Get ready for the madness! The 2024 Women’s NCAA Basketball Tournament is just around the corner, and it promises to be one of the most exciting tournaments in recent memory. With top-ranked teams, Cinderella stories, and thrilling upsets, the tournament will have something for everyone.
This year’s tournament will feature 64 teams, including the automatic qualifiers from each conference and several at-large selections. The tournament will tip off on Friday, March 15, with the First Four games. The tournament will then move to regional sites for the first and second rounds, followed by the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight games in Greensboro, North Carolina. The Final Four will be held in San Antonio, Texas, on April 5 and 7.
Transition paragraph:
With the tournament just around the corner, it’s time to start thinking about who will be the top contenders for the title. There are several teams that could make a run to the Final Four, but here are a few of the teams that I think are the favorites:
Womens Ncaa Basketball Tournament 2024
Excitement, drama, and Cinderella stories await in the 2024 Women’s NCAA Basketball Tournament.
- 64-team tournament
- Automatic qualifiers
- At-large selections
- First Four games
- Regional sites
- Sweet 16 and Elite Eight
- Final Four in San Antonio
- Top contenders
- Cinderella stories
- Unforgettable moments
With the tournament just around the corner, make sure to tune in and catch all the thrilling action!
64-team tournament
The 2024 Women’s NCAA Basketball Tournament will feature 64 teams, the largest field in tournament history. This expansion is designed to provide more opportunities for teams to participate in the tournament and to increase the excitement and unpredictability of the early rounds.
The 64 teams will be divided into four regions, with 16 teams in each region. The teams will be seeded 1-16 in each region, with the top 16 teams overall receiving a protected seed. The remaining teams will be placed in the bracket based on their NET ranking.
The First Four games will be played on Friday, March 15, with the remaining teams advancing to the first round. The first and second rounds will be played on Saturday and Sunday, March 16 and 17, at regional sites. The Sweet 16 and Elite Eight games will be played in Greensboro, North Carolina, on March 23 and 25, respectively. The Final Four will be held in San Antonio, Texas, on April 5 and 7.
The expansion of the tournament to 64 teams is sure to bring even more excitement and drama to the tournament. With more teams in the field, there are more opportunities forCinderella stories and unexpected results.
The 2024 Women’s NCAA Basketball Tournament is shaping up to be one of the most exciting in recent memory. With a 64-team field, there are sure to be plenty of surprises and memorable moments. Make sure to tune in and catch all the action!
Automatic qualifiers
Automatic qualifiers are teams that earn a berth in the NCAA Tournament by winning their conference tournament. This is the most common way for teams to qualify for the tournament, and it ensures that every conference has a chance to send a team to the Big Dance.
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32 automatic qualifiers
There are 32 automatic qualifiers in the Women’s NCAA Basketball Tournament. Each of the 32 Division I conferences receives one automatic bid.
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Conference tournaments
To earn an automatic bid, teams must win their conference tournament. The conference tournaments are typically held in March, and they can be very competitive. Some conferences, such as the ACC and the SEC, have multiple teams that are ranked among the nation’s best, so winning the conference tournament in those leagues can be very difficult.
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Cinderella stories
Automatic qualifiers often provide some of the most exciting stories in the NCAA Tournament. Teams that win their conference tournament often come from smaller conferences and have lower seeds in the NCAA Tournament. These teams can make deep runs in the tournament, and they often become fan favorites.
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Parity in women’s basketball
The parity in women’s basketball makes the automatic qualifiers even more important. There are many good teams in women’s basketball, and any team can win on any given day. This makes the conference tournaments very competitive, and it also means that any team that wins its conference tournament has a chance to make a run in the NCAA Tournament.
The automatic qualifiers are a key part of the NCAA Tournament. They ensure that every conference has a chance to send a team to the tournament, and they often provide some of the most exciting stories of the tournament.
At-large selections
In addition to the 32 automatic qualifiers, the NCAA Tournament selection committee also selects 32 at-large teams to participate in the tournament. These teams are chosen based on their overall record, their strength of schedule, and their performance in key games. The selection committee also considers the following factors when making their selections:
- Record against ranked opponents
- Wins against teams in other conferences
- Performance in conference tournaments
- Strength of conference
- Injuries and other factors
The at-large selections are often very competitive, and there are always a few teams that are left out of the tournament despite having a strong record. This is because the NCAA Tournament field is limited to 64 teams, and there are simply too many good teams to include them all.
The at-large selections are important because they allow the NCAA Tournament selection committee to choose the best teams in the country, regardless of their conference affiliation. This ensures that the tournament is as competitive and exciting as possible.
Here are some examples of teams that have received at-large bids to the NCAA Tournament in recent years:
- 2023: Stanford, Creighton, Oregon
- 2022: Iowa State, Ole Miss, Georgia
- 2021: BYU, Missouri State, Belmont
These teams all had strong records and impressive wins against ranked opponents, which earned them an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament.
The at-large selections are a key part of the NCAA Tournament. They allow the selection committee to choose the best teams in the country, regardless of their conference affiliation. This ensures that the tournament is as competitive and exciting as possible.
First Four games
The First Four games are a play-in round that takes place before the first round of the NCAA Tournament. The First Four games are played on the Tuesday and Wednesday before the first round, and they determine which teams will advance to the main bracket of the tournament.
The First Four games are typically played at two regional sites, and they are usually hosted by a school that is also participating in the tournament. The four teams that play in the First Four games are the last four teams to receive at-large bids to the tournament.
The First Four games are often very competitive, and they can be a great way to get a preview of the tournament. In recent years, several First Four games have gone down to the wire, and there have been a few upsets.
Here are some examples of memorable First Four games in recent years:
- 2023: Longwood upset Mount St. Mary’s in overtime to earn a spot in the first round.
- 2022: Princeton upset Radford to become the first 16-seed to win a First Four game.
- 2021: Oral Roberts upset Ohio State in a First Four game that was decided by just two points.
The First Four games are a great way to kick off the NCAA Tournament. They are always exciting and unpredictable, and they can provide a glimpse of what is to come in the rest of the tournament.
The First Four games are an important part of the NCAA Tournament. They give four more teams a chance to compete for a national championship, and they often provide some of the most exciting games of the tournament.
Regional sites
The NCAA Tournament is played at regional sites across the country. The regional sites for the 2024 Women’s NCAA Basketball Tournament are:
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Greensboro, North Carolina
Greensboro Coliseum
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San Antonio, Texas
Alamodome
The regional sites are chosen by the NCAA Tournament selection committee. The committee considers a number of factors when selecting the regional sites, including the size of the arena, the availability of practice facilities, and the proximity to major airports and hotels.
The regional sites are an important part of the NCAA Tournament experience. They provide a great atmosphere for the games, and they allow fans from all over the country to attend the tournament.
The regional sites also play a role in determining the national champion. The teams that advance to the regional finals are the only teams that have a chance to win the national championship.
The regional sites for the 2024 Women’s NCAA Basketball Tournament are sure to provide some exciting games and memorable moments.
Sweet 16 and Elite Eight
The Sweet 16 and Elite Eight are the third and fourth rounds of the NCAA Tournament. The Sweet 16 is played on Friday and Saturday, and the Elite Eight is played on Sunday and Monday. The winners of the Elite Eight games advance to the Final Four.
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Sweet 16
The Sweet 16 is played at the regional sites. The 16 teams that advance to the Sweet 16 are the winners of the first and second round games.
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Elite Eight
The Elite Eight is also played at the regional sites. The 8 teams that advance to the Elite Eight are the winners of the Sweet 16 games.
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Final Four
The Final Four is played at a single site. The two teams that win the Elite Eight games advance to the Final Four.
The Sweet 16 and Elite Eight games are always very exciting. The teams that advance to these rounds are the best teams in the country, and they are all playing for a chance to win the national championship.
The Sweet 16 and Elite Eight games are also a great opportunity for fans to see some of the best women’s basketball players in the world. Many of the top players in the WNBA play in the NCAA Tournament, and they always put on a show for the fans.
The Sweet 16 and Elite Eight games are a great way to get ready for the Final Four. These games are always very competitive, and they often provide some of the most memorable moments of the tournament.
The Sweet 16 and Elite Eight games for the 2024 Women’s NCAA Basketball Tournament are sure to be some of the most exciting games of the tournament. Make sure to tune in and catch all the action!
Final Four in San Antonio
The Final Four of the 2024 Women’s NCAA Basketball Tournament will be held in San Antonio, Texas, at the Alamodome. This will be the third time that San Antonio has hosted the Final Four, and the first time since 2018.
The Alamodome is a domed stadium that can seat over 64,000 people. It is the largest stadium in Texas and the seventh-largest stadium in the United States. The Alamodome has hosted a variety of major sporting events, including the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament, and the Super Bowl.
San Antonio is a great city to host the Final Four. It is a vibrant city with a rich history and culture. There are plenty of things to see and do in San Antonio, including the Alamo, the River Walk, and the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park.
The Final Four is the culmination of the NCAA Tournament, and it is always an exciting event. The four teams that advance to the Final Four are the best teams in the country, and they are all playing for a chance to win the national championship.
The Final Four in San Antonio is sure to be a memorable event. The Alamodome is a great venue for the Final Four, and the city of San Antonio is a great place to host the event. Make sure to tune in and catch all the action!
Here are some of the things that make the Final Four in San Antonio so special:
- The Alamodome: The Alamodome is a state-of-the-art stadium that provides a great atmosphere for the Final Four games.
- The city of San Antonio: San Antonio is a vibrant city with a rich history and culture. There are plenty of things to see and do in San Antonio, making it a great place to visit for the Final Four.
- The fans: The fans in San Antonio are some of the most passionate and knowledgeable fans in the country. They create a great atmosphere for the Final Four games.
Top contenders
With the 2024 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament just around the corner, it’s time to start thinking about who the top contenders are for the national championship. Here are a few teams that I think have a good chance of making a run to the Final Four:
- South Carolina Gamecocks: The Gamecocks are the defending national champions, and they have one of the best players in the country in Aliyah Boston. They are always a contender for the national championship, and they will be looking to repeat in 2024.
- Stanford Cardinal: The Cardinal have won two of the last three national championships, and they are always a contender. They have a great coach in Tara VanDerveer, and they always seem to find a way to win.
- Louisville Cardinals: The Cardinals have been to the Final Four in each of the last two years, and they are always a threat to win the national championship. They have a great backcourt led by Hailey Van Lith, and they are always tough to beat.
- UConn Huskies: The Huskies are one of the most successful programs in women’s basketball history, and they are always a contender for the national championship. They have a new coach in Geno Auriemma, but they still have a lot of talent on their roster.
These are just a few of the teams that I think have a good chance of winning the national championship in 2024. There are many other teams that could make a run, and the tournament is always full of surprises.
It’s still early in the season, but these are the teams that I think are the top contenders for the 2024 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament. Make sure to keep an eye on these teams as the season progresses.
Here are a few other teams that could make a run to the Final Four in 2024:
- NC State Wolfpack: The Wolfpack have a great coach in Wes Moore, and they have a lot of talented players. They are always a threat to make a deep run in the tournament.
- Texas A&M Aggies: The Aggies have one of the best players in the country in Aaliyah Boston. They are always a contender for the national championship, and they will be looking to make a deep run in 2024.
- Tennessee Lady Vols: The Lady Vols are one of the most successful programs in women’s basketball history, and they are always a contender for the national championship. They have a new coach in Kellie Harper, but they still have a lot of talent on their roster.
Cinderella stories
One of the best things about the NCAA Tournament is the Cinderella stories. These are the teams that come out of nowhere to make a deep run in the tournament. Cinderella stories are always exciting, and they always provide some of the most memorable moments of the tournament.
There are a few things that make a Cinderella story so special. First, these teams are usually from smaller conferences. They don’t have the same resources as the big-name schools, and they often have to overcome long odds just to make it to the tournament.
Second, Cinderella stories are often led by a great player. This player is usually a mid-major star who is able to take their team to new heights. These players are often overlooked by the big schools, but they always seem to find a way to shine in the NCAA Tournament.
Finally, Cinderella stories are always about heart. These teams never give up, even when they are facing a seemingly insurmountable opponent. They play with passion and determination, and they always seem to find a way to win.
Here are a few examples of Cinderella stories from recent NCAA Tournaments:
- 2023: Saint Peter’s University, a 15-seed, made a run to the Elite Eight. This was the first time that a 15-seed had ever made it to the Elite Eight.
- 2022: Oral Roberts University, a 15-seed, made a run to the Sweet 16. This was the first time that a 15-seed had ever made it to the Sweet 16.
- 2021: Abilene Christian University, a 14-seed, made a run to the Sweet 16. This was the first time that a 14-seed had ever made it to the Sweet 16.
These are just a few examples of the many Cinderella stories that have taken place in the NCAA Tournament. These stories are always inspiring, and they always make the tournament more exciting.
Who will be the Cinderella story of the 2024 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament? We’ll have to wait and see, but one thing is for sure: there will be at least one team that comes out of nowhere to make a deep run in the tournament.
Unforgettable moments
The NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament is always full of unforgettable moments. Here are a few moments that I think will be remembered for years to come:
- Aliyah Boston’s dominant performance in the national championship game: Boston, the South Carolina Gamecocks’ star center, put on a show in the national championship game. She scored 26 points, grabbed 11 rebounds, and blocked 5 shots. She was unstoppable, and she led the Gamecocks to their second national championship in three years.
- Hailey Van Lith’s buzzer-beater to win the Sweet 16: Van Lith, the Louisville Cardinals’ star guard, hit a buzzer-beating three-pointer to win the Sweet 16 game against the Tennessee Lady Vols. The shot sent the Cardinals to the Elite Eight, and it was one of the most dramatic moments of the tournament.
- Stanford’s comeback win in the Final Four: The Stanford Cardinal trailed by 10 points with just over four minutes remaining in the Final Four game against the UConn Huskies. But the Cardinal never gave up, and they rallied to win the game in overtime. It was an incredible comeback, and it was one of the most exciting games of the tournament.
- Oral Roberts’ Cinderella run to the Sweet 16: The Oral Roberts Golden Eagles were a 15-seed in the NCAA Tournament, but they made a run to the Sweet 16. They upset the Ohio State Buckeyes in the first round, and they then defeated the Arkansas Razorbacks in the second round. The Golden Eagles’ run was one of the most inspiring stories of the tournament.
These are just a few of the many unforgettable moments that took place in the 2024 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament. This tournament is always full of excitement and drama, and it always provides some of the best moments in sports.
FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions about the 2024 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament:
Question 1: When is the tournament?
Answer: The tournament will be held from March 15 to April 7, 2024.
Question 2: Where is the tournament being held?
Answer: The First Four games will be played in Greensboro, North Carolina, and San Antonio, Texas. The regional semifinals and finals will be played in Greensboro, North Carolina, and the Final Four and national championship game will be played in San Antonio, Texas.
Question 3: How many teams are in the tournament?
Answer: There are 64 teams in the tournament, including 32 automatic qualifiers and 32 at-large selections.
Question 4: Who are the top contenders for the national championship?
Answer: The top contenders for the national championship include the South Carolina Gamecocks, the Stanford Cardinal, the Louisville Cardinals, and the UConn Huskies.
Question 5: Who are some of the Cinderella stories to watch for?
Answer: Some of the Cinderella stories to watch for include the Oral Roberts Golden Eagles, the Saint Peter’s Peacocks, and the Abilene Christian Wildcats.
Question 6: Where can I watch the tournament?
Answer: The tournament will be televised on ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPNU. You can also stream the tournament online at ESPN.com and the ESPN app.
Question 7: What are some of the new rules for the 2024 tournament?
Answer: There are a few new rules for the 2024 tournament, including a new shot clock violation rule and a new rule that allows teams to call a timeout during a dead ball.
These are just a few of the frequently asked questions about the 2024 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament. For more information, please visit the NCAA website.
In addition to the FAQ, here are a few tips for enjoying the 2024 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament:
Tips
Here are a few tips for enjoying the 2024 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament:
Tip 1: Pick a team to root for.
One of the best ways to enjoy the tournament is to pick a team to root for. This can be your alma mater, your favorite player’s team, or simply a team that you think is fun to watch.
Tip 2: Make a bracket.
Another fun way to follow the tournament is to make a bracket. You can do this online or you can print out a bracket and fill it out by hand. Try to pick the winners of each game, and see how well you do.
Tip 3: Watch the games with friends and family.
The NCAA Tournament is a great time to get together with friends and family and watch some exciting basketball. Make a party out of it by serving food and drinks, and cheering on your team together.
Tip 4: Follow the tournament on social media.
If you can’t watch the games on TV, you can still follow the tournament on social media. The NCAA and the participating teams will be posting updates, highlights, and behind-the-scenes content on their social media channels.
These are just a few tips for enjoying the 2024 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament. With a little planning, you can make sure that you have a great time watching the tournament.
The 2024 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament is sure to be one of the most exciting tournaments in recent memory. With a new field of 64 teams, there are sure to be plenty of surprises and memorable moments. Make sure to tune in and catch all the action!
Conclusion
The 2024 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament is shaping up to be one of the most exciting tournaments in recent memory. With a new field of 64 teams, there are sure to be plenty of surprises and memorable moments.
The tournament will feature some of the best players in the country, including Aliyah Boston, Hailey Van Lith, and Paige Bueckers. These players are all capable of taking over a game, and they will be looking to lead their teams to the national championship.
There are also a number of Cinderella stories to watch for in the tournament. Teams like Oral Roberts and Saint Peter’s have shown that anything is possible in the NCAA Tournament. These teams will be looking to make a deep run in the tournament and prove that they belong on the big stage.
The 2024 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament is sure to be a memorable event. With a new field of teams and a number of exciting storylines, this tournament is one that you won’t want to miss.
Make sure to tune in and catch all the action!