Women’s basketball bracketology: The second committee reveal

SOUTH BEND, IN - MARCH 03: Virginia Cavaliers guard Erica Martinsen (20) battles with Notre Dame Fight Irish guard Marina Mabrey (3) for the loose ball during the game between Virginia Cavilers and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish on March 03, 2019, at Purcell Pavilion in South Bend, IN. (Photo by Jeffrey Brown/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
SOUTH BEND, IN - MARCH 03: Virginia Cavaliers guard Erica Martinsen (20) battles with Notre Dame Fight Irish guard Marina Mabrey (3) for the loose ball during the game between Virginia Cavilers and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish on March 03, 2019, at Purcell Pavilion in South Bend, IN. (Photo by Jeffrey Brown/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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SOUTH BEND, IN – MARCH 03: Virginia Cavaliers guard Erica Martinsen (20) battles with Notre Dame Fight Irish guard Marina Mabrey (3) for the loose ball during the game between Virginia Cavilers and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish on March 03, 2019, at Purcell Pavilion in South Bend, IN. (Photo by Jeffrey Brown/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
SOUTH BEND, IN – MARCH 03: Virginia Cavaliers guard Erica Martinsen (20) battles with Notre Dame Fight Irish guard Marina Mabrey (3) for the loose ball during the game between Virginia Cavilers and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish on March 03, 2019, at Purcell Pavilion in South Bend, IN. (Photo by Jeffrey Brown/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

South Bend:

1. Notre Dame (ACC)
16. Southern (SWAC)

8. Michigan State
9. UCF

Syracuse:

5. Marquette (Big East)
12. Utah

4. Syracuse
13. Maine (America East)

The decision to send Notre Dame to Portland instead of Albany was an odd one, but ESPN bracketologist Charlie Creme explained it well on the air during the reveal show. With Greensboro and Chicago off the board, given to Baylor and Louisville respectively, Notre Dame would get the next pick. Albany is closer, so that would be the logical choice for the Irish. Except that it’s a flight for Notre Dame to get to either Albany or Portland. UConn could bus to Albany. The committee has shown that geography matters way more than it should, and that’s why Notre Dame is going to Portland instead of the Huskies.

Charlotte:

6. South Dakota State (Summit)
11. Buffalo

3. South Carolina
14. FGCU (ASUN)

Eugene:

7. Texas
10. Michigan

2. Oregon (Pac-12)
15. Idaho (Big Sky)

Despite being the 4 seed in the Big Ten Tournament, Michigan probably needs to win its quarterfinal game to feel completely secure in the field. Yeah, the Wolverines won 11 conference games, but they didn’t do much out of conference, and that might be huge. That neutral court win over Missouri is pretty much it.

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