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Women’s basketball predictions: March Madness picks for Elite Eight

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And we’re onto the Elite Eight in women’s March Madness! What a slate of matchups we’ve got ahead. All four No. 1 seeds — UCLA, South Carolina, USC, Texas — are still alive, but their opponents are real threats.

Paige Bueckers and No. 2 UConn keep cooking, Bueckers dropping 40 points in the Sweet 16 against Oklahoma. Hailey Van Lith and No. 2 TCU continued their historic run, Van Lith pouring in 26 to upset Notre Dame.

So, here is the full Elite Eight March Madness schedule and expert predictions from reporters across the USA TODAY Sports Network.

South Carolina vs. Duke women’s basketball predictions

Time, TV: 1 p.m. Sunday (ABC)

Meghan L. Hall, For The Win: South Carolina
Lulu Kesin, The Greenvile News: South Carolina
Cydney Henderson, USA TODAY: South Carolina
Jenna Ortiz, Arizona Republic: South Carolina
Maxwell Donaldson, The Gadsden Times: South Carolina

If South Carolina wants to beat Duke and keep its title defense alive, the Gamecocks will need contributions from more than just Chloe Kitts and MiLaysia Fulwiley. South Carolina is in pursuit of its fifth consecutive Final Four, while Duke looks to move on to the Final Four for the first time since 2006.

UCLA vs. LSU women’s basketball predictions

Time, TV: 1 p.m. Sunday (ABC)

Meghan L. Hall, For The Win: UCLA
Lulu Kesin, The Greenvile News: LSU
Cydney Henderson, USA TODAY: UCLA
Jenna Ortiz, Arizona Republic: UCLA
Nancy Armour, USA TODAY: UCLA
Maxwell Donaldson, The Gadsden Times: LSU

This matchup marks a rematch of last year’s Sweet 16, when LSU defeated UCLA 78-69. The Bruins are in search of their first Final Four appearance, while LSU looks to return to the Final Four for the first time since their title run in 2023.

Texas vs. TCU women’s basketball predictions

Time, TV: 7 p.m. Monday (ESPN)

Meghan L. Hall, For The Win: TCU
Lulu Kesin, The Greenvile News: Texas
Cydney Henderson, USA TODAY: TCU
Jenna Ortiz, Arizona Republic: TCU
Nancy Armour, USA TODAY: Texas
Maxwell Donaldson, The Gadsden Times: TCU
Jordan Mendoza, USA TODAY: TCU

The Horned Frogs advance to their first Elite Eight appearance (and Hailey Van Lith’s fifth) riding a 13-game win streak, and will meet No. 1 Texas and Madison Booker, the SEC Player of the Year, in the Elite Eight. Texas’ offense has grabbed all the headlines, but the Longhorns defense has stepped up in the NCAA tournament. Texas forced the nation’s top scoring offense into 18 turnovers, nine of which came in fourth quarter.

UConn vs. USC women’s basketball predictions

Time, TV: 9 p.m. Monday, ESPN

Meghan L. Hall, For The Win: UConn
Lulu Kesin, The Greenvile News: UConn
Cydney Henderson, USA TODAY: UConn
Jenna Ortiz, Arizona Republic: UConn
Nancy Armour, USA TODAY: UConn
Maxwell Donaldson, The Gadsden Times: UConn

USC proved they are fully capable of winning without Watkins in a 67-61 win over No. 5 Kansas State. Freshman guard Kennedy Smith led the way with 19 points. The Trojans will be tasked with slowing down a red-hot Bueckers, who’s in midst of a legendary streak in the final women’s NCAA Tournament of her career. She scored a career-high 40 points in UConn’s win blowout win over No. 3 Oklahoma.

This post appeared first on USA TODAY