As the excitement builds for the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament, all eyes were on the bracket reveal this past Sunday. The primary question circulating among fans and analysts alike was who would secure the coveted top seed. In a season characterized by remarkable parity, the SEC tournament champion, South Carolina, and the Big Ten tournament champion, UCLA, both had compelling arguments. Ultimately, the Bruins were awarded the No. 1 overall seed, while the Gamecocks, along with Texas and USC, also claimed a spot on the prestigious No. 1 line.
The UCLA Bruins (30-2) are riding a wave of momentum into the tournament after clinching their first conference championship since 2006. They achieved this by defeating USC in a thrilling matchup, marking the third face-off between the two Los Angeles powerhouses this season. With this victory, UCLA not only reached 30 wins for the first time in program history but also spent an impressive 12 consecutive weeks atop the AP poll.
At the center of UCLA's success is junior center Lauren Betts, who has emerged as a pivotal player, leading the team in points (19.6), rebounds (9.7), blocks (2.9), and field goal percentage (63.4 percent). Under the guidance of Coach Cori Close, UCLA boasts a highly experienced roster, with seven of its eight most-utilized players being upperclassmen.
Meanwhile, the South Carolina Gamecocks (30-3), the second No. 1 seed, are determined to defend their national title and become the first team to repeat as champions since UConn in 2015-16. Despite suffering three losses this season—more than they had since the 2020-21 season—the Gamecocks remain a formidable contender. Their roster includes standout players such as freshman forward Joyce Edwards, sophomore forward Chloe Kitts, and sophomore guard MiLaysia Fulwiley, all of whom have been instrumental in their recent SEC games.
Coach Dawn Staley expressed her surprise at South Carolina not receiving the top overall seed, highlighting their impressive record in Quad 1 games, where they went 16-3, the most of any team in the nation. Staley emphasized the strength of their schedule and expressed confidence in their ability to contend for another title.
The USC Trojans (28-3) and the Texas Longhorns (31-3) round out the No. 1 seeds for the second consecutive season. USC's standout player, sophomore guard JuJu Watkins, has made headlines by scoring 20 points or more in an NCAA-leading 26 games this season, positioning herself as a likely All-American. A potential rematch with No. 2 UConn and star guard Paige Bueckers looms in the Elite Eight, after their previous encounter last season, which UConn won.
Texas, led by elite sophomore Madison Booker, who was named her conference's player of the year for the second year in a row, also boasts a strong program. The Longhorns excel in points differential and are looking to make a significant impact in the tournament.
If all four No. 1 seeds advance to the Final Four, each semifinal would feature a rematch between teams that have already faced each other multiple times this season. The tournament's opening two rounds will be hosted by the top 16 teams, with Birmingham, Alabama, and Spokane, Washington, serving as the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight sites.
The upcoming Final Four will take place in Tampa, Florida, with the semifinals scheduled for April 4 and the championship game on April 6. The Big Ten led all conferences with 12 teams in the field, followed by the SEC with 10, the ACC with eight, and the Big 12 with seven. Notably, Virginia Tech was the first team left out of the tournament this year.
Entering the tournament, the UConn Huskies (30-3) are striving for their third championship this season after winning both the Big East regular-season and conference tournament titles. Led by star guard Paige Bueckers, who is projected to be the No. 1 pick in the upcoming WNBA Draft, UConn aims to reclaim their championship glory. Despite making the Final Four in three of the last four seasons, the Huskies have not secured a national title since the 2015-16 season.
While many teams are vying for a spot in the Final Four, Notre Dame has emerged as a formidable contender. After winning 19 consecutive games and reaching the No. 1 spot in the AP poll, they enter the tournament as a No. 3 seed. However, following a recent slump, including losses in three of their last five games, the Fighting Irish are eager to prove their mettle.
Other teams to watch include NC State, which seeks a return trip to the Final Four, and TCU, celebrating their best season in program history with a record 31 wins. Led by Big 12 Player of the Year Hailey Van Lith, TCU is poised to make a deep run, having dominated many of their games this season.
Last year's NCAA Tournament broke viewership records, with the title game between Iowa and South Carolina drawing an impressive 18.9 million viewers. While this year's tournament may not surpass that, the emergence of new stars like Betts and Strong, alongside the continued growth of women's basketball, promises an exciting competition.
As six schools make their debut in the field of 68 and Stanford misses the tournament for the first time in 36 years, the landscape of women's college basketball is rapidly evolving. With Tennessee making its 43rd consecutive tournament appearance, the excitement for this year's NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament is palpable.
Among the standout players to keep an eye on are Ta’Niya Latson from Florida State, who leads the nation in scoring, and Harmoni Turner from Harvard, whose performances have propelled her team to their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2007. Additionally, Raegan Beers from Oklahoma and Aneesah Morrow from LSU are also critical players to follow as they look to make their mark in the tournament.
With thrilling matchups and remarkable talent on display, the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament promises to be an unforgettable event. Fans can expect intense competition, emerging stars, and the potential for historic moments as teams vie for the championship title.
