Here's a copy and paste of how the Hawks and Cavaliers stack up of the remaining 32 teams in the Women's NCAA tournament according to expert Charlie Creme:
12. Iowa Hawkeyes
Original seed: No. 2 (Birmingham 3)
First round: Defeated No. 15 FDU 58-48 (Saturday)
The Hawkeyes suffer the biggest drop among the top four seeds after their struggles with FDU. Despite playing in front of a big home crowd, Iowa could not put away the Knights, who hung around by making 10 3-pointers to the Hawkeyes' one. Ultimately, 6-foot-3 Ava Heiden was too much. The sophomore post scored half of Iowa's points (29) on 11-of-16 shooting. The 58 points were the fourth-lowest total for the Hawkeyes this season, and their offense might be becoming a concern. Iowa has fallen short of 65 points in four straight games.
32. Virginia Cavaliers
Original seed: No. 8 (Sacramento 4)
Results: Defeated Arizona State 57-55 (First Four); defeated Georgia 82-73 OT (Saturday)
The last time Virginia won two games in the same NCAA tournament was 2000, when Debbie Ryan led the Cavaliers into the regional semifinals. Big shots have got them here. Kymora Johnson's 3-pointer with 30 seconds left in the First Four against Arizona State was the difference, and then Romi Levy's banked-in 3 helped send Saturday's game against Georgia into overtime, where the Cavaliers then dominated and Sa'Myah Smith had five of her season-high 23 points. Johnson is the star, though. Her 28 points led the way against the Lady Bulldogs and she will be vital if Virginia can also upset Iowa.
My comment: So, Creme wasn't really impressed with the Hawks first game (duh, huh?!), but he rates Virginia as the worst of the remaining teams in the Dance.
Hope he's right!
Women's March Madness 2026: Ranking the remaining 32 teams
Story by Charlie Creme12. Iowa Hawkeyes
Original seed: No. 2 (Birmingham 3)
First round: Defeated No. 15 FDU 58-48 (Saturday)
The Hawkeyes suffer the biggest drop among the top four seeds after their struggles with FDU. Despite playing in front of a big home crowd, Iowa could not put away the Knights, who hung around by making 10 3-pointers to the Hawkeyes' one. Ultimately, 6-foot-3 Ava Heiden was too much. The sophomore post scored half of Iowa's points (29) on 11-of-16 shooting. The 58 points were the fourth-lowest total for the Hawkeyes this season, and their offense might be becoming a concern. Iowa has fallen short of 65 points in four straight games.
32. Virginia Cavaliers
Original seed: No. 8 (Sacramento 4)
Results: Defeated Arizona State 57-55 (First Four); defeated Georgia 82-73 OT (Saturday)
The last time Virginia won two games in the same NCAA tournament was 2000, when Debbie Ryan led the Cavaliers into the regional semifinals. Big shots have got them here. Kymora Johnson's 3-pointer with 30 seconds left in the First Four against Arizona State was the difference, and then Romi Levy's banked-in 3 helped send Saturday's game against Georgia into overtime, where the Cavaliers then dominated and Sa'Myah Smith had five of her season-high 23 points. Johnson is the star, though. Her 28 points led the way against the Lady Bulldogs and she will be vital if Virginia can also upset Iowa.
My comment: So, Creme wasn't really impressed with the Hawks first game (duh, huh?!), but he rates Virginia as the worst of the remaining teams in the Dance.
Hope he's right!
