Women’s March Madness 2026: Previews, live updates, analysis from Sunday’s Elite Eight

The ladies’s Final Four is about to take form — and Sunday’s motion will inform us two of the groups headed to Phoenix. First, Hannah Hidalgo will try to repeat a sensational defensive efficiency in opposition to the top-seeded Huskies. Then, Kara Lawson’s Duke squad will see the way it can observe up its dramatic buzzer-beating victory over LSU.

ESPN has you coated for the entire motion, with Kendra Andrews, Charlotte Gibson, Alexa Philippou and Michael Voepel on web site at each regionals, offering keys to the sport for every crew in motion.

Be positive to return again after typoff for live updates from each video games!

1 p.m. ET, ABC

Voepel’s prediction: UConn, 82-75
Charlie Creme’s prediction: UConn, 78-52
Andrews’ prediction: UConn, 80-60
Gibson’s prediction: UConn, 86-63

How the Irish can advance to the Final Four: The Irish overcame their fair proportion of adversity this season, and utilizing a seven-player rotation isn’t precisely a method for fulfillment. But these gamers imagine in one another, and with Hannah Hidalgo main the best way, something feels potential. Hidalgo has been on the coronary heart of their success, setting the tone on protection, and that’s precisely what gained the sport in opposition to Vanderbilt. It isn’t simple feat holding Mikayla Blakes to 7-of-26 capturing from the sphere. Notre Dame confirmed poise down the stretch, even when its 12-point lead evaporated. Hidalgo has spoken repeatedly about not taking this second without any consideration, and he or she appears to be enjoying that manner. — Andrea Adelson

How the Huskies can advance to the Final Four: The Huskies confronted Notre Dame in January, beating the Irish by 38 factors — essentially the most lopsided recreation within the rivalry’s historical past. But regular-season success does not all the time translate to the NCAA match. And Notre Dame is successfully enjoying with home cash as a No. 6 seed; only a few thought the Irish would make it to the Elite Eight. The Huskies, in the meantime, carry the burden of being undefeated and the defending nationwide champions.

Chief amongst Geno Auriemma’s priorities can be for his crew to get off to a greater begin than it did within the first quarter in opposition to North Carolina, and to assist his offense discover extra success in opposition to one other stingy defensive crew. That wasn’t a problem of their first assembly — UConn scored 85 factors on 56% capturing — however the Irish are a special crew now. — Alexa Philippou

3 p.m. ET, ABC

Voepel’s prediction: UCLA, 79-71
Charlie Creme’s prediction: UCLA, 65-62
Andrews’ prediction: UCLA, 70-58
Gibson’s prediction: UCLA, 74-71

How the Blue Devils can advance to the Final Four: If the Blue Devils can keep strain on protection, particularly in transition, they’ve an opportunity at one other upset. Sophomore Toby Fournierwho had 22 factors, 9 rebounds and three steals in opposition to LSU, must proceed to dominate.

Like most groups, Duke does not have the dimensions to problem UCLA’s 6-foot-7 senior middle Lauren Bettswho had 16 factors, 5 rebounds and 5 blocks within the Bruins’ 80-56 win over Minnesota within the Sweet 16. But Duke 6-3 junior ahead Delaney Thomas you will have performed effectively this postseason. That inside battle is a matchup to look at, as is how effectively Duke counters UCLA’s extra skilled, veteran backcourt.

LSU coach Kim Mulkey and her gamers lamented not getting the important thing rebounds in opposition to Duke, saying that, as a lot as something, value the Tigers the sport. So, UCLA will must be cautious of that. The Bruins had a 37-31 rebounding edge over Minnesota of their Sweet 16 victory, however they did not rebound effectively throughout stretches of that recreation. They cannot afford to do this in opposition to a Duke crew that tied LSU with 41 rebounds every Friday.

The Blue Devils allowed LSU 52 factors within the paint, however numerous these have been from guard penetrations. We will see how Duke guards UCLA as a result of the Bruins have a greater low-post offense than the Tigers. — Michael Voepel

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Duke wins on the buzzer as Ashlon Jackson’s 3 spins round and goes in

Ashlon Jackson fires a shot on the buzzer that goes down as Duke stuns LSU to maneuver on to the Elite Eight.

How the Bruins can advance to the Final Four: The Bruins are making sluggish begins a little bit of a behavior. Against the Gophers, the Bruins’ defensive errors allowed too many scoring alternatives for his or her opponent. UCLA is aware of easy methods to dominate: Lauren Betts surpassed 1,000 rebounds, and Angela Dugalic hit the 1,000-career level mark. Kiki Rice confirmed off her abilities in creating alternatives for her crew. With 52 factors within the paint, the Bruins proceed to reveal that after they get going inside, they’re unstoppable. Eliminate the sluggish begins and enhance alternatives within the paint, and UCLA can be on its approach to a second straight Final Four. — Charlotte Gibson