Teams are snapping up tickets to the Sweet 16 on Sunday.
Don’t forget to check out Austin Mock’s Projection Mount to see how your team can expect to perform in each game. If you filled out our “Beat the Experts” column, check out your battle with our expert Chantel Jennings.
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Follow all the action from round two:
Brooks out for NC State
Zoe Brooks was ruled out of the second-round game against second-seeded Michigan after suffering a foot injury midway through the third quarter of North Carolina State’s first-round win. The junior guard missed the final 15 minutes of Friday’s game against Tennessee, but she did not practice Saturday and was wearing a boot and crutches before Sunday’s game. Brooks is averaging 16 points per game, which ranks second on the Pack behind Camille Pierre (16.8).
This is the first game Brooks has missed all season and only the second time in her college career. Destiny “Kyshe” Lunan will start her career in place of Brooks. The first-year guard is averaging 4.5 points per game on 35.4 percent shooting, so North Carolina will likely need another big performance from sophomore Za’Marea Jones to keep dancing. Jones scored a career-high 30 points in a win over the Lady Vols, including 13 points after Brooks was injured. Pierre will also be a focal point against the smaller Wolverines frontcourt.
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The Wolfpack’s rotation is short, with single defender Lu Nan averaging double-digit minutes off the bench. They must play bigger and provide more playing time to wingers Devin Quigley and Cadence Samuels, although neither is much of a scoring threat.
During the ESPN broadcast, sideline reporter Jess Sims said the Wolfpack is optimistic Brooks will be able to play if they advance to the Sweet 16, as they have in four of the last five seasons. – Sabrina Merchant
What you need to know about the Women’s Championship
• How does Iowa avoid a first-round collapse?
• Was this the right call at the end of Clemson’s losing season in regulation?
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• A former speaking tour basketball player named “Peps” is Minnesota’s ultimate hype woman? Sign me up
• Tennessee’s first-round exit raises the question: Can the program regain its edge under Kim Caldwell?
• We have reseeded the tournament. Here are 16 teams we think have the potential to win them all.
This article originally appeared in The Athletic.
North Carolina Wolfpack, Women’s College Basketball
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