The race for the 2025 women’s national championship is wide open, with no single frontrunner dominating the competition. There are no undefeated teams or powerhouse squads leaving others in their wake.
The non-conference schedule showcased anticipated title contenders and top-tier teams. However, none of these teams navigated the schedule unscathed, hinting at a March filled with surprises and potential upsets from lower-seeded teams.
Here’s a recap of what we learned during the regular season:
JuJu Watkins: The Face of Women’s Basketball
JuJu Watkins has solidified her status as a leading figure in women’s basketball following a record-breaking freshman year, and she has continued to excel as a sophomore. The 6-foot-2 guard has demonstrated greater efficiency, reduced turnovers, and broke free from a shooting slump at a critical point in USC’s season.
Her remarkable performances against UCLA, motivated by a personal rivalry, will go down in history. Watkins has now scored 30 or more points in four consecutive matchups against the Bruins, matching the third-longest streak against any one opponent in Division I since the 1999-2000 season, according to ESPN Research.
Defensively, she has been just as impressive, averaging two blocks per game and recording eight blocks in her first victory over UCLA when the Bruins were ranked No. 1.
Both games drew star-studded crowds in Los Angeles, with fans across the nation rallying behind Watkins. In Iowa City, supporters filled the arena with cheers and signs in her honor during Caitlin Clark’s jersey retirement.
UCLA’s Winning Record Hides Challenges
UCLA, which reached the top of the AP poll following a November victory over South Carolina, appeared to be the leading team in the country during a 23-0 start. However, victories over lesser opponents concealed some weaknesses, which became evident as they faced tougher competition in the latter part of the season.
Despite their strong record, UCLA had to fight hard for wins against opponents like Oregon and narrowly escaped an upset from Iowa. Head coach Cori Close has emphasized the need for improvement, especially after the team’s second defeat to USC, which cost them the Big Ten regular-season championship.
“We’ve made it clear that changes need to be made if we want to keep up,” Close stated. “I want everyone heading to the Big Ten tournament to be committed and aligned.”
Defensive struggles and turnovers plagued UCLA, while star center Lauren Betts fell short in critical moments, shooting 10-for-24 with only three assists during losses to USC.
South Carolina’s Shift from Dominance
South Carolina (27-3) experienced as many losses this season as the previous three combined (109-3). Their tight season-opener against a youthful Michigan team served as a warning sign, and a heavy loss to UCLA demonstrated their vulnerabilities. Losing two out of three games in February cemented their status as beatable.
This season, the Gamecocks lack the dominant center they’re known for, which has impacted their offensive efficiency and rim protection, resulting in fewer successful 3-point attempts.
Despite this drop in performance, South Carolina remains capable of reaching the Final Four or even claiming the national title. They consistently rank in the top 10 for both offense and defense, effectively maximizing rebounds and minimizing turnovers. Their depth is unmatched, allowing head coach Dawn Staley to rotate players to ensure fresh legs throughout the tournament. The experience gained from past tournament runs will be invaluable.
The SEC: A Deep and Competitive Conference
This year, the No. 1 seed in the SEC tournament was determined by a coin flip, underscoring the fierce competition within the conference.
With South Carolina and Texas tied for the regular-season title at 15-1, South Carolina emerged as the No. 1 seed following the coin toss. However, their path to the title game is uncertain, given the presence of strong defensive teams throughout the SEC.
While the Big Ten may send more teams to the tournament, the SEC’s depth could lead to stronger postseason performances. LSU features an impressive rebounding unit led by Flau’jae Johnson, Mikaylah Williams, and Aneesah Morrow, who combine to average nearly 54 points per game. However, Johnson will miss the conference tournament due to shin inflammation, impacting their lineup.
Kentucky has made a resurgence under new head coach Kenny Brooks, bringing in WNBA prospect Georgia Amoore and sophomore Clara Strack from Virginia Tech. These players have helped push Kentucky back to the forefront of the SEC.
Alabama, Ole Miss, Vanderbilt, and Mississippi State have all made headlines with significant wins, and Georgia shocked Tennessee in a dramatic upset, underscoring the unpredictable nature of the conference.
Tennessee may have struggled at times, but the Lady Vols’ fast-paced play and pressure defense reveal that they can be a formidable opponent in the NCAA tournament.
UConn’s High Ceiling
The anticipated era of Paige Bueckers and Azzi Fudd has experienced more potential than actual game-time synergy due to injuries hampering their ability to play together at UConn. However, the Huskies’ ceiling remains as lofty as expected—a national title—a potential subtly revealed in their dominant recent victory over South Carolina.
Fudd showcased her talent in high-stakes wins and has maintained a solid performance, while Bueckers has also found her scoring rhythm. Freshman Sarah Strong is on track for national recognition as one of the best first-year players, with an impressive average of 16.1 points per game alongside strong rebounding and defense metrics.
Both Bueckers and Fudd could choose to return for an additional season, heightening the urgency to win a title together before their time at UConn concludes.
More Ball-Handlers, Fewer Issues
This season, point guards Olivia Miles and Hannah Hidalgo have seamlessly complemented one another in Notre Dame’s backcourt, assuaging early concerns about their joint potential. Together, they’ve combined for impressive statistics, fueling one of the best backcourts in the nation, particularly from beyond the arc.
Texas welcomed back their point guard Rori Harmon, who missed all of the season due to an ACL injury, while Madison Booker adapted to provide support at that position. This depth has enhanced both players’ performances, propelling Texas to become the top-ranked team by season’s end.
