Women’s March Madness 2026: Historic Upsets, Buzzer-Beaters & Bold Predictions You Can’t Miss

Women’s March Madness 2026 bursts into action this morning as the 64-team field tips off across the country just five days after Selection Sunday. Fans are already buzzing about bracket-busting potential, streaming options, and the road to the Final Four in Phoenix. First Four set the tone • Nebraska 75, Richmond 56 • Missouri State 85, Stephen F. Austin 75 • Southern 65, Samford 53 • Virginia 57, Arizona State 55 Those early upsets injected momentum for mid-majors before they collide with top seeds in today’s Round of 64 slate. Today’s must-watch games • 11:30 a.m. ET – (3) Duke vs (14) College of Charleston, ESPN2 • 2 p.m. ET – (6) Baylor vs (11) Nebraska, ESPN • 4 p.m. ET – (1) Texas vs (16) Missouri State, ESPN • 8 p.m. ET – (7) NC State vs (10) Tennessee, ESPN A total of 16 games will run wall-to-wall on ESPN platforms, so cord-cutters can stream every possession on the ESPN app or NCAA March Madness Live. Heavyweight 1-seeds eye Phoenix Texas headlines the Albany Regional, South Carolina owns Greenville, perennial power UConn anchors Portland, and UCLA commands the Los Angeles bracket. Yet dark-horse contenders like Iowa, LSU, and Louisville lurk with veteran backcourts capable of crashing the Final Four party. Key storylines to track • Three-point revolution: squads such as Oregon and Virginia Tech average 10+ triples per game, perfect for quick scoring swings. • Freshman phenoms: Duke’s high-octane offense runs through first-year guard Maya Henderson, the ACC’s assist leader. • Defensive dynamos: Baylor arrives ranked top-5 nationally in opponent FG %, setting up a clash of styles with Nebraska’s run-and-gun pace. How to play along Download the printable bracket or join the free Women’s Bracket Challenge Game to compete against friends for prizes and bragging rights. Important dates ahead • Round of 64: March 20-21 • Round of 32: March 22-23 • Sweet 16/Elite Eight: March 27-30 (Fort Worth & Sacramento) • Final Four: April 3, Championship: April 5 (Phoenix) With powerhouse programs on upset alert and underdogs riding First Four momentum, Women’s March Madness 2026 promises a fortnight of highlight-reel drama and SEO-worthy surprises—so keep those brackets handy and your streams refreshed.