25 players to watch at the 2023 NCAA women's tournament

A first-team All-Big Ten selection by both the league's coaches and media, Berger has overcome a knee issue that forced her to miss six weeks of the regular season. Her scoring average might be down (12.5 points per game), but the graduate student, in her fifth season, remains a rock for the Hoosiers, who enter the NCAA Tournament at 27-3 and looking to put behind them a disappointing semifinal exit in the Big Ten Tournament. Berger has played in plenty of big games and is obviously of major value to Indiana, which is a No. 1 seed that has never reached the Final Four, and made just one Elite Eight appearance (2021).

Arguably the best player in the country, Boston is only averaging roughly 26 minutes per game thanks to the overall dominance — and depth — of the reigning national `champion Gamecocks (32-0). However, her overall game remains exceptional, even if the numbers (averages of 13.3 points, 9.7 rebounds, 2.0 blocks and 1.8 assists) don't scream out how dominant Boston can still be the rest of the way. The top-seeded Gamecocks are the undisputed favorites in the NCAA tournament, and Boston, two-time SEC Player of the Year and four-time league defensive player of the year, has the experience, talent and intelligence to prove her elite status when it matters most.

As always for the talented forward, Brink needs to stay on the floor. Foul trouble during the NCAA Tournament can doom a team, even ones as talented as the No. 1 seed Cardinal. The 6-foot-4 Brink, who leads the team averaging 14.9 points, 9.5 rebounds and 3.4 blocks, has fouled out in just two games this season. That trend must continue into the Big Dance, where Stanford expects to return to the Final Four for a third consecutive season. The Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year, Brink also totaled 55 points and 34 rebounds in the last three games, so she appears to be ready for the big time once again.

It appears to be a two-player race for national player of the year honors between the aforementioned Aliyah Boston and Clark. One of the greatest players the Big Ten has ever seen, and the league's player of the year for the second straight season, Clark is averaging 27.0 points, 8.3 assists and 7.5 rebounds. She's also totaled four triple-doubles in 2022-23, highlighted by her effort during the Hawkeyes' victory over Ohio State in Big Ten tournament final, which produced 30 points, 17 assists and 10 rebounds. Now, Clark, the only player in the country entering the NCAAs with more than 860 points, 235 rebounds, 265 assists and 45 steals, hopes to lead No 2 seed Iowa (26-6) to its first Final Four berth since 1993. 

Often lost in Aliyah Boston's shadow, Cooke's value to the South Carolina cause cannot be understated. She can do anything on the court, without drawing too much attention to herself. Cooke is the Gamecocks' leading scorer at 15.3 points per contest, a first-team All-SEC performer and a veteran senior who knows the rigors of March and what to expect from the NCAA tournament. Cooke is the type of player who can knock down the big shot or make a key defensive play to help her team when the lights shine the brightest.

Caitlin Clark is great, no doubt. But Iowa is more than a one-woman team. Czinano has enjoyed a special collegiate career, which has spanned five seasons. A four-time All-Big Ten first-team selection, she's topped the 2,000-point mark for her career, and is averaging 17.3 points while shooting 67.4 percent for the Hawkeyes in 2022-23. She's also averaging career highs of 6.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists entering the NCAA tournament. Czinano totaled 26 points and seven rebounds during Iowa's 105-72 rout of Ohio State in the Big Ten tournament title game.

It's been quite an interesting season for the Huskies. No Paige Bueckers. Geno Auriemma's health. Injuries that have plagued other talented UConn performers. But, as we enter the NCAA tournament, the Huskies are 29-5 with a No. 2 seed. And they can thank Edwards for much of that success. The first-team All-Big East performer, Edwards leads the team averaging 16.6 points and shooting 57.3 percent. She's also pulling down 9.2 boards per contest and dishing out 2.4 assists. It's obviously never wise to count UConn out this time of year, and Edwards is a big reason why.

While Aaliyah Edwards has been UConn's rock this season, Fudd might be the reason it makes another deep run in the NCAA Tournament. Knee issues have limited Fudd to 12 games this season, but she's averaged 15.5 points and 2.1 assists when on the floor. Having one of the nation's best players healthy and available for the tournament makes the Huskies a Final Four favorite once again. Fudd's presence alone seems to have uplifted a squad, and program, that rarely is not ready to roll amid the heart of March Madness. 

The issue with Texas in its 61-51 loss to Iowa State in the Big 12 tournament championship game wasn't that it broke down defensively, as the Cyclones shot just 33.3 percent. But, the Longhorns shot the same. Harmon, who averages more than 11 points, was held to six. However, her true calling card is on the other end of the court. She was named Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year for a squad that holds opponents to under 60 points per contest. Harmon, now healthy, is a defensive pest that's needed this time of year, especially for a team that must regroup before the NCAA tournament tips off.

Among the nation's elite, though nicked up a bit, Holmes is one of the most versatile players in the country. Offensively, Holmes ranks among the national leaders at 22.3 points per game, and is third in the country shooting 68.8 percent. Oh yeah, she also pulls down 7.3 rebounds and has recorded 1.9 blocks per contest, while being named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year. In the annals of Indiana women's basketball, Holmes ranks among the top five with 1,875 points entering the NCAA tournament, and sits second with 205 blocks. Now, she, along with the aforementioned Grace Berger, hope to lead the Hoosiers to a long stay at the Big Dance. 

We're not sure how long of a stay 11-loss Tennessee, which actually earned a No. 4 seed, will have in the NCAA tournament, but the Volunteers boast two of the nation's best performers. First, it's Horston, the first-team All-SEC selection, who averages 15.5 points, 7.1 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.5 steals. If Tennessee is to reach the Sweet 16, Horston must be a vital component during the first weekend of the tourney. She's an all-around threat, and a true leader for a program that's looking to recapture some of that glory while the gold standard of women's basketball for years under the legendary Pat Summitt.

It hasn't been an easy season for Jackson, who was benched by coach Kellie Harper at one point. However, she's found her form, and enters the NCAA Tournament as Tennessee's leading scorer at 19.6 points per game, while shooting 55.2 percent. She's also, obviously, a prominent post presence with an average of 6.2 rebounds. If the Volunteers are to have success in the tournament, Jackson has to be focused and determined on every possession. Each game seems like a serious challenge for Harper's group, and Jackson must compete at a high level for the Vols to make a long tournament run.

The Big 12 Player of the Year, Joens (21.5 ppg, 9.6 rpg, 2.0 apg) has been on a tear entering the NCAA tournament. She's averaged 25.3 points in the last nine games, and posted 28 with 10 rebounds during the Cyclones' 61-51 upset of Texas in the Big 12 tournament title contest on Selection Sunday. Even with the momentum of that run to the Big 12 tournament championship, there might not be lofty expectations for Iowa State (22-9) at the Big Dance, but Joens is likely to do all she can to help her team to potentially overachieve when it matters the most.

One of the more intriguing NCAA tournament storylines are the injuries to key players. We've noted that Grace Burger, Azzi Fudd and Rori Harmon have all come back from injuries to contribute down the stretch. Will that be case with Johnson? NC State's leading scorer, averaging 12.3 points, plus 4.2 rebounds and 3.5 assists, has not played since Feb. 16 because of an ankle injury. It's uncertain if she will be available for the tournament as the 20-win Wolfpack likely face a serious challenge to advance to the Sweet 16 with or without their star sophomore.

It's been a career season for Jones, in terms of offensive production. She's averaging personal bests of 13.4 points, 9.1 rebounds and 4.1 assists, while also recording a block per game. However, as has seemingly been the case since she first stepped on the floor for Stanford in 2019, Jones' presence and leadership might be her biggest value to the team when it comes down to things. Jones is the heart and soul of the Cardinal, on and off the floor, and her calmness and experience is why she'll go down as one of the greats in program history. 

The Hokies (27-4) appear poised for a historic run in the NCAA Tournament, which could include the program's first trip to the Final Four. Two-time ACC Player of the Year Kitley continues to lead the way, while enjoying the best season of her four at Virginia Tech. Averaging career highs of 18.6 points and 10.5 rebounds, while also shooting 56.3 percent and recording 2.3 blocks per contest, Kitley seems ready to truly shine on this grand stage for the No. 1 seed Hokies. That's usually when great players step up the most. If this is to be a special postseason for Virginia Tech, Kitley must be at her best.

Washington State was the surprise winner of the Pac-12 tournament, and will be making a third consecutive NCAA tournament appearance with 23 wins in the bank. Leger-Walker, obviously, is a major reason for the team's success. The three-time All-Pac-12 selection averages 18.1 points, 5.7 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.4 steals per game. She totaled 23 points on 63.6-percent shooting during the Cougars' 65-61 win over UCLA in the league tournament final. Washington State will certainly be a team to watch in the NCAA tournament, and Leger-Walker should be front and center.

Taylor Mikesell (17.3 ppg) is a first-team All-Big Ten pick and Jacy Sheldon is back. However, the NCAA tournament is a time for new stars to be born. That could be McMahon, the Big Ten Freshman of the Year, who averages 14.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.7 steals per game. An all-around athletic performer, McMahon is destined to be a big-time player, and has the game to help the Buckeyes make a potentially deep run in the tournament this season. That said, it will also be interesting to see how she handles this type of pressure in March. 

Much like NC State's Diamond Johnson, Miles is a question mark for the NCAA tournament. One of the most dynamic players in the country, Miles (14.3 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 6.9 apg, 2.1 spg) helped the Irish win the ACC regular-season crown, but has not played since injuring her knee against Louisville in the final contest before the league tournament. Notre Dame failed to beat the Cardinals in the ACC tourney without Miles, and it could be in danger of just getting to the Sweet 16 if she is not able to go. If Miles can play, she'll give the third-seeded Irish an emotional lift — if anything. 

A two-time, first-team All-Big Ten performer, including this season, Miller is averaging 19.7 points, while shooting 47.2 percent from the field and nearly 81 percent at the free-throw line. In addition, she is pulling down 6.5 boards per game for the Terrapins (25-6), who have lost just three times since Dec. 8. With a do-all player like Miller, plus Abby Meyers and Shyanne Sellers, Maryland is obviously a serious threat to make noise during the NCAA tournament. The No. 2 Terps will be eying a third straight trip to the Sweet 16, and first in the Elite Eight since 2015.

It's been a special season in Salt Lake City for the Utes (25-4), who shared the Pac-12 regular-season crown with Stanford. However, Utah was upset by Washington State in the conference tournament, where Pili (20.3 ppg, 58.5 field-goal percentage, 5.4 rpg, 2.1 apg) had 11 points and shot 21.4-percent from the field. Still, the Pac-12 Player of Year, and first from Utah, is too good to be held to many games like that clunker. Expect Pili, and the second-seeded Utes, to be focused and determined to regroup with intentions of making a deep NCAA tournament run.

Reese's name is rightfully up there with Boston and Clark when discussing the best players in the country. She's among the nation's leaders averaging 23.4 points, and leads the country with 28 double-doubles while sitting second pulling down 15.5 boards per contest. The question now is just how far can Reese take the Tigers? They have just two losses, one of which came to Tennessee in upset fashion during the SEC tournament, and the other versus South Carolina. One of the most exciting and potentially dominant performers, Reese is appointment viewing on this grand stage.

The nation's leading scorer at a career-high 28.9 points per game, Siegrist might be the most gifted offensive player in the NCAA tournament field. She's also shooting a career-best 51.8 percent from the field and 37.3 from beyond the 3-point arc. In addition, Siegrist is averaging 9.3 rebounds and 1.5 assists. There's not a player in this tournament who means more to their team's cause than the two-time Big East Player of Year, who is Villanova's all-time leading scorer — in both men's and women's basketball — with 2,799 points entering the NCAA tournament. 

The Blue Devils are one of the best defensive teams in the country, allowing just 50.8 points per game, and Taylor is a major reason for that stoutness. The senior guard is the ACC Defensive Player of the Year, who enters the NCAA tournament having recorded 60 steals — an average of nearly two per game. Of course, Taylor can also get it done on the offensive end of the court, where she averages 11.5 points and a career-high 2.3 assists. Because of Taylor's ability on defense, Duke is an intriguing team to keep an eye on during the tournament.

Gardner-Webb takes a 21-game winning streak into the NCAA tournament. Now, we don't know just how long this No. 15 seed's, which will face Utah, stay at the Big Dance will be, so fans of the women's game should check out the Bulldogs' Jhessyka Williams while she's still playing. The Big South Player of the Year averages team highs of 19.8 points, 9.4 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 2.1 steals. She's a do-it-all star who is capable of holding her own against any level of competition. When it comes to mid-major standouts, and names to remember for the 2023 tournament, Williams tops our list.