The grand finale of the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament is set to unfold this weekend in Tampa, Florida. The road to the championship has been grueling, and now, only four teams remain: UConn, UCLA, Texas, and South Carolina. As they gear up for the Final Four at Amalie Arena, each squad is laser-focused on one goal—becoming the national champion.
The Teams and Their Journey
UConn: A Legacy of Excellence
Among the four, UConn is the lone No. 2 seed. The Huskies have been a staple in the Final Four, making it 16 out of the last 17 years. However, they are currently experiencing their longest championship drought in program history. With Paige Bueckers leading their dynamic offense, UConn is determined to claim its seventh national title and reclaim its dominance.
South Carolina: Aiming for a Dynasty
The Gamecocks, led by head coach Dawn Staley, are no strangers to the Final Four, appearing for the fifth consecutive year. Already the reigning champions and winners of the 2022 title, South Carolina has the opportunity to secure its third championship in just four years. Their experience and championship pedigree make them a formidable contender.
UCLA: Breaking New Ground
For the Bruins, this marks uncharted territory. The No. 1 overall seed has reached the NCAA semifinals for the first time in its modern history. Seeking both its first title and the Big Ten’s first championship since 1999, UCLA is eager to make history.
Cori Close, UCLA Head Coach, shared her thoughts on the team’s mindset:
“We started out just not a very confident team and just earned it little by little. I just think this is that next hurdle. We're not preparing to be here; we're preparing to win.”
Texas: Returning to the Big Stage
Texas makes its first Final Four appearance since 2003 under head coach Vic Schaefer. The Longhorns are hungry for a title and are balancing the excitement of the moment with the discipline needed to win.
"I'm honored to be their coach," said Schaefer. "But I'm really proud of what we've been able to accomplish in a short period of time. It's been 22 years since they've been in the Final Four. It had been 22 years since they won a conference championship. And we've won four in five years. I have a great deal of respect and admiration for those three because to me they are Texas women's basketball, and I love being around them. They're just wonderful, wonderful people."
Game Schedule
The semifinal matchups begin Friday night, setting the stage for an exciting weekend of basketball:
- #1 South Carolina vs. #1 Texas – Friday at 7:00 PM ET on ESPN
- #1 UCLA vs. #2 UConn – Friday at 9:00 PM ET on ESPN
- Championship Game – Sunday at 3:00 PM ET on ABC
Gulf Coast News will be providing extensive coverage throughout the weekend, bringing fans the latest updates and highlights. Don’t miss out on the action as Tampa plays host to the pinnacle of women’s college basketball!