Phoenix Tournament Awaits: Local Women’s Teams Ready for Challenge

Four North Carolina programs open distinct routes toward the Final Four in Phoenix. Duke and North Carolina will host opening rounds. NC State and High Point head out on the road.

Local women’s teams arrive in Phoenix tournament play ready for the challenge. Each squad faces familiar opponents and tough matchups. The coming weekends will test depth and poise.

Duke

Duke enters as the No. 3 seed in the Sacramento 2 bracket. The Blue Devils open at home against No. 14 Charleston on Friday at 11:30 a.m.

A second-round meeting could pit Duke against No. 6 Baylor. Baylor beat Duke 58-52 in the season opener, led by Taliah Scott’s 24 points. Duke shot 29 percent in that game.

Potential Sweet 16 and Elite Eight matchups include No. 2 LSU and No. 1 UCLA. LSU produced a 31-point second quarter to overturn Duke in the ACC/SEC Challenge. UCLA routed Duke 89-59 as Gabriela Jaquez and Charlisse Leger-Walker combined for 43 points.

A Final Four berth might require passing through the Fort Worth 3 bracket. That region features No. 1 Texas, No. 2 Michigan, No. 3 Louisville, and No. 4 West Virginia.

North Carolina

North Carolina is the No. 4 seed in Fort Worth 1 and will host the first two rounds. The Tar Heels open against No. 13 Western Illinois on Friday at 5:30 p.m.

The winner will face the victor of No. 5 Maryland and No. 12 Murray State. A Sweet 16 showdown could match UNC with No. 1 UConn, the tournament’s overall top seed.

UConn has been dominant, winning six straight games by at least 30 points. The Huskies recorded wins over Tennessee, Iowa and USC by more than 20. The team also posts the nation’s largest point differential at 38.3. The article lists Sarah Strong at 18.5 points per game and Azzi Fudd at 17.7 points per game as key contributors.

If UNC advances, Elite Eight threats include No. 2 Vanderbilt, No. 3 Ohio State and No. 6 Notre Dame. Notre Dame beat the Tar Heels earlier this season and nearly upset Duke in the ACC tournament. A Final Four matchup might bring No. 1 South Carolina, No. 2 Iowa or No. 3 TCU from the Sacramento 4 bracket.

NC State

NC State is the No. 7 seed in Fort Worth 3 and plays No. 10 Tennessee in Ann Arbor on Friday at 8 p.m. The Wolfpack opened the season with an 80-77 win over Tennessee.

That victory featured a go-ahead bucket by Khamil Pierre and late free throws from Zamareya Jones. Tennessee entered the tournament on a seven-game losing streak.

Second-round opposition could be host No. 2 Michigan. A Sweet 16 meeting could bring ACC rival No. 3 Louisville. NC State lost to Louisville 88-80 in overtime on Jan. 18, after leading 23-14 in the first quarter. Imari Berry scored 33 points for Louisville in that game.

Possible Elite Eight opponents include No. 1 Texas, No. 4 West Virginia and No. 5 Kentucky. The Sacramento 2 bracket winner, perhaps UCLA, LSU or Duke, would stand between NC State and a national title game appearance.

High Point

High Point is the No. 15 seed in Fort Worth 1 and meets No. 2 Vanderbilt on Saturday at 7 p.m. The Panthers are making their second straight NCAA Tournament appearance.

If High Point pulls an upset, the second round could pair them with No. 7 Illinois or No. 10 Colorado. A Sweet 16 run might require facing Notre Dame or Ohio State.

Further advancement could lead to matchups with UConn or North Carolina in the Elite Eight. The Sacramento 4 bracket, led by South Carolina, looms as a Final Four obstacle. The Panthers’ chances are long, but March offers surprises.

• Hosts for first and second rounds: Duke and North Carolina.
• Road teams: NC State (Ann Arbor) and High Point (Vanderbilt).
• Final Four site: Phoenix.

For continued coverage and analysis, follow Filmogaz.com for updates through the tournament. Schedules, results and bracket developments will shape each team’s run to Phoenix.