Breaking down the No. 2 and No. 3 seed matchups in the women’s Sweet 16

The GIST: Half of the women’s Final Four will be locked in by the next time we talk, but first we have to whittle these Sweet 16 squads down to an elite group of eight. Every one of this weekend’s games packs a serious punch, but No. 2 vs. No. 3 seed matchups are always extra spicy. Pour a glass of milk, the Madness awaits.

No. 2 Duke vs. No. 3 UNC — Today at 2:30 p.m. ET: Batman and Joker. Kendrick Lamar and Drake. Blue Devils and Tar Heels. Deep-seated rivalries just hit different. Duke’s edge in this ACC showdown is their stalwart defense, a staple ever since HC Kara Lawson took the reins.

• UNC’s success, meanwhile, could hinge on grad student Alyssa Ustby, who was a force in the Tar Heels’ 53–46 regular-season win over Duke in January but didn’t play in February’s 68–53 rematch loss.

No. 2 NC State vs. No. 3 LSU — Today at 7:30 p.m. ET: When the Tigers topped the Wolfpack 82–65 in November, LSU outrebounded NC State by 20, and the Tigers’ big three — sophomore Mikaylah Williams, junior Flau’Jae Johnson, and senior Aneesah Morrow — stuffed the stat sheet, dropping 60 points combined.

• That means Wolfpack senior Madison Hayes, who leads NC State in rebounds and three-point shooting, will need a big night if the dogs are going to best the cats in this one.

No. 2 TCU vs. No. 3 Notre Dame — Tomorrow at 1 p.m. ET: This game is chock-full of starpower, but the health of one Fighting Irish superstar could make or break ND’s championship hopes. Senior Olivia Miles tweaked her ankle in the first round and has managed only 10 points since — how effective can she be against even tougher competition?

No. 2 UConn vs. No. 3 Oklahoma — Tomorrow at 5:30 p.m. ET: UConn senior Paige Bueckers, grad student Azzi Fudd, and freshman Sarah Strong contributed to 66 of the Huskies’ 91 points in the second round. Oklahoma will be tasked with trying to slow down perhaps the best trio in college basketball — and taking care of the ball.