The biggest night in women’s college basketball is here. The 2026 NCAA Women’s Final Four tips off tonight in Phoenix, Arizona, with four powerhouse programs fighting for a spot in Sunday’s national championship game. This is the first time in tournament history that the same four No. 1 seeds have returned to the Final Four in back-to-back seasons.
UConn vs. South Carolina: A Championship Rematch
The first semifinal at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN features a rematch of last year’s national title game. UConn enters on a stunning 54-game winning streak, led by sharpshooter Azzi Fudd who is shooting 45.5% from three-point range this season. The Huskies are chasing their record-extending 13th national championship and a first back-to-back title since 2016.
South Carolina won’t go quietly. The Gamecocks are averaging 87.1 points per game — the program’s highest scoring average in over a decade. With Joyce Edwards leading the charge, Dawn Staley’s squad has the firepower to dethrone the defending champions.
UCLA vs. Texas: Clash of Titans
The nightcap at approximately 9:30 p.m. ET pits UCLA against Texas in another thrilling matchup. Texas has been on a tear, winning 12 consecutive games by an average of 26.5 points since their only conference loss. Madison Booker has been sensational in the tournament, averaging 22.5 points and 8.8 rebounds over four games, including a jaw-dropping 40-point explosion against Oregon.
UCLA counters with senior center Lauren Betts, who posted 23 points and 10 rebounds in the Elite Eight. Betts is averaging 17.2 points and 8.6 rebounds per game this season, making her one of the most dominant forces in the paint.
Why This Final Four Matters
The combined record of these four teams is a staggering 143-7. They won their Elite Eight games by a record average of 23 points, proving that women’s basketball has never been more competitive at the top. The viewership numbers are expected to shatter records once again, building on the momentum that has transformed the sport over the past few years.
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What to Watch For Tonight
Keep an eye on UConn’s balanced attack versus South Carolina’s explosive scoring, and whether Texas can maintain their dominant run against UCLA’s size advantage inside. The winners will meet Sunday, April 5 at 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC for the national championship.
Which team do you think will cut down the nets in Phoenix? Drop your prediction and let us know!
About Mohammad Omar
Mohammad Omar is a writer and systems architect who thrives at the intersection of logic and lore. A graduate of South Dakota State University, Omar spends his days designing high-level AI infrastructure for a global tech leader. By night, he trades code for prose, channeling his technical precision into vivid storytelling and sharp sports commentary. Driven by a lifelong passion for gaming and athletics, his writing blends the strategic depth of a system engineer with the heart of a die-hard sports fan. Whether he’s deconstructing a game-winning play or building a fictional universe, Omar’s work is defined by a commitment to detail and a love for the "win."
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