By Dave Vest
The NCAA women’s basketball tournament field has been expanded from 64 teams to 68 teams effective this season.
Nevertheless, many experts are predicting that only three teams: South Carolina, Connecticut, and Stanford have a realistic shot to win the NCAA tournament. The oddsmakers agree; those three schools entered the season as heavy co-favorites to capture the title, all listed at (or around) +300.
But who wants to bet on the chalk? For those who prefer the contrarian lifestyle, here are three dark horses worth dropping some cash on:
Maryland (+750)
All five starters from last season’s Big Ten championship squad are back for the Terps, who reached the Sweet Sixteen in 2020-21.
However, Maryland has struggled to win games early this season because of injuries and illnesses to key players. At one point they were down to just seven healthy participants.
But make no mistake, when all of its players are healthy, Maryland can compete with any team.
Forward/guard Angel Reese has shined while Maryland has played short-handed early in the season, and she will be a nice complement to backcourt starters Katie Benzan, arguably the best 3-point shooter in the nation, and Diamond Miller once they have fully recovered.
🏀 17.5 points
— Maryland Women’s Basketball (@TerpsWBB) December 13, 2021
🏀 9.0 rebounds
🏀 20 pts/10 rebs/3 blocks at No. 1 South Carolina@Reese10Angel is on the Big Ten Player of the Week Honor Roll for the third time this year! 🐢👏#FTT x #TheMI22ION pic.twitter.com/KX2wzcfktP
North Carolina State (+1500)
The Wolfpack has won back-to-back ACC tournament championships and is looking to reach the Final Four for the first time since 1998.
The team’s top eight scorers from last season have returned, including leading scorer and rebounder Elissa Cunane. Transfer Diamond Johnson from Rutgers is a highly-regarded offensive threat who will add depth to an already deep and cohesive unit.
The Wolfpack turned heads and gained confidence with resounding victories over Maryland and Washington State at the early season Baha Mar tournament in the Bahamas.
Just having fun with it.
— #2 NC State WBB 🐺🏀 (@PackWomensBball) December 13, 2021
💯🔥🎯 pic.twitter.com/v90nrT6rWu
Arizona (+6000)
Led by brazen coach Adia Barnes, the Wildcats shocked the nation by reaching the national title game last season as a No. 3 seed.
Point guard Aari McDonald was the star of that team, but she’s gone to the WNBA.
Still, hope for another deep run in the tournament is not lost considering Arizona returns three of last year’s starters, including All-Pac-12 performers Cate Reese and Sam Thomas.
If Arizona can fix its dreadful free-throw shooting, it could again be a factor in the national title hunt come March.
Top-5 🐻⬇️ #MadeForIt pic.twitter.com/UO09LpE5LT
— Arizona Women's Basketball (@ArizonaWBB) December 13, 2021
Picture Credit: Wikimedia
