Key moments
The 2026 NCAA women’s basketball tournament has been electrified by a stunning upset as the Virginia Cavaliers defeated the Iowa Hawkeyes in the round of 32. This unexpected victory, which took place on March 24, marks the largest upset in the tournament since 2023, sending shockwaves through the bracket and altering the landscape of the championship.
Virginia’s triumph over Iowa came with a significant 13.5 point spread, showcasing their underdog status. The Cavaliers’ performance not only secured their place in the Sweet 16 but also dramatically shifted the odds for several teams in the tournament. Following the upset, South Carolina’s championship odds improved from +900 to +750, while TCU saw their odds shift from 150-1 to 100-1, reflecting the ripple effect of Virginia’s victory.
As the tournament progresses, UConn has emerged as the favorite to win, boasting odds of -255. This positioning comes as no surprise given their historical dominance in women’s college basketball. The Sweet 16 is set to feature compelling matchups, including UConn facing North Carolina and UCLA taking on Minnesota, with experts favoring UConn, UCLA, and Texas to advance further in the tournament.
The Sweet 16 games will take place on March 27-28, with venues in Fort Worth, Texas, and Sacramento, California. This year’s tournament has been described as relatively mild so far, but Virginia’s upset has injected a new level of excitement and unpredictability into the competition.
Currently, there is one perfect bracket remaining in ESPN’s Women’s Tournament Challenge, a testament to the unpredictable nature of this year’s tournament. The stakes are high as teams vie for a spot in the Final Four, which will be held on April 3 in Phoenix, Arizona, culminating in the championship game scheduled for April 5.
As fans and analysts reflect on the implications of Virginia’s victory, the tournament’s history of upsets looms large. This event not only highlights the competitive nature of women’s college basketball but also serves as a reminder that anything can happen in March Madness.
Initial reactions to the upset have been mixed, with some praising Virginia’s resilience and others questioning Iowa’s performance. As the tournament continues, all eyes will be on the remaining teams, eager to see how this upset will influence their paths to the championship.
