NCAA Women's Tournament Final: South Carolina and UCLA Clash for Championship Title The NCAA women’s basketball tournament reached its pinnacle as No. 1 seed UCLA faced No. 1 seed South Carolina in the championship game, a matchup that promised to determine the season’s top team. The Gamecocks, led by coach Dawn Staley, sought their fourth national title under her leadership, while the Bruins, making their first title game appearance, aimed to end a 16-year championship drought. The game, broadcast live, carried significant weight for both programs, with Staley and UCLA coach Cori Close reflecting on their journeys to the final. From the opening moments, the physicality of the contest was evident. UCLA’s star center, Lauren Betts, found herself challenged by South Carolina’s Madina Okot, who aggressively contested her positioning. Officials’ calls would play a critical role in shaping the game’s flow, as Okot’s foul trouble could disrupt South Carolina’s defensive strategy. The early minutes set the tone for a tightly contested battle, with both teams showcasing their depth and resilience. For UCLA, the path to the championship was marked by a blend of experience and youthful energy. Coach Close, who had guided the Bruins to the Final Four for the second consecutive year, relied on a core of seven players, six of whom were seniors or graduate students. The team’s senior leadership, led by Betts, was complemented by the presence of Betts’ younger sister, Sienna, a freshman making her debut in the tournament. Betts expressed pride in Sienna’s ability to carry the legacy of the program, stating, “I can’t wait to see how she continues this legacy at UCLA. I’m just so proud of her.” The Final Four field highlighted the growing presence of women coaches in the sport.#ucla #south_carolina #dawn_staley #ncaa_womens_tournament #cori_close
First look at women’s NCAA Tournament Elite Eight: What to know about every game The NCAA Women’s Tournament Elite Eight is set, with four top-seeded teams vying for a spot in the Final Four. The matchups include No. 1 seeds UConn, UCLA, Texas, and South Carolina, each facing formidable opponents in the second weekend of the tournament. Live coverage of the games will be provided by The Athletic, with expert analysis from Chantel Jennings, Sabreena Merchant, Grace Raynor, and Cameron Teague Robinson. The outcomes of these games will determine which teams advance to the Final Four, with predictions varying among the analysts. The first game of the day features No. 1 UConn against No. 6 Notre Dame. The Huskies, led by coach Geno Auriemma, enter the matchup with a 53-game winning streak and a dominant postseason record. Their only loss this season came in a January matchup against Notre Dame, where they won 85-47. Despite a slower offensive start in the Sweet 16, UConn has yet to allow an opponent to score more than 20 points in the tournament. Notre Dame, however, has shown renewed confidence since the return of senior guard KK Bransford, who missed several games earlier in the season. The Irish have gone 11-2 since her return and have improved their team chemistry after integrating nine new players. Notre Dame coach Niele Ivey acknowledged UConn’s ability to dominate early, but emphasized the need for her team to maintain composure for 40 minutes. Analysts Chantel Jennings, Sabreena Merchant, and Cameron Teague Robinson all predict UConn will advance. The second game of the day pits No. 1 UCLA against No. 3 Duke.#notre_dame #uconn #ncaa_womens_tournament #chantel_jennings #sabreena_merchant
