In the high-stakes world of women's college basketball, Sunday's Elite Eight matchups in the 2026 NCAA Tournament promise to deliver drama as two spots in the Final Four in Phoenix hang in the balance. The first game pits the No. 6 seed Notre Dame Fighting Irish against the undefeated No. 1 seed UConn Huskies, while the No. 3 seed Duke Blue Devils face off against the No. 1 seed UCLA Bruins in the evening contest. Both games, set to tip off from regional sites, carry the weight of recent upsets and dominant performances, with ESPN analysts on hand to provide live coverage and insights from reporters Kendra Andrews, Charlotte Gibson, Alexa Philippou, and Michael Voepel.
The Notre Dame-UConn clash revives a storied rivalry, one that saw the Huskies dominate the Irish earlier this season with a 38-point thrashing in January—the most lopsided margin in the history of the matchup. Yet, as Alexa Philippou notes in her preview, regular-season results don't always predict tournament outcomes. Notre Dame, playing as an underdog after exceeding low expectations as a No. 6 seed, enters with momentum from a gritty Sweet 16 victory over Vanderbilt, where they held standout Mikayla Blakes to a dismal 7-of-26 shooting from the field.
At the heart of the Irish's surprising run is sophomore guard Hannah Hidalgo, whose defensive prowess has been the cornerstone of their success. Hidalgo set the tone in the Vanderbilt game, contributing to a 12-point lead that they clung to despite a late rally. As Andrea Adelson reports, Hidalgo "has spoken repeatedly about not taking this moment for granted, and she seems to be playing that way." The Fighting Irish rely on a seven-player rotation, which has tested their depth amid a season filled with adversity, but their belief in one another has carried them this far. To advance, they'll need Hidalgo to replicate that defensive intensity against UConn's high-powered offense.
For UConn, the pressure is immense as the defending national champions and the tournament's only undefeated team. Coach Geno Auriemma's squad struggled with a sluggish start in their Sweet 16 win over North Carolina, managing just a narrow first-quarter edge before pulling away. Philippou highlights that Auriemma's top priority will be a stronger opening and improved offensive execution against Notre Dame's stingy defense. In their January meeting, UConn shot 56% from the field en route to 85 points, but the Irish have evolved since then, making this a tougher test. The Huskies' burden as favorites contrasts sharply with Notre Dame's "house money" mentality, as few predicted the Irish would reach this stage.
Predictions from ESPN's panel lean heavily toward UConn. Michael Voepel forecasts a 82-75 Huskies victory, while bracketologist Charlie Creme sees a more decisive 78-52 outcome. Kendra Andrews predicts 80-60, and Charlotte Gibson envisions 86-63. These scores suggest a UConn win, but the margin varies, reflecting the analysts' differing views on how effectively Notre Dame can disrupt the Huskies' rhythm. Voepel, in particular, anticipates a closer contest, acknowledging the Irish's poise under pressure.
Shifting to the second Elite Eight game, Duke's Cinderella story collides with UCLA's veteran dominance. The Blue Devils stunned No. 1 seed LSU in the Sweet 16 with a buzzer-beating jumper from Ashlon Jackson, securing a spot in the Elite Eight for the first time in program history under coach Kara Lawson. That dramatic 65-64 victory came down to rebounding battles, as LSU coach Kim Mulkey and her players later lamented their failure to secure key boards. Duke tied the Tigers at 41 rebounds apiece, a stat that could prove crucial against UCLA.
Sophomore Toby Fournier emerged as Duke's hero against LSU, posting 22 points, nine rebounds, and three steals in the upset. To pull off another shocker, the Blue Devils must maintain their transition defense and pressure, according to Voepel. Junior forward Delaney Thomas, at 6-foot-3, will be key in the paint, though Duke lacks the size to fully contain UCLA's towering 6-foot-7 senior center Lauren Betts. Betts, who notched 16 points, five rebounds, and five blocks in the Bruins' 80-56 rout of Minnesota in the Sweet 16, remains a matchup nightmare. Duke allowed LSU 52 points in the paint, many from guard drives, but UCLA's superior low-post game will test their interior defense further.
UCLA, seeded No. 1 in their region, has been a model of consistency but grapples with slow starts, as seen in their Sweet 16 matchup where defensive lapses gave Minnesota too many opportunities early. Charlotte Gibson points out that once the Bruins get rolling inside, they are "unstoppable," having scored 52 points in the paint against the Gophers. Betts recently surpassed 1,000 career rebounds, while guard Angela Dugalic hit the 1,000-point milestone, and point guard Kiki Rice has excelled at creating scoring chances. The Bruins held a 37-31 rebounding edge over Minnesota but faltered in stretches, a vulnerability Duke could exploit after matching LSU's rebounding output.
ESPN's predictions for Duke-UCLA also favor the Bruins, though with tighter margins. Voepel sees 79-71, Creme a nail-biter at 65-62, Andrews 70-58, and Gibson 74-71. These forecasts indicate UCLA's experience and depth should prevail, but Duke's upset potential keeps the game intriguing. Gibson emphasizes that eliminating slow starts and maximizing paint opportunities will send UCLA to their second straight Final Four.
The context of these games extends beyond the court, highlighting the growth of women's basketball. Notre Dame's run as a lower seed underscores the parity in the sport, where underdogs like the Irish can thrive through collective effort and star power like Hidalgo's. UConn, meanwhile, carries the legacy of 11 national titles under Auriemma, but their undefeated streak adds unprecedented pressure in a tournament known for chaos. Duke's buzzer-beater against LSU, described by Voepel as a testament to their resilience, mirrors the Blue Devils' underdog spirit, while UCLA's veteran backcourt—led by Rice and Dugalic—brings poise from last year's Final Four appearance.
Recent performances provide further backdrop. Notre Dame's Elite Eight berth came after overcoming Vanderbilt's late surge, showcasing the poise Adelson praised. UConn's 38-point January win over the Irish was historic, but the tournament's neutral sites and heightened stakes could level the playing field. On the other side, Duke's defensive tenacity limited LSU's interior scoring despite the Tigers' penetration threats, a strategy they'll adapt against UCLA's more polished post play. The Bruins' 80-56 Sweet 16 win over Minnesota demonstrated their dominance once engaged, but Mulkey's postgame comments about rebounding serve as a cautionary tale for Cori Close's squad.
As the games unfold Sunday, with tipoffs scheduled for afternoon and evening slots at their respective regionals, fans can expect intense battles that could redefine the Final Four field. Notre Dame's Hidalgo has emphasized cherishing these moments, a sentiment echoed in her on-court leadership. For Duke, Fournier's all-around game against LSU offers hope, while UCLA's milestones for Betts and Dugalic signal a team peaking at the right time. UConn's quest for back-to-back titles adds historical weight, potentially setting up marquee semifinal matchups in Phoenix.
Looking ahead, the winners will join the other Final Four qualifiers in Arizona, where the national semifinals await on March 29. These Elite Eight outcomes could signal shifts in the sport's power structure—whether UConn extends its dynasty, UCLA builds on recent success, or underdogs like Notre Dame and Duke continue to inspire. With ESPN's team providing on-site analysis, the day promises comprehensive coverage of every turnover, rebound, and buzzer-beater, capturing the essence of March Madness magic.
In a tournament that has already seen buzzer-beaters and defensive masterclasses, Sunday's games stand to elevate the narrative. The Huskies' offensive firepower versus the Irish's grit, and the Bruins' inside dominance against the Blue Devils' upset hunger, encapsulate the unpredictability that defines women's basketball. As Voepel and his colleagues predict lopsided wins for the top seeds, the underdogs' paths to advancement remind us that in the NCAA Tournament, anything truly feels possible.