As the 2025 Big Ten Women’s Basketball Tournament kicks off, the atmosphere is electric. Starting on March 5th and concluding on March 9th, this year's tournament features 18 competitive teams, each vying for the prestigious championship title. With the new format, only the top 15 teams earn a spot, leaving the bottom three teams on the sidelines.

Tournament Format Overview:

- **First Round:** Teams seeded 10-15 compete, with the bottom three missing out.

- **Second Round:** Seeds 6-9 receive byes, while the top four seeds secure a double bye to the quarterfinals.

Current Bracket and Results By Round:

Round 1 Highlights:

- **Game 1:** No. 12 Washington triumphed over No. 13 Minnesota with a score of 79-65. Washington showcased strong plays, holding onto a narrow halftime lead before pulling ahead in the second half. They will face No. 5 Michigan in the next round.

- **Game 2:** No. 10 Nebraska controlled the game against No. 15 Rutgers with an 84-60 victory, thanks in part to 13 successful three-pointers and a standout performance from Alexis Markowski, who scored 19 points.

- **Game 3:** No. 11 Iowa achieved a dominant 81-54 win against No. 14 Wisconsin, propelled by a stunning 19-0 scoring run in the first quarter.

Round 2 Excitement:

- **Game 4:** No. 9 Indiana overcame early challenges to defeat No. 8 Oregon 78-62, relying on their impressive shooting from beyond the arc.

- **Game 5:** No. 5 Michigan edged out Washington with a 66-58 win after a competitive first half, solidifying their place in the quarterfinals.

- **Game 6:** Nebraska continued their winning streak with a tight 74-70 win against No. 7 Illinois, thanks to a strong fourth-quarter performance.

- **Game 7:** Iowa took down No. 6 Michigan State 74-61, fueled by an outstanding second quarter and key late-game shots.

Quarterfinal Thrills:

- **Game 8:** USC, the top seed, had a narrow escape with a 84-79 win over No. 9 Indiana, led by incredible performances from JuJu Watkins and KiKi Iriafen.

- **Game 9:** Michigan secured an impressive 98-71 victory against Maryland, with a remarkable shooting percentage that left their opponents struggling.

- **Game 10:** No. 2 UCLA overcame Nebraska 85-74, showcasing strong teamwork and individual excellence from Lauren Betts.

- **Game 11:** Ohio State narrowly defeated Iowa 60-59 in a nail-biting finish, with Cotie McMahon stepping up when it was most needed.

Semifinal Showdowns:

- **Game 12:** USC defeated Michigan 82-70, with a strong finish comprising a 14-0 run that sealed their victory.

- **Game 13:** UCLA dominated Ohio State 75-46, with Londynn Jones leading her team to a decisive win and earning a place in the finals.

Looking Ahead to the Championship:

The championship match-up between USC and UCLA promises to be an exhilarating encounter. Both teams have demonstrated their prowess throughout the tournament, setting the stage for a thrilling showdown that fans won't want to miss!

Stay tuned for the final game as two of the conference's best collide for the title! Who will take home the championship trophy? The excitement continues this Sunday!