The NCAA Women’s Tournament moves to the Round of 32.
The first round was about finding your footing.
You shake off the nerves. You settle in. Maybe you dominate. Maybe you survive. Either way, you get through and keep playing.
Now comes Sunday, and everything feels different.
There are no easy matchups left. No overlooked opponents. Every team still standing earned it, and every team believes it can keep going. That is what makes this part of the tournament so compelling.
This is where the games get tighter. Where every possession matters a little more. Where one cold stretch or one big run can end a season.
Win, and you are heading to the Sweet 16.
Lose, and that’s it.
Saturday gave us a glimpse of who looks ready for this moment. Texas looked like a team with bigger goals. LSU could not be slowed down offensively. Michigan handled business with ease. NC State and Texas Tech showed they are not going anywhere quietly.
Now we find out what carries over.
All times below are Eastern Time.
Sunday NCAA Tournament schedule: tip times and TV channels
12:00 PM: (4) North Carolina Tar Heels (27-7) vs. (5) Maryland Terrapins (24-8): ESPN
1:00 PM: (2) Michigan Wolverines (26-6) vs. (7) NC State Wolfpack (21-10): ABC
2:00 PM: (4) Minnesota Golden Gophers (23-8) vs. (5) Ole Miss Rebels (24-11): ESPN
3:00 PM: (2) LSU Tigers (28-5) vs. (7) Texas Tech Red Raiders (26-7): ABC
4:00 PM: (3) Duke Blue Devils (25-8) vs. (6) Baylor Bears (25-8): ESPN
6:00 PM: (1) Texas Longhorns (32-3) vs. (8) Oregon Ducks (23-12): ESPN
8:00 PM: (4) Oklahoma Sooners (25-7) vs. (5) Michigan State Spartans (23-8): ESPN
10:00 PM: (3) TCU Horned Frogs (30-5) vs. (6) Washington Huskies (22-10): ESPN
Games that could shape the night
North Carolina Tar Heels vs. Maryland Terrapins
Both teams looked comfortable in the first round. North Carolina handled its business early and never let things get interesting. Maryland did the same, putting up 99 points and playing with pace. This feels like one of those games where neither side is going to blink early, which usually means it comes down to who executes better late.
Michigan Wolverines vs. NC State Wolfpack
Michigan cruised in its opener and never really felt pressure. NC State had to earn its way through, knocking off Tennessee in a physical game. That difference matters. Michigan has looked smoother, but NC State already knows what it feels like when things get tight. If this turns into a grind, that experience could show up.
LSU Tigers vs. Texas Tech Red Raiders
LSU did not just win its first game, it overwhelmed it. Scoring 116 points sends a message. Texas Tech had a very different path, winning a low-scoring, tight game. This matchup is all about whether Texas Tech can slow things down. If LSU gets comfortable, it can run away from anyone.
Texas Longhorns vs. Oregon Ducks
Texas looked like a team that expects to be playing deep into this tournament. Everything was sharp in its opener. Oregon was solid, but had to work for its win. Playing Texas on its home floor is a completely different challenge. If the Longhorns get going early, it can feel out of reach quickly.
Matchups that feel like they could go either way
Minnesota Golden Gophers vs. Ole Miss Rebels
Minnesota played steady, controlled basketball in its first game. Ole Miss brought energy and offense in its win. These teams are pretty evenly matched, and this feels like the kind of game that stays close the entire way.
Duke Blue Devils vs. Baylor Bears
Duke looked confident and in control in its opener. Baylor had to fight through a tougher game to advance. Both programs are comfortable in this setting, and this feels like one of those games where every possession in the fourth quarter will matter.
Oklahoma Sooners vs. Michigan State Spartans
Oklahoma had one of the more comfortable wins of the first round. Michigan State did not. The Spartans had to grind to survive, and sometimes that carries over. If Oklahoma dictates pace, it should be in a good spot. If not, this could get interesting late.
A late game worth staying up for
TCU Horned Frogs vs. Washington Huskies
TCU made a statement in its first game, dominating from start to finish. Washington also looked sharp and confident. This is one of those games that might not get the most attention, but it has all the ingredients to be one of the better matchups of the night.
What Sunday really means
Getting to the tournament is one thing.
Staying in it is something else entirely.
This is where teams start to separate themselves. Where the little things matter more. Where depth, composure and execution decide everything.
By the end of the night, only 24 teams will still be playing. The last 8 will play Monday.
And at that point, it starts to feel real.