Women's Final Four on Repeat as Same Elite Teams Battle for Championship
For the second consecutive season, the women's Final Four features identical participants: top seeds UConn, UCLA, Texas, and South Carolina. This marks only the second occurrence in NCAA history where the same four teams have reached the sport's final weekend in back-to-back years, with the previous instance being UConn, Tennessee, Stanford, and Georgia from 1995-96.
The matchups and location differ this time, with reigning national champion UConn facing South Carolina on Friday in Phoenix, while UCLA takes on Texas. Last season, UConn played UCLA in the semi-finals.
UConn's Dominant Quest for Perfection
UConn (38-0) aims to complete their seventh undefeated season under legendary coach Geno Auriemma, who has guided the program to 12 national championships, 25 Final Four appearances, and 1,288 victories over 41 seasons. The Huskies have won 54 consecutive games across two seasons, dominating opponents by an average of 37.8 points this year.
Led by first-team All-Americans Sarah Strong and Azzi Fudd, UConn boasts remarkable depth with eight players averaging at least 6.8 points per game. "I feel like no other team has a bench like us," said Strong, who leads the team with 18 points per game. "We can have kind of anyone off the bench step up and change the whole pace of the game."
South Carolina Seeks Redemption
South Carolina (35-3) returns to the Final Four for the seventh time in nine seasons under coach Dawn Staley, including six straight appearances with three national championships. The Gamecocks feature five players averaging double-figure scoring, led by second-team All-American Joyce Edwards' 19.6 points per game, and play suffocating defense that holds opponents to 57.6 points on average.
After overcoming their first NCAA Tournament deficit against TCU in the Elite Eight, South Carolina now seeks payback for last year's championship game loss to UConn. "I think you've just got to go pound for pound with them, just be unafraid of running against an undefeated team," Staley said. "The pressures of playing undefeated, if you keep it close, you might – might – get them on a bad night."
UCLA's Championship Aspirations
UCLA (35-1) reached their first Final Four last season under coach Cori Close and now seeks their inaugural national championship. The Bruins are powered by 6-foot-7 two-time All-American Lauren Betts, who averages 18.5 points and 7.6 rebounds while shooting 60.1% from the field.
Betts dominated Duke in the Elite Eight with 23 points, 10 rebounds, and five blocks, leading UCLA back from a halftime deficit. Duke coach Kara Lawson noted, "Her size and her skill make her difficult to defend one-on-one. And then the framework of their team with the shooting around her makes it really hard to bring an extra defender."
Texas' Championship Pedigree
Texas (36-3) steamrolled through their first four NCAA Tournament opponents by an average of 35.5 points, including a 77-41 Elite Eight rout of Michigan. Led by fifth-year guard Rori Harmon and All-American forward Madison Booker, the Longhorns have reached consecutive Final Fours for only the second time in program history.
Texas coach Vic Schaefer, who previously noted the difficulty of reaching consecutive Final Fours, emphasized the team's special qualities: "Well this group is awfully special. They're tough. We call it Texas tough in Austin, but I told them they're good enough. I've been on this trip before, but I want them to really be focused. Enjoy today. Don't take this for granted."
The Longhorns handed UCLA their only loss this season, winning 76-65 in Las Vegas on November 26 after building a 20-point halftime lead.
