SACRAMENTO, Calif. — In a commanding performance, No. 3 seed TCU defeated No. 10 Virginia 79-69 on Saturday night, advancing to the Elite Eight of the women's NCAA Tournament for the second straight year. Guard Olivia Miles led the charge with 28 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists, just three assists short of etching her name into history as the first woman in Division I to record three career NCAA Tournament triple-doubles.
The victory at Golden 1 Center marked TCU's deepest postseason run since reaching the Elite Eight last season, the program's farthest in NCAA Tournament history. Miles, who transferred from Notre Dame after the 2025 season, reflected on her decision to join the Horned Frogs, forgoing a projected lottery spot in the WNBA Draft. "Finally, out of the Sweet 16," Miles said postgame. "I'm so happy about that. But no, that's just another bonus as to what I wanted to do here. I feel the people around me have helped me to love basketball again and compete at a high level and hold people accountable and challenge people and be vulnerable with people that I know love me, support me and care for me."
Miles credited the TCU program with restoring her passion for the game after a challenging period at Notre Dame, where she sat out the 2023-24 season due to an ACL injury. Granted an extra year of eligibility, she averaged a career-high 15.4 points on 48.3 percent shooting as a junior, starting all 34 games. Yet, her time with the Irish ended on a sour note: Notre Dame climbed to No. 1 in the AP poll but stumbled in the ACC tournament semifinals against Duke and fell to TCU in the Sweet 16 the previous year.
In April 2025, TCU announced Miles' signing as a transfer, a move that head coach Mark Campbell hailed as pivotal in rebuilding the program. Now in his third year at Fort Worth, Campbell has leaned heavily on the transfer portal, with 10 of the current 18-player roster coming via transfers, including Miles. "We've built our program literally all through the portal," Campbell said. "I think we've had 18 portal players, six each year. And our program's come a long ways. There's a lot of negative you hear about the portal. I think there's a lot of positive too."
Campbell emphasized creating a supportive environment amid the complexities of modern college athletics, including the transfer portal and name, image, and likeness deals. "I think it's really hard in today's landscape of college athletics because of the portal, because of NIL and all the variables," he said. "We try really hard to create an environment where young people can blossom and flourish and enjoy the game of basketball. We try to be very intentional with that." For Miles, that support has translated to renewed confidence. "As a result of feeling supported by the TCU program," she added, "it's helped me with my own confidence, so that's all I could ask for."
With 12 triple-doubles in her career—the third most in Division I history behind Sabrina Ionescu's 26 and Caitlin Clark's 17—Miles has been a transformative force. Saturday's near-miss on another tournament triple-double underscored her versatility. Teammate Marta Suarez complemented her seamlessly, as the duo combined to score or assist on all 79 of TCU's points. The Horned Frogs seized control early in the second half with a decisive 17-4 run, leaving Virginia's defense scrambling.
Virginia head coach Amaka Agugua-Hamilton acknowledged the challenge of containing Miles. "Olivia Miles, she's a triple-double type kid," Agugua-Hamilton said. "She's really hard to guard. They put her in ball screens, multiple ball screens, sometimes in possession... She just got away from us. But she's a phenomenal player. I don't know if you really stop her. We were just trying to limit some of the things she wanted to do." Despite the loss, Virginia had upset higher seeds earlier in the tournament, showcasing their resilience as a double-digit seed.
TCU's resurgence under Campbell is a testament to strategic roster building. When he took over, the Big 12 program was largely overlooked. In short order, he turned it into a contender, reaching the Elite Eight last year and now returning. "It's great to win at a high level, but if you can enjoy the journey and win at a high level then it's really special," Campbell noted, highlighting the balance his team has struck.
The win sets up a marquee matchup for TCU against defending champion South Carolina in the Elite Eight on Monday, March 30, at Golden 1 Center. South Carolina, the No. 1 overall seed, has dominated the tournament, but Miles and Suarez's dynamic play could pose problems. Miles' journey—from injury recovery and a high-profile transfer to leading TCU deep into March—adds a compelling narrative to the Horned Frogs' bid for their first Final Four appearance.
Beyond the court, Miles' story resonates in the evolving landscape of women's college basketball. Transfers like hers have become commonplace, with players seeking better fits for development and happiness. At TCU, that approach has paid dividends, fostering a team where vulnerability and accountability coexist with elite competition. As the tournament progresses, TCU's model could inspire other programs navigating the portal era.
Virginia's run, while ending here, highlighted the parity in women's hoops. As a 10th seed, they exceeded expectations by reaching the Sweet 16, but TCU's firepower proved too much. Agugua-Hamilton's squad fought valiantly, but the second-half surge sealed their fate. For TCU fans, the excitement builds toward a potential program milestone against a powerhouse like South Carolina.
Looking ahead, Miles' performance has reignited discussions about her WNBA prospects. Projected as a lottery pick before her transfer, another strong tournament could solidify her status. Yet, for now, her focus remains on the present: advancing further with a team that has rekindled her love for the game. Campbell's vision of intentional building continues to yield results, positioning TCU as a rising force in the Big 12 and beyond.
In the broader context of the NCAA Tournament, TCU's advancement underscores the depth of this year's field. With upsets abound and stars shining, the Elite Eight promises high-stakes drama. For the Horned Frogs, the path forward is clear: leverage Miles and Suarez's chemistry to challenge South Carolina and chase history.