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Rosenberg Today
By the People, for the People
SI Experts Predict 2026 Women's NCAA Tournament Champions
Top seeds UConn, UCLA, Texas, and South Carolina lead the field
Mar. 16, 2026 at 7:23pm
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The 2026 women's NCAA tournament field is set, with defending champion and undefeated UConn as the No. 1 overall seed. Sports Illustrated's writers and editors have made their predictions for the tournament, with the majority picking UConn to repeat as champions. Other top contenders include UCLA, Texas, and South Carolina.
Why it matters
The women's NCAA tournament is one of the most anticipated events in college sports, drawing massive viewership and generating significant interest and excitement. SI's expert predictions provide valuable insight into how the tournament may unfold and which teams have the best chance of cutting down the nets.
The details
According to the SI experts, the Final Four is expected to feature UConn, UCLA, Texas, and South Carolina. Several of the experts, including Emma Baccellieri, Clare Brennan, and Kristen Nelson, have picked UConn to win the national championship and defend their title. However, Dan Falkenheim and Michael Rosenberg have predicted UCLA and South Carolina, respectively, to emerge victorious.
- The 2026 women's NCAA tournament field was announced on March 16, 2026.
- The Final Four will take place in Phoenix.
The players
UConn
The defending national champion and No. 1 overall seed, UConn enters the tournament undefeated and is the favorite to repeat as champions.
UCLA
A top contender for the national title, UCLA is expected to make a deep run in the tournament as a No. 1 seed.
Texas
The Longhorns are also a No. 1 seed and are considered one of the top teams in the country, with a strong chance of reaching the Final Four.
South Carolina
The Gamecocks round out the No. 1 seed line and are a perennial powerhouse in women's college basketball, with a talented roster that could lead them to the national championship game.
What they’re saying
“UConn has been the dominant force in women's college basketball for years, and I don't see that changing this season. They have the talent and experience to win it all again.”
— Emma Baccellieri, SI Writer
“UCLA has been knocking on the door for a while, and this could be the year they finally break through and win the national championship.”
— Dan Falkenheim, SI Editor
“South Carolina has a deep and versatile roster that can match up with any team in the country. I think they have a great shot at cutting down the nets in Phoenix.”
— Michael Rosenberg, SI Columnist
What’s next
The 2026 women's NCAA tournament will begin on March 20, 2026, with the Final Four taking place in Phoenix on April 4-6.
The takeaway
The 2026 women's NCAA tournament promises to be an exciting and highly competitive event, with several powerhouse programs vying for the national championship. While UConn is the favorite, the depth and talent of the field suggests that this year's tournament could produce some unexpected results and a new champion.
