What you need to know heading into the 2021 Women’s NCAA Tournament

Yahoo Sports College Expert Cassandra Negley takes you through the 2021 Women’s NCAA Tournament field, gives you the information you need to know before diving into your bracket, and gives you some upset specials that could bust some brackets.

Video transcript

CASSANDRA NEGLEY: This is Cassandra Negley with Yahoo Sports giving you the rundown of the Women's NCAA Tournament and what you might have missed. UConn is again a number one seed for the 22nd time in program history. It's led by sensational freshman Paige Bueckers. She's a walking bucket and is one of the best talents you'll see in the coming years.

The big thing this year is parity. There's about eight teams that have a realistic shot to win the title. It's not just UConn this time around. You have Stanford with the number one overall seed. They went on a nine-week road trip because of COVID 19 restrictions in Santa Clara County. They know how to win on the road. They were 14 and 2 on that trip. And they'll know how to get it done in San Antonio.

NC State is a number one seed for the first time in program history. They had a big year. They defeated two different number one teams in South Carolina and Louisville, which they actually defeated twice. Watch out for the Wolfpack and Elissa Cunane, who will guide them through the tournament. They're definitely an upset pick to watch, even though they are on the one seed.

Then there's South Carolina, another young team with Aliyah Boston in the post, Zia Cooke, and Destanni Henderson in the backcourt. You also have Baylor on the number two seed line. They're the reigning champions from 2019 and again have one of the best defenses in the country.

There's also Texas A&M. They went 9 and 0-- nine wins, zero losses-- against the top-25 teams in the country. Then there's Maryland, one of the best offenses in the country, averaging nearly 95 points a game. They have a balanced attack and can go to anyone to get the job done.

Some sneaky upset picks are Georgia in a tough SEC Conference. They have a very good defense and showed it in the SEC Tournament. Then there's Louisville. Louisville is in the ACC. Almost won the tournament title against NC State and has Dana Evans. Dana Evans started as the Freshman of the Year in the Conference. She moved up to Sixth Woman of the Year and is a two-time ACC Player of the Year.

That's our outlook on the NCAA Women's Tournament bracket. If you're watching the first and second rounds, keep an eye on Iowa. They're in the bracket with UConn. They have Caitlin Clark, who's scoring about 30 points a game. She's a freshman leading the nation. It could definitely be an upset pick. And if they make it through to UConn, that's a game you'll want to watch.