The University of Connecticut (UConn) Huskies earned the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament on Sunday, entering March Madness needing six more victories to complete only the seventh undefeated season in collegiate history. The Huskies (34-0) are aiming for their 13th national championship and a chance to develop into the first team to repeat as champions since 2013, when UConn itself achieved the feat with four consecutive titles between 2013 and 2016. Joining UConn as No. 1 seeds are the UCLA Bruins, the Texas Longhorns, and the South Carolina Gamecocks.
Led by stars Sarah Strong and Azzi Fudd, UConn will start its tournament run as a host against the No. 16-seeded UTSA Roadrunners in the Fort Worth Regional. If seeding holds, the Huskies could face Vanderbilt (a No. 2 seed) coached by former UConn standout Shea Ralph. This marks UConn’s continued dominance in women’s college basketball, building on a legacy of success and consistent contention for national titles.
The selection committee’s decisions reflect a season of strong performances across the nation, setting the stage for a highly competitive tournament. The NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament is a showcase of athletic talent and strategic gameplay, drawing significant attention from fans and analysts alike. This year’s bracket promises exciting matchups and potential upsets as teams vie for the coveted championship title.
UCLA, Texas, and South Carolina Round Out Top Seeds
UCLA (31-1) secured the second overall No. 1 seed, riding a dominant 25-game winning streak. Their sole loss this season came against Texas in a neutral-site contest. The Bruins reached the Final Four last year before being eliminated by UConn. Cori Close’s team swept through the Big Ten Conference and features a seasoned roster led by center Lauren Betts, hoping to capture the first NCAA championship in UCLA history. The Bruins are aiming to win the first national championship for the Big Ten Conference since 1999, with a record 12 teams from the conference making the tournament field, tying last year’s record for the most teams from a single conference. The SEC boasts 10 teams, the ACC 9, and the Big 12 8.
Other notable teams in the UCLA region include the No. 2 LSU Tigers, the No. 3 Duke Blue Devils, and the No. 4 Minnesota Golden Gophers.
The Texas Longhorns (31-3) earned the third No. 1 seed after winning the SEC Tournament championship. They defeated South Carolina in two of their three matchups this season. Texas will compete in the Regional 3 in Fort Worth, alongside elite teams like the No. 2 Michigan Wolverines, the No. 3 Louisville Cardinals, and the No. 4 West Virginia Mountaineers.
The South Carolina Gamecocks (31-3) are the No. 1 seed in the Regional 4 in Sacramento and have held a No. 1 seed for six consecutive seasons. They will be joined by the No. 2 Iowa Buckeyes, TCU (No. 3), and the Oklahoma Sooners (No. 4).
Tennessee Extends Tournament Streak, Charleston Makes Debut
The Tennessee Volunteers maintained their streak of qualifying for every NCAA tournament since its inception in 1982. The Lady Vols, a No. 10 seed – and having lost seven consecutive games – posted only 16 wins this season, the lowest total for an at-large invitee since Oklahoma also recorded 16 victories in 2018. This seeding is the lowest in the history of the prestigious program since Tennessee was ranked No. 11 in 2019.
The Charleston Cougars won the Colonial Athletic Association and gained access to the tournament bracket for the first time in the institution’s history. The Cougars are a No. 14 seed and represent the only tournament debutante this year; last season saw six new teams enter the competition.
The BYU Cougars, North Dakota State Bison, Utah Utes, and Texas A&M Aggies were the first four teams left out of the bracket.
Financial Incentives for Tournament Teams
For the second consecutive year, teams participating in the women’s tournament will receive financial compensation – similar to the men’s tournament – for each round they play. The NCAA uses a system of “units” to calculate payments to conferences based on victories, automatic qualifications, and invitations. One unit represents the payment conferences receive each time one of their teams participates in the NCAA tournament. This year, the NCAA will award additional units to teams reaching the championship game and to the eventual champion, incorporating this extra compensation into the general fund without reducing the overall unit value. The top 16 seeds will host first and second-round games, while the regional rounds will be held at neutral sites for the fourth consecutive year, with Fort Worth, Texas, hosting half of the Sweet 16 teams and Sacramento, California, hosting the other half.
The Final Four will be held in Phoenix on April 3, with the championship game taking place two days later.
The NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament is poised to deliver thrilling competition and showcase the exceptional talent within collegiate women’s basketball. As teams prepare for their first-round matchups, fans can anticipate a captivating tournament filled with upsets, memorable moments, and the pursuit of a national championship. The coming weeks will reveal which team will ultimately claim the title and etch their name in NCAA history.
What storylines will emerge as the tournament progresses? Share your predictions and thoughts in the comments below.
