Utah Women’s Basketball Officially Punch Ticket As No. 8 Seed In NCAA Tournament
Mar 16, 2025, 6:23 PM | Updated: Mar 17, 2025, 1:07 pm
SALT LAKE CITY—Gavin Peterson and the University of Utah women’s basketball program learned their NCAA Tournament destination during the Sunday Selection show.
The Utes are heading to Region Two as part of the Birmingham bracket as a No. 8 seed. They will take on No. 9 seed Indiana in the opening round. The Utes will play in Columbia, where No. 1 South Carolina will host and potentially be the second round matchup for the Utes.
Tip-off is still to be determined, but the Utes and Hoosiers will tip-off March 21 at the
Region 2 in Birmingham.#MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/lilYJaaBux
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessWBB) March 17, 2025
This is the fourth consecutive year the Utah women have made the Women’s NCAA Tournament. The Utes have made it to the second round each of the previous three years, including a trip to the Sweet 16 in 2023.
Kneepekens, McQueen to lead the way
With today’s seeding, Utah’s Kennady McQueen and Gianna Kneepkens will need to elevate their games to an even higher level. Given the No. 8 seed in Region 2, Utah will have to travel east to take on No. 9 Indiana. Given the destination, that will put a premium on veteran experience and playmaking, which these two have to provide.
Ready to DANCE 💃 #GoUtes pic.twitter.com/wB0RU2ZmTF
— Utah Women’s Basketball (@UTAHWBB) March 17, 2025
Both players are among the elite in the nation, standing as the only ones currently averaging a 50/40/90 shooting line, with at least 10 points per game and over 150 minutes played. Their exceptional efficiency and scoring abilities will be vital for the Utes’ success in the tournament.
McQueen has been a steady contributor throughout the season, averaging 10.5 points per game across 714 minutes of play. With the stakes rising in the tournament, McQueen will need to elevate her game and provide the Utes with consistent scoring, particularly from long range, where her efficiency can stretch opposing defenses.
However, Kneepkens is the player Utah will rely on heavily to lead the offensive attack in the tournament. Averaging 19.0 points per game, Kneepkens has been nothing short of outstanding. She boasts shooting splits of 51.3% from the field, 45.3% from three, and 89.5% from the free throw line. She’s also averaging 5.1 rebounds per game, and with her leadership and elite scoring ability, she is a force to be reckoned with.
Both McQueen and Kneepkens are players who can change the course of a game, and with the one-and-done pressure in the tournament, they will need to continue to step up as leaders. These two not only need to maintain a good level of play—they need to elevate their games—to propel Utah on a tourney run.
LET’S DANCE @UTAHWBB ‼️#Big12WBB | @MarchMadnessWBB pic.twitter.com/JNFUGQG6Hh
— Big 12 Conference (@Big12Conference) March 17, 2025
Maye Toure’s first trip to the NCAA Tournament
For Utah women’s basketball player Maye Toure, making the trip to the NCAA tournament is a unique and significant milestone. Toure transferred from Rhode Island, where she did not get the opportunity to play in the NCAA Tournament.
This season, she has turned into a vital contributor for the Utes. She’s expanded her game in a Utah uniform and this tournament provides her with the opportunity to showcase her abilities on a grander stage. She’s averaged 13.0 points and 6.8 rebounds per game this season.
Utah will need Toure to step up in critical moments, whether it’s locking down opposing players or providing a much-needed spark on the defensive end. Her career experience should help her, but the NCAA Tournament is a unique pressure.
