Charlie Creme
Mar 30, 2026, 11:16 PM ET
For the second season in a row, South Carolina, Texas, UCLA and UConn have reached the Final Four. From the moment UConn cut down the nets in Tampa a year ago, these four teams were deemed the best entering this season — and they delivered. They own a combined record of 143-7, and the closest NCAA tournament game among them was UConn’s 12-point Elite Eight win over Notre Dame. UConn has won 54 straight.
This is the second time in women’s NCAA tournament history that the same quartet returned to the Final Four, and just the fifth time all four No. 1 seeds advanced (1989, 2012, 2015, 2018, 2026). Friday’s UConn–South Carolina semifinal (7 p.m. ET) is a rematch of the 2025 title game; UCLA–Texas (9:30 p.m. ET) is a rematch of a Nov. 26 meeting in Las Vegas that Texas won.
Here’s how the Final Four stacks up heading into Phoenix.
1. UConn Huskies
Original seed: No. 1 overall (Fort Worth 1)
Results: Def. UTSA 90-52 (R1); def. Syracuse 98-45 (R2); def. North Carolina 63-42 (S16); def. Notre Dame 70-52 (E8)
Geno Auriemma questioned regional setups that he thought impacted offense, and UConn’s 3-point shooting dipped (10-for-37 in Fort Worth). What stood out was defense: 94 points allowed across the two regionals and 32 steals. UConn posted its two lowest-scoring games of the season versus North Carolina and Notre Dame and still won by an average of 19.5 points.
Sarah Strong’s 21 points were crucial against Notre Dame, and her combined 15 blocks and steals in the regional highlighted her status as the nation’s top individual defender. Depth was decisive: freshman Blanca Quiñonez scored 20 (12 in the first quarter) and bench pieces combined for 32 of UConn’s 70 points against Notre Dame. The Huskies remain a defensive juggernaut with versatile scoring options.
Up next: vs. South Carolina (Friday, 7 p.m. ET)
2. Texas Longhorns
Original seed: No. 1 (Fort Worth 3)
Results: Def. Missouri State 87-45 (R1); def. Oregon 100-58 (R2); def. Kentucky 76-54 (S16); def. Michigan 77-41 (E8)
Texas has been dominant throughout the tournament. The Longhorns throttled Michigan — a team that played UConn and UCLA close this season — jumping to an early lead and never relinquishing control. Madison Booker finished with 19 points; Texas’ physicality and depth overwhelmed opponents. After earlier midseason struggles and a public rebuke from coach Vic Schaefer, the Longhorns have arguably been playing their best basketball of the year, combining experience, depth, tenacity and offense.
Is Texas the best team left? Their balance makes them a legitimate national title contender and a favorite to break through since 1986.
Up next: vs. UCLA (Friday, 9:30 p.m. ET)
3. UCLA Bruins
Original seed: No. 1 (Sacramento 2)
Results: Def. Cal Baptist 96-43 (R1); def. Oklahoma State 87-68 (R2); def. Minnesota 80-56 (S16); def. Duke 70-58 (E8)
Lauren Betts has anchored UCLA’s Final Four runs, delivering consistently under pressure. Through four tournament games she averaged 24.0 points and 8.5 rebounds, with shooting efficiency near last season’s levels. Against Duke she dominated the second half, producing 15 points, eight rebounds and two blocks in the final 20 minutes to fuel a 20-point half comeback.
UCLA’s identity is paint dominance: at least 50 paint points in each tournament game (54 against Duke) and 26 games this season with at least 40 paint points, matching UConn and South Carolina for the Division I lead. The Bruins’ size, interior scoring and guards who get downhill make their frontcourt a matchup problem.
Up next: vs. Texas (Friday, 9:30 p.m. ET)
4. South Carolina Gamecocks
Original seed: No. 1 (Sacramento 4)
Results: Def. Southern 103-34 (R1); def. USC 101-61 (R2); def. Oklahoma 94-68 (S16); def. TCU 78-52 (E8)
South Carolina reached its sixth straight Final Four, the second-longest streak ever behind UConn’s 14. The Gamecocks won their four NCAA games by a combined 161 points, the fourth-largest tournament total in history. Their size and depth wore down TCU, reflected in a 52-24 rebounding edge and a decisive fourth-quarter surge.
Joyce Edwards produced a double-double (24 points, 12 rebounds) in the regional final, and Agot Makeer continued to break out with her highest-scoring tournament performances. South Carolina’s ability to play to its strengths — size, rebounding and efficient scoring — keeps it among the favorites, though its three regular-season losses and a tighter Elite Eight game keep it fourth in a very narrow pecking order.
Up next: vs. UConn (Friday, 7 p.m. ET)
