After a thrilling regular season of women’s basketball, NCAA March Madness is finally here. Fans across the world are anticipating competitive matchups, jaw-dropping highlights from their favorite players, and even potential upsets. Many conversations are surrounding the Albany 1 region, which includes the nation’s top team, South Carolina, and underdogs such as Texas A&M University.
With a spotless record entering the postseason, the Gamecocks (32-0) are the region's favorite. Many are also predicting them to win the national championship in April.
Amidst these expectations, the Gamecocks hope to not repeat what happened last year. They entered the tournament undefeated and fell short to Iowa in the Final Four.
Their highly skilled roster sets them apart from other squads. From the dominance of Kamilla Cardoso to the ball-handling expertise of MiLaysia Fulwiley, the Gamecocks are stacked with stars. Their tournament opener will be against Presbyterian College on March 22 at 2 p.m. EST.
Though many eyes are on South Carolina, Albany 1 also consists of the Texas A&M Aggies (19-12), who are underdogs in the region. They are ranked 9th in SEC, but still have the potential to gain March Madness wins.
The Aggies are led by Aicha Coulibaly, who averages 13.2 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game. Exceptional performances from her are vital to their overall success. Their first matchup is against the Nebraska Cornhuskers (22-11) on Friday at 10:30 p.m. EST.
The Albany 1 region will surely be an exciting region to watch as March Madness unfolds. Let the games begin.