The Sweet 16 field for the women’s NCAA Tournament is nearly complete, with 12 of the 16 second round games already complete.

Monday is the second day of the second round, where the last remaining spots for the regional semifinals will be determined. When the smoke clears, the 16 teams will be locked in and have a few days to take a collective breath before action resumes Friday.

Matchups for the Sweet 16 are starting to take shape, and many national championship contenders remain, setting up what will be a very intriguing round. Here’s everything to know for the women’s Sweet 16 as the second round comes to a close:

Who’s in women’s Sweet 16?

Half of the field is set as we head into Monday’s action.

UCLA: No. 1 in Spokane Region 1
Ole Miss: No. 5 in Spokane Region 1
NC State: No. 2 in Spokane Region 1
LSU: No. 3 in Spokane Region 1
South Carolina: No. 1 in Birmingham Region 2
Duke: No. 2 in Birmingham Region 2
North Carolina: No. 3 in Birmingham Region 2
Maryland: No. 4 in Birmingham Region 2
Texas: No. 1 in Birmingham Region 3
TCU: No. 2 in Birmingham Region 3
Notre Dame: No. 3 in Birmingham Region 3
Tennessee: No. 5 in Birmingham Region 3
USC: No. 1 in Spokane Region 4
Connecticut: No. 2 in Spokane Region 4
Oklahoma: No. 3 in Spokane Region 4
Kansas State: No. 5 in Spokane Region 4

When is women’s Sweet 16?

The women’s NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 will take place on Friday, March 28 and Saturday, March 29.

Women’s March Madness Sweet 16 schedule

Friday, March 28

No. 2 Duke vs. No. 3 North Carolina, 2:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)
No. 1 South Carolina vs. No. 4 Maryland, 5 p.m. ET (ESPN)
No. 2 NC State vs. No. 3 LSU, 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)
No. 5 Ole Miss vs. No. 1 UCLA, 10 p.m. ET (ESPN)

Saturday, March 29

No. 2 TCU vs. No. 3 Notre Dame, 1 p.m. ET (ABC)
No. 1 Texas vs. No. 5 Tennessee, 3:30 p.m. ET (ABC)
No. 3 Oklahoma vs. No. 2 Connecticut, 5:30 p.m. ET (ABC)
No. 5 Kansas State vs. No. 1 USC, 8 p.m. ET (ESPN)

Miami held its pro day on Monday. All eyes were on quarterback Cam Ward.

Many believe the Miami product is the No. 1 quarterback prospect in the 2025 NFL draft. Ward could be the top overall pick in this year’s draft.

Ward was the 2024 Davey O’Brien Award winner and became the first player in Miami history to win ACC Player of the Year after he posted a program single-season record for passing yards (4,313) and led college football in touchdowns (39).

The 22-year-old quarterback is now ready to take his talents to the next level.

“The tape says everything I believe and I’m honest to that,” Ward said at the NFL scouting combine. “What separates me from everybody is the way I approach it, the mindset that I have going onto the field each and every game.”

Ward showcased his skills at Miami’s pro day ahead of next month’s NFL draft. USA TODAY Sports breaks down Ward’s performance.

Accuracy: B

Ward delivered several nice intermediate and long passes.

Ward’s best pass came on a bootleg to the left when he threw a deep pass to Miami wide receiver Xavier Restrepo. The football dropped into Restrepo’s hands right as the receiver was in stride. The throw highlighted Ward’s arm strength and accuracy.

Ward had about five throws he’d like to have back. His worst pass came on an out route. The ball came out of his hand awkward. Another ball sailed on him on a corner route. Toward the end of his session, he threw three passes too high that went over the outstretched arms of the intended receivers.  

Aside from a handful of incompletions, Ward had an impressive session, which lasted roughly 45 minutes.  

Mechanics: A

Quarterback coach Darrell Colbert Jr. put Ward through drills that included three-, five- and seven-step drops. His throwing script also had bootlegs and off-platform throws. His footwork was fluid and precise.

The quarterback showed the ability to throw from multiple arm angles.

Ward seemed comfortable throughout his pro day workout and even ended the session with a reception.

Arm strength: A

Ward’s arm strength was on display throughout Monday’s workout.  

The 6-foot-2 quarterback warmed up tossing deep passes at half speed. He then proceeded to showcase his arm on out routes, post routes and go routes.

Ward’s release was quick and the football zipped off his hands.

Overall: A–

Miami’s pro day highlighted Ward’s strengths as a quarterback. He possesses the necessary arm talent to make all the NFL throws, while his athleticism allows him to make throws off-platform and from various arm angles.

He had a handful of inaccurate passes. But overall, Ward’s performance should solidify himself as the top quarterback in the 2025 draft.

The Tennessee Titans own the No. 1 overall pick in this year’s draft. Titans general manager Mike Borgonzi and head coach Brian Callahan, appropriately, were two of the notable attendees at Miami’s pro day.

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Cam Ward appeared to yell something toward the Tennessee Titans brass during his pro day workout on Monday.

The Miami quarterback revealed what he said during a post-session interview with NFL Network.

‘I said, ‘I’m solidifying it today,” Ward said with a smile, referencing his potential status as the No. 1 overall pick. ‘I made sure they heard me.’

The Titans own the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NFL draft and Ward is the odds on favorite to be the top selection. He is the consensus top quarterback in the class and has already met with Tennessee in advance of the draft.

The Titans are one of several teams still in need of help at quarterback. They currently have Will Levis and Brandon Allen on their 90-man roster, but are seeking a player with more upside after Levis’ rocky second season.

Despite this, Tennessee hasn’t yet committed to making Ward the top selection.

As such, the 22-year-old wanted to make a strong impression on them, and the other quarterback-needy teams, who were in attendance for his pro day. He particularly wanted to showcase his abilities playing under center, which he didn’t do as much at Miami, while throwing plenty of catchable balls to his receivers.

Overall, Ward seemed pleased with his performance but acknowledged he had room for improvement.

‘At the end of the day, you ain’t gonna be perfect,’ Ward said. ‘You’ve always got stuff to get better at.’

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Paige Bueckers and the No. 2 UConn women’s basketball team stomped into the Sweet 16 with a 91-57 win over No. 10 South Dakota State in the second round of Women’s March Madness on Monday night.  

Head coach Geno Auriemma and UConn are in the Sweet 16 for the fifth consecutive season and 32nd time overall. Bueckers scored 34 points, matching her career-high and recording her second 30-point March Madness performance. The fifth-year senior has led the Huskies to the Final Four three times — 2021, 2022, 2024 — and is hungry to do it again. UConn will play Oklahoma on Friday in the Sweet 16. 

‘We have confidence,’ Bueckers said on the ESPN broadcast after the game.’ A lot of teams are playing for a national title and we know that, so we just have to keep chipping away and giving the best versions of ourselves every day.’

Auriemma said the Huskies have just gotten better over the last month and a half, buliding more more trust and believing in each other more.

‘Whenever we need something, somebody steps up and does it,’ he said. ‘We’re not just the Paige Bueckers show, even though tonight we were.’

USA TODAY Sports brought you live updates, scores, highlights and analysis throughout the game. Check it out. 

Paige Bueckers powers UConn women’s basketball to Sweet 16

Paige Bueckers and UConn pulled out a nearly 40-point win against South Dakota State. Bueckers finished with 34 points, Sarah Strong has 15 and Azzi Fudd has 17.

‘On behalf of our seniors, our whole entire team, I’ve had the time of my life here,’ Bueckers told the crowd at Gampel Pavilion after the win. ‘It’s been five years I dreamt of as a kid … Thank you for this season, for everything … I love you, this will always be my home. We’d love to see you in spokane, but thank you for everything.’

Bueckers said the emotions of playing her last UConn home game haven’t hit her yet.

‘I almost got emotional before the game today,’ she said postgame on the ESPN broadcast. ‘I’m just extremely grateful for the teams, this year, last year, the whole entire five years … the injuries, I’m just grateful for it all. The support here is second to none … it’s just an honor to play here.’

Paige Bueckers points today

Paige Bueckers went off against SDSU. She scored 34 points — matching her career-high — on 14-of-21 shooting, including 3-of-5 from 3. She ignited the Huskies in the first quarter, scoring 10 straight.

Who does UConn women’s basketball play next in Sweet 16?

The Huskies will play Oklahoma on Saturday in the Spokane Regional of the Sweet 16.

What Paige Bueckers said after UConn’s win to get to Sweet 16

Paige: ‘Emotions haven’t hit me in a wave yet. I almost got emotional before the game today. … I’m just extremely grateful for the teams, this year, last year, the whole entire five years… the injuries, I’m just grateful for it all. the support here is second to none… its just an honor to play here.

Paige Bueckers career high in points

Paige Bueckers’ career-high in 34 points, which she has achieved twice: Tonight against South Dakota State and in November 2021 against Arkansas.

Sarah Strong stats

UConn freshman forward Sarah Strong recorded 15 points, seven rebounds, five assists, three steals and two blocks against SDSU. Entering Monday, she averaged 16.1 points per game to go along with 3.5 assists, 2.4 steals and 1.7 blocks per game.

UConn women’s basketball national championships

In case you need a reminder, Geno Auriemma is a winner. The 2025 NCAA women’s tournament is a festive time in college basketball and one of the game’s greatest celebrated a birthday this week. Auriemma, head coach of No. 2 UConn in his 40th season, turned 71. 

The Huskies’ X account posted a photo with the 11-time national champion coach flexing his rings. Auriemma, who has been at the helm since 1985, won his first national title in 1995 and last won one in 2016. 

How tall is Paige Bueckers?

The UConn guard is 6 feet tall.

What year in college is Paige Bueckers?

She is a fifth-year senior.

South Dakota State Jackrabbits women’s basketball roster

The Jackrabbits are led by head coach Aaron Johnston, junior forward Brooklyn Meyer and senior point guard Paige Meyer. Johnston has been at the helm since 1999. Here is the full Jackrabbits’ roster.

UConn vs. SDSU score at halftime

After a bit of a slow start in the first quarter, the Huskies surged to a 43-28 halftime lead. Paige Bueckers recorded 21 points, Azzi Fudd had six and Sarah Strong had 11 through two periods. Paige Meyer led South Dakota State scorers with eight points.

Where is UConn women’s basketball game today?

UConn vs. SDSU is being played at Gampel Pavilion in Storrs, Conn.

How old is Paige Bueckers?

She is 23 years old.

Azzi Fudd flips in reverse layup

UConn’s Azzi Fudd turned in a nice reverse layup with about 5:27 left in the first half. She has six points so far.

UConn women’s basketball score after 1Q

Paige Bueckers and the Huskies trailed early before Bueckers went on her on mini-run, giving UConn a 19-14 lead at the end of the first quarter. Bueckers had 12 points on 4-of-6 shooting in the opening frame.

Paige Bueckers gets UConn lead vs. SDSU

UConn star Paige Bueckers made a pair of free throws with less than 3 minutes left in the first quarter for her first points of the game against South Dakota State. Bueckers went on to score 10 straight points for the Huskies to give them their first lead of the game.

UConn vs. SDSU game is underway

South Dakota State’s Madison Mathiowetz opened the scoring with a pair of 3-pointers bookending a layup by UConn’s Sarah Strong. Azzi Fudd has chipped in 4 points early.

What time is UConn women’s basketball game today? 

The game tipped off at 8 p.m. ET.

Watch UConn women’s basketball today

TV channel: ESPN
Streaming: ESPN app, Fubo 

Is Paige Bueckers entering WNBA draft? 

The 2025 WNBA draft isn’t called the Paige Bueckers sweepstakes for nothing. Bueckers burst onto the scene in 2021 with a breakout freshman campaign that earned her AP Player of the Year and Naismith College Player of the Year honors. Although a string of injuries forced Bueckers to miss significant time, including the entire 2022-23 season with an ACL tear, the fifth-year senior guard has returned to form and is looking to lead the Huskies to the Final Four for the fourth time in her career. Bueckers is currently UConn women’s basketball’s sixth all-time leading scorer with 2,301 points and is widely expected to be the No. 1 overall pick of the draft. — Cydney Henderson

UConn vs. South Dakota prediction

South Dakota State hasn’t lost a game in three months, but that changes when it faces the Huskies, who take care of business and head to the Sweet 16. UConn 80, South Dakota State 56. — Austin Curtright 

Paige Bueckers stats 

Azzi Fudd stats 

Perhaps no WNBA draft prospect had a better day than UConn Huskies guard Azzi Fudd. Fudd, who has yet to officially declare for the 2025 draft, made an emphatic case to move up the draft board into the first round as the No. 2 seed Huskies routed the No. 15 seed Arkansas State Red Wolves in a lopsided 103-34 win. 

By halftime, Fudd already had a mind-blowing 21 points, seven assists, five steals and two blocks. She ended her day with 27 points, seven assists, six steals and two blocks, leading the charge for a Huskies team with three players who scored 20 or more points, including star freshman forward Sarah Strong. — Jenna Ortiz

Jana El Alfy is fasting during Ramadan, and Paige Bueckers is cooking her breakfast

It turns out the saying, ‘Let Paige Bueckers cook,’ has an entirely different meaning during March Madness. The UConn women’s basketball star has taken a significant responsibility to assist a teammate off the court during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. Bueckers cooks breakfast for teammate Jana El Alfy in the mornings while El Alfy, who is from Cairo, Egypt, fasts during the 2025 women’s NCAA Tournament. — Ehsan Kassim

UConn women’s basketball stats

The Huskies are the ninth-highest scoring offense in the country at 81.5 points per game. They shoot 51.09% from the floor, best in the country, and 38% from 3, fifth-best in the country.

The fourth-seeded Maryland Terrapins are moving on to the Sweet Sixteen for the first time since 2023 after defeating No. 5-seeded Alabama Crimson Tide 111-108 in double overtime on Monday. 

Maryland had a 10-point lead in the first half, but the Terrapins quickly found themselves trailing by as many as 17 points in the third quarter following a barrage of threes from the Crimson Tide. Maryland tied the matchup 80-80 with 1:01 remaining in regulation. Alabama’s Sarah Ashlee Barker hit a three to retake the lead, but Maryland’s Sarah Te-Biasu answered back to tie it up and send the game to overtime. 

Barker was clutch in overtime and knocked down three straight free throws after being fouled on a three-point attempt with 1 second remaining to send the game to double overtime, but the Crimson Tide came up short. Despite Barker scoring a career-high 45 points, tying the fourth most points scored in the women’s NCAA tournament history, Maryland was able to outlast Alabama in double overtime.

Maryland’s Shyanne Sellers scored 18 of her 28 points in the second half to lead the Terrapins in scoring. Kaylene Smikle added 24 points and seven rebounds. Maryland will advance to face the defending champion South Carolina Gamecocks in the Sweet Sixteen. South Carolina is the No. 1 seed in the Birmingham 2 region.

The combined total score of 219 points is the second-most points scored in the history of the tournament.

Final: Maryland 111, Alabama 108 (2OT)

In the most intense and thrilling basketball game of the women’s NCAA Tournament so far, the No. 4 seed Maryland Terrapins survived four quarters and two overtimes on their home court in College Park, Maryland to reach the Sweet 16. Maryland put four players in double figures in the 111-108 victory: Sellers, Smikle, Te-Biasu and Allie Kubek. Alabama’s Sarah Ashlee Barker had a game for the ages with 45 points and eight rebounds.

Maryland vs. Alabama highlights

Maryland-Alabama headed to double overtime

We are headed to double overtime!

Maryland’s Saylor Poffenbarger had the opportunity to ice the game at the free throw line. Poffenbarger went to the line with the opportunity to put the Terrapins up by two possessions with six seconds remaining in the game. Poffenbarger hit one of two free throws to give Maryland a 96-93 advantage. Alabama’s Sarah Ashlee Barker attempted a three in the closing seconds of overtime to tie up the game, but she was fouled on the attempt by Poffenbarger. Barker knocked down all three free throws to send the game to double overtime. Barker has a career-high 39 points and seven rebounds. 

Abalama’s Aaliyah Nye and Zaay Green are both fouled out, while Barker has four fouls. Maryland’s Kaylene Smikle is fouled out, while Shyanne Sellers has four. 

End of 4Q: Maryland-Alabama headed to overtime

Maryland’s Sarah Te-Biasu made a 3-pointer with 12 seconds remaining to tie the game 83-83, and Alabama’s Karly Weathers missed a potential game-winning jumper at the buzzer to send the game to overtime.

The No. 4 seeded Terrapins rallied back in the fourth quarter after Alabama took a 17-point lead midway through the third.

End of 3Q: Alabama 64, Maryland 55

No. 5 seed Alabama has taken command and outscored No. 4 seed Maryland 23-16 in the third quarter. The Crimson Tide went on a 14-0 run during the third quarter and extended their lead over the Terrapins to as many as 17 points. A flurry of 3-pointers helped Alabama take a nine-point lead heading into the fourth quarter. The Crimson Tide are 7-of-15 from 3-point range. Sarah Ashlee Barker has hit three 3-pointers, while Aaliyah Nye has knocked down two.

Halftime: Alabama 41, Maryland 39

The No. 4 seed Terrapins led by as many as 10 points in the first half, but the No. 5 seed Crimson Tide went on a 13-2 run in the second quarter to take the lead. Alabama has a 41-39 lead at halftime. 

Alabama’s Sarah Ashlee Barker has a team-high 17 points and four rebounds. The Crimson Tide are shooting 56% from the field and 2-of-8 from three. Meanwhile, the Terrapins are shooting 41.9% from the field and 4-of-11 from three. Shyanne Sellers has a team-high 10 points, while Sarah Te-Biasu added 8 points. 

Both Maryland and Alabama were careless with the ball in the first half, with each team registering 10 turnovers. Maryland scored 14 points off turnovers, while Alabama scored 11 points.

If Alabama goes on to win, it will mark the first time in women’s NCAA Tournament history that all No. 5 seeds beat No. 4 seeds in the same tournament. 

Where to watch Maryland vs. Alabama: TV channel, time

Game Day: Monday, March 24, 2025
Game Time: 5 p.m. ET
Location: Xfinity Center College Park in College Park, Maryland
TV Channel: ESPN2
Live Stream: Fubo – Watch Now!

Watch Maryland vs. Alabama on Fubo (free trial)

Maryland vs. Alabama odds

Odds via BetMGM as of Sunday, March 23.

Spread: Alabama -1.5
Moneyline:  Maryland/Alabama (-110)
Total: 153.5

The 2025 NCAA women’s basketball tournament delivered a certified thriller Monday, adding some much-desired drama to a month that has been noticeably lacking it on the men’s side.

One day after the school’s men’s team got a buzzer-beating bank shot from Derik Queen to advance to the Sweet 16, Maryland’s women’s basketball team outlasted Alabama 111-108 in double overtime at the Xfinity Center in College Park Maryland.

Sarah Ashlee Barker was electric for the Crimson Tide in its biggest game of the season, pouring in a program-record 45 points while making 17 of her 25 shots. No points were bigger or more pressurized than three consecutive free throws she calmly swished with 0.7 seconds remaining to send the game to a second overtime after she had been fouled on a game-tying 3-point attempt.

Though her team ultimately fell short, and coughed up a 17-point third-quarter lead, the Birmingham, Alabama native did everything she realistically could to try to help get her team to her hometown for the Sweet 16, where it would have matched up against reigning national champion South Carolina.

In what was the second-highest scoring game in NCAA Tournament history, with a combined 219 points between the two squads, Barker was the brightest star, with her 45 points ranking her fourth all-time in NCAA Tournament single-game history.

Here’s more on Barker, including her stats, professional prospects and her famous lineage:

Sarah Ashlee Barker stats

Unlike some March heroes, Barker’s stellar play and penchant for big moments didn’t come out of nowhere.

A six-foot guard, Barker was Alabama’s leading scorer entering the day, averaging 17.2 points per game while shooting 50.3% from the field and 35.6% from 3-point range. She has been much more than a scorer, too, averaging 6.3 rebounds (the second-most on the team), 3.9 assists (second on the team) and a team-best two steals per game. Barker led the Crimson Tide in scoring the previous season, too, at 16.8 points per game.

Despite being born and raised in Alabama, Barker spent her first two college seasons at SEC rival Georgia before transferring after the 2021-22 season.

Here’s a year-by-year look at Barker’s stats, with her outing Monday not reflected in her averages for this season:

2020-21 (Georgia): 5.1 points/game, 2.7 rebounds/game, 1.2 assists/game, 0.8 steals/game, 33.3% on field goals, 27.8% on 3-pointers
2021-22 (Georgia): 7.7 points/game, 4 rebounds/game, 2.4 assists/game, 1.3 steals/game, 35.9% on field goals, 30.7% on 3-pointers
2022-23 (Alabama): 6.9 points/game, 4.8 rebounds/game, 2.3 assists/game, 1.5 steals/game, 38.2% on field goals, 29.3% on 3-pointers
2023-24 (Alabama): 16.8 points/game, 6.3 rebounds/game, 2.9 assists/game, 1.9 steals/game, 49.1% on field goals, 35.3% on 3-pointers
2024-25 (Alabama): 17.2 points/game, 6.3 rebounds/game, 3.9 assists/game, 2 steals/game, 50.3% on field goals, 35.6% on 3-pointers

Is Sarah Ashlee Barker related to Jay Barker?

Alabama athletic greatness was in Barker’s blood long before she took the court in Maryland on Monday — and before she ever even suited up for the Crimson Tide.

She is the daughter of Jay Barker, who was Alabama’s quarterback for its 1992 national championship team under coach Gene Stallings. As a senior in 1994, he won the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, given annually to the top upperclassman quarterback in college football, and finished fifth in Heisman Trophy voting.

Barker spent two seasons in the NFL with the Green Bay Packers, New England Patriots and Carolina Panthers before going on to have stints with the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League and the Birmingham Thunderbolts of the ill-fated XFL.

Sarah Ashlee Barker WNBA draft

For all of her achievements at the college level, Barker does not currently appear in 2025 WNBA mock drafts from several major outlets.

Each of those mock drafts, however, don’t go beyond the first round. The WNBA Draft has three rounds, meaning it’s possible Barker could simply be selected later.

USA TODAY: Not included in the first round
ESPN: Not included in the first round
The Athletic: Not included in the first round
CBS Sports: Not included in the first round
Bleacher Report: Not included in the first round

Sarah Ashlee Barker height

Barker is listed on the official Alabama roster at six feet tall.