2025 Women’s NCAA Tournament: A Comprehensive Preview
Selection Sunday has come and gone, marking the official commencement of March Madness for women’s college basketball. The highly anticipated field of 68 teams has been revealed, setting the stage for weeks of thrilling competition, bracket-busting upsets, and unforgettable moments. This year, the UCLA Bruins secured the coveted No. 1 overall seed, a decision that sparked immediate debate and drew a pointed reaction from South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley.
Staley, whose Gamecocks have been a dominant force in recent years, voiced her surprise at the selection, emphasizing the strength of her team’s resume and the calculated effort to secure the top spot. "I’m a little bit surprised because we manufactured our schedule and put ourself in a position to be the No. 1 overall seed. I do think if you do the blind test and you put our resume against any other team in the field, I think you will pick us," Staley stated, clearly believing her team deserved the recognition.
Joining UCLA as No. 1 seeds are South Carolina, Texas, and USC, setting up four distinct regions poised for intense battles. The tournament officially kicks off with the First Four games on Wednesday and Thursday, where eight teams will compete for the final four spots in the main bracket. First-round action begins on Friday, with campus sites hosting the opening two rounds, showcasing the advantages earned by the top seeds.
The journey culminates in Tampa, Florida, where the Final Four will be held on April 4, with semifinal matchups scheduled for 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. ET. The national championship game is set for April 6 at 3 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on ABC, continuing the trend of showcasing the women’s title game on network television for the third consecutive year.
Breakdown by Region
This year’s tournament promises a compelling narrative in each region. Let’s delve into each of the No. 1 seeds and highlight some of the potential storylines.
UCLA Bruins: Can this be the year UCLA finally breaks through and reaches the Final Four? Despite a history of success, including two Elite Eight appearances and nine Sweet Sixteen berths, the Bruins have never reached the final weekend. Their two losses this season came against crosstown rival USC, but UCLA avenged those defeats by overcoming a 13-point deficit to beat the Trojans in the Big Ten Championship game, solidifying their status as the No. 1 overall seed. The Bruins are led by dominant center Lauren Betts, who averages 19.6 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 2.9 blocks per game.
South Carolina Gamecocks: Despite missing out on the top overall seed, the defending champions are still a force to be reckoned with. Since 2021, they have been the top overall seed every year until now. Coach Staley’s team has been on a roll since a loss to UConn in February and will be looking to win their fourth NCAA tournament championship in eight years. Watch out for Chloe Kitts, who won MVP of the SEC tournament and is playing her best basketball of the season.
Texas Longhorns: Texas was ranked No. 1 in the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll at one point, but two losses to South Carolina, including one in the Big 10 championship game, knocked them down a couple of pegs. The Longhorns will look to Madison Booker, a player who has great stats this year. Their path to their first NCAA women’s basketball championship since 1986 just got that much more difficult with Notre Dame and TCU in their bracket.
USC Trojans: The Trojans boast one of the most exciting players in college basketball in JuJu Watkins, who has been rewriting record books. Can Watkins lead USC to its first NCAA title since 1984? The Trojans may have to get through UConn again, who knocked them out of the Elite Eight last year. However, USC defeated UConn in December.
Players to Watch
Beyond the star power of the No. 1 seeds, several players throughout the tournament field are poised to make a significant impact.
- Lauren Betts (UCLA): A dominant force in the paint, Betts’ size and skill present a matchup nightmare for opponents.
- Aneesah Morrow (LSU): A double-double machine, Morrow’s rebounding prowess and scoring ability make her a constant threat.
- TaNiya Latson (Florida State): A dynamic guard with a knack for scoring, Latson’s explosiveness can ignite her team’s offense.
- Saniya Rivers (NC State): A versatile player who contributes in multiple facets of the game, Rivers’ defensive intensity and playmaking ability make her a key cog for the Wolfpack.
- Chloe Kitts (South Carolina): Is red-hot heading into March Madness.
- Madison Booker (Texas): A player who has great stats this year.
- Hannah Hidalgo (Notre Dame): A dynamic guard that can take over any game.
- Sedona Prince (TCU): A dominant force in the paint.
- JuJu Watkins (USC): Arguably the best player in college basketball in Juju Watkins.
- Paige Bueckers (UConn): A dynamic guard that can take over any game.
Best First-Round Games
The opening round is rife with intriguing matchups that could set the tone for the entire tournament. Here are a few games to keep an eye on:
- No. 3 LSU vs. No. 14 San Diego State: Despite injuries to key players, LSU possesses the talent to make a deep run. However, San Diego State enters the tournament on an eight-game winning streak and could present a challenge.
- No. 1 South Carolina vs. No. 16 Tennessee Tech: The Gamecocks, fueled by their perceived snub, will look to make a statement against Tennessee Tech.
- No. 7 Louisville vs. No. 10 Nebraska: Louisville, despite a recent loss, has the talent to advance, but Nebraska’s impressive resume and upset potential make this a game to watch.
- No. 8 California vs. No. 9 Mississippi State: As is the case with any 8-9 matchup, this game is a toss up.
Teams That Just Missed the Cut
For Colorado, James Madison, Saint Joseph’s and Virginia Tech, the dream of competing in the 2025 Women’s NCAA Tournament has been temporarily deferred.
Conclusion
The 2025 Women’s NCAA Tournament promises to be a thrilling spectacle filled with drama, excitement, and unforgettable moments. With a diverse field of talented teams and captivating storylines, March Madness is poised to deliver another unforgettable chapter in women’s college basketball history.
