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South Carolina, Texas, UConn and UCLA Reach Women's Final Four Again
The same four No. 1 seeds have advanced to the NCAA Tournament's final weekend for the second straight year.
Mar. 31, 2026 at 4:06am
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The repeat Final Four matchups showcase the continued dominance of women's basketball's elite programs, setting the stage for an exciting conclusion to the 2026 NCAA Tournament.Fort Worth TodayThe women's NCAA Tournament will feature a repeat of last year's Final Four, as No. 1 seeds UConn, UCLA, Texas and South Carolina all advanced to the national semifinals. This marks just the second time in history the same four teams have reached the Final Four in consecutive seasons.
Why it matters
The repeat Final Four matchups showcase the continued dominance of the sport's top programs and the lack of parity at the highest level of women's college basketball. With the same four powerhouses making it back to the final weekend, it raises questions about the competitive balance of the tournament and the ability of other teams to break through to the national stage.
The details
In the regional finals, Texas routed Michigan 77-41 behind strong performances from Madison Booker, Rori Harmon and Justice Carlton. South Carolina defeated TCU 78-64 led by 24 points from Joyce Edwards and 18 from Agot Makeer. The Longhorns and Gamecocks will face UCLA and UConn, respectively, in the national semifinals on Friday in Phoenix.
- Texas and UCLA last met on November 26, with the Bruins suffering their only loss of the season to the Longhorns.
- South Carolina is making its seventh Final Four appearance in the last nine seasons, winning three national titles during that stretch under coach Dawn Staley.
The players
Madison Booker
A key player for Texas, scoring 19 points and grabbing 7 rebounds in the regional final win over Michigan.
Rori Harmon
The fifth-year senior guard for Texas dished out 13 assists in the regional final victory.
Joyce Edwards
South Carolina's leading scorer in the regional final, pouring in 24 points and adding 12 rebounds and 3 blocks.
Agot Makeer
Contributed 18 points to help South Carolina defeat TCU and advance to the Final Four.
Dawn Staley
The head coach of South Carolina, leading the Gamecocks to their seventh Final Four appearance in the last nine seasons.
What they’re saying
“We must continue to work hard and stay focused as we prepare for the Final Four. This is an incredible accomplishment, but we know there is still more work to be done.”
— Dawn Staley, Head Coach, South Carolina
“Reaching the Final Four again is a testament to the talent and determination of this team. We're excited for the opportunity to compete for a national championship.”
— Rori Harmon, Senior Guard, Texas
What’s next
The women's Final Four will take place on Friday, April 4 in Phoenix. South Carolina will face UConn in the first semifinal, while Texas will take on UCLA in the nightcap. The national championship game is scheduled for Sunday, April 6.
The takeaway
The repeat Final Four matchups highlight the continued dominance of the sport's elite programs, raising questions about the competitive balance of the women's NCAA Tournament. However, the high-level talent and intense rivalries on display also promise an exciting conclusion to the 2026 season.
