Top Seeds Advance to Rematch-Filled Women's Final Four

UConn and South Carolina, Texas and UCLA to meet in Phoenix after reaching the national semifinals

Mar. 31, 2026 at 2:43pm

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A fractured, cubist-style painting depicting the dynamic action of a women's basketball game, with players and the court rendered in sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in a bold color scheme.The 2026 Women's Final Four promises to deliver high-stakes rematches between some of the nation's top basketball programs.Storrs Today

The 2026 NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament will feature a Final Four with a familiar feel, as the top four seeds - UConn, South Carolina, Texas, and UCLA - have all advanced to the national semifinals in Phoenix. The matchups will include rematches of last year's championship game between UConn and South Carolina, as well as a rematch of an early-season clash between Texas and UCLA.

Why it matters

The repeat Final Four participants highlight the continued dominance of the sport's elite programs, as well as the potential for high-stakes rematches between some of the nation's best teams. Fans will be treated to a pair of compelling semifinals, with the winners advancing to compete for the national title.

The details

UConn and South Carolina will meet in the first semifinal, a rematch of last year's championship game won by the Huskies. UConn has not lost a game since that title victory, winning 38 straight. South Carolina, led by head coach Dawn Staley, will look to avenge last year's defeat and pull off the upset. In the other semifinal, Texas will face UCLA in a rematch of the Longhorns' 76-65 win over the Bruins back in November. Both teams have improved since that early-season clash, setting the stage for another tight contest.

  • The Final Four will take place on Friday, April 4, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona.
  • UConn and South Carolina will tip off at 7 p.m. ET, followed by Texas vs. UCLA at 9:30 p.m. ET.

The players

Azzi Fudd

A star guard for UConn who led the Huskies to the national title last year alongside Paige Bueckers.

Sarah Strong

Another key contributor for UConn, who also had a big game in last year's championship victory.

Dawn Staley

The head coach of the South Carolina Gamecocks, who will look to lead her team to the title after falling short against UConn last year.

Lori Harmon

The star guard for the Texas Longhorns, who had a standout performance in the team's earlier win over UCLA.

Madison Booker

The leading scorer for the Texas Longhorns, who will look to power her team past UCLA and into the national championship game.

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What they’re saying

“You've got to keep the game close. You've got to be able to score. You've just got to try to go pound-for-pound and be unafraid of playing against an undefeated team. You might get them on a bad night, and we're hoping Friday is a bad night for them.”

— Dawn Staley, Head Coach, South Carolina Gamecocks

What’s next

The winners of the two semifinal matchups on Friday will advance to the national championship game on Sunday, April 6, 2026 in Phoenix.

The takeaway

The 2026 Women's Final Four features a star-studded lineup of the nation's elite programs, setting the stage for a pair of highly anticipated rematches. Fans are in for an exciting weekend of high-level college basketball as the race for the national title comes down to the final four teams standing.