Women’s Final Four Set to Begin in Tampa
The Women’s Final Four is set to commence this Friday night at Amalie Arena in Tampa. Just like the men’s tournament, top-seeded teams have proven resilient, with three No. 1 seeds making it, alongside a strong second-seed, Connecticut, who poses a formidable challenge.
Familiar Foes Face Off
These elite teams are no strangers to one another; in fact, South Carolina and Texas are set to compete for the fourth time this season.
Final Four Team Breakdown
No. 1 UCLA Bruins
AP Rank: 1
NET Rank: 4
Overall Record: 34-2
Record Against Final Four Teams: 1-0 (Defeated South Carolina)
Path to Final Four: The Bruins had a straightforward journey, defeating fifth-seed Ole Miss and third-seed LSU, winning their four games by a significant margin of 76 points combined—the lowest winning margin among the remaining teams.
Star Player: Junior center Lauren Betts stands tall at 6-foot-7 and is a commanding presence on the court. With an impressive average of 20.0 points and 9.6 rebounds per game, she was awarded Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year due to her outstanding three blocks per game. Her prowess on the boards contributed to the Bruins ranking second nationwide in rebounding margin this season.
Final Four History: This is a historic moment for UCLA as it marks their inaugural Final Four appearance. Previously, they reached the Elite Eight in 1999 and 2018 but hadn’t advanced this far until now, proving they have the experience necessary for postseason success.
No. 2 South Carolina Gamecocks
AP Rank: 2
NET Rank: 2
Overall Record: 34-3
Record Against Final Four Teams: 2-3 (2-1 vs. Texas, 0-1 vs. UCLA, 0-1 vs. UConn)
Path to Final Four: The Gamecocks played in the two closest matches of this year’s tournament, winning against fourth-seeded Maryland and second-seeded Duke by marginal four-point victories. After a blistering 60-point opening win, their following three games were decided by just 19 points total, showcasing their endurance amidst challenges.
Star Power: Rather than a single standout player, the Gamecocks showcase remarkable depth, led by freshman forward Joyce Edwards, who averaged 12.7 points and 4.8 rebounds per game. South Carolina leads in bench scoring by an impressive 9.3 points per game over other teams, averaging 40.6 points overall from their bench.
Final Four History: South Carolina aims to become the first team to claim consecutive national championships since UConn in the 2015-16 season. A win would grant them three titles within four years under coach Dawn Staley, marking their fifth consecutive Final Four appearance—a noteworthy feat considering they only made it twice in their prior history.
No. 3 Texas Longhorns
AP Rank: 5
NET Rank: 3
Overall Record: 35-3
Record Against Final Four Teams: 1-2 (Lost 2 of 3 to South Carolina)
Path to Final Four: Texas secured low-scoring victories against fifth-seeded Tennessee and second-seeded TCU, clinching their tournament wins by an average margin of 20 points.
Star Player: Sophomore forward Madison Booker has emerged as a leader, averaging 16.5 points and 6.8 rebounds per game. Named SEC Player of the Year, she is also a finalist for the Wooden Award, an accolade that recognizes college basketball’s top talent.
Final Four History: This marks Texas’s fourth Final Four appearance, their first since 2003. Having previously claimed a national title in 1986, they are eager to demonstrate their growth after narrowly reaching the Elite Eight in three of the previous four seasons.
No. 4 UConn Huskies
AP Rank: 3
NET Rank: 1
Overall Record: 35-3
Record Against Final Four Teams: 1-0 (Defeated South Carolina)
Path to Final Four: As the lone non-No. 1 seed left, the second-seeded Huskies upset the top-seeded USC by a comfortable 14-point margin, marking their closest tournament win. Their cumulative victory margin is an astounding 140 points—60 points ahead of the next closest challenger.
Star Power: Senior guard Paige Bueckers has been unstoppable, scoring 30 points or more in each of UConn’s last three wins, including a career-high 40 points against Oklahoma. This dominant performance has her ranked second in the nation for assist-to-turnover ratio, as she leads her team into pursuit of their first national title in nine years. Many anticipate she will be the top pick in the upcoming WNBA Draft.
Final Four History: UConn has made an impressive 16 out of the last 17 Final Fours and aims for their 12th national title under the guidance of coach Geno Auriemma. They haven’t celebrated a championship victory since 2016, and this could be a pivotal moment in restoring their legacy in women’s basketball.
As fans gear up for this thrilling Final Four, the competition promises fierce matchups that highlight the remarkable talent in women’s college basketball.
