Baylor, Stanford favorites to win women's tourney

Five teams that can win it all.

Baylor (34-0): It's not all about Brittney Griner for Baylor. The 6-8 junior is at the center of everything the Bears do, but she'll need help from the backcourt if the Bears expect to win their first championship since 2005. Sophomore guard Odyssey Sims has been a fine complement to Griner. If Sims continues her torrid play, Baylor should have no problems advancing to the Final Four.

Stanford (31-1): The Cardinal might be the most underrated great team in the country. With the sister act Nnemkadi (21.8 ppg, 10.5 reb) and Chiney Ogwumike (15.8 ppg, 10.3 reb) roaming the paint, Stanford is a favorite to make a return trip to the Final Four. But the Ogwumike sisters are going to need help from their backcourt mates to bring home the hardware. Stanford's top three scoring guards are averaging a combined 5.9 points per game. Toni Kokenis (9.5 ppg) is the best of the backcourt bunch.

Connecticut (29-4): The Huskies took a bit of hit on the national stage after losing twice to Notre Dame and once to St. John's during conference play. The perception amongst some observers was that Connecticut was suddenly vulnerable. Connecticut avenged those losses, outscoring the Red Storm and the Fighting Irish a combined 137-97 in the Big East tournament en route to the conference title. Connecticut's backcourt of Tiffany Hayes and North Babylon graduate Bria Hartley is as versatile as any in the country.

Notre Dame (30-3): Any team with a player like Skylar Diggins (17 ppg, 5.7 ast) has a chance to win a championship. Arguably the most talented guard in the game, Diggins played her best on the biggest stage. But the 5-9 junior has help in the name of Natalie Novosel, Devereaux Peters and Kayla McBride who are all averaging between 11 and 15 points per game. Notre Dame has one of the nation's most balanced attacks and will be very difficult to guard.

Maryland (28-4): The Terrapins have everything it takes to advance. Maryland is strongest in the paint, where Alyssa Thomas (17.4 ppg, 8.1 reb) and Tianna Hawkins (12.2 ppg, 9.3 reb) reside. The two have made it easier on Maryland's perimeter trio of Laurin Mincy, Anjale Barrett and Brene Moseley. Maryland has the advantage of playing on its home court in the first two rounds and should cruise into the Sweet 16.