The true competition is set to kick off now.
Following Selection Sunday, the LSU Tigers, reigning champions, are gearing up for their journey towards potentially clinching victory in Cleveland. The complete bracket has been unveiled, positioning the Tigers as the No. 3 seed in the Albany Regional 2. As LSU secures a top-four seed, their home ground, the PMAC, will serve as a host site for the initial two rounds.
LSU’s opening clash is slated against the 14th seeded Rice Owls on Friday at 3:00 P.M., airing on ESPN. Should LSU emerge victorious, their next challenge awaits against either the 11th seed Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders or, interestingly, Hailey Van Lith’s former squad, the 6th seeded Louisville Cardinals.
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While the NCAA Tournament is undeniably a fierce contest, it’s also a televised spectacle, evident in the selection committee’s meticulous bracketing. Notably, LSU’s region’s top seed is none other than the Iowa Hawkeyes, whom LSU defeated in last year’s national championship game. Thus, to advance to Cleveland, LSU will likely have to confront Caitlin Clark and the Iowa team in the Elite 8.
South Carolina’s status as the top seed overall comes as no surprise in the tournament. Joining them as one-seeds are Iowa, USC, and Texas.