her quick first step and finishing ability to score inside, while also being a capable three-point shooter, boasting a percentage above 36%. Her versatility as a scorer allows her to stretch defenses, creating opportunities for her teammates and making her a central figure in Maryland’s offensive game plan. As the team’s go-to player in critical moments, her performance will be crucial for Maryland’s chances in the tournament.
Best Bets and Predictions:
- 🔅Spread: Maryland covers the -1 spread. The Terrapins’ home-court advantage and aggressive defense give them a slight edge in what is expected to be a tightly contested game.
- 🔅Total: Under 153.5 points. Both teams possess solid defenses, suggesting a game that may not reach the projected point total.
- 🔅Player Prop: Sarah Te-Biasu over 17.5 points. As Maryland’s leading scorer, Te-Biasu plays a pivotal role in the Terrapins’ offensive strategy. Her versatility allows her to score in various ways, whether through driving to the basket or knocking down outside shots.
- 🔅Final Score Prediction: Maryland 75, Alabama 72.
Florida State Seminoles vs. LSU Tigers
Game Details:
- Time: 6:00 PM ET
- Location: Pete Maravich Assembly Center, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
- Broadcast: ESPN
- Spread: LSU -10.5 points
- Total: Over/Under set at 169.5
Team Matchup:
‣Offense:
✶Florida State: The Seminoles boast the second-highest scoring offense in the nation, averaging 87.4 points per game. Their offensive strategy revolves around fast-paced play and high-volume shooting, particularly from beyond the arc, where they average 8.7 made three-pointers per game. Guard Ta’Niya Latson leads the team and the nation with 25.0 points per game, providing a dynamic scoring threat from multiple areas on the court.
✶LSU: The Tigers are equally formidable offensively, averaging 85.0 points per game, ranking sixth nationally.Their offense is characterized by a balanced attack, combining strong interior play with efficient perimeter shooting. Guard Flau’jae Johnson, returning from injury, recently led the team with 22 points in their first-round victory, highlighting her significant role in LSU’s offensive schemes.
‣Defense:
✶Florida State: The Seminoles allow 70.8 points per game, indicating a preference for high-scoring games where their offense can outpace opponents. Their defensive approach focuses on creating turnovers and disrupting passing lanes to fuel their transition offense.
✶LSU: The Tigers concede 65.1 points per game, demonstrating a more balanced approach between offense and defense. They employ a physical, man-to-man defense that emphasizes controlling the paint and limiting second-chance opportunities for opponents.
Keys 🔑 to the Game:
✶Florida State must leverage their fast-paced offense to keep LSU’s defense on its heels, utilizing quick transitions and perimeter shooting to build and maintain a lead.
✶LSU should focus on controlling the tempo, utilizing their physical defense to disrupt Florida State’s rhythm, and capitalizing on their balanced scoring to exploit any defensive lapses by the Seminoles.
Players to Watch:
✶Florida State: Guard Ta’Niya Latson, averaging over 20 points per game, thanks to her ability to create her own shot and excel in both transition and half-court settings. She possesses a versatile offensive skill set, combining excellent ball-handling with a strong mid-range game and the ability to knock down three-pointers at a high rate. Beyond her scoring, Latson serves as a leader on the court, guiding her teammates with her experience and poise, especially in high-pressure situations. Her performance is crucial for Florida State as they aim to make a deep run in the tournament, making her a player to watch closely.
✶LSU: Guard Flau’jae Johnson, combining strong ball-handling with the ability to finish at the rim and shooting from long range. Her recent scoring surge indicates she can exploit defensive mismatches, making her a crucial factor in LSU’s offensive success as they aim for a deep tournament run.
Best Bets and Predictions:
- 🔅Spread: Florida State to cover the +10.5 spread. Given both teams’ high-scoring capabilities, this matchup is likely to be closer than the spread suggests, with Florida State’s offense keeping them competitive throughout.
- 🔅Total: Over 169.5 points. Both teams average over 85 points per game, and their offensive styles suggest a high-scoring contest that should surpass the projected total.
- 🔅Player Prop: Ta’Niya Latson over 25.5 points. As the nation’s leading scorer, Latson is expected to have a significant offensive output, even against LSU’s robust defense.
- 🔅Final Score Prediction: LSU 92, Florida State 85.
Final Thoughts: Oklahoma vs. Iowa, Alabama vs. Maryland, Florida State vs. LSU
These three games bring a completely different flavor to tonight’s action—high-powered offenses, physical interior battles, and explosive scoring potential.
✶Oklahoma vs. Iowa is set to be a track meet. Both teams thrive in transition and push the pace relentlessly. The key question: which defense, if any, can come up with stops when it matters most?
✶Alabama vs. Maryland will be a war in the paint. Maryland’s rebounding and defensive intensity could be too much for Alabama to handle unless the Crimson Tide can knock down perimeter shots to space the floor.
✶Florida State vs. LSU promises a high-scoring shootout. Both teams average over 85 points per game, but LSU’s ability to control the boards and limit second-chance opportunities could be the difference.
Across these matchups, expect fireworks, momentum swings, and star players taking over in key moments. Some games will be decided by offensive firepower, while others will come down to defensive stops and rebounding battles. Either way, tonight’s action is set to deliver everything you’d want from March Madness—big plays, big moments, and teams fighting for their tournament lives.
