Women’s March Madness 2026 update: Who advanced and what’s next as second round begins
The Women’s Second Round begins today as 32 teams battle it out for a shot at the March Madness Sweet 16.
The first round of the NCAA Women’s Division I Basketball Tournament is officially in the books, and the bracket is already taking shape as the second round tips off today.
Top seeds largely handled business, but a handful of mid-seed programs made strong statements, setting up a compelling slate of matchups with Sweet 16 spots on the line.
Top seeds roll through opening round of March Madness
As expected, No. 1 seeds South Carolina Gamecocks, UConn Huskies, UCLA Bruins, and Texas Longhorns all advanced comfortably. These teams now move into the second round with momentum and increased pressure as the field narrows.
While there weren’t many true “Cinderella” upsets, several mid-seeded teams impressed. The Ole Miss Rebels and Maryland Terrapins both advanced convincingly. The NC State Wolfpacks and Oregon Ducks handled tricky matchups. And the Baylor Bears and Duke Blue Devils set up one of the most intriguing second-round clashes
Nearly automatic in the first round 💪
— ESPN Insights (@ESPNInsights) March 20, 2026
Baylor has won 23 straight games in the first round of women's March Madness.
The Bears haven't lost a first-round game since 2001 😱 pic.twitter.com/5DBTxnqqxF
Second round begins today: full schedule for Women’s March Madness
All times listed in Eastern Time
Sunday, March 22 (Second Round)
- 12 p.m. - No. 4 North Carolina vs. No. 5 Maryland (ESPN)
- 1 p.m. - No. 2 Michigan vs. No. 7 NC State (ESPN)
- 2 p.m. - No. 4 Minnesota vs. No. 5 Ole Miss (ESPN)
- 3 p.m. - No. 2 LSU vs. No. 7 Texas Tech (ABC)
- 4 p.m. - No. 3 Duke vs. No. 6 Baylor (ESPN)
- 6 p.m. - No. 1 Texas vs. No. 8 Oregon (ESPN)
- 8 p.m. No. 5 Michigan State vs. No. 4 Oklahoma (ESPN)
- 10 p.m. - No. 3 TCU vs. No. 6 Washington (ESPN)
Monday, March 23 (Second Round)
- 12 p.m. - No. 3 Louisville vs. No. 6 Alabama (ESPN)
- 2 p.m. - No. 2 Iowa vs. No. 10 Virginia (ESPN)
- 4 p.m. - No. 3 Ohio State vs. No. 6 Notre Dame (ESPN)
- 5 p.m. - No. 4 West Virginia vs. No. 5 Kentucky (ESPN2)
- 6 p.m. - No. 1 UConn vs. No. 9 Syracuse (ESPN)
- 7 p.m. - No. 2 Vanderbilt vs. No. 7 Illinois (ESPN2)
- 8 p.m. - No. 1 South Carolina vs. No. 9 Southern California (ESPN)
- 10 p.m. - No. 1 UCLA vs. No. 9 Oklahoma State (ESPN)
The second round will conclude over the next two days, officially setting the Sweet 16, which begins Friday, March 27. By then, the championship picture should be much clearer, but if March Madness has taught us anything, it’s that clarity rarely lasts long.
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