Cinderella Watch: 7 Women’s NCAA Tournament Upsets That Could Bust Your Bracket
March Madness isn’t just about the giants—it’s about the giant slayers. Every year, we fill out our NCAA Women’s Tournament brackets, searching for those underdog stories that will make history. And this year? We’ve got some serious bracket-busting potential.
The madness begins in full force Friday with a stacked 16-game lineup, and our USA TODAY Sports Network experts are here with seven upset predictions that could send shockwaves through the tournament. Buckle up—this is where legends are made.
Harvard Over Michigan State: The Harmoni Turner Show
No. 10 Harvard vs. No. 7 Michigan State
The Crimson are ready to make noise, and the Spartans might not be able to stop them. Harvard’s star guard, Harmoni Turner, is white-hot, dropping 68 points in two Ivy League Tournament games. But here’s the kicker: the supporting cast is stepping up, too. Michigan State better be ready, or this one’s over before it starts. — Cydney Henderson, USA TODAY
South Dakota State Over Oklahoma State: The Jackrabbits Mean Business
No. 10 South Dakota State vs. No. 7 Oklahoma State
Never underestimate a team that refuses to beat itself. Brooklyn Meyer is one of the most complete players in the mid-major circuit, and with Haleigh Timmer and Paige Meyer lighting up the scoreboard, the Jackrabbits have the firepower to take down the Cowgirls. — Cory Diaz, The Daily Advertiser
Grand Canyon Over Baylor: The 3-Point Nightmare
No. 13 Grand Canyon vs. No. 4 Baylor
Here’s the stat that should terrify Baylor: Grand Canyon is 32-2. Yes, you read that right. The Lopes already own two Power 6 wins, and their offense? Absolutely lethal from beyond the arc. If Baylor doesn’t lock in defensively, this one could get ugly fast. — Maxwell Donaldson, Gadsden Times & Jordan Mendoza, USA TODAY
Fairfield Over Kansas State: The Perfect Storm
No. 12 Fairfield vs. No. 5 Kansas State
Fairfield isn’t just here for participation points. Head coach Carly Thibault-DuDonis has built a powerhouse mid-major program, and with Kansas State’s star center Ayoka Lee still shaking off an injury, this is the perfect storm for an upset. — Cora Hall, Knoxville News Sentinel
Murray State Over Iowa: The 3-Point Shootout Iowa Might Lose
No. 11 Murray State vs. No. 6 Iowa
Murray State boasts one of the best offenses in college basketball, specializing in—you guessed it—three-pointers. And what’s Iowa’s Achilles’ heel? Perimeter defense. Katelyn Young could torch the Hawkeyes from deep and flip this bracket upside down. — Mike Sykes, For The Win
Norfolk State Over Maryland: Diamond Johnson’s Time to Shine
No. 13 Norfolk State vs. No. 4 Maryland
Maryland’s been limping through the season, and one superstar won’t be enough to save them. Diamond Johnson, Kierra Wheeler, and a deep Norfolk State bench are ready to send the Terrapins packing. This might be the biggest bracket-buster of them all. — Lulu Kesin, Greenville News & Meghan Hall, For The Win
Iowa State Over Michigan: The Audi Crooks Problem
No. 11 Iowa State vs. No. 6 Michigan
Michigan has a size problem, and Iowa State’s Audi Crooks is the worst possible matchup for them. She dominated Maryland for 40 points last year—who’s betting against her doing it again? — Jenna Ortiz, Arizona Republic
Mark Your Calendars: Women’s March Madness Schedule
- First Four: March 19-20
- First Round: March 21-22
- Second Round: March 23-24
- Sweet 16: March 28-29
- Elite Eight: March 30-31
- Final Four: April 4 (Semifinals, first game at 7 p.m. ET)
- Championship: April 6 (3 p.m. ET)
Get your brackets ready, because these upsets could turn the tournament upside down. Will these underdogs rise? Or will the favorites hold the line? One thing’s for sure—March Madness is about to get wild.
