March Madness 2026: NCAA women’s tournament games, players to watch on Saturday as No. 1 seeds South Carolina and Texas look to advance

The Sweet 16 of the NCAA women’s tournament continues on Saturday in the Fort Worth Region 3 and Sacramento Region 4. Two No. 1 seeds are pursuing a trip to the Elite Eight, and the field’s Cinderella looks to continue an improbable run through the bracket.

No. 1 South Carolina is pushing toward a sixth consecutive Final Four and second straight trip to the national championship game. And Texas, the other No. 1 seed playing on Saturday, is chasing a second straight visit to the Final Four and the school’s first national title since 1986. No. 2 Michigan would love to prevent that from happening, but has to contend with a tough matchup with No. 3 Louisville to get there.

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Game schedule (All times Eastern)

12:30 p.m.: No. 3 Louisville vs. No. 2 Michigan (ABC)
3 p.m.: No. 5 Kentucky vs. No. 1 Texas (ABC)
5 p.m.: No. 4 Oklahoma vs. No. 1 South Carolina (ESPN)
7:30 p.m.: No. 10 Virginia vs. No. 3 TCU (ESPN)

Must-see: Louisville vs. Michigan

The matchup between the Cardinals and Wolverines is the second between No. 2 and No. 3 seeds in the Sweet 16, along with Friday’s Duke-LSU clash. But the game also promises plenty of star power with Louisville’s guard tandem of Tajianna Roberts (11.6 points per game) and Imari Barry (11.0) facing Michigan’s trio of Olivia Olson (19.2), Syla Swords (14.8) and Mila Holloway (12.6).

Are the Cardinals more battle-tested for this matchup after squandering a fourth-quarter lead in their 69-68 win over Alabama in the second round? Or were they fortunate to survive and advance to the next round? Meanwhile, the Wolverines cruised in their first two NCAA tournament games, beating Holy Cross and NC State by a combined 64 points. Yet losing to both UConn and UCLA by three points earlier this season suggests Michigan can meet the big moment.

Must-skip: Kentucky vs. Texas

The Wildcats did not distinguish themselves versus SEC competition, finishing 8-8 in conference this season. That included a 64-53 defeat to Texas in their lone meeting. Longhorns star Madison Booker (19.3 ppg) scored only eight points and took just six shots. What are the chances that happens again?

Meanwhile, Kentucky’s leading scorers, Clara Strack and Tonie Morgan, combined for 26 points, and the Wildcats still lost by double-digits. Additionally, Kentucky had to stave off a ferocious comeback by West Virginia to get to the Sweet 16, depending on a last-second miss by the Mountaineers’ Gia Cooke, while Texas destroyed Oregon by 42 points. This has the appearance of a mismatch.

Most likely upset: Virginia vs. TCU

The Cavaliers achieved the most stunning upset of the 2026 NCAA tournament, defeating Iowa on the Hawkeyes’ home court in double overtime. Virginia’s Cinderella run should continue against a TCU team that nearly went to double OT versus Washington.

Kymora Johnson is playing some of the best basketball of the tournament, scoring 28 points in two consecutive games. And Paris Clark had arguably her top game of the season with 20 points versus the Hawkeyes. Virginia also has an advantage in the frontcourt with Sa’Myah Smith and Tabitha Amanze. Both players were held in check, matched up against Iowa’s Hannah Stuelke and Ava Heiden, but won’t face that same obstacle versus the Horned Frogs. That should be the difference in this game.

Players to watch

Texas F Madison Booker vs. Kentucky

As mentioned, Booker had eight points in her first meeting versus Kentucky. That was her lowest point total of the season. Yes, the Wildcats present a strong matchup with Clara Strack and Teonni Key. But it’s difficult to imagine Booker posting that kind of performance again with Texas eyeing a national championship. The junior is also coming off a 40-point outburst in the second round against Oregon, her best game of the season. No, the Longhorns don’t need Booker to score that much to win. Yet with the chance to advance to the Elite Eight, she has an opportunity to show the Wildcats how great she is.

South Carolina F Joyce Edwards vs. Oklahoma

Edwards has a way of playing her best when the competition looks the toughest. She faces a difficult matchup against the Sooners’ Raegan Beers. But the sophomore has already been through the rigors of an NCAA tournament run with the Gamecocks’ advancing to the national championship game last season. Granted, South Carolina hasn’t faced rugged competition in its first- and second-round games. But she’s emerged as Dawn Staley’s best player this season and has already surpassed last year’s tournament performance.