2025 Women’s NCAA Tournament Predictions: Round 2 (Monday)
Just like that, we are a day away from the Sweet 16 being set. With eight games on the schedule, fans and bettors will have some intriguing options open to them. We've taken a liking to three, and you can find them in our 'Best NCAAW Bets' list for the day.
Let's take a look at the games/markets in question.
- NCAA College Basketball Odds
- NCAA College Basketball Player Props
- NCAA College Basketball Picks & Predictions
- NCAA College Basketball Matchups
2025 NCAA Tournament March Madness Bracket Strategy & Betting Picks>>
2025 Women’s NCAA Tournament Predictions: Round 2
(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
Florida State (+425) vs. LSU(-10.5)
- Time: 6 p.m. ET
- Watch: ESPN
Neither team had a rough go of it in the first round. Florida State pounded George Mason into submission, 94-59. Ta'Niya Latson, the No. 1 scorer in the nation (25 points per game), led the way with 28 points. LSU beat San Diego State just as easily, 103-48. Flau’Jae Johnson led the charge, scoring 22 points. She was one of six players on the roster to score double-digit points.
The Tigers beat Florida State twice, 80-63 back in January and 101-87 in the SEC tournament.
Both teams struggled to a degree down the stretch run of the regular season, with the Seminoles going 4-4 and losing in their last two. LSU also went 4-4 but went 3-1 in their last four games (including the SEC tournament).
Both teams did their damage on the offensive end of the court; LSU averaged 85 points per game, and Florida State, No. 2 with 87.4 points per game). Neither has a great defense, so I don't expect either to slow down much, if at all, in this high-scoring game.
Pick: Over 169.5 Total Points (-110)
South Dakota State vs. UConn (-26.5)
- Time: 8 p.m. ET
- Watch: ESPN
South Dakota State earned a date with UConn after defeating the No. 7 seed Oklahoma State Cowboys, 74-68, in the first round. The Jackrabbits fell behind 31-24 in the first half but dominated the second half by outscoring Oklahoma State 50-37 to win by six.
However, competing with and beating an Oklahoma State team (No. 30 in scoring; No. 86 in points allowed) is not the same as facing one of the best teams in the country. UConn ranks first in points allowed this season at 51.3 and is in the top ten in scoring (81.5 points per game).
UConn shoots well from the field (51.1%), spreads the ball around (21.1 assists per game), doesn't turn the ball over much (No. 6, 7.97 per game), or commits many fouls (No. 5, 12.5 per game).
South Dakota State is a solid team when it's playing other mid-majors, but when they try to take a step up in class, not so much (0-3 vs. Quad 1 teams). They'll put up a valiant effort against the Huskies, but they don't belong on the same court as UConn. The Huskies will not blow them out of the water right away, but they'll cover the spread.
Pick: UConn -26.5 (-110)
Mississippi State (+1200) vs. USC (-16.5)
- Time: 10 p.m. ET
- Coverage: ESPN
Much like South Dakota State facing UConn, Mississippi State has a tall task ahead of it tonight if they are to advance to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2019. USC has been a force to be reckoned with this season and one of the frontrunners to win the national championship since the preseason.
With Wooden Awards favorite JuJu Watkins leading the way, the Trojans are one of the best scoring teams in the nation (No. 11 in the country, 81.1 ppg). Some offense-oriented teams are easy to score on, but not the Trojans (No. 62, 58.8 ppg allowed). However, taking down the Bulldogs will not be a walk in the park, either.
While playing in a very competitive SEC, Mississippi State averaged 75.5 ppg (No. 38) and allowed just 63.2 ppg (No. 141).
I do not think the Bulldogs will win this game; USC is too good of a team to let that happen. However, UCLA gave other teams the blueprint to compete with and possibly beat the Trojans-containing JuJu Watkins. Keep her from taking over the game and you've got a shot. That is easier said than done, of course. It took UCLA three tries to get it right.
Still, I think the Bulldogs will have moments where they slow her down, and those moments will keep the Trojans from covering the spread.
Pick: Mississippi State +16.5 (-110)