UConn join UCLA, Texas and South Carolina in 2026 Women’s Final Four
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.