In a highly anticipated early glimpse into the NCAA women's basketball tournament, the selection committee revealed on Saturday that UConn, UCLA, South Carolina, and Vanderbilt are projected as the top four No. 1 seeds. Defending champions UConn, riding an undefeated 26-0 record, earned the overall No. 1 spot and will headline the Fort Worth 1 regional, according to the NCAA's announcement. This initial reveal of the top 16 seeds offers teams, fans, and analysts a preview of the bracket structure ahead of Selection Sunday on March 15.
The announcement, made as part of the NCAA's ongoing transparency efforts for the women's tournament, also outlined the projected regions for these elite teams. This year marks the second season under the expanded format, where the tournament employs a two-regional system with sites in Fort Worth, Texas, and Sacramento, California. Each regional will crown two champions, who will advance to the Final Four at the Footprint Center in Phoenix.
UConn's placement in the Fort Worth 1 regional puts them alongside LSU as the No. 8 overall seed, Ohio State at No. 9, and Oklahoma at No. 16. The Huskies, coached by Geno Auriemma, are not only unbeaten but are chasing their seventh perfect season and 13th national title in program history. "UConn is the only unbeaten team in Division I women's hoops," the NCAA noted in its release, highlighting their dominant run through the regular season and conference tournaments.
Switching to the Sacramento 2 regional, UCLA takes the No. 2 overall seed, joined by Texas at No. 5, Duke at No. 10, and Ole Miss at No. 15. The Bruins, who reached the Final Four last year, have been a consistent powerhouse on the West Coast. Texas, despite a recent setback, remains a top contender after making last season's Final Four alongside UConn, UCLA, and South Carolina.
South Carolina leads the Fort Worth 3 regional as the No. 3 overall seed, with Louisville (No. 7), Iowa (No. 11), and Michigan State (No. 14) rounding out the group. The Gamecocks, under Dawn Staley, have been a force in the SEC and are looking to build on their strong showings in recent tournaments. Iowa, featuring standout Caitlin Clark, brings star power and high expectations to the mix.
The Sacramento 4 regional is anchored by Vanderbilt as the No. 4 overall seed, a spot they solidified with a commanding victory over Texas on Thursday. The Commodores, led by Mikayla Blakes who dropped 34 points in that game, are joined by Michigan (No. 6), TCU (No. 12), and Maryland (No. 13). Before that win, Texas had been projected in the top four, but Vanderbilt's performance shifted the landscape, according to the NCAA's projections.
This reshuffling underscores the volatility of late-season play in women's college basketball. "Vanderbilt is coming off a big victory over Texas on Thursday," the announcement stated, emphasizing how that result propelled the Commodores into the elite tier. Texas, now slotted at No. 5, was ineligible for the Sacramento 4 or Fort Worth 3 regionals due to SEC conference rules limiting multiple teams from the same league in certain top seeds, the NCAA explained.
Conference representation in the top 16 reveals the depth of talent across the landscape. The SEC and Big Ten each boast six teams in this group, reflecting their dominance this season. The ACC contributes two, while the Big 12 and Big East each have one. UConn represents the Big East, UCLA the Big Ten, South Carolina the SEC, and Texas—another SEC powerhouse—the Big 12 wait, no, Texas is Big 12, but the source clarifies the distributions.
Last year's Final Four participants—UConn, UCLA, South Carolina, and Texas—continue to anchor the projections, showing continuity among the sport's blue bloods. UConn's perfect record stands out as a rarity, with the Huskies aiming to join an exclusive club of unbeaten champions. Their path to Phoenix will begin with first- and second-round games at home sites for the top 16 seeds from March 20-23.
The tournament timeline ramps up quickly after this reveal. The second top 16 seeds announcement is scheduled for March 1 at 11 a.m. ET on ESPN. Selection Sunday follows on March 15, with the First Four games on March 18-19. Sweet 16 matchups are set for March 27-28, Elite Eight on March 29-30, and the Final Four semifinals on April 3, culminating in the national championship on April 5 at the Footprint Center.
All games will air on the ABC/ESPN networks, ensuring broad accessibility for fans. This broadcast partnership has been instrumental in growing the women's game, with viewership surging in recent years. The move to home sites for early rounds adds excitement, allowing top seeds like UConn to feed off their home crowds.
Regionals in Fort Worth and Sacramento represent a strategic shift since 2023, reducing travel burdens and centralizing the later stages. Fort Worth's Dickies Arena and Sacramento's Golden 1 Center will host the Sweet 16 through Elite Eight, providing modern venues for high-stakes action. Officials with the NCAA emphasized that this format aims to enhance the overall tournament experience.
While these projections are preliminary, they set the stage for intense jockeying in the final weeks. Teams like Vanderbilt, buoyed by Blakes' heroics, and Texas, seeking redemption after their loss, illustrate how a single game can alter trajectories. Iowa and LSU, with their own narratives of redemption and rivalry, add layers to the competition.
Beyond the brackets, this reveal highlights the parity and star power in women's basketball. The SEC's six representatives underscore the conference's rigor, while the Big Ten's balance shows Midwestern strength. As the season winds down, coaches and players alike will reference these seeds in motivation and strategy sessions.
Looking ahead, the path to Phoenix promises drama, with UConn favored but challengers aplenty. Fans can tune in for the next update on March 1, as the committee refines its selections based on ongoing results. With the championship just over a month away, the anticipation builds for what could be another landmark tournament.
The Appleton Times will continue covering the march to March Madness, bringing updates on key matchups and standout performances as they unfold.