Hamner, Ryan. “NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament Region Preview: Sacramento 4.

The NCAA women’s basketball tournament bracket was released Sunday, and the Blue Zone has analyzed the top teams and storylines in each region. After examining Fort Worth 1 and Sacramento 2, the focus now turns to Sacramento 4.

No. 1 Seed: South CarolinaDawn Staley’s Gamecocks enter the tournament aiming for a sixth consecutive Final Four appearance. South Carolina holds the fourth No. 1 seed, leading a region noted for its competitive balance. While the team has not been as dominant as in previous seasons, its only losses came against Texas twice and an overtime defeat at Oklahoma. Otherwise, the Gamecocks have largely controlled the SEC. With five players averaging double figures and ranking third nationally in field-goal percentage, the team is strong offensively, though other statistical categories are less remarkable.

Experience is a key strength for South Carolina. Three starters are seniors, and Staley’s proven record in March adds to their advantage, even though sophomore Joyce Edwards is the team’s leading scorer. A potential rematch with No. 4 seed Oklahoma looms in the Sweet 16, but the Gamecocks are widely projected to return to the Final Four and could face UConn in the national championship game.

Other Contenders Iowa, the second seed in the Big Ten, is returning to prominence after recent title game appearances. The Hawkeyes finished the regular season with a six-game winning streak, despite a midseason slump, and reached the Big Ten championship game before falling to No. 1 seed UCLA.

TCU, the No. 3 seed, comes into the tournament after losing the Big 12 title game to West Virginia but boasts one of the most experienced rosters in the field. Notre Dame transfer Olivia Miles leads the team with 19.6 points per game, and the Horned Frogs rely heavily on their starting five for scoring. A strong 3-point defensive unit, allowing just 27 percent from beyond the arc, positions TCU as a contender for a second straight Elite Eight appearance.

Oklahoma, the No. 4 seed, has shown its capability as a strong SEC contender, highlighted by a 92-84 overtime win against South Carolina earlier this season. Center Raegan Beers averages a double-double, and the team ranks fourth nationally in rebounding margin. A potential Sweet 16 rematch with South Carolina would test the Gamecocks, who are consistently formidable in March.

Potential Cinderella: South Dakota State The No. 11-seed Jackrabbits earned their spot in the tournament by claiming a fourth consecutive Summit League title. Senior forward Brooklyn Meyer leads her team in points and rebounds and brings three years of starting experience. South Dakota State enters the tournament with a 10-game winning streak and faces No. 6-seed Washington in the first round. While advancing past TCU in the second round may be difficult, the Jackrabbits are among the lower-seeded teams with the best chance to reach Sacramento.

Regional Narrative: Balanced MatchupsThis region is notable for its parity. Southern California, seeded ninth, holds the 22nd NET ranking after playing 17 Quad 1 games and faces Clemson, returning to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2019. Additionally, the No. 10-seed play-in game between Virginia and Arizona State could create an interesting second-round matchup against No. 7-seed Georgia. With teams such as TCU and Oklahoma potentially undervalued by their seeding, Sacramento 4 is expected to feature some of the tournament’s most evenly matched games.