The 68-team women’s NCAA tournament field is official. The First Four tips Wednesday and Thursday, the first round opens Friday, and the Final Four will be played in Phoenix on April 5. UConn arrives unbeaten at 34-0 and as defending champion, riding a 50-game winning streak. Below is the bracket organized by seed with a brief note on each team.
No. 1 seeds
UConn Huskies — 34-0, defending national champions; balanced, elite two-way play led by Sarah Strong and Azzi Fudd.
UCLA Bruins — 31-1, regular-season and tournament conference champs; Lauren Betts, Kiki Rice and Gianna Kneepkens fuel a versatile attack.
Texas Longhorns — SEC tournament champions with depth and speed; Madison Booker and Rori Harmon anchor both ends of the floor.
South Carolina Gamecocks — 31-3 and another SEC powerhouse; Joyce Edwards and the Johnsons provide the talent and experience of a perennial Final Four team.
No. 2 seeds
Iowa Hawkeyes — Efficient, high-assist offense with frontcourt strength from Ava Heiden and Hannah Stuelke and Chazadi Wright at the point.
LSU Tigers — Nation-leading scoring offense (approx. 94.5 PPG); MiLaysia Fulwiley, Mikaylah Williams and Flau’jae Johnson head a thunderous attack.
Michigan Wolverines — Narrow losses to top teams; Olivia Olson and a veteran sophomore core make Michigan a top contender.
Vanderbilt Commodores — Surprise SEC success powered by Mikayla Blakes’ high-scoring backcourt play (27.0 PPG).
No. 3 seeds
Duke Blue Devils — Rebounded from a slow start to win ACC regular season and tournament; Toby Fournier provides interior presence and defense.
Louisville Cardinals — Deep rotation and balanced scoring with impact from Imari Berry and Laura Ziegler.
Ohio State Buckeyes — Strength of schedule highlighted by nine Quad 1 wins; Jaloni Cambridge leads the scoring while defense creates extra possessions.
TCU Horned Frogs — Big 12 regular-season repeat; Olivia Miles runs the show with scoring and playmaking on a defensively tough squad.
No. 4 seeds
Minnesota Golden Gophers — Veteran starting five that takes care of the ball and limits opponent opportunities.
North Carolina Tar Heels — Improved perimeter shooting and steady defense could fuel a deeper run.
Oklahoma Sooners — High-scoring offense (around 86.7 PPG) with Raegan Beers inside and freshman Aaliyah Chavez energizing the attack.
West Virginia Mountaineers — Big 12 tournament winners known for strong defense and timely postseason play.
No. 5 seeds
Kentucky Wildcats — Perimeter-oriented offense run by Tonie Morgan with interior help from Clara Strack and Teonni Key.
Maryland Terrapins — Rebuilt in the portal era; Oluchi Okananwa leads the scoring amid rotation changes from injuries.
Michigan State Spartans — Consistent program with inside-out production from Grace VanSlooten and Kennedy Blair.
Ole Miss Rebels — Cotie McMahon leads the way after transferring in; Christeen Iwuala and Latasha Lattimore shore up the frontcourt.
No. 6 seeds
Alabama Crimson Tide — 23 wins and a reliable perimeter game from Jessica Timmons; solid SEC-at-large résumé.
Baylor Bears — Taliah Scott is the primary scorer; defense will need to tighten for a regional run.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish — Hannah Hidalgo leads the nation in steals and scoring; Cassandre Prosper provides interior toughness.
Washington Huskies — Top rebounding unit in the league with Sayvia Sellers and Avery Howell controlling the glass.
No. 7 seeds
Georgia Lady Bulldogs — Strong early season before SEC parity set in; scoring led by Dani Carnegie and Mia Woolfolk.
Illinois Fighting Illini — Young scorers Berry Wallace and Cearah Parchment highlight an improving résumé.
NC State Wolfpack — Entered the year with high expectations; Khamil Pierre and Zoe Brooks are the primary scorers.
Texas Tech Lady Raiders — Surprising Big 12 finish powered by experienced seniors Bailey Maupin and Snudda Collins.
No. 8 seeds
Clemson Tigers — Transfer-driven turnaround under Shawn Poppie with Mia Moore and newcomers contributing consistently.
Iowa State Cyclones — Audi Crooks dominates inside (about 25.5 PPG) with Addy Brown and Jada Williams supporting.
Oklahoma State Cowgirls — Balanced scoring and a strong home résumé; Micah Gray leads the perimeter attack.
Oregon Ducks — Ehis Etute controls the paint while Katie Fiso and Mia Jacobs stabilize the backcourt.
No. 9 seeds
Syracuse Orange — ACC breakout season highlighted by freshman Uche Izoje and veteran perimeter scorers.
USC Trojans — Jazzy Davidson and returning contributors step up while JuJu Watkins rehabs this season.
Princeton Tigers — Ivy League champions with experienced juniors like Madison St. Rose and Fadima Tall.
Virginia Tech Hokies — Defensive-minded ACC unit; Carleigh Wenzel and Carys Baker provide consistent scoring.
No. 10 seeds
Arizona State Sun Devils — First NCAA appearance since 2019; Gabby Elliott, McKinna Brackens and Heloisa Carrera lead an inside-out attack.
Colorado Buffaloes — Big 12 semifinalists with scoring punch from Desiree Wooten and Zyanna Walker.
Tennessee Lady Vols — Talent-laden program that hit a late skid; chemistry questions temper upside.
Villanova Wildcats — Big East runners-up with Jasmine Bascoe the primary scoring and playmaking threat.
No. 11 seeds
Fairfield Stags — MAAC champions with efficient scoring from Kaety L’Amoreaux and Meghan Andersen.
Nebraska Cornhuskers — Balanced offense behind Britt Prince but late defensive lapses complicated the résumé.
Rhode Island Rams — Program-record 28 wins led by Brooklyn Gray and strong A-10 defense.
Richmond Spiders — Veteran A-10 side anchored by Maggie Doogan and steady contributions across the roster.
South Dakota State Jackrabbits — Summit League tournament champions with prolific scoring from Brooklyn Meyer.
No. 12 seeds
Colorado State Rams — Mountain West’s top defense; Lexus Bargesser’s availability is a key variable.
Gonzaga Bulldogs — WCC champions and freshman Lauren Whittaker’s double-doubles anchor the frontcourt.
James Madison Dukes — Conference tournament winners with Peyton McDaniel steering the run.
Murray State Racers — MVC regular-season champs; Halli Poock was named conference player of the year.
No. 13 seeds
Green Bay Phoenix — Horizon League contenders with Jenna Guyer leading a balanced attack.
Idaho Vandals — Big Sky champions with balanced scoring and international pieces highlighted by Hope Hassmann.
Miami (OH) RedHawks — MAC champions; Amber Tretter is an all-conference impact player.
Western Illinois Leathernecks — Mia Nicastro’s scoring drove a strong season and an NCAA berth.
No. 14 seeds
Charleston Cougars — CAA tournament winners and the program’s first NCAA appearance; scoring shared by Taryn and Taylor Barbot.
Howard Bison — MEAC champions with conference POY Zennia Thomas and a 14-game winning streak into the tournament.
UC San Diego Tritons — Big West co-champs with interior force Erin Condron and Makayla Rose outside.
Vermont Catamounts — America East repeat champions; Nikola Priede anchors the defense and Keira Hanson is the scoring leader.
No. 15 seeds
Fairleigh Dickinson Knights — NEC repeat champions known for hot three-point shooting and Ava Renninger’s perimeter touch.
High Point Panthers — Big South champions led by Macy Spencer and Aaliyah Collins on both ends.
Holy Cross Crusaders — Patriot League winners with contributions from Simone Foreman and Meg Cahalan.
Jacksonville Dolphins — ASUN champions who earned a bid behind Priscilla Williams and a late-season surge.
No. 16 seeds
California Baptist Lancers — WAC contenders with a balanced inside-out attack from Lauren Olsen and Filipa Barros.
Missouri State Lady Bears — CUSA tournament upset winners; Kaemyn Bekemeier led in points and rebounds.
Samford Bulldogs — SoCon surprise with a freshman-fueled title and improbable NCAA berth.
Southern Jaguars — SWAC champions with a balanced lineup and modest scoring from DeMya Porter.
Stephen F. Austin Ladyjacks — Southland repeat champions featuring long-range threat Harmanie Dominguez and Key Roseby.
UTSA Roadrunners — American conference champions after an upset run, guided by veteran coaching leadership.
Notes: The First Four will finalize the last spots and set up the bracket pathway to Phoenix. Top seeds UConn, UCLA, Texas and South Carolina are heavy favorites, but the draw includes experienced mid-major champions and high-scoring teams capable of March upsets. Expect a mix of veteran programs and surprise entrants to shape an unpredictable tournament.
