After dominating women’s college basketball throughout the season, it’s only fitting that Connecticut, South Carolina, Texas and UCLA are all back in the women’s Final Four for the second consecutive season.
The four No. 1 seeds blitzed women’s college hoops with a combined 143-7 record — with four of the losses coming to each other in the regular season. All four juggernauts have been favored by more than double digits in every tournament matchup. The top seeds held up their end of the bargain by winning each game by at least 12.
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Setting the stage for an epic weekend, 2026 is only the second time the women’s Final Four is running it back from the previous year and the fifth time all four No. 1 seeds made the Final Four.
While the major storyline is Connecticut going for its seventh undefeated season, the other three teams also have had incredible runs to Phoenix.
UConn enters the Final Four as heavy favorites
Led by the All-American duo of sophomore forward Sarah Strong and senior guard Azzi Fudd, the Huskies are riding a 54-game winning streak dating back to last season. The Huskies have won every game but one by double digits and haven’t been seriously challenged very often.
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Last year’s Final Four saw the Huskies win by an average of 28.5 points per game while dominating UCLA and South Carolina. While it’s hard to envision UConn winning by that much in this Final Four, the team’s star power, depth and a ferocious defense make the Huskies the clear team to beat in Phoenix.
UCLA, Texas and South Carolina chase an upset
Although it might seem like the Huskies will cruise to another national championship, the Final Four is filled with decorated teams.
The UCLA Bruins (+650) have lost only once all season behind All-American center and double-double machine Lauren Betts. The 6-foot-7 Betts is perhaps the most intriguing individual player in the Final Four because of her size and ability to impact the game on both ends. Withstanding a halftime deficit against Duke in the Elite Eight, the Bruins showed impressive resolve in the second half, eventually steamrolling the Blue Devils behind a big half from Betts.
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The Texas Longhorns (+650) stand in the way of UCLA in a national semifinal. Playing with a lot of confidence behind junior forward Madison Booker, Texas has won each tournament game by at least 22 points. The Longhorns have consistently proven themselves against elite competition throughout the season. Texas was the only team to beat the Bruins this season when the two programs met in November at the Players Era Championship. Before the NCAA Tournament, Texas claimed the SEC tournament title with a double-digit win over South Carolina.
It’s hard to believe the South Carolina Gamecocks (+750) are fourth among title contenders while making a sixth straight trip to the Final Four. Balance and depth remain the key for South Carolina, helping the Gamecocks win by an average of 40.2 points per game through the first four matchups in the NCAA Tournament. South Carolina will have something to prove in this Final Four following its 23-point national championship loss to UConn a year ago.
This article originally appeared in The Athletic.
UCLA Bruins, South Carolina Gamecocks, Connecticut Huskies, Texas Longhorns, Women’s College Basketball, Sports Betting
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