MarchMadness
Game 1 · 11 AM · ACCN
#12 Seed
Miami
16–13 Overall · 8–10 ACC
VS
11 AM · ACCN
#13 Seed
Stanford
19–13 Overall · 8–10 ACC
Regular Season
Miami 66 – Stanford 51
Miami 66 – Stanford 51
Key Players
Miami Hurricanes
GR
G · Transfer (Quinnipiac)
Gal Raviv
Led scorers in reg. season matchup with 19 PTS
Former MAC Player & Rookie of the Year. Averaged 17.9 PPG at Quinnipiac. The engine of Miami’s offense.
RK
F · Transfer
Ra Shaya Kyle
17 Double-Doubles
Tied ACC Lead
11 pts & 14 rebs in the regular season matchup. One of the ACC’s most dominant post presences.
Stanford Cardinal
LS
Fr. · F · Adelaide, Australia
Lara Somfai
10.7 PPG
9.2 RPG
7 Dbl-Dbl
Historic freshman. Her 23-reb, 8-ast, 15-pt game at Pitt made her just the 2nd player in NCAA history with that stat line. 4× ACC Rookie of the Week.
NA
Jr. · F
Nunu Agara
15.2 PPG (team-high)
Stanford’s leading scorer. One of 5 Cardinal players averaging double figures.
Keys to the Game
1
Shut down the 3. Miami held Stanford to just 14.3% from three (3-for-21) in the regular season meeting. If they replicate that, Stanford’s balanced five-player attack gets neutralized.
2
Stanford must attack the rim. The Cardinal cut the deficit to 4 by driving inside, then faltered when they reverted to perimeter shots. Shot selection is everything.
3
Miami’s depth is the edge. All five Miami starters scored in double figures in the regular season matchup. That balance is hard to scheme against in a single game.
4
Ball security for Stanford. Turnovers and sloppy play have plagued the Cardinal all season. A clean game is a prerequisite for an upset.
14.3%
Miami’s 3PT Defense vs Stanford
Stanford shot 3-for-21 from deep in the regular season meeting — if that holds, Miami wins going away.
🏆 Prediction
Miami Advances
Miami holds the head-to-head edge, the defensive blueprint, and a balanced roster. Stanford is trending up behind Somfai, but the Hurricanes are the safer pick.
5
Stanford players averaging 10+ PPG — one of only 13 schools nationally
66–51
Final score of the regular season matchup, won by Miami in Coral Gables
17
Kyle double-doubles on the season — tied for the most in the ACC
Game 2 · 1:30 PM · ACCN
#10 Seed
California
18–13 Overall · 9–9 ACC
VS
1:30 PM · ACCN
#15 Seed
Wake Forest
14–16 Overall · 4–14 ACC
Regular Season
Cal 61 – Wake Forest 52
Cal 61 – Wake Forest 52
Key Players
California Golden Bears
LT
Jr. · G
Lulu Twidale
Multiple 30-pt games
7+ AST · 7+ 3PT
One of only two players nationally with multiple 30-pt, 7-assist, 7-triple games. A nightmare matchup for any defender.
SW
G
Sakima Walker
17 PTS vs Wake Forest
3 BLK
Posted 17 points and 3 blocks in the regular season win over the Deacons. Versatile two-way threat.
Wake Forest Demon Deacons
GO
So. · F
Grace Oliver
14.5 PPG
6.2 RPG
Wake Forest’s engine on both ends. Leads the team in scoring and is tied for the team lead in rebounding. Needs a massive night for any upset.
MB
Fr. · G
Milan Brown
7.75 team 3PM/G (last 4)
Part of a Deacons squad that has been on fire from deep lately. If the threes fall early, Wake can hang around.
Keys to the Game
1
Stop Twidale — if you can. She’s practically unstoppable one-on-one. Wake Forest needs to throw multiple bodies at her and force others to beat them.
2
Wake must catch fire from three. The Deacons have hit 7.75 threes per game over their last four outings. If that pace continues, they can stay competitive.
3
Cal’s depth vs. Wake’s fight. The Bears are a 9-9 ACC team with legit talent. Wake is a 4-14 conference team needing everything to go right.
4
Series momentum matters. Cal has won three straight in this series, including this season’s matchup. Mental edge belongs to the Bears.
3–2
Cal’s All-Time Series Advantage
Bears have won three straight matchups, including a 9-point regular season win in Berkeley.
🏆 Prediction
California Advances
Cal is the clear favorite with the better roster, the series edge, and Twidale as an ace. Wake will compete, especially if the 3-ball is falling, but it’s the Bears’ game to lose.
7.75
Wake Forest 3-pointers made per game over their last 4 contests
61–52
Cal’s regular season win over Wake Forest in Berkeley
30+
Twidale has posted multiple 30-point games — among the ACC’s elite scorers
Game 3 · 4 PM · ACCN
#11 Seed
Georgia Tech
13–17 Overall · 8–10 ACC
VS
4 PM · ACCN
#14 Seed
Florida State
10–20 Overall · 5–13 ACC
Regular Season
Georgia Tech 80 – FSU 69
Georgia Tech 80 – FSU 69
Key Players
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
TW
So. · G
Talayah Walker
17.0 PPG
3× 30-pt games
Program Record
One of only 3 ACC players with 3 30-point games this season — a new Georgia Tech program record. Scored 24 in the regular season win over FSU. When locked in, she’s unguardable.
BT
G/F · Transfer (Florida State)
Brianna Turnage
10.9 RPG
National Leader
Playing against her former team. Leads Tech in rebounds, blocks AND steals — the only player in the country with those numbers. A walking triple-double threat.
Florida State Seminoles
SW
Jr. · G
Solé Williams
15.4 PPG
86.6% FT
FSU’s only real offensive weapon. Ranks top 10 in ACC in scoring and top 5 in free throw percentage. If she doesn’t go off, the Seminoles have limited options.
JS
Sr. · G
Jasmine Shavers
11.7 PPG (last 10)
4.4 RPG
Reliable second option and FSU’s best perimeter threat outside of Williams. Needs to take pressure off Solé.
Keys to the Game
1
Georgia Tech’s defensive identity. Tech is 9–1 when holding opponents under 40% shooting. Against FSU’s struggling offense, that’s very achievable — and that means a Yellow Jacket win.
2
Turnage vs. her old team. Brianna Turnage transferred from FSU in the offseason. She’s the only player in the country leading in rebounds, blocks, AND steals. Expect extra motivation tonight.
3
Can FSU contain Walker? Talayah Walker scored 24 in the regular season meeting. FSU needs a totally different defensive game plan or this gets out of hand fast.
4
Scoring margin advantage. Georgia Tech averages 66 PPG against FSU’s defense that gives up 77.2 PPG. The offense-defense matchup actually favors Tech on paper.
9–1
Georgia Tech’s Record When Holding Opponents Under 40% Shooting
The game plan is simple — lock down FSU’s offense and let Walker and Turnage do the rest.
🏆 Prediction
Georgia Tech Advances
Tech won the regular season matchup by 11 on the road. At a neutral site with Turnage playing her former teammates and Walker ready to explode, the Yellow Jackets should get this done. Best game of the day.
9–1
Georgia Tech record when holding opponents under 40% FG
80–69
Regular season result — Tech won on the road in Tallahassee
+11.2
Scoring edge for Tech: they avg 66 PPG vs FSU’s 77.2 PPG allowed
Discover more from KB Sports Media
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
