PHOENIX — The stage is set for an electrifying conclusion to the women's NCAA Tournament, as four powerhouse programs — the Connecticut Huskies, UCLA Bruins, Texas Longhorns and South Carolina Gamecocks — have advanced to the Final Four. All four teams entered the tournament as No. 1 seeds, marking a rare occurrence where the top seeds dominate the bracket all the way to the semifinals. The games are scheduled for this coming weekend at State Farm Stadium here in Phoenix, with the national semifinals on Friday and the championship game to follow on Sunday.
The UConn Huskies are no strangers to this level of competition, returning to the Final Four for the fifth time in six seasons. According to reports from NBC News, the Huskies have cruised through their tournament opponents, securing victories by margins of at least 18 points in every game. Their most dominant performance came in the second round, where they dismantled No. 9 Syracuse by a staggering 43 points. Leading the charge for UConn is the dynamic duo of senior guard Azzi Fudd and sophomore forward Sarah Strong, who together are averaging 35.5 points, 11.1 rebounds and 6.5 assists per tournament game.
Fudd and Strong have proven to be a nightmare for opposing defenses, with their ability to score from inside and outside the arc. UConn, under legendary head coach Geno Auriemma, who is now 72 years old, is aiming to capture a record 13th national championship. The program already holds the all-time record with 12 titles, including five in seven years during the 2010s. Last season's victory marked the start of what many see as a new dynasty, and Auriemma shows no signs of slowing down. As one of the most decorated coaches in college basketball history, he has guided the Huskies to consistent excellence, though they often play the role of the tournament's villain, drawing the ire of fans rooting for an upset.
Meanwhile, the UCLA Bruins earned their spot with a gritty comeback victory over No. 3 Duke in the Elite Eight. Trailing by eight points at halftime, UCLA rallied behind senior center Lauren Betts, who tallied 23 points and 10 rebounds in the win. Betts, now in her third season with the Bruins after transferring from Stanford, is a standout performer, entering the Final Four averaging 17.2 points, 8.6 rebounds and a career-high 3.2 assists per game. Her supporting cast includes a trio of guards — Kiki Rice, Gabriela Jaquez and Gianna Kneepkens — all of whom are scoring in double figures.
This marks UCLA's second consecutive Final Four appearance, and the only two in program history. Last year, the Bruins fell to UConn in a lopsided semifinal defeat, a loss that coach Cori Close and her team are eager to avenge. Depending on the bracket, UCLA could face the Huskies again, providing an opportunity for redemption. The Bruins' journey this year has been about resilience, turning deficits into triumphs and building momentum heading into Phoenix.
The Texas Longhorns have been equally impressive, boasting a 35-3 regular-season record and finishing second in the SEC. In the tournament, they've posted an average margin of victory of 35.5 points, highlighted by a 36-point rout of No. 2 Michigan in the Elite Eight. Junior forward Madison Booker, a two-time winner of the Cheryl Miller Award as the nation's top small forward, has been the driving force, averaging 22.5 points and 8.8 rebounds per game. Her tournament highlight was a 40-point explosion against No. 8 Oregon in the second round.
Complementing Booker is sophomore guard Jordan Lee, who has led Texas in scoring in two of their last four games, contributing 14.5 points per contest since the first round. This is Texas' second straight Final Four berth and the fifth in program history. Last season, they suffered a blowout loss to South Carolina in the semifinals, a defeat that has reportedly fueled their motivation this year. The Longhorns' blend of size, speed and scoring depth makes them a formidable contender in Phoenix.
Rounding out the field are the South Carolina Gamecocks, who, despite not holding the No. 1 spot in the AP poll at any point this season — a departure from the previous six years — remain a juggernaut under coach Dawn Staley. The Gamecocks seek their fourth national title in the Staley era. Their tournament run has been ruthless, beginning with a 69-point thrashing of Southern, followed by 40-point wins over Southern California and a 26-point victory against Oklahoma. In the Elite Eight on Monday, they handled TCU 78-52.
Offensively, South Carolina is a force, averaging 87.4 points per game and ranking seventh nationally in three-point shooting percentage. Five players score in double figures, led by forward Joyce Edwards at 19.6 points per game. Guard Tessa Johnson is a sharpshooter from beyond the arc, connecting on 45% of her attempts, while forward Madina Okot dominates the boards with 10.9 rebounds per game. This versatility allows the Gamecocks to overwhelm opponents in various ways. A semifinal win on Friday would send them to the championship game for the fourth time in five seasons.
The path to the Final Four for South Carolina wasn't without early stumbles; they were upset by Texas 17-0 in the SEC Tournament championship on March 8. However, that loss seemed to ignite a fire, leading to their dominant postseason play. Staley's teams are known for their depth and defensive prowess, qualities that have carried them through undefeated regular seasons in the past but are now tested against elite competition.
As these teams converge on Phoenix, the matchups promise high drama. UConn's experience clashes with UCLA's hunger for a first title, while Texas and South Carolina bring SEC intensity to the West Coast. The all-No. 1 seed Final Four underscores the parity and talent in women's college basketball this year, with storied programs like UConn — seeking to extend their legacy — facing newcomers to the national stage like UCLA.
Beyond the court, this tournament highlights the growing popularity of women's basketball. Attendance and viewership have surged in recent years, fueled by standout players like Fudd, Betts, Booker and Edwards, who are not just athletes but cultural icons. Reporters Rohan Nadkarni and Andrew Greif of NBC News noted the 'intense final two rounds of hoops' ahead, emphasizing the star power across all teams.
Looking ahead, the semifinals will determine which two teams advance to Sunday's championship. For UConn, it's about adding to their record; for the others, it's a chance at history. Texas and South Carolina, both motivated by last year's semifinal exits, enter with something to prove. UCLA, meanwhile, eyes revenge and a breakthrough. Whatever the outcome, the women's Final Four is poised to deliver memorable moments and showcase the sport's elite talent.
The broader implications extend to the future of these programs. A title for any team could solidify coaching legacies — Auriemma's pursuit of more hardware, Staley's building of a modern dynasty, Close's elevation of UCLA, or Texas coach Vic Schaefer's' continued success in the SEC. As the weekend approaches, fans from coast to coast are tuning in, ready for what could be one of the most competitive Final Fours in recent memory.
In the end, Phoenix will host not just games, but a celebration of women's basketball excellence. With margins of victory in the tournament averaging over 30 points for some teams, the semifinals could tighten up as fatigue and pressure mount. Yet, with players like Booker, who erupted for 40 points earlier, and Betts' double-doubles, anything is possible. The Appleton Times will continue to follow the action as these four teams vie for immortality.