This weekend, NYU’s women’s basketball team will host the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight rounds of the NCAA Division III Tournament. Friday’s doubleheader will tip off with the University of Southern Maine against the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, before NYU takes on Hardin-Simmons University at 7:30 p.m.

The winners of both games will advance to the Elite Eight at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, battling it out for a spot in the Final Four next week in Salem, Virginia.  

Ahead of this weekend’s important games, staff members at WSN have made a couple of predictions — some of them substantive, some of them not so much.

Disclaimer: These predictions are just for fun and are not to be taken seriously. The WSN staff is, in fact, not liable for any of the events that transpire in the games cited below.

Women’s basketball vs. Hardin-Simmons

W, 89-42

The streak continues, and NYU moves on quite easily. Led by UAA Defensive Player of the Year Brooke Batchelor, the Violets stifling defense and constant press will be too much for a Hardin-Simmons team that has struggled to score at times this season. NYU’s offense, led by Caroline Peper, has been dominant this season, averaging more points than any other team in the country. 

— Matthew Singh, Staff Writer 

W, 81-54

Hardin-Simmons may have won its previous matches with leads of at least 21 points, but NYU is carrying a historical momentum. A program-record 108-44 win against UMF is nothing to scoff at, and the 70-47 win over Messiah showed the same. Caroline Peper continues to break records in her last season, and it’s hard to picture anyone standing in the way of the Violets for this round at least.

— Sherry Chen, Deputy Sports Editor

W, 71-42

Hardin-Simmons is formidable, for sure. Sitting with a 24-5 record and coming off a strong showing in the first two rounds, Friday will be intense for sure. Just like the Violets, the Cowgirls have won a fair share of close games this season, but have lost plenty as well. NYU’s squad can’t say the same.

I far underestimated the Violets in the first round and am still reeling from that fourth quarter where the reserves shot 70% from the field. I won’t be making that mistake again. Unfortunately for the Cowgirls, their season is coming to its end at 24-6 this Friday.

— Kiran Komanduri, Sports Editor

W, 83-52

Though Hardin-Simmons is heading into the game with momentum, backed by two smooth victories thus far in the tournament, the Violets are undefeated this season and have been progressing through the competition without problems. It will be a tough match between the third-ranked team and the first, but ultimately the Violets will find themselves with another win under their belt.”

— Sayako Ikeda, Deputy Sports Editor

Women’s basketball vs. winner of semifinal

W, 88-64

USM will make it to the Elite Eight after beating UW-La Crosse, and despite the team’s impressive 27-2 record, the Violets should feel confident in their chances to advance. The Violets have not lost a game since 2023 and average more points, rebounds, assists and steals than the Huskies. The Violets will advance to the Final Four, where they will face undefeated Scranton — NYU’s toughest test this season.

— Matthew Singh, Staff Writer 

W, 76-71

It’s hard to see anyone but USM on the other side of the bracket for the Elite Eight, and an impressive 15-1 conference record should knock UW-La Crosse out of the tournament. The Violets won’t have it easy, but two-time defending champions, despite new faces on the roster, and a record-breaking win-streak means there’s more left in NYU’s story this season.

— Sherry Chen, Deputy Sports Editor 

W, 68-62

Honestly, I’m hoping that UW-La Crosse makes it to the Elite Eight. The WIAC is a fun conference to watch, and it would be great to see the talent on this roster go up against NYU. USM looks like a tough opponent to beat, but the Eagles pulled off an upset before, winning an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament after beating the No. 1 conference seed — and current No. 2 overall team in the NCAA tournament.

Anyway, back to the Violets. I’m confident that this team can punch their ticket to the Final Four, but it won’t be an easy fight to get there. NYU has a deep bench and lots of young talent on the roster that’s proved invaluable in the tournament so far. Besides, they’ve got the power of Geno Auriemma on their side.

— Kiran Komanduri, Sports Editor

W, 72-65

With an impressive overall record of 27-2, compared to UW-La Crosse’s 20-9, NYU will likely face USM in the Elite Eight, though I would enjoy seeing an underdog win. The Violets definitely won’t have an easy game, but I don’t see their historic win-streak being broken yet, even though the number two ranked USM have only lost two games this season.

— Sayako Ikeda, Deputy Sports Editor

Contact Sherry Chen, Sayako Ikeda, Kiran Komanduri and Matthew Singh at [email protected].