At Spokane, Wash.

By Greg Auman, Times Staff Writer
In print: Saturday, March 29, 2008

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ADVERTISEMENT [Associated Press] Senior Candice Wiggins (11) and her Stanford teammates blew out UTEP in the second round.

Spokane has the weakest No.  1 seed in Maryland, but also has a No.  2 — Stanford — most expected to be a No.  1 seed. Ever since Selection Monday, this bracket has pointed toward a grudge match between the two, but Vanderbilt and surprising Pittsburgh hope to spoil that scenario.

No. 1 Maryland vs.

No. 4 Vanderbilt

Vanderbilt's only losses in its past 16 games have been to Tennessee — three times — but the Commodores face a similar challenge against the top-seeded Terrapins. Maryland has four starters with more than 90 career starts, and that kind of experience should get the Terps past Vandy and its zone defense. Maryland's only rookie starter is freshman guard Marah Strickland, held to two points in a second-round win against Nebraska.

Time/TV: 9 p.m.; ESPN

No. 2 Stanford vs.

No. 6 Pittsburgh

The Panthers, fresh off an upset of Baylor, take on the Cardinal, and the big matchup is inside, where Pitt's 6-foot-4 Marcedes Walker takes on Stanford's 6-5 Jayne Appel. Stanford matched UConn for the most lopsided second-round win, beating UTEP by 34. Senior Candice Wiggins scored 44, the most in an NCAA Tournament game in 15 years (since Sheryl Swoopes). The Panthers have to keep her in check if they want to keep their upsets going.

Time/TV: 11:30 p.m.; ESPN2