The stage is set for an electrifying showdown as the No. 16 seed UTSA Roadrunners gear up to face the undefeated No. 1 seed UConn Huskies in the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament First Round this afternoon. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m. CT on March 21, 2026, at Gampel Pavilion in Storrs, Connecticut, with the action broadcast live on ABC. For those tuning in from San Antonio or beyond, Ryan Ruocco, Rebecca Lobo, and Holly Rowe will deliver play-by-play, analysis, and courtside insights, while Neal Raphael brings every moment to life on The Bull 93.3 FM and the iHeartRadio app.
For UTSA, this marks a triumphant return to the national stage. The Roadrunners (18-15 overall, 9-9 in the American Conference) are making their third NCAA Tournament appearance—and their first since 2009. Their journey here has been nothing short of remarkable. As the sixth seed in the American Championship, UTSA rattled off four consecutive victories in as many days, capped by a statement 54-40 win over top-seeded Rice to secure an automatic tournament bid. The victory not only stunned their conference rivals but also showcased the grit and resolve that have defined this squad all season long.
This postseason berth extends a historic run for the Roadrunners, who are playing in their third consecutive postseason tournament after back-to-back appearances in the WNIT in 2024 and the WBIT in 2025. The sense of momentum and belief around the program is palpable, and much of the credit goes to Head Coach Karen Aston. With this selection, Aston becomes just the 15th coach in NCAA Division I women’s basketball history to guide three different programs to the Big Dance, having previously led Charlotte in 2009 and Texas from 2014 through 2019.
“It’s really special to see this group come together at the right time,” Aston said earlier this week. “They’ve worked so hard, and to see them rewarded with a chance to compete on this stage is something I’ll never take for granted.”
Senior Cheyenne Rowe has been the heartbeat of this year’s squad, earning Most Outstanding Player honors at the American Conference Championship by averaging 16.3 points and 8.3 rebounds per game during the tournament. Her leadership and poise in high-pressure situations have been a steadying force for the Roadrunners, who have relied on a balanced attack and stingy defense to navigate a challenging schedule.
Rowe isn’t the only Roadrunner making waves. Senior Ereauna Hardaway and junior Idara Udo were both named All-Tournament Performers. Hardaway contributed 14.7 points per game along with nine assists and 5.3 rebounds, while Udo recorded a double-double average of 10.3 points and 10.0 rebounds per game. Sophomore Mia Hammonds rounded out the core group, chipping in 8.3 points per game while making her presence felt on defense with six steals and four blocks during the conference tournament.
Now, the Roadrunners face perhaps their toughest test yet: the juggernaut that is UConn. The Huskies enter the tournament with a flawless 34-0 record (20-0 in the Big East), ranked No. 1 in both the AP Poll and the USA Today/WBCA Coaches Poll. Under the legendary guidance of Geno Auriemma—who boasts a staggering 1284-165 career record—UConn is making its 37th consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance. This is their 23rd time as a No. 1 seed, a testament to the program’s sustained excellence since 1988-89.
The numbers behind UConn’s dominance are simply jaw-dropping. The Huskies have reached an NCAA record 24 Final Fours and claimed a record 12 National Championships. This year, they enter the tournament undefeated for the 10th time in program history, leading the nation in nearly every major statistical category: field goal percentage (52.5%), assists/turnover ratio (1.86), field goal percentage defense (33.3%), scoring defense (50.4 points allowed per game), scoring margin (+38.4), steals per game (15.6), and three-point percentage (39.6%).
Star power is abundant on this UConn roster. Two Huskies—Azzi Fudd and Sarah Strong—were named USBWA First-Team All-Americans earlier this week. Fudd, a scoring dynamo, is also an AAU Sullivan Award finalist, a Katrina McClain Award finalist, and is included on both the Naismith Trophy Late-Season Team and the Wooden Award Ballot. She’s averaging 17.7 points per game and is one of three Huskies with over 100 assists this season.
Sarah Strong, meanwhile, has collected a trophy case’s worth of accolades: unanimous Big East Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, and National Player of the Year honors from both The Athletic and ESPN. Her season averages—18.5 points per game on 60.1% shooting, 7.6 rebounds, 111 steals, 53 blocks, and 135 assists—underscore her all-around dominance. Freshman guard KK Arnold has also been pivotal, leading the team with 158 assists and providing steady playmaking in crunch time.
“We’ve set a high standard for ourselves,” Auriemma remarked in a recent interview. “But every tournament is a new challenge. It’s about staying focused and respecting every opponent. UTSA has earned their spot here, and we’ll be ready.”
The Huskies’ faithful are certainly ready. On the eve of the tournament, fans packed Elicit Brewing in Manchester to cheer on the Huskies as they tipped off against Furman in their opening game on March 20. The energy in Storrs is electric, and with the home crowd behind them, UConn will look to extend its perfect season and continue its march toward another Final Four.
For UTSA, the opportunity to play on such a grand stage is both a reward and a challenge. The Roadrunners know they enter as heavy underdogs, but after toppling the No. 1 seed in their own conference tournament, they’re not short on belief. “We respect UConn and what they’ve accomplished,” Rowe said, “but we’re here to compete. Anything can happen in March.”
The stakes couldn’t be higher: the winner of today’s matchup will advance to the Second Round to face the victor of No. 8 seed Iowa State versus No. 9 seed Syracuse on Monday at Gampel Pavilion. Tip time for that contest will be announced following the conclusion of first-round play.
As the clock ticks down to tip-off, fans from San Antonio to Storrs are bracing for a classic David vs. Goliath battle. Will the Roadrunners’ Cinderella run continue, or will the Huskies’ march toward history remain unbroken? One thing’s for sure—March Madness has arrived, and with it, the promise of unforgettable moments and the thrill of the unexpected. Stay tuned as the drama unfolds at Gampel Pavilion.