Postponed games, long COVID-19 pauses for some programs and few nonconference contests have made this season different than any we have ever seen. Yet the 2021 women’s NCAA tournament is coming into focus, and is expected to be contested by 64 teams. After last season’s tournament was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic, getting to this point feels like a mission accomplished even if the journey was unlike any other.
The NCAA tournament also will look different. The entire tourney will be played at a single destination — the San Antonio region — with multiple venues, limited fans and an adjusted schedule. The Women’s Final Four will be held at the Alamodome on April 2 and 4. The road to the Lone Star State begins with Selection Monday on March 15. Along the way, and as automatic bids are won, we will continue to update Bracketology and the projected tournament field.
Bracket Watch
Notre Dame and North Carolina were the big bracket winners on Thursday night after pulling off upsets. The Irish moved into the field after beating Florida State. The Tar Heels dominated Georgia Tech for their fourth win in five games and jumped to the top of the Last Four In. UCF dropped out of the field, the casualty of Notre Dame’s ascent. Wake Forest, another ACC team, fell at Miami, losing its chance to be included in this update and hurting its chances down the road. The ACC and SEC now each have eight teams in the field.
