PHOENIX — For the first time in nearly three decades, the NCAA Women’s Final Four is a complete repeat. No. 1 seeds UConn, UCLA, Texas, and South Carolina have all punched their tickets to the desert, marking just the second time in history that the exact same four teams have reached the national semifinals in consecutive years.
While the cast remains the same, the matchups and stakes have shifted as the action moves to the Footprint Center this Friday.
The Matchups: Rematches and Revenge
The semifinals will feature a flip of last year’s pairings, setting the stage for high-drama storylines:
- UConn vs. South Carolina: This is the heavyweight rematch of the 2025 national championship game. The undefeated Huskies will look to defend their crown, while the Gamecocks seek redemption for last year’s title loss.
- UCLA vs. Texas: The Bruins and Longhorns meet again on the big stage. Texas holds the mental edge, having handed UCLA its only loss of the season back in November.
UConn’s Quest for Perfection
Led by legendary coach Geno Auriemma, the Huskies (38-0) are four quarters away from completing their seventh undefeated season in program history. Currently riding a 54-game winning streak, UConn has been clinical in the tournament, winning by an average of nearly 38 points.
First-team All-Americans Sarah Strong (18.1 PPG) and Azzi Fudd anchor a roster so deep that eight different players average at least six points per game. “We can have anyone off the bench step up and change the pace,” Strong noted after their Elite Eight win over Notre Dame.
The Contenders: Dominance and Defense
The road to the title won’t be easy, as three of the most physical teams in the country stand in UConn’s way:
- South Carolina (35-3): Making their sixth straight Final Four appearance under Dawn Staley, the Gamecocks are defined by a stifling defense that holds opponents to just 57.6 points per game. Freshman sensation Joyce Edwards leads a balanced attack with 19.6 points per game.
- Texas (36-3): The Longhorns secured their spot with a dominant 77-41 blowout of Michigan. With All-American Madison Booker and veteran guard Rori Harmon at the helm, Texas is looking for its first national title since their undefeated 1986 run.
- UCLA (35-1): Behind the interior dominance of Lauren Betts, who posted 23 points and 5 blocks in the Elite Eight, the Bruins are aiming for their first-ever NCAA championship.
Historical Context
The only other time the Women’s Final Four saw the same four teams in back-to-back years was 1995-1996, featuring UConn, Tennessee, Stanford, and Georgia.
As the “Big Four” of the current era prepare to clash, the basketball world waits to see if UConn’s dynasty will continue or if a new champion will emerge from the familiar field.