UMass Minutewomen Set For New, Improved March Madness

Last year, March Madness experienced a significant shake-up.

Following multiple controversies that arose during and after last year’s NCAA women’s basketball tournament, several modifications have been implemented. Insufficient weight rooms were exposed through videos shared online, and an investigation revealed that the NCAA had vastly underestimated the value of women’s basketball.

A few changes are easily noticeable, such as the expansion of the bracket to accommodate 68 teams. Additionally, the women’s tournament is now being referred to as March Madness, a popular nickname previously exclusively used for the men’s tournament in its marketing and branding efforts.

According to Lynn Holzman, the NCAA’s vice president of women’s basketball,

The championship this year is set to bring numerous and significant improvements. These upgrades will result in a better experience for both women’s basketball student-athletes and fans alike.

Although Massachusetts residents are not allowed to place bets on tournament games, the state proudly hosts a women’s team that has secured its spot in the tournament.

Minutewomen finish the season strong

Even though the UMass Minutewomen had the potential to receive an invitation without winning the Atlantic 10 Tournament, they managed to do just that. Defying expectations as the No. 3 seed, they defeated Fordham, St. Joseph’s, and No. 1 seed Dayton to secure the conference’s automatic bid.

The Minutewomen’s triumph against the Flyers marked their fifth consecutive win, solidifying their historic achievement of claiming the program’s first-ever A-10 championship. Moreover, they have emerged victorious in 10 out of their last 11 games, with only one defeat registered since late January. Their remarkable record now stands at an impressive 26-6.

UMass proudly showcases its highly efficient offense, with a shooting percentage of nearly 44%, ranking them 40th nationwide. Additionally, their impressive total of 466 assists in the 2021-22 season places them tied for 36th in Division I.

In the Atlantic 10, the Three Minutewomen have three players who consistently score over 10 points per game. Among them, Sam Breen leads the team with an impressive 16.1 points per game, while Sydney Taylor closely follows with 15.8 points. Both Breen and Taylor rank among the top seven scorers in the conference.

Breen, who holds the league’s second-highest rebounding average of 10.3 boards per game, earned the title of Most Outstanding Player in the A-10 tournament. Taylor was also recognized for her performance and joined Breen on the All-Championship Team.

UMass’s chances at a deep run

The Minutewomen possess numerous strengths that make them a captivating team to observe this March. Their impressive 10-1 run towards the A-10 championship demonstrates that they are currently performing at the peak of their abilities.

UMass is well acquainted with high-level competition, as demonstrated by their non-conference achievements. They secured an impressive 18-point victory on the road against Big East rival Providence. Additionally, the Minutewomen reached the finals of the Gulf Coast Showcase, where they put up a strong fight against No. 13 Iowa State, ultimately losing by a close margin of 76-71 on neutral territory.

According to ESPN, UMass is predicted to be a No. 12 seed in the upcoming tournament. It’s worth noting that Dayton, the team that UMass defeated in the A-10 final, is currently on the edge of making it into the tournament. The Flyers are projected to be among the “last four in.”

The possibility of UMass winning it all may seem unlikely. This sentiment is shared by DraftKings and FanDuel, as they have not included the Minutewomen in their women’s basketball futures. Nevertheless, it wouldn’t be shocking if the A-10 champions have a decent performance.

ESPN will broadcast the NCAA women’s basketball selection show at 8 p.m. Eastern time on Sunday, March 13th.