National Title or Bust for South Carolina Women? Seems That Way
Women's NCAA Championship Odds: SC Heavy -150 Favorite
The NCAA Women’s Tournament is South Carolina’s to lose. Dawn Staley’s team is a force: 34-0 with an average margin of victory of almost 31 points.
Last year, though, the Gamecocks were in a similar position before a stunning Final Four loss to Iowa.
Can they redeem themselves? Through two rounds, South Carolina remains the overwhelming favorite to cut down the nets on April 7 in Cleveland.
Let’s take a closer look at the remaining field as we break down the women’s NCAAB championship odds.
THE FAVORITE
South Carolina (-150)
It’s NCAA title or bust for South Carolina, the tournament’s top overall seed. The Gamecocks replaced their entire starting five from last season’s Final Four team yet haven’t lost a game. They are 34-0, seeking to become the first team to finish unbeaten since UConn in 2016.
Led by SEC Defensive Player of the Year and All-American center Kamilla Cardoso, the Gamecocks have everything you want in a title contender, including experience, depth, and a bit of grit.
It’s no wonder they are heavy favorites to cut down the nets in Cleveland, the only team with better than plus women’s NCAAB championship odds.
TOP CONTENDERS
Iowa (+750)
Caitlin Clark has been at the epicenter of women’s basketball this season, and her ability to score from practically anywhere on the court is why top-seeded Iowa may be the biggest threat to South Carolina’s run for perfection.
Last season, Clark averaged more than 30 points per game during the tournament to carry Iowa to the national championship against LSU.
Now she’s the NCAA’s all-time leading scorer, and all that’s missing from her spectacular resume is a national championship.
Clark might need an All-World performance to finish the job, but she’s certainly capable of delivering one. She’s among the biggest stories in sports right now, and that includes the NCAA men’s basketball tournament.
LSU (+850)
LSU is seeking to become the first back-to-back champion since UConn in 2016 and the fourth program all-time to repeat. With a significant portion of last year’s team back, including SEC Player of the Year Angel Reese, the Tigers seem well-stocked to make another deep run. Just know that their road may be slightly more difficult as a No. 3 seed.
They must figure out how to beat the Gamecocks, against whom they are 0-2 this season.
OUTSIDE LOOKING IN
UConn (+1200)
Injuries have undoubtedly taken their toll, crippling UConn’s depth. But as long as Paige Bueckers is on the floor, the third-seeded Huskies are plenty capable of winning it all. Bueckers is the sport’s biggest star outside of Clark, a do-it-all point guard who has propelled the Huskies to a 31-5 record and their 30th consecutive Sweet 16.
Bueckers has been spectacular in this tournament, averaging 30.0 points, 10.5 rebounds, 6.5 assists and 3.5 steals while shooting 56.8% from the field. She poured in 32 points in a second-round win over Syracuse, after which coach Geno Auriemma labeled her the “best player in America.” Surely, he didn’t forget Clark.
A record 12th NCAA title is attainable.
Texas (+1400)
Even after losing its best player, 5-foot-6 point guard Rori Harmon, to an ACL tear in December, Texas managed to win the Big 12 Tournament title and grab the final No. 1 seed.
Why? Or better yet, how? Look no further than Madison Booker. Averaging 16.8 points, 4.9 rebounds and 5.1 assists, Booker is the first freshman to win a share of Big 12 Player of the Year.
Stanford (+1500)
Stanford coughed up its shot at a No. 1 seed in the Pac-12 Tournament against USC. Still, seeded second opposite Texas, the Cardinal have a realistic shot at getting back to the Final Four.
Kiki Iriafen has been stellar for the Cardinal all season but came up particularly big in a second-round overtime win over Iowa State, recording 41 points, 16 rebounds and three blocks.
With Cameron Brink alongside her, Stanford has one of the best frontcourt duos in the country.
LONGSHOTS
USC (+2500)
JuJu Watkins from USC has wasted no time introducing herself to women’s basketball, netting AP All-American honors as a freshman. She’s second in the country in scoring at 26.9 points per game. That includes a school-record 51-point effort in a victory over Stanford in February.
The Pac-12 Tournament champions are positioned well as a No. 1 seed but may have to overcome UConn to reach the Final Four.
UCLA (+2500)
UCLA was widely considered the country’s second-best team before Lauren Betts, a former No. 1 overall recruit and transfer from Stanford, missed four games due to an undisclosed medical issue.
While Betts is back in the lineup, the second-seeded Bruins need to rediscover their form after surviving a scare from Creighton in the second round.
Notre Dame (+4000)
Hannah Hidalgo is probably the best freshman this season outside of Watson. However, the second-seeded Fighting Irish are a bit short on depth after losing Kylee Watson to a knee injury in the ACC Tournament.
In their second-round win over Ole Miss, the Fighting Irish’s starters combined to score 69 of their 71 points.
NC State (+4500)
The third-seeded Wolfpack are skilled in the backcourt, led by Aziaha James and Saniya Rivers. The duo combined for 41 points in a second-round win over Tennessee.
Being on the same side of the bracket as South Carolina, NC State may have a tough time just getting to the national championship, let alone winning it. However, as we’ve seen from college basketball scores, anything is possible in March.
Remaining women’s NCAAB championship odds: Indiana (+10000), Oregon State (+10000), Gonzaga (+15000), Duke (+15000), Baylor (+15000), Colorado (+20000)
For college basketball picks, betting odds, analysis and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.
