UConn Remains Women's Basketball's Gold Standard Amid Growth

The Huskies have won 12 national titles and reached the Final Four 25 times as the sport has skyrocketed in popularity.

Apr. 4, 2026 at 12:21am

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A dynamic, cubist-style painting depicting the action and energy of a women's college basketball game, with the players and court fragmented into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in a bold color scheme, conveying the sport's rapid evolution and UConn's continued dominance.UConn's enduring excellence has defined women's college basketball, even as the sport has rapidly grown in popularity and investment.Fort Worth Today

UConn has remained the gold standard of women's college basketball, winning 12 national titles and reaching the Final Four 25 times, even as the sport has seen unprecedented growth in sponsorships and popularity. Former UConn players Jennifer Rizzotti, Stefanie Dolson, and Shea Ralph discussed the program's sustained excellence and the evolution of the women's game during the Final Four in Phoenix.

Why it matters

UConn's continued dominance has been a constant amid the rapid expansion of women's basketball at the college and professional levels. As the sport attracts more investment and attention, the Huskies have set the bar high and remained the benchmark for success, even as the expectations and pressure on the program have increased.

The details

When Jennifer Rizzotti arrived at UConn as a player in 1992, the Huskies had not yet won a national championship. But by the 1994-95 season, Rizzotti and fellow standout Rebecca Lobo helped UConn go undefeated and win its first title. Since then, the Huskies have won 12 national championships, reached the Final Four 25 times, and won 30 conference titles. Head coach Geno Auriemma is the winningest coach in women's college basketball history.

  • UConn won its first national title in the 1994-95 season.
  • The Huskies are competing for their second straight national championship in 2026.

The players

Jennifer Rizzotti

A former UConn player who is currently the president of the WNBA's Connecticut Sun.

Stefanie Dolson

A former UConn player who is currently with the WNBA's Washington Mystics.

Shea Ralph

A former UConn player who is now the head coach at Vanderbilt.

Geno Auriemma

The head coach of the UConn women's basketball team, who is the winningest coach in women's college basketball history.

Val Ackerman

The commissioner of the Big East Conference and the first president of the WNBA from 1996-2005.

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What they’re saying

“There was no thought that we were going to be undefeated. We didn't have that internal pressure. We didn't have external pressure. That's the last time a UConn team could play that way. Think about that: 1995 is the last time a UConn team could play without that kind of pressure.”

— Jennifer Rizzotti, Former UConn player

“I think women's basketball has never been more popular. I think schools that are succeeding are really seeing, feeling and believing in the (return on investment). And UConn's a case in point.”

— Val Ackerman, Big East Conference commissioner

“It has been about breaking down barriers, and they still exist. We marvel at what's happened, but we still recognize there's a lot more that's to come.”

— Rich Ensor, Former Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference commissioner

What’s next

UConn will face South Carolina in the national semifinal on April 6, 2026, with the winner advancing to the national championship game on April 8.

The takeaway

UConn's sustained excellence and dominance in women's college basketball has set the standard for the sport, even as it has experienced unprecedented growth in popularity and investment. The Huskies' ability to maintain their status as the gold standard amid the rapid evolution of the game is a testament to their coaching, talent, and commitment to excellence.