Women's Final Four Teams Brace for Tight Games After Blowouts

Top women's basketball programs prepare for potential clutch moments in national semifinals

Apr. 2, 2026 at 10:54pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a fragmented women's basketball game, with overlapping planes of navy, green, and red creating a dynamic, abstract representation of the intense competition expected in the Final Four.The Final Four matchups could feature more dramatic, down-to-the-wire finishes compared to the lopsided victories most teams have enjoyed so far in the tournament.Today in Sacramento

The 2026 women's NCAA Tournament Final Four features four powerhouse programs - UConn, South Carolina, Texas, and UCLA - that have overwhelmed most of their opponents with superior talent and veteran coaching. However, they haven't faced much on-court adversity, especially in March. That could change in the national semifinals as the elite teams prepare for potentially close games after so many blowout wins earlier in the tournament.

Why it matters

The Final Four matchups between these highly ranked teams could provide more dramatic, down-to-the-wire finishes compared to the lopsided victories most have enjoyed so far in the tournament. Coaches are working to ensure their players are ready to execute in clutch situations, which could be a new experience for some teams that have cruised through the early rounds.

The details

UConn, South Carolina, Texas, and UCLA have all won their tournament games by wide margins, with the Huskies winning by an average of 37.8 points and the Longhorns by 29.1 points. However, the teams have faced varying levels of in-game adversity this season. South Carolina and Texas have both suffered multiple losses, while UConn and UCLA have had only one loss each. The coaches are preparing their teams for potential tight finishes by simulating late-game scenarios in practice and emphasizing the importance of maintaining focus and discipline.

  • The 2026 women's NCAA Tournament Final Four takes place on Friday, April 4.
  • The national championship game is scheduled for Sunday, April 6.

The players

Dawn Staley

The head coach of the South Carolina Gamecocks, who have won their tournament games by an average of 40.3 points.

Raven Johnson

A guard for the South Carolina Gamecocks who says head coach Dawn Staley has ramped up the intensity in practice after early-season losses.

Azzi Fudd

A player for the UConn Huskies, who have won their games by an average of 37.8 points and are confident they can execute in close fourth-quarter situations.

Vic Schaefer

The head coach of the Texas Longhorns, who have played a difficult schedule and are on a 12-game winning streak heading into the Final Four.

Gabriela Jaquez

A senior guard for the UCLA Bruins, the only team remaining that has experienced a recent close game, trailing Duke by 8 points at halftime before rallying for a 70-58 win.

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What they’re saying

“When we took losses throughout the season, I think practices, they shifted. They were hard. She was on our butts. She was a different person.”

— Raven Johnson, Guard, South Carolina Gamecocks

“You simulate as much as you can in practice, which the coaches have done for us all year long. At the end of the day, the habits that we've built in practices and games will definitely help keep us settled, keep us calm, keep us together this weekend.”

— Azzi Fudd, Player, UConn Huskies

“I've got a fifth-year point guard and I've got Madison Booker, who has been in those games and those wars. I stopped worrying about this group about three or four weeks ago. What they've done and how they've done it — at some point you've got to step back and go 'OK, they're good.'”

— Vic Schaefer, Head Coach, Texas Longhorns

“We never want to be down, but it's really important to respond quickly. In the Duke game, we should have responded quicker, but it's OK, we responded at halftime. In the Final Four, all these teams are really good. They've worked hard all season, they're going to be ready, they're going to be prepared.”

— Gabriela Jaquez, Senior Guard, UCLA Bruins

What’s next

The national semifinals will take place on Friday, April 4, with UConn facing South Carolina and Texas meeting UCLA. The winners will advance to the national championship game on Sunday, April 6.

The takeaway

The 2026 women's NCAA Tournament Final Four features a group of elite programs that have dominated their opponents for most of the season. However, they may face more on-court adversity and close games in the national semifinals, which could test their ability to execute in crunch time situations. Coaches are working to ensure their players are prepared for potential tight finishes after so many blowout wins earlier in the tournament.