The first two days of the 2024 women’s NCAA tournament featured many close finals. UNC, Nebraska and Oklahoma won their games by 3 points or less. Kansas defeated Michigan in additional time, keeping off the Wolverines’ fourth-quarter push. So far, nevertheless, the tournament has been a bit crazy. There was just one seeding setback (No. 11 seed Middle Tennessee over No. 6 seed Louisville), and the closest game that involved a No. 1 or No. 2 seed was Ohio State’s 23-point victory over Maine.
The lack of wobbles in the first round does not imply we lack noteworthy results or performances. Instead, on Saturday, a star scorer took over late in the game to stave off defeat, one other star scorer struggled but almost ended up with a triple-double anyway, and an unusual situation involving the referees.
Substitutes are necessary… even when refereeing
You can expect some madness in March… but not like this.
Keen observers noticed a referee change during halftime of the NC State-Chattanooga game. The NCAA released an announcement explaining that there was a “background conflict that, if known, would prevent (the official) from working the assigned game.”
According to her LinkedIn page, the official in query – Tommi Paris – holds a master’s degree from the University of Chattanooga. Referees shouldn’t have any conflict of interest with any team in the matches they officiate.
Making things much more confusing, Paris was replaced by Angelica Suffren, an official who was part of the three-person crew that officiated the Tennessee-Green Bay game earlier in the day. NCAA protocol would have required a reserve referee to affix the game for Paris as an alternative.
Paris also served as the referee for the Mississippi State-Chattanooga regular-season game in December.
DEEPER
Officials Changed NC State-Chattanooga Position Due to ‘Background Conflict’
Is the Big 12 back?
The Big 12 had a fairly disastrous 2023 NCAA Tournament. Conference tournament champion Iowa State was upset in the first round, regular-season champion Texas lost at home in the second round, and the Big 12 was the only power conference with out a representative in the Sweet 16.
Fast forward one season and things couldn’t have gone higher in the conference.
The NCAA Tournament began off strong for the Big 12 on Selection Sunday, with Texas ending last in the standings and the conference being assigned to 2 host teams despite an uncertain end to the season for fourth-seeded Kansas State. In the first round of the competition, the Big 12 once more has the unique distinction of being the only conference still undefeated in the tournament.
The conference was also accountable for several outstanding first-round performances. Iowa State freshman Audi Crooks scored more points than anyone else (40), and her Cyclones led a 20-point comeback against Maryland. Kansas trailed Michigan with five turnovers in the final two minutes to force additional time and then won in additional time.
Zakiyah Franklin from Kansas sends it to OT!
(By @MarchMadnessWBB) pic.twitter.com/7FscbXOu2Z
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) March 23, 2024
Oklahoma and West Virginia fended off popular bids against Twelfth-seeded Florida Gulf Coast and ninth-seeded Princeton, respectively, while the Longhorns and Wildcats took care of business at home. Add one Baylor win and the Big 12 has more wins than every other conference. While national attention has focused on the final season of the Pac-12 and the SEC, home of the last two champions, the mid-major conference has been on a roll, peaking at just the right time and winning games by stealth.
The Big 12 was considered a relative casualty of the conference realignment, as Texas and Oklahoma are heading in the right direction to be eliminated after this season. However, March shows that there may be some depth beyond the top two. Additionally, next yr’s conference will feature Arizona, Colorado and Utah; the first two won the tournament, and the fifth-seeded Utes are favored against Twelfth-seeded South Dakota State.
Perhaps 2023 was a turning point for the Big 12. The conference returns with a vengeance on this yr’s Big Dance.
Caitlin Clark nearly had a triple-double in Iowa’s victory over Holy Cross. (Matthew Holst/Getty Images)
Remembering to understand Caitlin Clark’s greatness
I actually have had the opportunity to see Caitlin Clark live persistently over the previous few seasons. Most often, I sit in the press row next to other people who find themselves in the same boat – Big Ten colleagues or individuals who cover the Big Ten recurrently. As I’ve said persistently, seeing her in person is totally different than watching her play on TV. Shooting? Yes. This part stays impressive. But it’s the passing – if you see the full court and the sharp angles – which are truly awe-inspiring.
I’m still impressed by her, but I’m used to being impressed. He raises the bar even for himself. No other player I’ve covered has such incredible skills you could concurrently think, “Wow, she’s not at her best today” and “We’re still a few rebounds away from a triple-double.” time.
Clark did not have her best performance in Saturday’s 91-65 first-round victory over Holy Cross. She made 2 of 8 shots in the first half and turned the ball over six times. Nadal finished the season with 27 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds.
DEEPER
Caitlin Clark leads Iowa past Holy Cross
But one of the truly lovely things about covering the NCAA Tournament (and the rise of women’s basketball coverage) is that I now sit next to individuals who have never seen Clark play in person. It’s an amazing reminder that what we’re seeing is not normal. For example, on Saturday, during Iowa’s first offensive play, Clark passed Kate Martin behind the back. There’s a great likelihood I didn’t even react (because how persistently have I seen this? I’m yawning – mostly joking), but from my right side I heard, “Oh my God! [gasp!] What a pass!” It was a good reminder to appreciate Clark’s game and never let her skill overshadow how extraordinary a triple-double (or near-triple-double) is.
