Every season we fill out our NCAA women’s Tournament brackets, we’re on the hunt to identify which teams are capable of pulling off upsets. Underdogs knocking off a higher seed is part of why we love March Madness.
And first-round action finally opens on Friday with a 16-game slate. So here are seven women’s NCAA Tournament upset predictions from our USA TODAY Sports Network experts.
Women’s March Madness upset picks
Harvard vs. Michigan State predictions
No. 10 Harvard vs. No. 7 Michigan State. Harvard will earn their second NCAA Tournament win in program history behind Harmoni Turner, who’s red-hot heading into March Madness after scoring 68 points across the Ivy League Tournament semifinal and final. — Cydney Henderson, USA TODAY
WOMEN’S BRACKET MADNESS: Enter USA TODAY’s Women’s Bracket Challenge for a chance at $1 million prize.
Very few teams have an answer for Harvard’s Harmoni Turner. Problem is, the Crimson’s other players have upped their games, too. — Nancy Armour, USA TODAY
Stream women’s NCAA Tournament games on Fubo
South Dakota State vs. Oklahoma State prediction
No. 10 South Dakota State over No. 7 Oklahoma State. The Jackrabbits don’t beat themselves. Brooklyn Meyer is arguably one of the best well-rounded players in the country at the mid-major level. Add in Haleigh Timmer and Paige Meyer, and South Dakota State can score enough to pull the upset in the opener. — Cory Diaz, The Daily Advertiser
Grand Canyon vs. Baylor predictions
No. 13 Grand Canyon over No. 4 Baylor. The Lopes just know how to win, going 32-2 on the year. Although taking down a home team is tough, Grand Canyon has two Power 6 wins this year. — Maxwell Donaldson, Gadsden Times
Grand Canyon did plenty of winning and the Lopes’ offense is elite. They make it rain from 3-point land, and Baylor won’t be able to keep up. — Jordan Mendoza, USA TODAY
Fairfield vs. Kansas State prediction
No. 12 Fairfield over No. 5 Kansas State. Carly Thibault-DuDonis has built an elite mid-major program. The Stags are more than capable of pulling off an upset, especially since Kansas State center Ayoka Lee is just now returning from an injury. — Cora Hall, Knoxville News Sentinel
Murray State vs. Iowa predictions
No. 11 Murray State over No. 6 Iowa. The Racers have one of the best offenses in college basketball this season and are an excellent 3-point shooting team. That’s one of Iowa’s biggest weaknesses. I think Katelyn Young goes off in this one. — Mike Sykes, For The Win
Norfolk State vs. Maryland predictions
No. 13 Norfolk State over No. 4 Maryland. Diamond Johnson is an underrated, skilled two-way point guard. Johnson, double-double machine Kierra Wheeler and the Spartans’ deep bench take down an injured Maryland team. — Lulu Kesin, Greenville News
Maryland has been banged up all season long, and I’m not confident WNBA draft prospect Shyanne Sellers is enough to get them past the Round of 64. I expect Diamond Johnson and the Spartans to take down the Terrapins and so many brackets. — Meghan Hall, For The Win
Iowa State vs. Michigan prediction
No. 11 Iowa State over No. 6 Michigan. Iowa State center Audi Crooks is a matchup nightmare for an undersized Michigan team. Expect Crooks to go off like in last year’s 40-point performance vs. Maryland. — Jenna Ortiz, Arizona Republic
Women’s March Madness schedule
- First Four: March 19-20
- First round: March 21-22
- Second round: March 23-24
- Sweet 16: March 28-29
- Elite Eight: March 30-31
- Final Four: Friday, April 4 (both semifinals; first game begins at 7 p.m. ET)
- NCAA championship: Sunday, April 6 (Game scheduled for 3 p.m. ET)
Where to watch Women’s March Madness
All games will be televised on the ESPN family of networks, which includes ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, and ESPNews.
