Hot Takes for Women's March Madness Bracket

Predictions for upsets, Final Four teams, and more

Mar. 18, 2026 at 10:05am

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As the Women's NCAA Tournament gets underway, there are some bold predictions being made. Experts believe Duke could get revenge on LSU, Kentucky could make the Final Four, and Gonzaga could reach the Sweet 16 despite their lower seeding.

Why it matters

The Women's March Madness tournament is often more predictable than the men's, but this year could see some surprising results. These hot takes provide an interesting look at how the tournament might unfold and which teams could make unexpected runs.

The details

Some of the key predictions include: Duke getting revenge on LSU after losing to them earlier in the season, USC losing in the first round to Clemson despite their higher ranking, Kentucky making an unlikely run to the Final Four, and mid-major power Gonzaga reaching the Sweet 16 with their strong 3-point shooting and rebounding.

  • The Women's NCAA Tournament is currently underway.
  • The Sweet 16 and Elite Eight games will be played in the coming weeks.

The players

Kara Lawson

The head coach of the Duke Blue Devils women's basketball team.

Kenny Brooks

The head coach of the Kentucky Wildcats women's basketball team.

Lisa Fortier

The head coach of the Gonzaga Bulldogs women's basketball team.

Shawn Poppie

The head coach of the Clemson Tigers women's basketball team.

Allie Turner

A player for the Gonzaga Bulldogs, ranked third nationally in 3-point shooting percentage.

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What they’re saying

“Should Duke see LSU again, it'll be better prepared.”

— Mitchell Northam, Author

“Throw out the stats in this matchup, we're riding with the vibes. The Tigers should have all the momentum in this game played in their home state.”

— Mitchell Northam, Author

“If Kentucky gets a little bit of bracket luck, the idea of the Wildcats making it to Phoenix isn't so crazy.”

— Mitchell Northam, Author

“The Zags can beat both of those teams.”

— Mitchell Northam, Author

What’s next

The Sweet 16 and Elite Eight games will determine which teams make the Final Four, which is scheduled for March 31 and April 2 in Phoenix, Arizona.

The takeaway

This year's Women's March Madness tournament could see some surprising results, with lower-seeded teams like Gonzaga and Clemson potentially making deep runs, and traditional powers like Duke and Kentucky looking to avenge earlier losses. The unpredictability of the tournament is part of what makes it so exciting for fans.