BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — This year’s women’s Final Four in Tampa, Florida, promises to be a thrilling event, featuring top-seeded teams and historic programs rather than unexpected underdogs. Top seeds South Carolina, UCLA, and Texas have advanced to the national semifinals alongside the strong contender UConn, which has been playing exceptionally well recently. They eliminated a top-seeded Southern California team, despite its disadvantage of missing a key player.
Coach Dawn Staley and her South Carolina Gamecocks, the defending champions, are making their fifth consecutive appearance in the Final Four. They remain just two victories away from becoming the first team to win back-to-back titles since UConn’s remarkable run of four consecutive championships from 2013 to 2016. In one semifinal on Friday night, South Carolina will take on Texas, a familiar SEC conference foe. Meanwhile, UConn will face off against UCLA in the other semifinal matchup.
UConn is making its 24th overall appearance in the Final Four, showing their consistency as one of the elite programs in women’s college basketball. Star player Paige Bueckers aims to secure coach Geno Auriemma his 12th national title, the first since their historic four-year streak ended.
UCLA enters the Final Four of the women’s NCAA tournament for the maiden time, but their basketball program has a national title history dating back to 1978 before NCAA oversight when Ann Meyers Drysdale led them. UCLA had experienced a long drought before this breakthrough season. Their progression this year marks a significant return to prominence.
UConn stands as the program with the most Final Four appearances, despite their previous record-breaking streak of 14 consecutive visits being interrupted in 2023. Holding 11 national titles, they dominate all other teams in women’s college basketball history.
In the South Carolina versus Texas matchup, the teams previously split their season series, each winning at home. South Carolina managed to win the decisive third meeting, securing the SEC Tournament championship with a comfortable 17-point margin. Despite South Carolina’s recent dominance, this was tested throughout the postseason. They narrowly overcame both Maryland and Duke in the Birmingham Regional with a margin of only four points.
When Texas succeeded against South Carolina this season, they shot an impressive 44%, as opposed to being held under 30% in their losses to the Gamecocks. “We have much to learn from past encounters,” remarked Texas coach Vic Schaefer. “Facing Dawn’s teams, you encounter a consistently tough, aggressive opposition, so you must be equally relentless.”
The clash is laden with star power as Texas’s roster features standouts like Rori Harmon and Madison Booker. Meanwhile, South Carolina boasts talents like Joyce Edwards, Chloe Kitts, and MiLaysia Fulwiley. This marks Texas’s first Final Four appearance since 2003 under Coach Vic Schaefer, who has now reached the Final Four with multiple teams, joining a select few in this achievement. Schaefer previously coached Mississippi State to the national championship games in 2017 and 2018.
On the other side of the bracket with UConn and UCLA, the Bruins possess a formidable weapon in 6-foot-7 Lauren Betts, who has been a dominant force throughout the tournament. Her strong performance included back-to-back games in the second round and Sweet 16, where she posted at least 30 points and 10 rebounds. Her versatility was on display in the Elite Eight despite foul trouble, securing 17 points, seven rebounds, and six blocks.
UConn will need to strategize effectively to counter Betts’ impact, but they have a potent weapon in Bueckers, who is determined to cap off her college career with a national championship win. Supporting her are formidable players like Azzi Fudd and freshman Sarah Strong, who has made an indelible impact in her debut season at UConn. School pride and history are on the line as these teams vie for national dominance in this prestigious tournament battle.