- 30 Second Timeout
- Posts
- Sweet Sixteen Locked In—But One Star May Be Out
Sweet Sixteen Locked In—But One Star May Be Out
March 25: The Sweet Sixteen is set, JuJu Watkins suffers a scary injury, and the NCAA transfer portal opens today.
Did someone share this email with you? Get daily women’s basketball updates straight to your inbox. Sign up here!
What to Know About Women’s Basketball Today
1. Sweet Sixteen Field Officially Set 🔒
After a whirlwind Second Round, the 2025 NCAA Women’s Tournament Sweet Sixteen matchups are locked in. (NCAA)
Friday, March 28 | Saturday, March 29 |
|---|---|
No. 1 South Carolina vs. No. 4 Maryland | No. 1 Texas vs. No. 5 Tennessee |
No. 5 Ole Miss vs. No. 1 UCLA | No. 2 TCU vs. No. 3 Notre Dame |
No. 2 Duke vs. No. 3 North Carolina | No. 3 Oklahoma vs. No. 2 Connecticut |
No. 2 NC State vs. No. 3 LSU | No. 5 Kansas State vs. No. 1 USC |
WHY IT MATTERS: The Second Round didn’t deliver major Cinderella-story upsets, but it brought high-stakes drama, including a double-overtime thriller between Alabama and Maryland. Now, with the Sweet Sixteen next weekend, the tournament shifts into elite territory with likely tighter matchups.
Game times and channels are still TBD—we’ll have everything you need in Friday’s newsletter. Stay tuned.
2. JuJu Watkins’ Season in Jeopardy with Unknown Injury 🚑
USC star guard JuJu Watkins suffered a potentially serious injury during the first quarter of Monday night’s Second-Round matchup against Mississippi State. The sophomore standout went down hard while driving to the basket, with her right knee appearing to buckle. She was helped off the court by medical staff and transported to Keck Hospital for MRI imaging. As of this writing, USC has not confirmed her status (ESPN)
WHY IT MATTERS: Watkins is one of the biggest stars in the women’s college game—a record-breaking sophomore and the engine behind USC’s resurgence. She ranks second nationally in scoring and has already topped 1,700 career points. If the injury is serious, it’s not just a major blow to USC’s title hopes—it could also sideline one of the sport’s most exciting talents just as she’s entering her prime.
3. NCAA DI Transfer Portal Officially Opens Today 🔁
The NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball transfer portal opens today and will remain open for 30 days. During this window, players may communicate with other teams and explore opportunities with new programs. (Sports Illustrated)
WHY IT MATTERS: Under current NCAA rules, players can transfer multiple times without penalty. But they must enter the portal before the window closes. Some will use this time to gauge interest and evaluate NIL options, even if they ultimately stay put. With the tournament winding down for many teams, expect a flurry of transfer announcements in the coming days.
OVERTIME ⏱️
Giving Back: WNBA MVP A’ja Wilson surprised Las Vegas youth with a new basketball court.
A Farewell Thank You: Senior Paige Bueckers bought 1500 tickets to give to UConn students for her final home game.
Double OT: Alabama’s Sarah Ashlee Barker steps up clutch to send her team into double overtime.
Reply