UConn, South Carolina, Texas and UCLA will contest the 2026 NCAA Women’s Final Four in Phoenix after all four top seeds dominated their respective regions.
For only the second time in tournament history, the semi-final line-up is an exact repeat of the previous year’s climax.
This also marks just the fifth occasion where all four number one seeds have successfully navigated the bracket to reach the season’s final weekend.
The dominant quartet boast a staggering combined record of 143 wins and just seven defeats throughout the campaign.
Huskies chase historic perfection
Defending champions Connecticut are pursuing their 13th overall national title and a seventh perfect season in the program’s storied history.
The undefeated side will face the Gamecocks on Friday evening in a highly anticipated semi-final clash.
The Northeast powerhouse currently lead the nation in adjusted defensive efficiency, points allowed per game and steals.
Sophomore standout Sarah Strong is widely tipped for national player of the year honours following her exceptional two-way performances.
Unprecedented dominance margins
Cinderella stories failed to materialise this March as the established programmes ruthlessly dispatched their lower-ranked opposition.
The final four teams won their Elite Eight fixtures by a record-breaking average margin of 23 points.
Furthermore, each of the top seeds maintained a minimum average victory margin of 12 points throughout the entire NCAA tournament.
The formidable reigning champions recently restricted both North Carolina and Notre Dame to just 42 and 52 points respectively to escape the Fort Worth Regional.
Luka Doncic broke Kobe Bryant’s 20-year franchise record for the most points scored in a calendar month as the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 127-113.
The Slovenian superstar poured in 42 points upon returning from a one-game suspension to reach a staggering 579 points for March.
That impressive tally eclipsed the previous benchmark of 578 set by the late Hall of Famer back in 2006.
“If you don’t win, it doesn’t really mean anything. So the run that we’ve been on, it really means a lot. We’ve got to keep playing like that.”
James sets all-time wins milestone
While the prolific guard captured the headlines, his legendary team-mate also etched his name into the history books.
LeBron James contributed 14 points during the victory to secure his 1,229th career win across regular season and post-season fixtures.
The four-time NBA champion surpassed legendary centre Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the most combined victories in league history.
“He’s great on both sides of the ball, he’s just doing a little bit of everything at a super-high level for us.”
Lakers head coach JJ Redick praised the veteran forward for his consistent leadership, noting his crucial role in empowering the entire roster.
Post-season position secured
The commanding result capped a phenomenal stretch for the California franchise, marking their 15th victory in 17 outings.
Prior to tip-off against Cleveland, the squad had already clinched a guaranteed post-season berth and the Pacific Division title.
Their qualification was mathematically confirmed when the Phoenix Suns suffered a narrow 115-111 defeat against the Orlando Magic.
The historic night further solidified an incredible month for the 25-year-old playmaker, who recently became the first player since Bryant to drop 60 points in a single game for the franchise.
Sitting third in the highly competitive Western Conference, the revitalised roster now looks primed for a deep championship run.
Carolina Hurricanes owner Tom Dundon has completed a $4.25bn (£3.21bn) takeover of the Portland Trail Blazers from the estate of late billionaire Paul Allen.
The landmark agreement ensures the Western Conference franchise will remain permanently rooted in Oregon.
Dundon, who already owns the National Hockey League’s Carolina outfit, will immediately assume the critical role of team governor.
All proceeds from this lucrative sale are strictly destined for philanthropic causes established by Allen prior to his death in 2018.
New era follows turbulent season
The Microsoft co-founder originally purchased the basketball team for $70m (£52.9m) in 1988 from original franchise founder Larry Weinberg.
Under Allen’s lengthy stewardship, the organisation became a staple of the Pacific Northwest sporting landscape alongside his NFL property, the Seattle Seahawks.
The incoming ownership group now inherits a roster navigating significant off-court turmoil and a transitional period on the hardwood.
“Today is the beginning of a new chapter for the Portland Trail Blazers, as we build on the legacy of this storied franchise.” Tom Dundon
“On behalf of our ownership group, my commitment to this tremendous fan base is that we are going to be relentless towards building a team that can compete at the highest level, every single season.”
Billups suspension casts shadow
The 1977 NBA champions have endured a highly challenging campaign severely overshadowed by legal allegations involving their coaching staff.
Head coach Chauncey Billups currently remains suspended indefinitely following an FBI investigation into illegal sports betting and allegedly rigged, mafia-linked poker games.
Interim coach Tiago Splitter has since taken the tactical reins during this period of unprecedented organisational disruption.
Despite the persistent off-court chaos, the resilient squad has successfully secured a berth in the post-season play-in tournament, which commences on 14 April.
Former WNBA Most Valuable Players Candace Parker and Elena Delle Donne, alongside NBA stalwarts Doc Rivers and Amar’e Stoudemire, will be inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame class of 2026.
The formal enshrinement ceremonies are scheduled to take place this August in Springfield, Massachusetts.
Both women’s basketball icons are entering the prestigious institution following glittering careers that redefined the modern professional game.
Unprecedented success across franchises
Parker remains the only player in WNBA history to secure championships with three different organisations.
The versatile forward captured titles with the Los Angeles Sparks, Chicago Sky and Las Vegas Aces during a remarkable career.
She also holds the unique distinction of winning both the Rookie of the Year and MVP awards in the same season after taking the league by storm in 2008.
The former Tennessee collegiate star’s dominance extended globally, earning two Olympic gold medals for the United States alongside her domestic triumphs.
A revolutionary shooting talent
Delle Donne joins her fellow two-time league MVP in Springfield after cementing her legacy as one of the most efficient scorers in basketball history.
The standout shooter became the first WNBA player to join the elite 50-40-90 club, finishing a season shooting 50% from the field, 40% from three-point range and 90% from the free-throw line.
She famously led the Washington Mystics to their maiden WNBA championship in 2019.
Coaching and hardwood legends honoured
Current Milwaukee Bucks head coach Rivers also receives the ultimate basketball accolade in recognition of his extensive sideline career.
The veteran tactician ranks eighth on the all-time NBA coaching wins list with nearly 1,200 victories.
His crowning achievement came in 2008 when he guided the Boston Celtics to an NBA championship, before later orchestrating the famous ‘Lob City’ era with the Los Angeles Clippers.
Meanwhile, Stoudemire earns his place among the greats following a spectacular 14-year playing career.
The explosive power forward made an immediate impact upon entering the NBA directly from high school, claiming the 2003 Rookie of the Year award.
He enjoyed his most iconic spell with the Phoenix Suns, forming a devastating pick-and-roll partnership with legendary point guard Steve Nash before concluding his career with stints in New York, Dallas and Miami.
LeBron James is weighing up his NBA future as the 41-year-old prepares for free agency this summer amid speculation over a potential departure from the Los Angeles Lakers.
The league’s all-time leading scorer opted into his current contract last June to set up an unprecedented plunge into the open market.
The move marked the first time in his 23-year career that the forward established himself as a free agent without a guaranteed fallback option.
Retirement or a new challenge?
Rumours regarding his next destination are expected to intensify when his current franchise host former employers the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday.
The veteran has been plagued by a sciatica injury this season but recently distanced himself from immediate retirement talk during the All-Star break.
“When I know, you guys will know. I don’t know. I have no idea. I just want to live, that’s all.”
James told reporters when pressed on his upcoming decision.
Championship ambitions remain key
Rich Paul, the superstar’s longtime agent, previously indicated that the desire to secure a fifth championship ring will drive any final choice.
“LeBron wants to compete for a championship. He knows the Lakers are building for the future. He understands that, but he values a realistic chance of winning it all.”
The Ohio native faces an extensive list of suitors should he depart California, with league insiders linking him to the Golden State Warriors and the New York Knicks.
Lakers resurgence offers hope
Life in Los Angeles has improved significantly for the four-time MVP in recent weeks following a difficult post-Christmas slump.
The Lakers have surged to third place in the Western Conference standings with fewer than 10 regular-season games remaining.
The basketball icon also recently shared the court for meaningful minutes alongside his son, Bronny, capping off a highly successful recent road trip.
With his side now mounting a serious playoff push, the basketball world awaits a summer decision that could reshape the entire NBA landscape.
Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick believes Luka Doncic should be named the NBA Most Valuable Player if the team continues their stellar late-season form.
The Western Conference franchise have surged to third in the standings following a remarkable run of 24 victories in their last 34 games.
At the heart of that resurgence is their marquee guard, who has been delivering astonishing statistical performances since late February.
Redick insists the league’s leading scorer is the undisputed catalyst for the Californian team’s current success.
“He’s the engine that’s driving all of our winning.”
“Certainly, we have a ton of guys starring in their roles, but he’s the driver.”
Superstar hits peak physical condition
The dynamic playmaker has averaged an incredible 36.5 points, 8.1 rebounds and 7.1 assists during a 14-2 stretch for the Lakers.
His head coach praised this improved conditioning, noting his fitness levels are at their highest point since his early years in the league.
Despite his individual brilliance, the 27-year-old missed Monday’s fixture against the Washington Wizards through suspension after accumulating 16 technical fouls.
The elite creator has finished in the top eight of MVP voting for five consecutive seasons but has never claimed the prestigious award.
Frustration mounts over award recognition
Last season, the standout guard finished third in the ballot behind Denver Nuggets centre Nikola Jokic.
Speaking recently about his candidacy, the prolific point-getter expressed bewilderment at his standing in the media narratives.
“The better I play, the more I go down in rankings.”
“So, I don’t know what more I can do.”
He currently leads the association with a career-best 33.7 points per night and ranks first for both 40-point and 30-point performances this campaign.
While traditionally known for his offensive wizardry, the versatile star is also contributing heavily on the defensive end, ranking sixth overall in steals.
Top seeds UConn, UCLA, Texas and South Carolina have reached the Women’s Final Four for the second consecutive year to set up a historic showdown in Phoenix.
The powerhouse quartet arrived at the 2026 NCAA tournament widely regarded as the four best teams in the country.
They have comfortably lived up to those lofty expectations by amassing a remarkable combined record of 143 victories and just seven defeats.
This campaign marks only the second time in women’s NCAA tournament history that all four semi-finalists have repeated their runs from the previous year.
Dominant quartet make history
It is also just the fifth occasion that all four number one seeds have successfully navigated the entire bracket.
The closest contest any of the four teams faced during their latest tournament runs was a 12-point victory for Connecticut over Notre Dame in the Elite Eight.
That hard-fought win extended a staggering 54-game winning streak for Geno Auriemma’s side.
Huskies rely on staunch defence
The defending champions secured their Final Four spot despite their veteran head coach voicing concerns about the offensive setup at the regional venues.
A usually prolific three-point shooting team, the Huskies converted just 10 of their 37 attempts from beyond the arc in Fort Worth.
However, an extraordinary defensive effort compensated for their shooting struggles as they conceded a mere 94 points across two regional fixtures.
Standout forward Sarah Strong recorded 15 combined blocks and steals during those match-ups to cement her status as the top-rated defensive player in the collegiate game.
Strong also contributed 21 crucial points against the Fighting Irish to keep their opponents at arm’s length.
Freshman Blanca Quiñonez provided an unexpected early spark during the regional finals, scoring 12 of her 20 points in the first quarter.
Rematches await in Phoenix
Friday’s highly anticipated semi-final between Connecticut and South Carolina will serve as a direct rematch of the 2025 national championship game.
Meanwhile, the other side of the draw sees the Longhorns face the Bruins in a repeat of their early-season clash in Las Vegas.
Texas previously defeated their Californian rivals in that November encounter, setting the stage for an intriguing battle to reach the title decider.
Victor Wembanyama recorded the fastest double-double in NBA history and scored a season-high 41 points as the San Antonio Spurs beat the Chicago Bulls 129-114 on Monday night.
The French phenom secured 10 points and 10 rebounds in just eight minutes and 31 seconds of court time.
That blistering pace shattered the previous record set by Jim Washington of the St. Louis Hawks in March 1966.
The reigning Rookie of the Year finished the game shooting 17 for 27 from the field, capping his dominant performance with a driving, one-handed dunk in the fourth quarter.
Spurs extend winning streak
San Antonio’s commanding victory marks their ninth consecutive win of a highly impressive campaign.
Stephon Castle provided crucial support for the surging hosts, contributing 21 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds.
The Texas franchise demonstrated their remarkable depth by having six different players reach double figures in scoring while building a massive 29-point lead in the third quarter.
Jones returns as Bulls struggle
Chicago point guard Tre Jones registered 23 points in his first return to San Antonio since being traded in the deal that brought De’Aaron Fox to the Spurs.
Despite additional scoring contributions from Leonard Miller and Collin Sexton, the struggling visitors suffered their fourth consecutive defeat.
The Bulls arrived for the matchup facing serious off-court turbulence, taking to the floor merely two hours after waiving injured guard Jaden Ivey for conduct detrimental to the team.
A sluggish start briefly saw San Antonio trail early, prompting an angry timeout from head coach Mitch Johnson just 71 seconds into the contest.
However, the towering centre’s historic early barrage quickly sparked a decisive 20-13 run to permanently seize control of the game.