N.C.A.A. Women’s Tournament: What to Watch as the Field Narrows to 16

March 21, 2022
Sport

Belmont played tougher defense than its opponent was expecting and hit timely baskets, trading the lead with fifth-seeded Oregon before outlasting it. The sophomore guard Tuti Jones led the Bruins with 22 points, while Destinee Wells — a 2021 tournament favorite — had 16 points and 7 assists.

Now, the battle for Tennessee will take place in that state’s women’s basketball mecca, Thompson-Boling Arena, in Knoxville, the house the Hall of Fame coach Pat Summitt built.

Fourth-seeded Tennessee prevailed over Buffalo in the first round, 80-67, but it wasn’t effortless. The storied program last made it out of the second round in 2016 — before that trip, it had fallen short of the round of 16 only once, in 2009. The Lady Volunteers, then, are long overdue for a tournament run, and they are relying on guards Rae Burrell and Jordan Horston to force the issue.

Tennessee’s Tamari Key could be the difference maker. A 6-foot-6 center, she has several inches on the tallest players who play for Belmont. Although they defended Oregon’s 6-foot-7 Sedona Prince well, the Bruins could be vulnerable if Key and her teammates find a way to exploit the mismatch. Otherwise, Belmont is well positioned to slay another giant.

Central Florida vs. Connecticut | 9 p.m. | ESPN