First Round Highlights

The first round of Women's March Madness 2025 is heating up! Major powerhouses like South Carolina, UCLA, Notre Dame, UConn, and USC have showcased their prowess with significant victories, while Kentucky barely dodged an upset from Liberty. In a remarkable turn, Oregon, the first double-digit seed, clinched an overtime win against Vanderbilt, proving that anything can happen in this tournament.

Top Seeds and Historic Performance

Leading the pack are the No. 1 seeds: UCLA, South Carolina, Texas, and USC, with the Bruins securing the coveted top overall seed. Historically, No. 1 seeds have claimed the championship title 23 times since the tournament's expansion in 1994, with No. 2 seeds winning four times and No. 3 seeds winning three times, notably including LSU's triumph in 2023. This year, LSU enters as a No. 3 seed as well, aiming for a repeat performance.

Injury Updates

In the spotlight is USC's emerging star, JuJu Watkins, who faced two injury scares during her team's lopsided 71-25 victory over UNC Greensboro but assured fans she's fit to keep playing. Meanwhile, Notre Dame’s Olivia Miles twisted her ankle during their impressive 106-56 win against Stephen F. Austin, and her status remains uncertain. Coach Niele Ivey remains optimistic, hoping she will be ready for their upcoming clash with Michigan this Sunday.

UConn's Dominance

UConn, the most esteemed program in women’s basketball history with 11 national championships, enters as a No. 2 seed. Under the legendary Geno Auriemma, who recently became the winningest coach in basketball history, the Huskies have reached 15 out of the last 16 Final Fours without capturing a title since 2016. Their 103-34 rout of Arkansas State marked one of the most dominant performances of the tournament, with standout players Azzi Fudd, Sarah Strong, and Ashlynn Shade racking up an impressive 67 points collectively while star Paige Bueckers contributed 11 points—suggesting even greater potential for upcoming matchups.

Looking Ahead

As March Madness continues, there's plenty of excitement in the air, with fans eager to track their brackets and cheer on their favorite teams. Stay tuned for more updates, as CBS Sports will provide ongoing coverage, complete with the latest news, results, and insights into all the thrilling matchups that lie ahead.

Join the Bracket Challenge!

Are You Ready for the Madness? Join in on the fun by printing your bracket and competing against friends, family, and co-workers as this year’s tournament unfolds!