The Road to Tampa: Final Four Teams Analyzed

The 2025 NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament has reached its thrilling climax with four powerhouse programs converging in Tampa. This year's Final Four features:

• South Carolina Gamecocks (1-seed): Defending champions with a 34-2 record
• Texas Longhorns (1-seed): Making their first Final Four appearance since 2003
• UCLA Bruins (1-seed): Undisputed No. 1 overall seed with just one loss all season
• UConn Huskies (2-seed): Making their 24th Final Four appearance with championship pedigree

Marquee Matchups

South Carolina vs. Texas (7 PM ET, ESPN)

This SEC showdown features familiar foes who've met three times already this season. The Gamecocks hold a 2-1 advantage, but Texas delivered South Carolina's most lopsided loss (67-50) in January. Key factors:

• South Carolina's depth vs. Texas's physical defense
• The Madison Booker effect: Texas's star guard averages 18.7 PPG in tournament play
• Battle in the paint: Can Texas contain Chloe Kitts (14.1 PPG in tournament)?

UCLA vs. UConn (9 PM ET, ESPN)

A classic East Coast vs. West Coast battle with compelling storylines:

• Lauren Betts (UCLA): The 6'7" center shooting 65% from the field
• Paige Bueckers (UConn): Averaging 30+ PPG in her last three contests
• Experience gap: UConn's 24 Final Four appearances vs. UCLA's first-ever trip

X-Factors That Could Decide the Championship

1. Health and Foul Trouble: With physical play expected, bench depth becomes crucial
2. Three-Point Shooting: Teams that get hot from deep often ride the wave to victory
3. Turnover Battle: Both South Carolina and Texas average under 12 TOs per game
4. Coaching Adjustments: Geno Auriemma and Dawn Staley have combined for 13 national titles

Expert Predictions

The consensus favors UConn (60% of experts) based on:

• Paige Bueckers' transcendent tournament performance
• Championship experience under pressure
• Balanced scoring with three players averaging 15+ PPG

Championship Sunday Outlook

Potential finals scenarios:

• UConn vs. South Carolina: Rematch of last year's epic Elite Eight showdown
• UCLA vs. South Carolina: Battle of No. 1 seeds with contrasting styles
• Texas Cinderella Run: Could complete remarkable turnaround from last season's Sweet 16 exit

The stage is set for what promises to be one of the most competitive Final Fours in recent memory, with multiple future WNBA stars showcasing their talents on basketball's biggest collegiate stage.