Five key storylines to watch for women's Champ Week

With the regular season in the books for most teams across the country, that means conference tournaments are on tap.

Ahead of what is sure to be a thrilling week of games and edge-of-your seat finishes, here are five storylines for women's Champ Week:

Can South Carolina, UConn maintain conference dominance?

After a coin flip from SEC commissioner Greg Sankey gave South Carolina (27-3, 15-1 SEC) the No. 1 seed over Texas (29-2, 15-1 SEC), head coach Dawn Staley and the Gamecocks look to win their fifth SEC Tournament title in the last six years.

According to ESPN women's bracketologist Charlie Creme, the SEC is projected to have 10 teams in the NCAA Tournament. While the conference will be well represented in the NCAA Tournament, Texas appears to be the biggest threat to the Gamecocks in the SEC Tournament as the only conference opponent to take them down this season.

UConn (28-3, 18-0 Big East) capped a perfect conference slate with its fifth straight Big East regular-season title. Aside from the Huskies, Creighton is the only other team from the conference projected in the NCAA Tournament field. 

Considering each of UConn's 18 conference wins have come by double-digits, anything less than another Big East Tournament title would be a surprise.

USC looks to cap first season in Big Ten with another title

After sweeping crosstown rival UCLA to win the Big Ten regular-season title, the Trojans (26-2, 17-1 Big Ten) have their eyes set on the conference tournament title. 

With the most projected NCAA Tournament bids (13) in the country, the Big Ten has plenty of depth. A potential third meeting with UCLA could be tricky, as well as 4-seed Maryland, which only lost by five to USC earlier this season. However, the road to the Big Ten Tournament championship goes through USC.

ACC Tournament is loaded at the top

With a strong finish to the regular-season, NC State (24-5, 16-2 ACC) earned the No. 1 seed in the conference tournament over Notre Dame (25-4, 16-2 ACC), highlighted by a 104-95 double overtime win over the Fighting Irish on Feb. 23.

The ACC is projected to have eight NCAA Tournament teams with four of those — Notre Dame, NC State, Duke and North Carolina — ranked in the top 15. Duke's defense has excelled throughout the season while Florida State's Division I-leading offense (88.2 PPG) has it in position to contend. It appears, though, that NC State and Notre Dame could be on a collision course for another showdown in the ACC Tournament.

TCU looks to continue remarkable turnaround in Big 12 Tournament

The Horned Frogs (28-3, 16-2 Big 12) overcame a shortage of players during the 2023-24 season and defeated No. 17 Baylor, 51-48, on Sunday to win the Big 12 regular-season title.

With seven teams projected in the NCAA Tournament, the Big 12 has some depth with five of those seven teams in the Top 25. With a seven-game winning streak to end the regular-season, TCU is in prime position to add to its collection. Although, a potential rematch with Baylor or Oklahoma State — who defeated the Horned Frogs earlier this season — could await.

One mid-major team could surprise in March

No. 25 South Dakota State has wins over ranked Creighton and Oregon teams, as well as a close 75-71 loss to then-No. 16 Duke. The Jackrabbits are undefeated (16-0) in Summit League play and quietly flying under the radar.

If they go through the conference tournament unscathed, South Dakota State will be a team no one wants to face in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.