UConn, UCLA, South Carolina, and Texas Top NCAA Women's Basketball Top 16 Reveal

Committee announces top seeds and regional assignments with two weeks until Selection Sunday

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Committee has selected UConn, UCLA, South Carolina, and Texas as the No. 1 seeds in its second top 16 reveal of the 2026 season. Vanderbilt, Iowa, LSU, and Michigan follow as the No. 2 seeds, with Louisville, Duke, TCU, and Oklahoma as the No. 3 seeds. Maryland, Michigan State, Minnesota, and Ohio State round out the top 16 as the No. 4 seeds. The committee also provided regional assignments for all 16 teams, with the Final Four set to take place in Phoenix, Arizona.

Why it matters

This reveal provides a snapshot of the top contenders for the 2026 NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Championship with just two weeks until Selection Sunday. The committee's decisions highlight the competitive landscape of women's college basketball, with several powerhouse programs vying for top seeds and regional assignments.

The details

UConn, UCLA, and South Carolina maintained their positions as the top three teams in the latest reveal, while Texas overtook Vanderbilt for the final No. 1 seed. The Longhorns are the only team to defeat UCLA this season and split a series with fellow top seed South Carolina. The regional assignments place the top seeds in Fort Worth, Texas and Sacramento, California, with the Final Four scheduled for Phoenix, Arizona.

  • The committee's second top 16 reveal took place on March 1, 2026.
  • Selection Sunday for the 2026 NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Championship is set for March 15, 2026.
  • Regional play in Fort Worth, Texas and Sacramento, California will take place from March 27-30, 2026.
  • The 2026 NCAA Women's Final Four will be played on April 3 and 5, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona.

The players

UConn

A powerhouse women's basketball program that has maintained its position as the top-ranked team in the latest NCAA top 16 reveal.

UCLA

The Bruins are the second-ranked team in the reveal and the only team to defeat top-ranked Texas this season.

South Carolina

The Gamecocks are the third-ranked team and have been a consistent contender for the national championship in recent years.

Texas

The Longhorns have earned the final No. 1 seed in the reveal, overtaking Vanderbilt, and are the only team to defeat UCLA this season.

Amanda Braun

The director of athletics at Milwaukee and chair of the NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Committee.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“This reveal is a great opportunity for the committee to showcase our top 16 teams just two weeks away from Selection Sunday.”

— Amanda Braun, Director of Athletics, Milwaukee; Chair, NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Committee (ncaa.com)

What’s next

The full bracket for the 2026 NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Championship will be revealed on Sunday, March 15 at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN.

The takeaway

The NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Committee's second top 16 reveal highlights the competitive landscape of the sport, with several powerhouse programs vying for top seeds and regional assignments as the championship tournament approaches.