2025 NCAA Women's Basketball Championship: Expert Predictions, Final Four Contenders, and Title Game Showdown

The 2025 NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament is shaping up to be one of the most competitive in recent history. With no team entering undefeated, the battle for the national championship feels more wide open than ever. Here's a breakdown of the top contenders, potential upsets, and expert predictions for the Final Four and title game.

Top Contenders

South Carolina Gamecocks South Carolina, the No. 2 overall seed, is the favorite to win the championship. With a deep bench and dominant defense, the Gamecocks are aiming to repeat their 2024 success. Key players like Joyce Edwards and MiLaysia Fulwiley could be the difference-makers in tight games.

UConn Huskies UConn, a No. 2 seed, is seeking its first title since 2016. With a talented trio of Paige Bueckers, Azzi Fudd, and Sarah Strong, the Huskies have the firepower to make a deep run. However, their path to the championship is challenging, potentially requiring victories over three No. 1 seeds.

USC Trojans USC, led by JuJu Watkins, is looking to make its first Final Four since 1986. The Trojans' success hinges on Watkins' performance, as they can be overly reliant on her scoring. If she struggles, USC might find it difficult to advance.

UCLA Bruins UCLA is in uncharted territory, with none of its players having advanced beyond the Sweet 16. The Bruins' success will depend on their ability to step up around star player Lauren Betts, especially if she faces tough defensive pressure.

Potential Upsets

LSU Tigers LSU, the No. 3 seed, is flying under the radar despite winning the 2023 championship. With key players like Flau'Jae Johnson and Aneesah Morrow, the Tigers could make a deep run if they stay healthy.

Notre Dame Fighting Irish Notre Dame has the potential to surprise, especially if their backcourt trio of Hannah Hidalgo, Olivia Miles, and Sonia Citron performs at a high level. However, their lack of a dominant post presence could be a liability against teams like Texas and TCU.

Tennessee Lady Vols First-year coach Kim Caldwell has implemented a high-pressure, high-volume 3-point shooting system that could make Tennessee a tough matchup. While they are a high-risk, high-reward team, the Lady Vols could make a surprising run if they get hot.

Expert Predictions

Final Four Picks

• Spokane 1: UCLA
• Birmingham 2: South Carolina
• Birmingham 3: Notre Dame
• Spokane 4: UConn

National Champion South Carolina is the most popular pick among ESPN experts, with nine of 22 voters predicting the Gamecocks will win it all. UConn is the second-most popular choice, followed by USC and UCLA.

Title Game Matchup The most predicted championship game is South Carolina vs. UConn, with many experts favoring the Gamecocks to narrowly defeat the Huskies.

Games to Watch

First Round:

• Utah vs. Indiana: Both teams feature sharpshooters, making this 8-9 game a potential thriller.
• Oregon State vs. North Carolina: No. 14 seed Oregon State could make history by becoming the first 14 or 15 seed to win an NCAA tournament game.

Second Round:

• Vanderbilt vs. Duke: Freshman phenom Mikayla Blakes could lead Vanderbilt to an upset over Duke.
• Michigan vs. Notre Dame: Michigan's freshmen could give Notre Dame a tough challenge in South Bend.

Potential Upset:

• Murray State vs. Iowa: No. 11 seed Murray State, the nation's top scoring team, could pull off an upset against No. 6 Iowa in a high-paced game.

The 2025 NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament promises to be an exciting and unpredictable event, with multiple teams capable of cutting down the nets in Tampa. Stay tuned for all the action and drama as the road to the championship unfolds.