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UConn Earns No. 1 Overall Seed in Women's NCAA Tournament
UCLA claims second No. 1 seed, while Texas and South Carolina round out the top four.
Mar. 16, 2026 at 1:42am
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The UConn Huskies women's basketball team was named the No. 1 overall seed in the 2026 NCAA Tournament, despite a strong 31-1 season by the UCLA Bruins. UCLA earned the second No. 1 seed, while Texas and South Carolina claimed the third and fourth No. 1 seeds respectively.
Why it matters
The No. 1 overall seed is a highly coveted position, as it guarantees the top team an easier path to the Final Four. However, the NCAA Tournament is known for its unpredictability, and a No. 1 seed does not necessarily guarantee a championship.
The details
UConn went a perfect 34-0 in the regular season, led by stars Azzi Fudd and Sarah Strong. Meanwhile, the UCLA Bruins finished 31-1 and cruised through the Big Ten Tournament, leading to speculation they could overtake UConn for the top seed. However, the selection committee ultimately decided that UConn's undefeated record was more impressive.
- The women's NCAA Tournament tips off on March 18, 2026.
- UConn and UCLA will both play their first-round games on March 21, 2026.
The players
UConn Huskies
The UConn Huskies women's basketball team, a perennial powerhouse that has won four straight national championships from 2013 to 2016.
UCLA Bruins
The UCLA Bruins women's basketball team, which finished the regular season with a 31-1 record and won the Big Ten Tournament title.
Texas Longhorns
The Texas Longhorns women's basketball team, which earned a No. 1 seed and will be seeking their first national title in 40 years.
South Carolina Gamecocks
The South Carolina Gamecocks women's basketball team, led by head coach Dawn Staley, who have won three of the past eight national championships.
Azzi Fudd
A star player for the UConn Huskies.
Sarah Strong
A star player for the UConn Huskies.
Lauren Betts
A star player for the UCLA Bruins.
What’s next
The first-round games of the 2026 NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament will take place on March 21, with UConn facing UTSA and UCLA taking on Cal Baptist.
The takeaway
The selection of UConn as the No. 1 overall seed reinforces their status as the dominant program in women's college basketball, but the unpredictability of the NCAA Tournament means that neither UConn nor any of the other No. 1 seeds can be considered a lock to win the championship.
