TCU women’s basketball meets Virginia in the Sweet 16 on Saturday, with Olivia Miles leading the Horned Frogs in a high-stakes NCAA clash.
TCU women’s basketball is one win away from another Elite Eight, but the path there won’t be easy.
The Horned Frogs face Virginia on Saturday night in Sacramento, with Olivia Miles and Kymora Johnson headlining one of the most intriguing Sweet 16 matchups in the women’s NCAA Tournament.
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TCU enters at 31-5 after surviving a tense 62-59 overtime battle against Washington in the second round. That game showed exactly why this group is dangerous. Even when the offense stalled for stretches, the Horned Frogs stayed composed, defended at a high level, and got clutch plays from their stars.
Miles finished with 18 points, 10 rebounds, and eight assists, while Clara Silva added 16 points and Taylor Bigby chipped in 15.
Virginia, though, has become one of the tournament’s biggest stories.
The Cavaliers are 22-11 and arrive in the Sweet 16 after an impressive run that included a double-overtime upset of Iowa. Johnson was brilliant in that win, scoring 28 points while playing all 50 minutes.
Paris Clark added 20 points, and Virginia’s defense once again changed the game by forcing mistakes and turning turnovers into offense.
That defensive toughness is what makes this matchup so compelling. TCU holds opponents to 33 percent shooting, while Virginia allows 38 percent and blocks shots at an elite rate.
Both teams can make life miserable in the half-court, so execution and poise should matter as much as talent.
The difference for TCU may be its size and depth around Miles. Silva, Kennedy Basham, Marta Suarez, and Bigby give the Horned Frogs multiple impact players who can swing the game if Virginia focuses too heavily on the star guard.
Saturday’s tip is set for 6:30 p.m. CT on ESPN.
If TCU gets another complete performance, the Horned Frogs will have a real shot to keep this historic season rolling into the Elite Eight.
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