Five most compelling players remaining in women's NCAA Tournament

The women's NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 tips off this weekend with no shortage of star power.

Last week, we looked at six must-watch players, all of whom are still in the tournament field and deserving of your attention.

Here are five players having an outstanding March whose next act we can't wait to see.

Paige Bueckers, No. 3 UConn (Portland 3)

UConn head coach Geno Auriemma believes Paige Bueckers is the best remaining player in the tournament. The fourth-year guard (Bueckers missed the entire 2022-23 season with a torn ACL) has been sensational through the first two rounds. She's played an average of 37.5 minutes and scored 30 points per game while shooting 56.8 percent from the field. Bueckers is averaging 10.5 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 3.5 steals and a block per game as the third-seeded Huskies seek their first national title since 2016. 

Next game: vs. No. 7 Duke, Saturday, 8 p.m. ET

Caitlin Clark, No. 1 Iowa (Albany 2)

Clark's historic college career nearly came to an unceremonious end on Monday in the round of 32 against West Virginia. The Mountaineers erased a 10-point Hawkeyes lead entering the fourth before Iowa iced the game late at the free throw line.

Clark scored 32 points, giving her the most in a single season in women's major college basketball history (1,113), and is averaging 29.5 points per game in the tournament. She's been particularly strong at getting to the line with 21 free throw attempts through the first two rounds, which ranks fourth-most among all players.

What's frightening for opponents is Clark hasn't played her best through two rounds — only hitting 39 percent of her shots. Suppose Clark gets closer to last year's 48.8 shooting percentage. In that case, she might be able to break another record: former Drake forward Lorri Bauman's Division I women's NCAA Tournament record for most points in a single game (50), one that has stood for 42 years.

Next game: vs. No. 5 Colorado, Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET

MiLaysia Fulwiley, No. 1 South Carolina (Albany 1)

USC's JuJu Watkins, Notre Dame's Hannah Hidalgo and Texas' Madison Booker have led an absurdly good 2023-24 freshman class. But South Carolina's Fulwiley has inserted herself into the conversation of most outstanding freshman with a sublime March. She had 20 points on 8-of-15 shooting, including 4-of-7 from deep, against North Carolina in the round of 32. 

Fulwiley scored a season-high 24 points in the SEC title game against LSU earlier this month. Coming off the bench, Fulwiley provides the Gamecocks' second unit with a devastating scoring punch. She has 13 threes over his past three games and might end this year's tournament as the most impactful freshman.

Next game: vs. No. 4 Indiana, Friday, 5 p.m. ET

Kiki Iriafen, No. 2 Stanford (Portland 4)

After Cameron Brink fouled out against Iowa State in the second round, Iriafen had to put the Cardinal on her back in an 87-81 overtime win. The junior forward was outstanding, scoring a team-high 41 points. Iriafen was a force in the post and showed off a strong midrange shot that made her difficult to defend.