NCAA Women's Final Four: UConn-South Carolina, UCLA-Texas Matchups Set

Geno Auriemma and Dawn Staley's teams meet in a national title game rematch, while UCLA and Texas battle for a spot in the championship.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 5:56pm

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The 2026 NCAA Women's Basketball Final Four is set, with a rematch of last year's national title game between UConn and South Carolina, as well as a matchup between UCLA and Texas. UConn and South Carolina, led by legendary coaches Geno Auriemma and Dawn Staley, will face off in the first semifinal, while UCLA and Texas will battle in the second game. Both teams are making their second straight Final Four appearance.

Why it matters

This year's Final Four features the top four seeds in the tournament, marking only the fifth time in history that all four No. 1 seeds have advanced this far. The UConn-South Carolina rematch is particularly intriguing, as the Huskies defeated the Gamecocks in last year's national championship game. Both teams have high-powered offenses and star players, setting the stage for an epic clash between two of the sport's premier programs.

The details

In last year's national title game, UConn entered halftime with a 10-point lead before pulling away in the third quarter for an 82-59 victory, giving the Huskies their 12th national championship. South Carolina shot just 34.4% from the field in that game. This season, the Gamecocks are averaging 87.1 points per game, the highest scoring average for the program in over a decade, even without injured star Chloe Kitts. On the other side of the bracket, Texas defeated UCLA 76-65 in their regular-season matchup, but the Bruins are led by standout center Lauren Betts, who is projected as a top-five WNBA draft pick.

  • The NCAA Women's Final Four takes place on Friday, April 4, 2026.
  • Last year's national title game between UConn and South Carolina was played on April 6, 2025.

The players

Geno Auriemma

The head coach of the UConn Huskies, one of the most successful coaches in women's basketball history with 12 national championships.

Dawn Staley

The head coach of the South Carolina Gamecocks, a three-time national champion as a head coach and a member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

Azzi Fudd

The graduate guard for UConn, who was the Most Outstanding Player of the 2025 Final Four.

Madina Okot

The senior center for South Carolina, who is averaging a double-double this season and has made 13 3-pointers.

Lauren Betts

The senior center for UCLA, a projected top-five pick in the upcoming WNBA Draft.

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What they’re saying

“We must be ready for another battle with UConn. They are a tremendous team, but we believe we can come out on top this time.”

— Dawn Staley, Head Coach, South Carolina Gamecocks

“This Final Four matchup is going to be an incredible showcase of the best talent in women's basketball. I can't wait to see these teams compete for a spot in the national championship game.”

— Geno Auriemma, Head Coach, UConn Huskies

What’s next

The winners of the two semifinal games on Friday will advance to the 2026 NCAA Women's Basketball National Championship game on Sunday, April 6.

The takeaway

This year's Final Four features an exciting rematch of the 2025 national title game between UConn and South Carolina, as well as a battle between two other top-seeded programs in UCLA and Texas. The high-powered offenses and star-studded rosters of these four teams promise an unforgettable weekend of women's basketball in Phoenix.