South Carolina aims to secure its place as college basketball’s first consecutive national champion since 2016 when the NCAA women’s Final Four kicks off this Friday in Tampa, Florida.
The top-seeded South Carolina will compete against fellow Southeastern Conference rival and also a top seed, Texas, in the evening’s opening semifinal. Following that matchup, the tournament’s overall top seed, UCLA, will face No. 2 Connecticut. The championship game is scheduled for Sunday.
NBC News presents a breakdown of the key storylines and the standout players to keep an eye on as the Final Four approaches.
Is Having Three No. 1 Seeds and a No. 2 Seed Beneficial for the Game?
Greif: This topic is often raised in discussions about women’s basketball due to the longstanding dominance of a few programs since the 1980s. The consistent success of teams like Tennessee, Connecticut, and South Carolina makes any surprise tournament run by underdog teams such as Notre Dame, Mississippi State, Arizona, or Iowa even more noteworthy.
Dynasties aren’t unfavorable; they create compelling narratives, especially when they are challenged. This year’s fresh contender, UCLA, is a first-time Final Four participant even as a No. 1 seed, which adds to the intrigue.
Which Star Are You Most Eager to Watch?
Nadkarni: If there is to be a Cinderella story in this Final Four filled with powerhouse teams, Paige Bueckers’ quest for a championship with a fairly young Connecticut Huskies team captures that spirit for me.
Bueckers’ college journey has been tumultuous, as injuries have hindered two of her seasons. However, during her senior year, she has continued to be a significant scorer and playmaker. With UConn reaching the Final Four each of the past two years and having not won a title since 2016, a victory would be a gratifying narrative for Bueckers.
Team I’m Most Concerned About
Greif: Texas is the team I’m wary of. They average just 10 three-point attempts per game, one of the lowest in the country. While this approach has worked thus far, it may be too much to expect against a stronger opponent like South Carolina.
This pressure will largely fall on SEC Player of the Year, Madison Booker. South Carolina has defeated Texas twice this season, winning by an average margin of 18 points.
Final Four Predictions and Championship Outlook
Nadkarni: I predict Connecticut will defeat UCLA 75-70, while South Carolina will narrowly beat Texas 60-58 in the semifinals. Connecticut will then claim the national title against South Carolina with a score of 71-67, resulting in a storybook conclusion for Bueckers, who also secures the No. 1 pick in the WNBA draft.
Greif: I see South Carolina overcoming Texas 71-56, and Connecticut handling UCLA 75-70 in the Final Four. Ultimately, Connecticut will win the national championship against South Carolina with a 67-60 finish. It’s hard to bet against Bueckers, who embodies UConn’s best chance to clinch their first title since 2016, especially after their 29-point victory earlier this season.