With Selection Sunday less than three weeks away, the NCAA selection committee released the top 16 seeds for the second time this winter. Yet again, UCLA remained as the top overall seed.
USC, however, replaced South Carolina as one of the four No. 1 seeds in the latest top 16. The Gamecocks slid three spots since Feb. 16 after getting blown out by UConn at home later that day.
Despite the move, no new teams entered the top 16 since the last reveal. The SEC has the highest representation of any conference on the list with six teams in the top 16, followed by the four from the ACC. The Big Ten has three schools in the top 16, with both UCLA and USC set to matchup this Saturday for the conference title.
Getting into the top 16 carries greater importance in the women’s bracket, as each of these teams gets to host the first two rounds of the tournament in its home arena.
Early look: NCAA women’s hoops top 16 seeding
1. UCLA
2. Texas
3. USC
4. Notre Dame
5. South Carolina
6. UConn
7. LSU
8. NC State
9. TCU
10. UNC
11. Duke
12. Tennessee
13. Oklahoma
14. Kentucky
15. Kansas State
16. Ohio State
Early look: 2025 bracket
Spokane 1: UCLA (1), LSU (7), UNC (10), Kansas State (15)
Birmingham 2: Texas (2), NC State (8), TCU (9), Ohio State (16)
Spokane 3: USC (3), UConn (6), Duke (11), Kentucky (14)
Birmingham 4: Notre Dame (4), South Carolina (5), Tennessee (12), Oklahoma (13)
USC, Texas lurking behind UCLA
While the Bruins (28-1) have just a single loss, a case can be made that Texas, USC or Notre Dame could have been the top overall seed. The AP Top 25 has had plenty of movement at the top in recent weeks. Texas (27-2) ascended to the top spot in this week’s AP poll, while Notre Dame (24-3) had been the No. 1 team last week before falling to NC State.
The Longhorns are the third team to hold the top spot in the AP poll in the last three weeks, but the committee has remained consistent in its judgment of the Bruins. Perhaps that will change after this weekend if USC (26-2) knocks off UCLA in Pauley Pavilion.
Conference tournaments could have big seeding implications
It seems likely that the teams inside the top 12 will all host come the start of the NCAA Tournament. However, it wouldn’t be surprising to see lots of movement in where teams are ranked.
In addition to changes among the Big Ten’s top programs, deep SEC tournament runs (or a title, of course) from any of Kentucky, Tennessee, Oklahoma or LSU could have significant implications on seeding. The Lady Vols were one of the risers between the two reveals, moving up from No. 16 to No. 12 after picking up three wins. It also wouldn’t be shocking to see South Carolina move back into the top 4 depending on how the end of the SEC regular season and postseason play out.
Will the Big 12 have more host teams?
For the second consecutive reveal, the Big 12 is one of the conference losers. Only TCU and Kansas State are ranked in the top 16, and the Horned Frogs are No. 9 overall while KSU is No. 15. Baylor seems poised to climb, however, as it matches up against TCU this Sunday with the conference regular-season championship on the line. The Bears have won nine straight games, the longest active streak in the conference. A win over Kansas coupled with a deep Big 12 tournament run could potentially lift Oklahoma State into the host conversation.
While not in the Big 12, Alabama, Ole Miss and Michigan State are among the other programs that could be potential replacements in the top 16 come Selection Sunday.
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(Photo: Patrick McDermott / Getty Images)
