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Rosenberg Today
By the People, for the People
UConn Poised to Claim Another Women's Basketball Title
Huskies favored to win 12th national championship, but Texas and South Carolina pose tough challenges
Apr. 1, 2026 at 8:08pm
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The 2026 NCAA Women's Basketball Final Four features a familiar field, with No. 1 seeds UConn, UCLA, Texas, and South Carolina all returning to the national semifinals. Our experts break down the key storylines, potential breakout stars, and bold predictions for this weekend's action in Phoenix, ultimately forecasting a UConn championship victory.
Why it matters
The women's Final Four is always one of the most anticipated events in college basketball, and this year's edition features several powerhouse programs vying for the national title. UConn's continued dominance, the rise of Texas as an elite program, and South Carolina's quest for back-to-back championships have set the stage for an exciting conclusion to the 2026 tournament.
The details
The Final Four matchups are set, with UConn facing UCLA and Texas taking on South Carolina in the national semifinals. UConn, the tournament's overall No. 1 seed, is led by a deep and talented roster that includes standout freshman Blanca Quiñonez. Texas, which handed UCLA its only loss of the season, boasts a physical defense that could pose problems for the Bruins. South Carolina, the defending champions, are led by Agot Makeer, who has been a breakout star in the tournament.
- The Final Four takes place this weekend, April 4-6, in Phoenix.
- The national championship game is scheduled for Sunday, April 6.
The players
Blanca Quiñonez
A freshman standout for UConn, Quiñonez has provided a spark off the bench for the Huskies, recording 20 points and 8 rebounds in the team's Sweet Sixteen win over Notre Dame.
Agot Makeer
The South Carolina forward has been a breakout star in the tournament, averaging 14.8 points per game and shooting 55% from the field since the start of the SEC tournament.
Lauren Betts
The UCLA center will have a tough matchup against Texas' physical defense, led by Kyla Oldacre, in the Final Four.
Kyla Oldacre
The Texas center will be tasked with limiting the damage done by UCLA's Lauren Betts in the paint in their semifinal matchup.
Sarah Strong
The UConn senior forward is the Huskies' unguardable strength, and a key reason why they are favored to win the national championship.
What they’re saying
“The Huskies simply have too much talent and depth.”
— Clare Brennan, Sports Illustrated Editor
“Texas beats UCLA steadily, and then thoroughly.”
— Michael Rosenberg, Sports Illustrated Writer
“Makeer or Huskies freshman Quiñonez goes off.”
— Michael Rosenberg, Sports Illustrated Writer
What’s next
The national championship game is scheduled for Sunday, April 6, where the winner of the UConn-UCLA semifinal will face the winner of the Texas-South Carolina matchup.
The takeaway
This year's Final Four features a mix of established powerhouses and rising contenders, setting the stage for an exciting conclusion to the 2026 NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament. While UConn remains the favorite, Texas and South Carolina have the talent and experience to pull off upsets and claim the national title.
