Four Top Women's NCAA Tournament Teams to Avoid in Your Bracket

Danger lurks for several top seeds in this year's women's March Madness

Mar. 18, 2026 at 3:24am

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Welcome to Sports Illustrated's Danger Rankings! It's officially bracket season in women's college basketball, a time when fans scour for Cinderellas and tout their favorite top seeds. But there are still opportunities for favored teams to run into bumps in the road. Here are four top-four seeds who could be in danger of heading home early: Oklahoma, Ohio State, Iowa, and Texas.

Why it matters

The women's NCAA tournament has historically been chalky, but this year there are several top teams facing potential pitfalls in their regions. Identifying these vulnerable teams early can help fans make more informed bracket picks and avoid common upset traps.

The details

Oklahoma has the firepower to challenge anyone, but their propensity for turnovers makes them tough to trust in March. Ohio State faces a gauntlet of three-point shooting teams and the defending champion UConn Huskies. Iowa could struggle against the defensive-minded TCU Horned Frogs and the dominant South Carolina Gamecocks. And Texas, despite being a No. 1 seed, has drawn a tough region with the Michigan Wolverines and Louisville Cardinals lurking.

  • The women's NCAA tournament bracket was revealed on Selection Sunday, March 17, 2026.

The players

Aaliyah Chavez

A dangerous scoring freshman guard for the Oklahoma Sooners.

Raegan Beers

A senior center and force in the paint for the Oklahoma Sooners.

Jaloni Cambridge

A three-level scoring threat for the Ohio State Buckeyes.

Kennedy Cambridge

A defensive ace for the Ohio State Buckeyes.

Ava Heiden

A key player for the Iowa Hawkeyes.

Chit-Chat Wright

A key player for the Iowa Hawkeyes.

Hannah Stuelke

A key player for the Iowa Hawkeyes.

Madison 'Midrange Maddie' Booker

A matchup nightmare for opposing defenders on the Texas Longhorns.

Rori Harmon

One of the best two-way players and point guards in the country on the Texas Longhorns.

Olivia Olson

A key player for the Michigan Wolverines.

Syla Swords

A key player for the Michigan Wolverines.

Mila Holloway

A key player for the Michigan Wolverines.

Imari Berry

The Sixth Player of the Year for the Louisville Cardinals.

Tajianna Roberts

A guard for the Louisville Cardinals.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee

The takeaway

This analysis highlights several top women's NCAA Tournament teams that could be vulnerable to early upsets, providing valuable insight for fans filling out their brackets. While the favorites are still likely to advance, being aware of these potential danger zones can help avoid common bracket pitfalls.