Women’s Sweet 16 picks, predictions and breakout players

For the first time in a quarter-century, the Sweet 16 of the 2023 women’s NCAA tournament will include just two No. 1 seeds: South Carolina, the defending champion in pursuit of a perfect season, and Virginia Tech, which hopes to make the program’s first women’s Final Four. And for the first time ever, there are just two regional sites: Greenville 1 and 2 in South Carolina, and Seattle 3 and 4.

Some things are very familiar, though, such as UConn — the No. 2 seed in Seattle 3 — going for a 15th consecutive Final Four appearance. The Huskies are probably the healthiest they’ve been all season, at just the right time, including the return of star sophomore guard Azzi Fudd. Read More