The top four seeds in the Power 4 conferences will begin their March Madness road Friday
The ACC, Big 12, Big Ten and SEC’s top teams take the court in their respective conference tournaments after earning double byes. South Carolina (SEC), UCLA (Big Ten), Duke (ACC) and TCU (Big 12) each earned No. 1 seeds and double-byes in their respective conferences and have the easiest path to winning their postseason tournaments. All four teams won their conference tournament last season and are looking to repeat.
The 2026 NCAA Tournament begins on March 18 and the conference tournaments will go a long way in figuring who is in and who is out. Conference tournament winners get an automatic an bid. Every other team will have to sweat it out on Selection Sunday on March 15 to see if they received at-large bid.
Thursday saw a boatload of upsets, but none bigger than Maryland’s loss to Oregon and Michigan State’s to Illinois. Both teams had been projected to be in the top 16 seeds and host first- and second-round games. Being upset in the second round of the Big Ten Tournament leaves to door ajar for Kentucky, WVU and UNC to host instead.
USA TODAY Sports is following along with the Power Four conference tournaments. Follow along for live updates, highlights and results here:
Hit the Griddy
Kansas State celebrated becoming the first No. 12 seed to make it into the Big 12 Conference quarterfinals with a dance from coach Jeff Mittie.
No. 9 BYU vs. No. 1 TCU, 2:30 p.m. | ESPNU
BYU Cougars starting lineup
Head coach: Lee Cummard
- 2 Sydney Benally | G 5-9 – Freshman
- 11 Delaney Gibb | G 5-10 – Sophomore
- 13 Lara Rohkohl | F 6-3 – Senior
- 14 Kambree Barber | G 6-0 – Sophomore
- 24 Brinley Cannon | G/F 6-1 -Sophomore
TCU Horned Frogs starting lineup
Head coach: Mark Campbell
- 1 Taylor Bigby | G 6-1 – Senior
- 4 Donovyn Hunter | G 6-0 – Junior
- 5 Olivia Miles | G 5-10 – Senior
- 7 Marta Suarez | F 6-3 – Senior
- 17 Clara Silva | C 6-7 – Sophomore
No. 5 Oklahoma vs, No. 4 LSU, 2:30 p.m. ET | ESPN
LSU Tigers starting lineup
Head coach: Kim Mulkey
- 13 Kate Koval | C 6-5 Sophomore
- 11 ZaKiyah Johnson | G 6-0 Freshman
- 30 Jada Richard | G 5-7 Sophomore
- 12 Mikaylah Williams | G 6-0 Junior
- 4 Flau’jae Johnson | G 5-10 Senior
Oklahoma Sooners starting lineup
Head coach: Jennie Baranczyk
- 2 Aaliyah Chavez | G 5-10 Freshman
- 3 Zya Vann | G 5-9 Sophomore
- 6 Sahara Williams | F 5-11 Junior
- 12 Payton Verhulst | G 6-1 Senior
- 15 Raegan Beers | C 6-4 Senior
Halftime: Notre Dame 40, NC State 32
NC State had a much better second quarter, shooting 53.8% in the period. However, nine turnovers were the Wolfpack’s undoing. Khamil Pierre is trying her hardest to keep NC State Close in it with a double-double at the half (10 points, 11 rebounds) on 57% shooting, but she needs some more help. No other NC State player is in double figures.
For Notre Dame, it’s been a one-two punch with Hannah Hidalgo and Iyana Moore. The duo has 33 of Notre Dame’s 40 points. Friday’s matchup is Hidalgo’s 12th 15-point first half of the season. −Meghan L. Hall
Final: Kansas State 74, Oklahoma State 73
Kansas State pulled out another comeback upset win against Oklahoma State on Thursday to become the first No. 12 seed to advance to the semifinals in Big 12 Tournament history.
After going on a 21-0 run to upset Texas Tech on Thursday, the Wildcats used another lengthy run to take down No. 4 Oklahoma State. Kansas State took its first lead since the first quarter after Aniya Foy knocked down a 3-pointer with 3:12 remaining in the game, sparking at the Wildcats’ 9-0 run.
Oklahoma State senior Haleigh Timmer knocked down a 3-pointer to cut the deficit to two points with 46 seconds remaining, but then Kansas State freshman guard Jordan Speiser entered the chat. Speiser knocked down a 3-pointer to extend their lead to five with 15.7 remaining.
Chaos ensued. Timmer knocked down two free throws to cut the Cowgirls’ deficit to 73-70 with 14 seconds left. Kansas State then attempted to inbound the ball to Taryn Sides with 12 seconds remaining and a jump ball was called. The Cowgirls got the ball and Timmer knocked down a 3-pointer with five seconds left to tie it up.
As Kansas State was bringing up the ball, Oklahoma State junior Stailee Heard was called for a reach-in foul on Tess Heal. Heal knocked down a free throw to seal the win and intentionally missed the second so time could expire.
Speiser has ben a breakout star for the Wildcats at the Big 12 Tournament, recording a career-high 21 points off the bench, shooting 8-of-13 from the field and 5-of-10 from the 3-point line. Speiser is 13-of 25 from the 3-point line through three games at the tournament.
“That was a lot of emotions in a very short period of time. We just stuck together. Never got too high or too low on ourselves,” Speiser said. “It’s a game. … We knew we would come up on the right side. … We’re trying to keep it going as long as we can.” — Cydney Henderson
No. 4 Minnesota vs No. 5 Ohio State, 2:15 p.m. ET | Big Ten Network
Minnesota starting lineup
Head coach: Dawn Plitzuweit
- 25 Grace Grocholski | F/G 5-10 Junior
- 52 Sophie Hart | C 6-5 Graduate
- 3 Amaya Battle | G 5-11 Senior
- 10 Mara Braun | G 6-0 Junior
- 14 Tori McKinney | G 6-1 Sophomore
Ohio State starting lineup
Head coach: Kevin McGuff
- Jaloni Cambridge | G 5-7 Sophomore
- Ava Watson | G 5-8 Sophomore
- Chance Gray | G 5-9 Senior
- Kennedy Cambridge | G 5-8 Junior
- Elsa Lemmila | C 6-6 Sophomore
NC State’s Zoe Brooks beats buzzer
Zoe Brooks dashed to the basket to cut into Notre Dame’s lead just before the first quarter buzzer. The basket was much needed. NC State shot 33% after the first period. −Meghan L. Hall
Final: South Carolina 87, Kentucky 64
Joyce Edwards scored 21 points as the top-seeded Gamecocks defeated the Wildcats in the quarterfinals of the SEC Tournament on Friday in Greenville, South Carolina.
Edwards shot 8-of-12 from the floor and also grabbed four rebounds in the 11th consecutive win for South Carolina (30-2). It’s the fifth straight season the Gamecocks have won at least 30 games. The Gamecocks also got 15 points from Tessa Johnson, a double-double of 12 points and 13 rebounds from Madina Okot, and 11 points and six assists from Ta’Niya Latson.
Amelia Hassett led Kentucky (23-10) with 15 points. The loss for the Wildcats could prevent it from getting a top 16 seed in the NCAA Tournament, granting it hosting rights in the opening weekend of March Madness. Kentucky will be watching closely at how North Carolina, West Virginia, Minnesota and Ohio State play in their respective conference tournaments.
Regardless of seeding, Kentucky coach Kenny Brooks remains optimistic in his team reaching their postseason goals.
“We’re going to be the best 5 or 6 seed in the history of 5 or 6 seeds,” Brooks said Thursday. “I think we’re going to be positioned very well as we head into the NCAA Tournament. … We’re going to be very, very confident.”
The Gamecocks never trailed after a 9-0 run in the first quarter. South Carolina shot 19-of-25 from the free throw line and scored 25 points off 19 Kentucky turnovers.
South Carolina will face the winner of No. 5 Oklahoma and No. 4 LSU at 4:30 p.m. ET Saturday on ESPN2. −Mitchell Northam
Final: UCLA 78, Washington 60
Washington kept it close for three quarters, but top-seeded UCLA used a 29-point fourth quarter to pull away in the final minutes.
The Bruins powered through a tough day beyond the arc, shooting 1-of-10 from 3-point range, with 54% shooting from the field. They dominated inside with 52 points in the paint and 35 rebounds, including 11 offensive boards for 12 second-chance points. Lauren Betts led UCLA with 26 points and eight rebounds.
Avery Howell paced Washington with 18 points.
UCLA will play the winner of No. 5 Ohio State/No. 4 Minnesota in the semifinals at 2 p.m. ET on Saturday. – Chloe Peterson
Notre Dame has early 10 point lead against NC State
It’s been all Notre Dame in the first minutes of the opening quarter. At the 3:46 mark, The Fighting Irish lead 19-9 behind eight points apiece from Hannah Hidalgo and Iyana Moore. Notre Dame is also shooting 73% from the field. −Meghan L. Hall
Clemson makes last pitch to be in NCAA Tournament
Clemson head coach Shawn Poppie hopes the Tigers can make the NCAA Tournament for the first time in over 20 years. After Clemson’s 60-46 loss to Duke, he made one last pitch to the selection committee.
‘We’ve won 21 games, 11 conference games, 12 if you count yesterday. We have zero bad losses on our resume. We’re as competitive as anybody,’ Poppie said.
‘So I think we can compete with anybody in the country. I think there’s no doubt when you give us now ― whatever this is going to be ― 10, 12 days of rest to get all the way healthy, we’ll be a team that is very, very hard to beat in the tournament.’ −Meghan L. Hall
Kim Mulkey fit check
As always, LSU coach Kim Mulkey reminds nothing goes together like basketball and sparkles. Her Tigers face Oklahoma at 2:30 p.m. ET at the SEC Tournament on Friday.
No. 5 Notre Dame vs. No. 4 NC State, 1:30 p.m. ET | ACC Network
NC State Wolfpack starting lineup
Head coach: Wes Moore
- 2 Qadence Samuels | G 6-0 – Junior
- 3 Zamareya Jones | G 5-7 – Sophomore
- 12 Khamil Pierre | F 6-2 – Junior
- 18 Tilda Trygger | F 6-6 – Sophomore
- 35 Zoe Brooks | G 5-10- Junior
Notre Dame Fighting Irish starting lineup
Head coach: Niele Ivey
- 3 Hannah Hidalgo | G 5-6 – Junior
- 2 Vanessa De Jesus | G 5-8 – Senior
- 23 Iyana Moore | G 5-8 – Senior
- 8 Cassandre Prosper | G 6-3 – Senior
- 5 Malaya Cowles | F 6-3- Senior
Final: Duke 60, Clemson 46
Duke’s 14-point win over Clemson was enough to push them into the ACC semifinals to play the winner of No. 4 NC State vs. No. 5 Notre Dame. The Blue Devils didn’t shoot as well in the second half (31% from the field) after building a 25-point lead in the third, but it was enough to move past the Tigers. Kara Lawson’s team forced 20 Clemson turnovers, scoring 14 points off the giveaways.
The Blue Devils advance with three players in double figures, including Toby Fournier, who had a 17-point and 10-rebound double-double along with three blocks. Fournier’s last block tied her for 10th all-time in single-season blocks in Duke history.
For Clemson, team-leading scorer Mia Moore did most of the heavy lifting Friday, and there weren’t any other Tigers in double figures until just under four minutes remaining in regulation. Moore finished with 17 points and four rebounds. Taylor Johnson-Matthews added 12 points. As a team, Clemson shot 35% from the field. −Meghan L. Hall
Halftime: South Carolina 44, Kentucky 27
South Carolina has a comfortable 17-point lead over Kentucky heading into halftime.
The Gamecocks are shooting a staggering 47% from the field and 57% from the 3-point line, led by a game-high 12-point performance by Tessa Johnson. Johnson is 4-of-8 from the field and 2-of-3 from 3. Madina Okot has already recorded a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds, nearly half of South Carolina’s 21 total rebounds.
South Carolina’s defense has been just as active and turnovers are starting to pile up for Kentucky. The Wildcats have surrendered 10 turnovers that have led to 13 points for the Gamecocks.
Clara Stack and Amelia Hassett each have six points for Kentucky, which is shooting 41% from the field and 38% (3-of-8) from 3. −Cydney Henderson
Halftime: Oklahoma State 33, Kansas State 31
Oklahoma State has a two-point advantage over Kansas State following a back-and-forth first half in the Big 12 Tournament quarterfinal matchup in Kansas City.
Jadyn Wooten has been borderline unstoppable for Oklahoma State, scoring 14 of the Cowgirls’ 33 points while shooting 6-of-8 from the field and 2-of-2 from the 3-point line. Stailee Heard is closing in on a double-double with nine points and seven rebounds, while Amari Whiting added seven points and four rebounds.
The Cowgirls are controlling the boards early, outrebounding the Wildcats 20-13, including six offensive rebounds.
Taryn Sides leads Kansas State with eight points and two rebounds. Nastja Claessens has seven points and three rebounds. The Wildcats are hot from the 3-point line (6-of-15) so far, continuing a trend after setting a Big 12 Tournament record with 17 made 3-pointers in their first round win vs. Cincinnati. −Cydney Henderson
Halftime: UCLA 27, Washington 24
Top-seeded UCLA was in trouble in the first quarter, scoring six points in the first 10 minutes. The Bruins trailed by as many as 12 points but recovered from that slow start to score 21 in the second quarter, going on a 15-2 run over the final six minutes of the half at the Big Ten Tournament in Indianapolis.
Neither team is shooting well from 3-point range so far; UCLA is 0-for-3 from range, while Washington is 2-for-12. The two teams also have 18 combined turnovers.
Big Ten Player of the Year Lauren Betts is leading UCLA with 10 points on 5-of-10 shooting. −Chloe Peterson
Oklahoma State goes on 13-0 run vs. Kansas State
Oklahoma State is settling in. After falling into a 17-11 deficit against Kansas State, the Cowgirls took control of the game and went on an 13-0 run to take a seven-point lead with 8:27 remaining in the second quarter, their largest of the game. −Cydney Henderson
Duke’s lead is over 20, Ashlon Jackson scores
After Clemson came up empty of the first four possessions of the second half, Duke extended its lead with the help of two timely scores from Ashlon Jackson. Jackson helped extend Duke’s 22 point lead. −Meghan L. Hall
No. 12 Kansas State vs. No. 4 Oklahoma State, noon | ESPNU
Kansas State Wildcats starting lineup
Head coach: Jeff Mittie
- 3 Brandie Harrod | G 6-1 – Freshman
- 4 Nastja Claessens | F 6-1 – Junior
- 6 Gina Garcia | G 5-10 – Freshman
- 11 Taryn Sides | G 5-7 – Junior
- 34 Tess Heal | G 5-10 – Senior
Oklahoma State Cowgirls starting lineup
Head coach: Jacie Hoyt
- 1 Amari Whiting| G 5-10 – Junior
- 3 Micah Gray | G 5-8 – Senior
- 11 Achol Akot | F 6-1 – Junior
- 13 Haleigh Timmer | G 5-11 – Senior
- 32 Stailee Heard | G 5-11 – Junior
No. 9 Washington vs. No. 1 UCLA, noon | Big Ten Network
UCLA Bruins starting lineup
Head coach: Cori Close
- 1 Kiki Rice | G 5-11 Senior
- 5 Charlisse Leger-Walker | G 5-10 Graduate
- 8 Gianna Kneepkens | G 6-0 Graduate
- 11 Gabriela Jaquez | G 6-0 Senior
- 51 Lauren Betts | C 6-7 Senior
Washington Huskies starting lineup
Head coach: Tina Langley
- 0 Sayvia Sellers | G 5-7 Junior
- 1 Hannah Stines | G 5-11 Senior
- 2 Avery Howell | G 6-0 Sophomore
- 24 Elle Ladine | G 5-11 Senior
- 21 Brynn McGaughy | F 6-3Freshman
Halftime: Duke 38, Clemson 19
Duke might have avenging its February 22 loss to Clemson on its mind. The Blue Devils are shooting 47% from the field and 56% from deep at halftime. Duke also has two players in double figures, including standout Toby Fournier. Fournier leads all scorers with 12 points. Surprisingly, 3-point specialist Ashlon Jackson has yet to score.
For Clemson, Duke’s length and size are giving the Tigers trouble. Clemson can’t get past the Blue Devils’ sweltering defense, forcing it to shoot just 36% from the field. The Tigers also have 11 turnovers. −Meghan L. Hall
Duke builds 17-point lead in second quarter
Duke’s clicking on all cylinders as they force Clemson into touch shots and turnovers with its length and size. What’s more, they’ve built their lead all without starter Ashlon Jackson scoring.
No. 9 Kentucky vs No. 1 South Carolina, 12 p.m. ET | ESPN
Kentucky Wildcats starting lineup
Head coach: Kenny Brooks
- 5 Tonie Morgan | G 5-9 Senior
- 8 Asia Boone | G 5-8 Junior
- 7 Teonni Key | F 6-5 Senior
- 32 Amelia Hassett | F 6-4 Senior
- 13 Clara Strack | F 6-5 Junior
South Carolina Gamecocks starting lineup
Head coach: Dawn Staley
- 25 Raven Johnson | G 5-9 Senior
- 00 Ta’Niya Latson | G 5-9 Senior
- 5 Tessa Johnson | G 6-0 Junior
- 8 Joyce Edwards | F 6-3 Sophomore
- 11 Madina Okot | C 6-6 Senior
Duke’s Toby Fournier shows off shooting skills
Duke’s Toby Fournier has the hot hand early from deep. Fournier had already sank two huge 3-pointers to help Duke go up 20-14 over Clemson.
No. 9 Clemson vs. No. 1 Duke 11:00 a.m. ET | ESPN2
Duke Blue Devils starting lineup
Head coach: Kara Lawson
- 4 Riley Nelson | G 6-2 – Sophomore
- 3 Ashlon Jackson | G 6-0 – Senior
- 12 Delaney Thomas | F 6-3 – Junior
- 22 Taina Mair | G 5-9- Senior
- 35 Toby Fournier | F 6-2 – Sophomore
Head coach: Shawn Poppie
- 10 Taylor Johnson-Matthews | G 5-9 – Senior
- 11 Rusne Augustinaite | G 6-0 – Junior
- 14 Rachel Rose | G 5-7 – Senior
- 25 Demeara Hinds | F 6-2- Senior
- 32 Raven Thompson | F 5-10 – Senior
ACC Tournament schedule, bracket, scores
March 4
First round
- Game 1: No. 12 Miami 83 vs. No. 13 Stanford 76
- Game 2: No. 10 Cal 75 vs. No. 15 Wake Forest 52
- Game 3: No. 11 Georgia Tech 72 vs. No. 14 Florida State 60
March 5
Second round
- Game 4 No. 9 Clemson 63 vs. No. 8 Virginia 50
- Game 5: No. 5 Notre Dame 69 vs. No. 12 Miami 54
- Game 6: No. 7 Syracuse 70 vs. No. 10 California 59
- Game 7: No. 6 Virginia Tech 62 vs. No. 11 Georgia Tech 54
March 6
Quarterfinals
- Game 8: No. 9 Clemson vs. No. 1 Duke (11:00 a.m.; ESPN2)
- Game 9: No. 5 Notre Dame vs. No. 4 NC State (1:30 p.m.; ACCN)
- Game 10: No. 7 Syracuse vs. No. 2 Louisville (5:00 p.m.; ESPN2)
- Game 11: No. 6 Virginia Tech vs. No. 3 UNC (7:30 p.m.; ACCN)
March 7
Semifinals
- Game 12: Winner Game 9 vs. Winner Game 8 (Noon ET; ESPN2)
- Game 13: Winner Game 11 vs. Winner Game 10 (2:30 p.m. ET; ESPN2)
March 8
- Championship: Winner Game 12 vs. Winner Game 13 (1:00 p.m. ET; ESPN)
SEC Tournament schedule, bracket, scores
Wednesday, March 4 – First round
- #9 Kentucky 94, #16 Arkansas 64
- #12 Florida 86, #13 Mississippi State 68
- #15 Auburn 50, #10 Texas A&M 49
- #11 Alabama 65, #14 Missouri 48
Thursday, March 5 – Second round
- #9 Kentucky 76, #8 Georgia 61
- #5 Oklahoma 82, #12 Florida 64
- #7 Ole Miss 73, #15 Auburn 57
- #11 Alabama 76, #6 Tennessee 64
Friday, March 6 – Quarterfinals
- Game 9 | #9 Kentucky vs. #1 South Carolina | 12 p.m. ET | ESPN
- Game 10 | # 5 Oklahoma vs. #4 LSU | 2:30 p.m. ET | ESPN
- Game 11 | #7 Ole Miss vs. #2 Vanderbilt| 6 p.m. ET | SEC Network
- Game 12 | #11 Alabama vs. #3 Texas | 8:30 p.m. ET | SEC Network
Saturday, March 7 – Semifinals
- Game 13 | G9 winner vs. G10 winner | 4:30 p.m. ET | ESPN2
- Game 14 | G11 winner vs. G12 winner | 7 p.m. ET | ESPN2
Sunday, March 8 – Championship
- Game 15 | G13 winner vs. G14 winner | 3 p.m. ET | ESPN
Big Ten Tournament schedule, bracket, scores
The 2026 Big Ten women’s basketball tournament unfolds over five days during March, with all games played in Indianapolis.
Here’s the daily schedule:
Wednesday, March 4 – First round
- #13 Indiana 72, #12 Nebraska 69
- #10 Illinois 82, #15 Wisconsin 70
- #11 Oregon 71, #14 Purdue 65
Thursday, March 5 – Second round
- #8 Washington 76, #9 USC 64
- #5 Ohio State 83, #13 Indiana 59
- #10 Illinois 71, #7 Michigan State 69
- #11 Oregon 73, #6 Maryland 68
Friday, March 6 – Quarterfinals
- Game 8 | #1 UCLA vs. #8 Washington | 12 p.m. ET | BTN
- Game 9 | #4 Minnesota vs. #5 Ohio State | 25 minutes following Game 8 | BTN
- Game 10 | #2 Iowa vs. #10 Illinois | 6:30 p.m. ET | BTN
- Game 11 | #3 Michigan vs. #11 Oregon | 25 minutes following Game 10 | BTN
Saturday, March 7 – Semifinals
- Game 12 | G8 winner vs. G9 winner | 2 p.m. ET | BTN
- Game 13 | G10 winner vs. G11 winner | 4:30 p.m. ET | BTN
Sunday, March 8 – Championship
- Game 14 | G12 winner vs. G13 winner | 2:15 p.m. ET | CBS
Big 12 Tournament schedule, bracket, scores
All times Eastern
March 4
First Round
- Game 1: No. 12 Kansas State 91, No. 13 Cincinnati 66
- Game 2:No. 9 BYU 76, No. 16 Houston 66
- Game 3: No. 10 Arizona State 54, No. 15 Arizona 51
- Game 4: No. 11 Kansas 56, No. 14 UCF 35
March 5
Second Round
- Game 5: No. 12 Kansas State 58, No. 5 Texas Tech
- Game 6: No. 9 BYU 70, No. 8 Utah 52
- Game 7: No. 10 Arizona State 77, No. 7 Iowa State 68
- Game 8: No. 6 Colorado 55, No. 11 Kansas 48
March 6
Quarterfinals
- Game 9: No. 12 Kansas State vs. No. 4 Oklahoma State | noon (ESPNU)
- Game 10: No. 9 BYU vs. No. 1 TCU | 2:30 p.m. (ESPNU)
- Game 11: No. 10 Arizona State vs. No. 2 West Virginia | 6:30 p.m. (ESPN+)
- Game 12: No. 6 Colorado vs. No. 3 Baylor | 9 p.m. (ESPN+)
March 7
Semifinals
- Game 13: Winner of Game 9 vs. Winner of Game 10 | 4:00 p.m. (ESPN+)
- Game 14: Winner of Game 11 vs. Winner of Game 12 | 6:30 p.m. (ESPN+)
March 8
- Championship: Winner of Game 13 vs. Winner of Game 14 | 5:00 p.m. (ESPN+)