The 68-team women’s NCAA tournament field is set, with the First Four tipping Wednesday and Thursday and the first round opening Friday. UConn enters undefeated (34-0) and defending champion, riding a 50-game win streak; Phoenix hosts the Final Four April 5. Below is the bracket field organized by seed with a brief note on each team.
NO. 1 SEEDS
UConn Huskies — 34-0, defending champions; Sarah Strong and Azzi Fudd lead a dominant offense and stingy defense.
UCLA Bruins — 31-1, Big Ten regular-season and tournament champs; Lauren Betts, Kiki Rice and Gianna Kneepkens power a balanced attack.
Texas Longhorns — SEC tournament champions; Madison Booker and Rori Harmon anchor a deep, fast-paced roster.
South Carolina Gamecocks — 31-3, 10th SEC regular-season title; Joyce Edwards and Raven/Tessa Johnsons lead a perennial Final Four contender.
NO. 2 SEEDS
Iowa Hawkeyes — Efficient, high-assist offense; Ava Heiden/Hannah Stuelke front line, Chazadi Wright running the point.
LSU Tigers — Division I-leading scoring (94.5); MiLaysia Fulwiley, Mikaylah Williams and Flau’jae Johnson fuel the attack.
Michigan Wolverines — Narrow losses to UConn, UCLA; Olivia Olson and veteran sophomore core have Michigan among the nation’s best.
Vanderbilt Commodores — Surprise SEC success, Mikayla Blakes (27.0 PPG) leads a high-scoring backcourt.
NO. 3 SEEDS
Duke Blue Devils — ACC regular-season and tournament champs after 3-6 start; Toby Fournier anchors defense and inside scoring.
Louisville Cardinals — Balanced scoring with deep rotation; Imari Berry and Laura Ziegler contribute in multiple roles.
Ohio State Buckeyes — Nine Quad 1 wins; Jaloni Cambridge leads scoring while defense creates turnovers.
TCU Horned Frogs — Big 12 regular-season repeat; Olivia Miles leads scoring and assists, team strong defensively.
NO. 4 SEEDS
Minnesota Golden Gophers — Veteran starting five; tough on possessions, ranking high in fewest turnovers.
North Carolina Tar Heels — Improved 3-point shooting; solid defense could propel deeper run.
Oklahoma Sooners — High-scoring (86.7 PPG) with Raegan Beers inside and freshman Aaliyah Chavez igniting offense.
West Virginia Mountaineers — Big 12 tournament winners; stout defense and timely postseason surge.
NO. 5 SEEDS
Kentucky Wildcats — Tonie Morgan directs offense with Clara Strack/Teonni Key inside; perimeter oriented.
Maryland Terrapins — Rebuilt via portal; Oluchi Okananwa leads scoring amid injury-driven rotation changes.
Michigan State Spartans — Consistent 22-win seasons; Grace VanSlooten and Kennedy Blair combine for inside-out production.
Ole Miss Rebels — Cotie McMahon leads scoring after transfer; Christeen Iwuala and Latasha Lattimore bolster frontcourt.
NO. 6 SEEDS
Alabama Crimson Tide — 23 wins and strong perimeter play from Jessica Timmons; SEC résumé earned at-large.
Baylor Bears — Taliah Scott leads scoring; defense must step up for a regional run.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish — Hannah Hidalgo national steals leader and top scorer; Cassandre Prosper inside presence.
Washington Huskies — Sayvia Sellers and Avery Howell lead a top rebounding Big Ten team.
NO. 7 SEEDS
Georgia Lady Bulldogs — Fast start then SEC parity; Dani Carnegie and Mia Woolfolk lead scoring.
Illinois Fighting Illini — Young scorers Berry Wallace and Cearah Parchment; solid tournament résumé.
NC State Wolfpack — High expectations, two top scorers in Khamil Pierre and Zoe Brooks despite uneven season.
Texas Tech Lady Raiders — Surprise Big 12 finish, experienced seniors Bailey Maupin and Snudda Collins lead.
NO. 8 SEEDS
Clemson Tigers — Transfer-fueled turnaround under Shawn Poppie; Mia Moore and newcomers scoring consistently.
Iowa State Cyclones — Audi Crooks dominant inside (25.5 PPG); Addy Brown and Jada Williams complement.
Oklahoma State Cowgirls — Balanced scoring, strong home résumé; Micah Gray leads perimeter attack.
Oregon Ducks — Ehis Etute controls paint; Katie Fiso and Mia Jacobs steady backcourt.
NO. 9 SEEDS
Syracuse Orange — ACC breakout season; Uche Izoje freshman impact with veteran perimeter scorers.
USC Trojans — Jazzy Davidson and returning talent; JuJu Watkins out this season rehabbing ACL.
Princeton Tigers — Ivy champion and experienced juniors led by Madison St. Rose and Fadima Tall.
Virginia Tech Hokies — Defensive-minded ACC team; Carleigh Wenzel and Carys Baker lead scoring.
NO. 10 SEEDS
Arizona State Sun Devils — First NCAA trip since 2019; Gabby Elliott, McKinna Brackens and Heloisa Carrera lead inside-out.
Colorado Buffaloes — Big 12 semifinal run; Desiree Wooten and Zyanna Walker provide scoring punch.
Tennessee Lady Vols — Struggling late with a seven-game skid; talent remains but chemistry is a concern.
Villanova Wildcats — Second in Big East, Jasmine Bascoe primary scorer and playmaker.
NO. 11 SEEDS
Fairfield Stags — MAAC dominance; Kaety L’Amoreaux and Meghan Andersen lead efficient offense.
Nebraska Cornhuskers — Balanced scoring with Britt Prince; late-season defensive lapses tempered overall résumé.
Rhode Island Rams — Program-record 28 wins; Brooklyn Gray and strong A-10 defense carried the run.
Richmond Spiders — Consistent A-10 performer Maggie Doogan leads veteran Richmond group.
South Dakota State Jackrabbits — Summit League tournament champions; Brooklyn Meyer and prolific scoring.
NO. 12 SEEDS
Colorado State Rams — Mountain West’s top defense; Lexus Bargesser’s injury status a key variable.
Gonzaga Bulldogs — WCC champions; Lauren Whittaker freshman POY and double-double machine.
James Madison Dukes — Tournament champions; Peyton McDaniel leads JMU’s title run.
Murray State Racers — MVC regular-season champs; Halli Poock MVC Player of the Year.
NO. 13 SEEDS
Green Bay Phoenix — Horizon League repeat contenders; Jenna Guyer anchors defense and scoring.
Idaho Vandals — Big Sky champions with balanced scoring; international roster and Hope Hassmann lead.
Miami (OH) RedHawks — MAC champions; Amber Tretter all-conference leader in impact across categories.
Western Illinois Leathernecks — Mia Nicastro’s scoring carried the team to MVC-type success and an NCAA berth.
NO. 14 SEEDS
Charleston Cougars — CAA tournament winners and program’s first NCAA appearance; Taryn and Taylor Barbot lead scoring.
Howard Bison — MEAC champions with conference POY Zennia Thomas; 14-game win streak into tournament.
UC San Diego Tritons — Big West co-champs; Erin Condron and Makayla Rose lead inside-out attack.
Vermont Catamounts — America East repeat champions; Nikola Priede defensive anchor and Keira Hanson scoring leader.
NO. 15 SEEDS
Fairleigh Dickinson Knights — NEC repeat champions; hot-shooting, 3-point oriented club with Ava Renninger.
High Point Panthers — Big South champions; Macy Spencer and Aaliyah Collins lead scoring and defense.
Holy Cross Crusaders — Patriot League winners; Simone Foreman and Meg Cahalan key contributors.
Jacksonville Dolphins — ASUN champions; Priscilla Williams and late-season surge earned the bid.
NO. 16 SEEDS
California Baptist Lancers — WAC contenders; Lauren Olsen and Filipa Barros lead balanced inside-out attack.
Missouri State Lady Bears — CUSA tournament upset champions; Kaemyn Bekemeier leads with points and rebounds.
Samford Bulldogs — SoCon surprise; freshmen duo fueled championship and improbable NCAA berth.
Southern Jaguars — SWAC champions; balanced lineup with DeMya Porter leading modest scoring outputs.
Stephen F. Austin Ladyjacks — Southland repeat champions; Harmanie Dominguez long-range threat and Key Roseby scoring.
UTSA Roadrunners — American conference champions after upset run; coach Karen Aston’s veteran leadership.
Notes: The First Four will decide the final spots; the bracket shapes potential matchups en route to the Final Four in Phoenix. Expect top seeds UConn, UCLA, Texas and South Carolina to be heavy favorites, but the field includes multiple experienced mid-major champions and high-powered scorers who can produce March upsets.
