TEXAS A&M (3) vs. Albany, N.Y. (14) — The defending champs should have no problem knocking off the tournament newcomer.
LOUISVILLE (7) vs. Michigan State (10) — Shoni Schimmel will be the difference for the Cardinals in this defensive battle.
MARYLAND (2) vs. Navy (15) — Only 30 miles separate these schools. The difference on the court is a lot greater. The Terps roll over the Midshipmen.
SECOND ROUND
NOTRE DAME (1) vs. California (8) — Natalie Novosel has come up big all season for the Irish. She'll shoot them past the Golden Bears.
MARIST (13) vs. Florida Gulf Coast (12) — Corielle Yarde is the latest star guard to play for coach Brian Giorgis. She'll guide the Red Foxes back to the regional semifinals.
TEXAS A&M (3) vs. Arkansas (6) — Gary Blair takes on his former school and former assistant Tom Collen. It would be something to see the defending national champs knocked out by one of his disciples. Kelsey Bone won't let that happen to the Aggies on their home court.
MARYLAND (2) vs. Louisville (10) — See above. Jeff Walz was an assistant for Brenda Frese when the Terps won the national championship. The two met in 2009 with the Cardinals knocking off Maryland in the regional final. The Terps are just too talented for that to happen again.
REGIONAL SEMIFINALS
NOTRE DAME (1) vs. Marist (13) — Giorgis is incredibly good at scouting opponents. He just doesn't have enough talent to pull off this monumental upset.
MARYLAND (2) vs. Texas A&M (3) — The Terps finally end the defending champions' run in the postseason. Alyssa Thomas will be the difference for the Terps.
REGIONAL FINAL
NOTRE DAME (1) vs. Maryland (2) — The Irish haven't needed much out of stellar guard Skylar Diggins until now. She'll carry Notre Dame back to the Final Four in one of the best games of the tournament.
FRESNO REGIONAL
FIRST ROUND
STANFORD (1) vs. Hampton (16) — The Cardinal's first NCAA trip east of the Rockies since 2001 will result in a tougher than expected win over Hampton.
WEST VIRGINIA (8) vs. Texas (9) — The first of many future matchups between these two Big 12 schools. The Mountaineers tough-nosed defense will get them the win.
SOUTH CAROLINA (5) vs. Eastern Michigan (12) — It's been a season of firsts for the Gamecocks. Now with their first trip to NCAAs in nine seasons, coach Dawn Staley will make sure it lasts more than one game.
PURDUE (4) vs. South Dakota State (13) — The Jackrabbits are making their fourth consecutive tournament appearance. The school made it to the second round in 2009, but hasn't advanced beyond the opening round in the past two tournaments. The host Boilermakers will keep that streak going.
OKLAHOMA (6) vs. Michigan (11) — Sherri Coale's team has been struggling lately, but sharpshooters Whitney Hand and Aaryn Ellenberg will carry them past the Wolverines, who are making their first appearance in the NCAAs in 11 years.
ST. JOHN'S (3) vs. Creighton (14) — The Red Storm have been sizzling since they got healthy and won 14 of their final 17 games, including ending UConn's 99-game home winning streak.
MIDDLE TENNESSEE (10) vs. Vanderbilt (7) — Surprisingly these two schools 40 miles apart haven't played in 20 years. The Blue Raiders have lost to SEC schools the last two seasons in the NCAA tournament. They hope the third time will be the charm.
DUKE (2) vs. Samford (15) — The Blue Devils shockingly lost in the quarterfinals of the ACC tournament. They won't slip up in the NCAAs.
SECOND ROUND
STANFORD (1) vs. West Virginia (8) — West Virginia will try and make this a slow, plodding game. The Ogwumike sisters won't let that happen.
PURDUE (4) vs. South Carolina (5) — The Boilermakers will defend their home court and advance to the regional semis.
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