Gamecocks and Huskies Clash in Highly Anticipated Final Four Matchup

South Carolina and UConn set to renew rivalry in battle of coaching titans Dawn Staley and Geno Auriemma

Mar. 31, 2026 at 5:36pm

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A fragmented, cubist-style painting depicting the energy and intensity of a women's basketball game, with sharp geometric shapes in navy, red, and gold representing the players and action on the court.Two of the sport's most successful coaches, Dawn Staley and Geno Auriemma, lead their teams in a highly anticipated Final Four clash.Today in Sacramento

The No. 1 seed South Carolina Gamecocks (35-3) will take on the undefeated No. 1 overall seed UConn Huskies (38-0) in the Final Four of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament. This is a rematch of the 2025 national championship game, which UConn won 82-59. The Gamecocks will look to avenge that loss and advance to their third straight title game, while the Huskies aim to continue their perfect season and win their 12th national championship under coach Geno Auriemma.

Why it matters

This highly anticipated matchup features two of the best teams and coaches in women's college basketball. Dawn Staley and Geno Auriemma have built powerhouse programs and have a long-standing rivalry, with Auriemma holding a 10-5 advantage over Staley. The winner will advance to the national championship game, with a chance to cement their legacy as one of the great teams in the sport's history.

The details

South Carolina will need to find a way to slow down UConn's star guard Azzi Fudd, who torched them for 24 points in last year's title game. Gamecocks defenders Raven Johnson, Agot Makeer, and Ta'Niya Latson will likely take turns guarding Fudd. South Carolina's 6-6 center Madina Okot will also be a key factor, as she provides a size matchup against UConn's frontcourt. On the other end, UConn's Sarah Strong, a leading National Player of the Year candidate, will be a handful for the Gamecocks' defense, led by Aliyah Edwards.

  • The game will take place on April 3, 2026 at 7 p.m. ET in Phoenix, Arizona.
  • South Carolina and UConn last met in the 2025 national championship game, which UConn won 82-59.

The players

Dawn Staley

The head coach of the South Carolina Gamecocks, who is in her 18th season leading the program. Staley is a Hall of Fame player and has led the Gamecocks to six straight Final Fours and two national championships.

Geno Auriemma

The legendary head coach of the UConn Huskies, who has led the program to 11 national championships in his 41 seasons. Auriemma has a 10-5 record against Dawn Staley and UConn's current 38-0 season has them as the heavy favorites to win another title.

Azzi Fudd

The star guard for UConn who averaged 17.5 points per game this season and shot 48.9% from the field. Fudd had 24 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 steals against South Carolina in last year's championship game.

Sarah Strong

The National Player of the Year candidate for UConn, who leads the team in points (18.6), rebounds (7.6), steals (3.4), and blocks (1.6) per game. Strong is a dominant two-way player who will present a major challenge for the Gamecocks.

Madina Okot

The 6-6 center for South Carolina who provides a size advantage against UConn's frontcourt. Okot's ability to score inside and stretch the floor with her 3-point shooting will be crucial for the Gamecocks' offense.

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What’s next

The winner of this Final Four matchup will advance to the national championship game on April 6, 2026.

The takeaway

This game features a clash of two of the greatest coaches in women's basketball history, Dawn Staley and Geno Auriemma, as well as a rematch of last year's national championship game. The outcome will have major implications for the legacies of both programs and could determine the National Player of the Year between UConn's Sarah Strong and Vanderbilt's Mikayla Blakes.