Women's NCAA tournament 2022 - Is Stanford even better this year than its 2021 NCAA title team?

Could the Stanford Cardinal be better this 2022 women's NCAA tournament than the team that went 31-2 to win the national championship last season?

That question seemed laughable in early November, when Texas spoiled the Cardinal's celebration of the title with a 61-56 come-from-behind win at Maples Pavilion. Stanford would lose a neutral-site game to South Florida later in the month, matching the number of losses during the championship season in just six games.

As the Cardinal and Longhorns prepare for a rematch Sunday (9 p.m. ET, ESPN) in Spokane, Washington, with a spot in the Final Four on the line, Stanford stands 31-3, having completed an undefeated trip through Pac-12 play and cruising to the Elite Eight. The Cardinal's only loss in that time was 65-61 at No. 1 South Carolina.

After losing to Stanford for a second time this season in Friday's Sweet 16 match, Maryland coach Brenda Frese — whose team lost to three of the four No. 1 seeds in this year's tournament (South Carolina and NC State) — didn't hesitate when asked if the Cardinal were the best team in the country.

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«No question,» Frese said. «I have been fortunate with the No. 1 seeds we've played. Their length, the way they pass, the way they can score the basketball, and obviously that length gives you fits on the defensive end with their size.

»We really struggled on the offensive end. I've said it all year, I don't think they probably get even enough credit on the West Coast nationally for what they've done all year. That's their 23rd straight win in a row. The deepest, most talented team I've faced."

Although ESPN's Basketball Power Index still has South