Key moments
In a stunning turn of events, the Virginia Cavaliers pulled off a remarkable upset against the Iowa Hawkeyes in the round of 32 of the 2026 NCAA women’s basketball tournament. This pivotal game took place on March 24, 2026, and has been marked as the largest upset since 2023, shaking the foundations of the tournament and altering the trajectory for several teams.
The Cavaliers entered the game as significant underdogs, with a point spread of 13.5 points against Iowa. However, their unexpected victory has sent ripples through the tournament, prompting a shift in championship odds. Following the upset, South Carolina’s odds improved from +900 to +750, while TCU saw a similar boost, moving from 150-1 to 100-1. Meanwhile, UConn has emerged as the favorite to win the championship, boasting odds of -255.
The 2026 NCAA women’s basketball tournament features 64 teams, and the Sweet 16 is set to take place on March 27-28, with matchups that include UConn facing North Carolina and UCLA going up against Minnesota. The tournament has been described as relatively mild thus far, but the recent developments have injected a new level of excitement and unpredictability.
As the tournament progresses, the Sweet 16 games will be held in various locations, including Fort Worth, Texas, and Sacramento, California. Experts are currently favoring teams like UConn, UCLA, and Texas to advance further, but the landscape has been dramatically altered by Virginia’s performance.
In addition to the shifting odds, there is now only one perfect bracket remaining in ESPN’s Women’s Tournament Challenge, highlighting the unpredictability of this year’s tournament. Fans and analysts alike are closely watching how these developments will impact the remaining games.
The women’s college basketball tournament has a storied history of upsets, and Virginia’s recent victory adds another chapter to this narrative. As teams prepare for the Sweet 16, the anticipation builds, with fans eager to see if more surprises await in the coming rounds.
As reactions pour in from players, coaches, and analysts, the consensus is that this year’s tournament is shaping up to be one for the ages. The excitement surrounding women’s college basketball continues to grow, and with each game, the stakes become higher.
