We started the third round with 16 schools from 13 states representing 7 conferences. If every game went as expected (a higher seed beating a lower seed) the thid round should've ended with 8 schools from 7 states representing 5 conferences left in contention. Instead, due to one upset, the fourth round will be played out between 8 schools from 7 states representing 6 conferences.
Upset winner - Rutgers (3 seed out of the Big East conference).
Upset loser - Ohio State (2 seed out of the Big Ten conference).
Since there was only one upset, this wrap up borders on the boring. It's pretty easy to figure out which conference exceeded, and which conference disappointed, expectations. In terms of states, New Jersey exceeded expectations and Ohio disappointed expectations.
Overall, the Big 12 finally made it through a round without suffering an upset. This might be because there is only one Big 12 school left, Baylor. Although seeded second (and so expected to lose tomorrow) they were one of the six teams that the selection committee thought had a legitimate shot at a one seed and was actually placed ahead of Stanford. It should be really interesting to see how the game between them and North Carolina plays out. The Tar Heels are small and quick and Baylor has some huge, highly skilled post players.
The Big East was scheduled to lose both remaining schools this round but Rutgers pulled the upset, keeping conference hopes alive. Connecticut, however, was clearly outplayed down the stretch and bowed out on cue.
Both the ACC and the SEC have two teams remaining in the tournament. North Carolina and Duke could potentially meet in the Final Four. Tennessee and LSU would not meet until the championship game.
North Carolina is the only state that still has two schools participating.
On a more general note, it's disappointing (to me, at least) that, out of the 56 games played to date, there have been only 11 upsets. There may be a lot of talk from the heads on ESPN about parity in women's basketball but when you look at the elite eight and see all four of the number one seeds, three of the two seeds, and only one of the three seed left it makes me wonder. And most of the round three games, while closer in final margin than some of the earlier round blow-outs, didn't feel close. I guess we have to wait until next round for some of those nail-biting to-the-wire photo finishes (or replay the USC-MSU game. Funny how that was an eight seed Pac 10 team versus a one seed Big Ten school).
