Women's NCAA Tournament: Sweet 16 Takes Shape on Day 4
The second round of the women's NCAA tournament concludes, setting the stage for the Sweet 16. Louisville and Michigan prepare for a key matchup ahead.
The final day of the second round of the 2026 women's NCAA tournament is in progress as teams vie for a spot in the Sweet 16. ESPN is providing comprehensive coverage of all Day 4 results, along with insights from reporters analyzing how each game was won and predictions for the advancing teams.
In a tense matchup, Louisville managed to fend off Alabama, who nearly handed the Cardinals a sixth home loss this season. Despite struggling at the free-throw line, where they converted only 8 of 16 attempts, and hitting just 7 of 26 from beyond the arc, Louisville's dominance on the boards—outrebounding Alabama 41-24—played a crucial role in their victory. The Cardinals were also disciplined defensively, committing only 10 fouls compared to Alabama's 21.
Louisville's key players included Tajianna Roberts and Elif Istanbulluoglu, each contributing 18 points, while Laura Ziegler added 12 points. This win marks Louisville's 13th advancement to the Sweet 16, as they prepare to face Michigan in the Fort Worth 3 Regional. Alabama's season concludes with a record of 24-11, falling short of their first Sweet 16 appearance since 1998, despite a strong performance from freshman Ace Austin, who led the team with 17 points.
Looking ahead, Louisville will face a formidable Michigan team that has won its first two tournament games decisively, defeating Holy Cross by 35 points and NC State by 29. Michigan's standout sophomores, Olivia Olson and Syla Swords, who scored 27 and 26 points respectively in their last game, present significant challenges for the Cardinals. Louisville will need to improve their perimeter defense, as they cannot afford to give the Wolverines open shots from three-point range. The Cardinals are aiming for their ninth trip to the Elite Eight, while Michigan seeks its second appearance.