Is there a Cinderella in Tennessee, Minnesota, or Alabama?
All three programs could crush March Madness brackets.
Underdog wins game is not just a headline, it’s a box score.
Top teams that easily pull ahead make rivals doubt themselves.
When an underdog beats a favorite, that’s when a “we weren’t supposed to be here” story resonates with fans.
Alabama has been one of those teams this year, hovering just below the top 20 mark or falling out of rankings with their five losses on the season.
The Crimson Tide are led by senior guard, Jessica Timmons, who recently had a season high of 28 points on Jan. 25 against Mississippi State. Timmons is a versatile player who leads the offense with poise and shows aggressiveness on defense that could hang with even a few of the top teams.
Though Alabama has only reentered the top 25 this past week, they have the ferocity to rise through the rankings and challenge some of the best teams.
Though the SEC has been a strong conference, there have been quite a few BIG10 teams that have drawn attention this year. One that has specifically caught my eye is Minnesota.
The Golden Gophers are 18-6 on the season, though not one of the most impressive records, they are ranked No. 10 overall in the most recent NCAA Net Rankings.
Minnesota is on an impressive seven-game winning streak over BIG10 opponents, including Oregon, Wisconsin, Penn State, and Purdue. And, they are 10-4 in conference play.
Mara Braun, a key player for the Golden Gophers, has struggled with foot injuries for the past two seasons, but has made a comeback to support Minnesota in a less vital role this season. Averaging 11 points and over 2 assists per game, Braun has also made her voice heard from the bench and in timeouts.
One of the tells of a successful team is open and supportive communication from the bench to the court, and the Golden Gophers are one of the most vocal teams in the top 25 right now.
Tennessee used to be one of the biggest women’s basketball dynasties in the NCAA, but in recent years they have fallen off and struggled in the tournament.
The Volunteers are currently ranked at No. 21 in NCAA Net rankings and have recently won against ranked opponents such as Kentucky and Alabama.
Tennessee is 16-6 on the season and are currently ranked No. 3 in SEC standings behind Vanderbilt.
Though no seed below three has ever won the NCAA women’s basketball National Championship, this season has the makings of changing history.
Thank you for reading Female Athlete News. Clara Romae Slowinski is a student-athlete at Penn State University.