NCAAW Women’s Tournament Preview and Betting Odds

It’s not secret Selection Sunday is always one of the best days on the sports calendar each year, but while the bulk of the attention is geared toward the men’s NCAA tournament, the women’s bracket has its share of vested interest as well.  

As with men, there will be 68 teams competing in the women’s event, with the goal of each team to cut down the nets in Cleveland early next month.

Here’s a look at the women’s tourney, and some of the odds associated with the event.

Gamecocks are Favored

There are many different options when it comes to wagering on the women’s NCAA Tournament, but it’s trying to find the eventual champion that’s the best place to start. It’s no surprise that one team is prohibitively favored to win the title.

Entering at 32-0, the South Carolina Gamecocks are the top overall seed in the field, and the betting odds are currently sitting at negative money (-120) to take it all, according to women’s college basketball championship odds. 

While the Gamecocks are obviously going to be a tough out (duh), there will be some other teams worthy of your consideration. Some other odds before the start of the tournament…

• Iowa 13-2 (+650)
• Louisiana St. 13-2 (+650) 
• Connecticut 14-1 (+1400) 
• Stanford 16-1 (+1600)
• Texas 20-1 (+2000)
• Ohio St. 25-1 (+2500)
• UCLA 30-1 (+3000)
• Southern Cal 30-1 (+3000)
• North Carolina St. 40-1 (+4000)
• Notre Dame 50-1 (+5000)

There is a value with co-second choices LSU and Iowa, and each might be viable.

The Huskies of UConn, 11-time champions, are seemingly always a factor in the tournament, though at 14-1 a bit more of an afterthought than usual this season. It’s their 35th consecutive appearance in the tourney,  

There will be odds movement as the event rolls along, something to keep in mind.

Top of Totem

There are some seasons when it’s extremely difficult to choose a No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA women’s tournament. That wasn’t the case this time around, with the undefeated South Carolina Gamecocks a gimme.

There’s so much balance with coach Dawn Staley’s team, as in six players averaging between nine and 15 points per game. Add in an average margin of victory of nearly 30 points/game.   

The other top seeds weren’t difficult to surmise. Caitlin Clark and her 31.9 points/game lead the 29-1 Iowa Hawkeyes, championship finalist a season ago. 

Texas (30-4) and Southern Cal (26-5) were the other two teams, and shouldn’t be ignored.

The second line belongs to Notre Dame, Ohio St., Stanford and UCLA, while the three seeds belong to defending champion Louisiana St., Oregon St., Connecticut and North Carolina St. 

One of those dozen teams figures to win the title, but if you wish to go farther down the line…

Some Other Thoughts

Overall, the committee did a great job of getting the field of 68. Vanderbilt and Columbia were two of the teams that snuck in, one of them becoming a 12-seed after meeting in the First Four. 

If you’re a fan/believer in any team not named South Carolina, there’s a whole lot of value to be had in the next few weeks. 

Back to the gentlemen, whose betting board is at men’s college basketball championship odds.