NCAA women's tournament bracket revealed: South Carolina nabs No. 1 overall seed

The NCAA selection committee confirmed Sunday what many observers expected for months: South Carolina is the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA women's tournament. South Carolina, along with Stanford and N.C. State make up three of the four No. 1 seeds in the tournament, as expected.

The final No. 1 seed, however, was up for debate. The committee opted to go with Louisville for that spot.

Louisville was the favorite for that position prior to Sunday, but an upset loss to Miami in the ACC quarterfinal opened the door for Baylor or Iowa State to sneak into that spot. Despite the loss, Louisville staved off Baylor — who picked up a No. 2 seed — and Iowa State — who wound up a No. 3 seed.

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A shocking loss to Kentucky in the SEC championship wasn't enough to knock South Carolina (29-2) from securing the top overall seed.

Here's a full look at the women's bracket:

Iowa secures No. 2 seed

A win in the Big Ten championship was enough to propel Iowa to a No. 2 seed. Iowa, led by guard Caitlin Clark, is seeded in the Greensboro region, where it could eventually face South Carolina if both teams perform to seed expectations.

Before that happens, Iowa could face a big in-state rival. Iowa State received the No. 3 seed in the Greensboro region. The two teams could meet in the regional semifinal. The last time the two teams met, Iowa State won, 77-70.

UConn picks up a No. 2 seed in Bridgeport region

The UConn Huskies were not expected to be a No. 1 seed in the women's bracket, but a No. 2 is a fine consolation, especially considering they will start the tournament in their home state.

Paige Bueckers — one of the most exciting players in college hoops — missed time during the regular season with a knee injury, but returned to action in late February. Her return makes UConn a formidable force in the Bridgeport region, though not the favorite in that portion of the bracket. That spot belongs to N.C. State.

Kentucky, who took down South Carolina in the SEC championship game, earned its way into a No. 6 seed in the Bridgeport region. Kentucky won its last 10 games and will look to carry the momentum into the tournament.

Baylor can't take No. 1 seed from Louisville

Baylor was thought to be in the running for a No. 1 seed coming into Sunday, but a loss to Texas in the Big 12 tournament's championship game bumped Baylor to the No. 2 spot in the Wichita region. It's the 11th straight season Baylor has entered the tournament as a No. 1 or No. 2 seed. It will take on No. 15 Hawaii in the first round Friday.

Baylor and forward NaLyssa Smith have a chance to prove the committee got things wrong. The team was seeded in the same region as Louisville. The two teams could meet in the Elite Eight. Smith, a senior, will be looking to take Baylor as far as it can go before she makes the leap to the WNBA. Smith is a candidate to be selected with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2022 WNBA draft, which will take place in April.

When will NCAA women's tournament games begin?

NCAA women's tournament games will start Wednesday and Thursday, when the First Four take the court. Howard will take on Incarnate Word and Dayton will play DePaul on Wednesday. Longwood will take on Mount St. Mary's and Missouri will face Florida State on Thursday.

The first round will occur Friday and Saturday. Second-round games will take place March 20 and 21.

Teams will then receive a few days off before taking part in the regional round, which stretches from March 25 through March 28. The women's Final Four will occur April 1, with the national championship happening on April 3.