The Texas Longhorns have jumped Vanderbilt to claim the final No. 1 seed in the latest NCAA selection committee reveal, positioning them for a potential epic SEC tournament semifinal against the Commodores. The debate isn't just about seeding; if Texas advances past Vanderbilt, they could contend for the third overall No. 1 seed, challenging South Carolina's position.
Texas's strong non-conference resume, including a win over South Carolina and being the only team to defeat UCLA this season, bolsters their case. Success in the SEC tournament could see them leapfrog the Gamecocks due to superior Quad 1 wins.
The article also highlights several standout players: North Carolina's Elina Aarnisalo has rediscovered her form since rejoining the starting lineup; South Carolina's Madina Okot has surprisingly become a three-point threat while maintaining interior dominance; Michigan's Olivia Olson is carrying her team with career-best performances; and Notre Dame's Hannah Hidalgo solidified her ACC Player of the Year claim with a dominant final regular-season showing.
The updated power rankings list includes UConn, UCLA, Vanderbilt, Texas, LSU, Michigan, Louisville, Duke, Oklahoma, TCU, Iowa, Maryland, Minnesota, UNC, Kentucky, Baylor, Columbia, Alabama, and Princeton.