Women's March Madness 2026: Sweet 16 Previews and Analysis

ESPN breaks down the keys to victory for each team in Friday's Sweet 16 matchups.

Mar. 27, 2026 at 1:00pm

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The 2026 NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament has reached the Sweet 16 stage, with several top programs facing off on Friday. ESPN provides in-depth previews and analysis of each matchup, highlighting the keys to victory for each team as they look to advance to the Elite Eight.

Why it matters

The Sweet 16 round is a critical juncture in the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament, as teams vie for a spot in the Elite Eight and move one step closer to the national championship. These previews offer valuable insights into the strengths, strategies, and potential X-factors that could determine the outcomes of these high-stakes games.

The details

The action tips off at 2:30 p.m. ET on ESPN with Notre Dame taking on Vanderbilt, followed by North Carolina vs. UConn at 5:00 p.m. ET. In the late games, UCLA faces Minnesota at 7:30 p.m. ET, and Duke battles LSU at 10:00 p.m. ET. ESPN's team of experts breaks down the keys to victory for each team, highlighting factors such as player matchups, defensive strategies, and the importance of limiting turnovers and controlling the boards.

  • The Sweet 16 games will be played on Friday, March 27, 2026.

The players

Hannah Hidalgo

A key player for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, known for her scoring ability and defensive prowess.

Mikayla Blakes

The nation's leading scorer for the Vanderbilt Commodores, who will be a major threat to the Notre Dame defense.

Geno Auriemma

The legendary head coach of the UConn Huskies, who will look to guide his team to another Elite Eight appearance.

Dawn Plitzuweit

The current head coach of the Minnesota Gophers, who will face a tough challenge against the top-seeded UCLA Bruins.

Toby Fournier

Duke's best player, who will need to stay out of foul trouble if the Blue Devils hope to advance past LSU.

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What they’re saying

“If the Huskies keep playing this way, they will have no issues advancing to the Elite Eight.”

— Alexa Philippou, ESPN Analyst

“When LSU is on, the Tigers are one of the best teams in the country because of their ability to score both in the paint and from 3.”

— Andrea Adelson, ESPN Analyst

What’s next

The winners of Friday's Sweet 16 games will advance to the Elite Eight, with those matchups set to take place on Sunday, March 29, 2026.

The takeaway

The 2026 NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament has reached a critical juncture, with several of the sport's most storied programs vying for a spot in the Elite Eight. These previews highlight the key factors that could determine the outcomes of these high-stakes games, setting the stage for an exciting weekend of March Madness action.