Monday’s NCAA women’s tournament Elite Eight matchups present two intriguing scenarios. Each of them features a team pursuing a second consecutive return to the Final Four (or sixth straight, in South Carolina’s case) opposed by a squad seeking to advance to the national semifinals for the first time in program history.
The two matchups also confirm the expectations established by their seedings. The four teams playing are among the top three seeds in their respective regions. There is no outlier or upset winner, as with No. 6 Notre Dame in Sunday’s games. South Carolina, Texas, Michigan and TCU were among the best teams in the nation and have an opportunity to win a national championship.
Advertisement
Draft your Yahoo Fantasy Baseball team for the 2026 MLB Season
Here’s what you need to know for the final two Elite Eight games of the 2026 NCAA women’s tournament.
No. 1 Texas vs. No. 2 Michigan
-
Texas’ last Final Four appearance: 2025
-
Michigan’s last Final Four appearance: Never
Texas coach Vic Schaefer has been to the NCAA tournament during each of his six seasons in Austin and has a second consecutive trip to the Final Four in sight. The Longhorns earned a No. 1 seed for the third straight year, but arguably improved on last season by defeating South Carolina to win the SEC conference tournament.
Kim Barnes Arico has also coached Michigan to the NCAA tournament for six consecutive years (and in nine of her 14 seasons in Ann Arbor). But the Wolverines have never advanced past the Elite Eight during her tenure. This year’s team — led by the guard trio of Olivia Olson, Syla Swords and Mila Holloway — may finally be the one to break through.
Advertisement
However, the Longhorns can beat a team in different ways, either pounding the basket in the frontcourt with Madison Booker and Kyla Oldacre or Jordan Lee and Rori Harmon working from the perimeter. Harmon, in particular, may be the difference in this matchup, with her defense causing havoc all over the court.
But Michigan has shown it can handle such pressure, playing effectively against Notre Dame’s Hannah Hidalgo, who arguably had her worst performance of the season in their November meeting.
Players to watch
Texas F Madison Booker
Averaging 19.3 points per game this season, Booker is always a player to watch for the Longhorns. However, with Michigan often favoring a four-guard lineup, Texas projects to have an advantage in the frontcourt. In two games against Iowa late in the season, the Wolverines struggled against Ava Heiden and Hannah Stuelke, and Booker provides an even more difficult matchup, especially off the dribble.
Advertisement
Michigan G Syla Swords
Olson led the Wolverines in scoring this season with 19.2 points per game. But in three of Michigan’s six losses, she wasn’t the leading scorer. If Texas concentrates its defensive efforts on Olson — sticking Harmon on her, for instance — Swords will have to pick up the offensive burden. But the sophomore is capable of handling that role, leading Michigan in scoring eight times this season, including a 29-point performance against UConn.
Stat to remember
Texas forced 24 turnovers in its Sweet 16 victory over Kentucky, disrupting the Wildcats constantly both in the half-court and in transition. In their three NCAA tournament games, the Longhorns have caused an average of 19 turnovers per contest. Michigan takes care of the ball, averaging 9.4 turnovers in Big Ten play. But if Texas forces, say, 15 or more, that could be trouble for the Wolverines.
Advertisement
No. 1 South Carolina vs. No. 3 TCU
-
South Carolina’s last Final Four appearance: 2025
-
TCU’s last Final Four appearance: Never
At face value, this looks like a head-coaching mismatch. South Carolina’s Dawn Staley has won three national championships and is pursuing her sixth consecutive Final Four berth. During her tenure, the Gamecocks have earned 15 straight NCAA tournament bids and have advanced to the Final Four seven times. Nearly any other head coach would look inferior in comparison.
Yet TCU’s Mark Campbell has been impressive in his five seasons in the lead chair on the sideline. He coached Sacramento State to the NCAA tournament in one of his two seasons. And during Campbell’s tenure in Fort Worth, the Horned Frogs have won 30-plus games, earned a top-three NCAA seed and advanced to the Elite Eight in each of the past two years.
Advertisement
Naturally, the players decide the outcome on the floor. And this game features some compelling matchups in both the backcourt and frontcourt. TCU star Olivia Miles and South Carolina’s Raven Johnson comprise a marquee point guard battle. And Clara Silva provides the Horned Frogs with plenty to handle for the Gamecocks’ Joyce Edwards at the basket.
Players to watch
TCU F Marta Suarez
Whoever draws the defensive assignment on Suarez will have to cover a lot of space around the court. The senior forward doesn’t just score in the paint but is also a potent 3-point shooter, hitting 38% of her shots from behind the arc this season. She scored 33 points in TCU’s Sweet 16 win over Virginia. Suarez may try to pull Edwards and Madina Okot away from the basket, opening the lane for Miles and Silva. South Carolina may counter by defending her with a smaller player in their three-guard lineup.
Advertisement
South Carolina G Ta’Niya Latson
Latson scored 28 points in the Gamecocks’ win over Oklahoma, sinking all four of her 3-point attempts. And she may be called upon to carry that load again. Latson was South Carolina’s second-leading scorer during the season, so she’s certainly capable of such a role. But with Edwards having to contend with Suarez and Silva in the frontcourt, while Raven Johnson and Tessa Johnson keep up with Miles, Latson will likely have another opportunity to concentrate on scoring.
Stat to remember
South Carolina shot 71% on 3-pointers versus the Sooners, hitting three more than they did on average throughout the season. So that performance may have been uncharacteristic. But TCU also allowed Virginia to shoot 44% on 3s. If Joyce Edwards is effective close to the basket, that could leave the Gamecocks’ shooters open.
