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What to Know About Womenâs Basketball Today
1. Sweet 16 Tips Off Today đ„
The NCAA Womenâs Tournament kicks into high gear this weekend with the Sweet 16. All four No. 1 seeds are still dancing, and the next two days feature eight must-watch games across four regional sites. (ESPN)
Fridayâs Lineup:
(2) Duke vs (3) North Carolina - 2:30 PM ET | ESPN
(1) South Carolina vs (4) Maryland - 5:00 PM ET | ESPN
(2) NC State vs (3) LSU - 7:30 PM ET | ESPN
(1) UCLA vs (5) Ole Miss - 10:00 PM ET | ESPN
Saturdayâs Lineup:
(2) TCU vs (3) Notre Dame - 1:00 PM ET | ABC
(1) Texas vs (5) Tennessee - 3:30 PM ET | ABC
(2) UConn vs (3) Oklahoma - 5:30 PM ET | ESPN
(1) USC vs (5) Kansas State - 8:00 PM ET | ESPN
WHY IT MATTERS: This yearâs Sweet 16 is stacked with compelling storylines. Duke and North Carolina face off in their first-ever NCAA Tournament clash. Notre Dame and TCU are set for a rematch after the Horned Frogs took the win earlier this season. Texas and Tennessee meet again after a tight 4-point game in January. And NC State is looking to flip the script after falling to LSU back in November.
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2. Candace Parkerâs Sparks Jersey Headed to the Rafters đŽ
The Los Angeles Sparks will retire Candace Parkerâs No. 3 jersey on June 29, permanently cementing her place in franchise history. (ESPN)
WHY IT MATTERS: Parker, a two-time WNBA MVP and one of the gameâs most influential stars, becomes just the third player in Sparks history to receive this honorâjoining Hall of Famer Lisa Leslie and longtime GM Penny Toler.
Drafted first overall in 2008, Parker made an instant impact, winning Rookie of the Year and MVP in the same seasonâa feat never accomplished before. She spent 13 seasons with LA, leading the team to a WNBA championship in 2016, where she was named Finals MVP.
3. DII Championship Game Set for Tip-Off Tonight đ
From 64 teams to twoâtonight the NCAA Division II title is on the line as No. 3 Cal State Dominguez Hills faces off against No. 1 Grand Valley State.
đș Stream it live at 7 PM ET on ESPN+
WHY IT MATTERS: Both teams have earned their shot at the crown. The Toros punched their ticket with a dominant 68â50 win over No. 7 Union (TN), while the Lakers advanced after grinding out a 68â61 victory against No. 4 Pittsburg State.
These two arenât underdog storiesâtheyâve looked like championship contenders all season long. With top-tier defense and scoring threats on both sides, this title game could come down to the wire.
If Cal State Dominguez Hills pulls off the win, theyâll become the first California team to win the DII championship since Cal Poly Pomonaâs back-to-back titles in 2001â02.
OVERTIME â±ïž
New Digs: The New York Liberty will open a 75,000 sq. ft. state-of-the-art practice facility in Brooklyn in 2027.
Portal Watch: Two more stars have entered the already-packed transfer portalâTa'Niya Latson, the nation's leading scorer, and Kiyomi McMiller, Rutgersâ standout freshman.
Giving Back: 16 WNBA players are launching a mentorship program to support 100,000 young female athletes ages 13â23.
