2024 NCAA women’s basketball tournament: The Albany-2 regional field

IOWA CITY — The prevailing narrative surrounding this weekend’s Albany-2 women’s basketball bracket will be a potential rematch between Iowa and LSU, and that will be full of suspense and snark if it comes to light.

But first, let’s examine another rematch, which is a sure thing, right before our eyes.

Iowa defeated Colorado, 87-77, in the Sweet 16 last year at Seattle. The second-ranked Hawkeyes (31-4) face No. 17 Colorado (24-9) again Saturday.

That tipoff is scheduled for 2:30 (CT) at MVP Arena in Albany, N.Y. In the first game, No. 8 LSU (30-5) meets No. 6 UCLA (27-6) at noon.

All four of them are in the Sweet 16 for the second straight year. LSU beat Iowa in the 2023 national final, 102-85.

Winners meet at 6 p.m. (CT) Monday, with the survivor advancing to Cleveland for the Final Four (April 5-7).

Colorado brings back four starters from its Sweet 16 team of 2023. Three of them — Aaronette Vonleh, Jaylyn Sherrod and Frida Formann — watched the end of the Iowa game from the bench after fouling out.

According to ESPN’s analytics, Iowa is the favorite, with a 34.3-percent chance to advance to Cleveland. LSU is next at 29.5 percent, followed by UCLA (25.3) and Colorado (10.8).

NCAA women’s basketball: Albany-2 Region capsules

Iowa

Coach: Lisa Bluder (40th year overall, 881-395; 24th year at Iowa, 525-253)

Final AP ranking: No. 2

Albany-2 Region seed: No. 1

Record: 31-4

Conference: Big Ten (15-3, T-2nd; tournament champion)

How the Hawkeyes got here: Beat Holy Cross, 91-65; beat West Virginia, 64-54.

Leading scorers: Caitlin Clark (6-0, sr.), 31.8 ppg; Hannah Stuelke, 6-2, soph.), 14.1 ppg; Kate Martin (6-0, sr.), 12.8 ppg

Scoring averages: Offense 92.0. Defense 71.2.

Sweet 16 history: 10th appearance, second consecutive. National runner-up in 2023. Two Final Fours (1993 and 2023); five Elite Eights.

Colorado

Coach: J.R. Payne (15th year overall, 244-215; 8th year at Colorado, 143-102)

Final AP ranking: No. 17

Albany-2 Region seed: No. 5

Record: 24-9

Conference: Pac-12 (11-7, T-5th; tournament quarterfinalist)

How the Buffaloes got here: Beat Drake, 86-72; beat Kansas State, 63-50.

Leading scorers: Aaronette Vonleh (6-3, jr.), 14.0 ppg; Jaylyn Sherrod (5-7, sr.), 12.9 ppg; Frida Formann (5-11, sr.), 12.5 ppg

Scoring averages: Offense 75.4. Defense 63.5.

Sweet 16 history: 8th appearance, second consecutive. Three Elite Eights (1993, 1995, 2002).

UCLA

Coach: Cori Close (13th year, 287-139)

Final AP ranking: No. 6

Albany-2 Region seed: No. 2

Record: 27-6

Conference: Pac-12 (13-5, T-2nd; tournament semifinalist)

How the Bruins got here: Beat California Baptist, 84-55; beat Creighton, 67-63.

Leading scorers: Lauren Betts (6-7, soph.), 14.9 ppg; Charisma Osborne (5-9, sr.), 14.1 ppg; Kiki Rice (5-11, soph.), 13.2 ppg; Londynn Jones (5-4, soph.), 11.8 ppg

Scoring averages: Offense 77.6. Defense 60.6.

Sweet 16 history: 9th appearance, second consecutive. Elite Eight in 1999 and 2018.

LSU

Coach: Kim Mulkey (24th year overall, 722-117; 3rd year at LSU, 90-13)

Final AP ranking: No. 8

Albany-2 Region seed: No. 3

Record: 30-5

Conference: SEC (13-3, 2nd; tournament runner-up)

How the Tigers got here: Beat Rice, 70-60; beat Middle Tennessee, 83-56.

Leading scorers: Angel Reese (6-3, jr.), 18.7 ppg; Aneesah Morrow (6-1, jr.), 16.5 ppg; Mikaylah Williams (6-0, fr.), 14.5 ppg; Flau’jae Johnson (5-10, soph.), 14.4 ppg; Hailey Van Lith (5-7, sr.), 11.8 ppg

Scoring averages: Offense 86.1. Defense 62.3.

Sweet 16 history: 15th appearance, second consecutive. National champion in 2023. Six Final Fours (2004-08, 2023).

Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com