Women's Final Four 2025: A Showdown of Giants

TAMPA, Fla. – The much-anticipated 2025 women’s Final Four is finally here, featuring powerhouse teams clashing in Friday’s national semifinals. The opening game (7 p.m. ET, ESPN) promises an electrifying SEC face-off between the Texas Longhorns and the South Carolina Gamecocks. This season, they’ve already had three thrilling encounters, with the defending NCAA champion Gamecocks taking the series 2-1. For the Longhorns, it’s their first Final Four appearance since 2003. Meanwhile, in the nightcap, the UCLA Bruins take on the UConn Huskies (9 p.m. ET, ESPN). Despite UCLA’s win in their last meeting during a 2023 Cayman Islands event, it’s UConn with a commanding 7-1 record in their series history. While this marks the Bruins’ first Final Four, the Huskies boast participation in 16 of the last 17 and 24 overall. However, players and coaches agree that past triumphs don’t dictate the future. ESPN dives into the matchups, predicts victors, and forecasts who will be snipping the nets post Sunday’s title game (3 p.m. ET, ABC). Many feel UCLA is overshadowed despite being the No. 1 overall seed. Are the Bruins truly the underdogs?

Katie Barnes: Bookmakers seem to think so, with ESPN BET placing UCLA as a 7.5-point underdog. Although I favor the Huskies, UCLA shouldn’t be underestimated. With star Lauren Betts, the Bruins have only stumbled against USC this season. Forging through a season without any major upsets is challenging, particularly in competitive conferences like the Big Ten – and yet, UCLA managed it. They’re more than capable of challenging UConn and securing a victory on Friday. They seem fueled by the underdog label.

Andrea Adelson: When I queried UCLA coach Cori Close during her Thursday press conference, I started with, “As the No. 1 overall seed…” but was interrupted. Close quipped that it hasn’t felt like they’ve been treated as such all season. Couple that with UConn’s favoritism and extensive Final Four experience, and it’s understandable why UCLA is seen as the underdog. Stars like Paige Bueckers and coach Geno Auriemma naturally command attention, even though UCLA has spent much of the season at No. 1. “This is this year’s UConn, not their past iterations. I’ve immense faith in this team,” Close expressed.

Michael Voepel: The Bruins have maintained their equanimity this season, showing grit and determination absent in last year’s Sweet 16 loss to LSU. Credit for this newfound toughness partly goes to junior forward Janiah Barker, a Texas A&M transfer. “She’s infused our team with different tenacity,” guard Kiki Rice noted. This shift reflects a bold, confident ethos essential for winning.

Given their talent pool, the Bruins may not be the apparent underdogs they appear to be. Despite differing Final Four credentials, UCLA is well-prepared for a competitive match.

Is there a strategy to slow UConn’s Paige Bueckers? Alexa Philippou: Bueckers appears transformed this postseason, playing with less pressure compared to last year when she felt she had to score 30-35 nightly. Now, she’s racking up significant numbers – 105 points, 59.1% field goal rate, and 61.9% from deep – seemingly because she desires to. “She radiates a new energy,” Auriemma observed. “She’s lighter, not stressed, and her game flows effortlessly.”

Expect UCLA to stymie UConn’s three-point attempts, backdoor plays, and defensive rebounds – areas pivotal to UConn’s success, as Close pointed out to the media. Despite Bueckers’ impressive performance, the Huskies have other sharpshooters – Azzi Fudd, Sarah Strong, and Ashlynn Shade. If they leverage transition play, it’ll pose a significant challenge. Voepel: Given Bueckers’ current form, decelerating her seems unlikely. UCLA recognizes this and may strive to intensify her scoring efforts by challenging her physically. But Bueckers thrives under pressure, irrespective of the spotlight.

Could Lauren Betts be the standout X factor in the Final Four? Philippou: While the Huskies lack a center matching Betts’ dominance, Auriemma is no stranger to coaching towering talents. “When we had Kara [Wolters],” he shared, “we felt unbeatable.” At 6-foot-7, Betts has been pivotal for the Bruins, matching Wolters’ stature. “Regardless of offensive difficulties,” Auriemma noted, “the Bruins wield a unique advantage.”

Yet, UCLA isn’t just Betts. They surround her with adept 3-point shooters, and she’s proficient in evading double-teams with smart passes. UConn must decide: focus on Betts or stop the Bruins’ perimeter assault. We’ll find out their strategy early on Friday.

Voepel: As Alexa pointed out, a center of Betts’ caliber is a rarity, making her a formidable presence in the Final Four. Her influence in pivotal games, both offensively and defensively, bolsters UCLA’s chances to reach the finals. Betts is why I’m backing the Bruins for the win.

Can South Carolina’s freshman Joyce Edwards recover from her regional struggles? Adelson: South Carolina’s coach, Dawn Staley, emphasized last week that for a national title, increased output from Edwards is essential. Her prior three NCAA tournament games were underwhelming, with just 15 combined points. Her minimal impact in three previous games against Texas, coupled with subpar recent tournament displays, casts doubt on a breakout against a defensive giant like Texas.

Philippou: South Carolina enjoys depth, with Sania Feagin and Chloe Kitts stepping up. Kitts, the SEC tourney MVP and Birmingham Regional 2 standout, leads postseason scoring at 14.1 points per game on 60.3% shooting. Kitts’ resurgence helps mitigate Edwards’ slump. Staley undoubtedly anticipates Edwards’ rebound, knowing Kitts can fill the void.

Voepel: Edwards’ familiarity with Texas might aid her bounce-back, as she managed 10 and 11 points in their wins over Texas. Given the tournament’s fast-paced demands on a freshman, Edwards seems confident of ending her slump.

What is Texas’ strategy to topple South Carolina? Adelson: Let’s not forget, Texas recently snapped South Carolina’s 57-game SEC streak with a decisive 67-50 victory. The Gamecocks have had vulnerabilities, including inconsistent shooting and turnovers, which Texas can exploit, especially if they can provoke foul issues, disrupting South Carolina’s rhythm. Madison Booker’s continued stellar form could tilt the game in Texas’s favor.

Philippou: While Texas keeps South Carolina in check defensively, scoring has varied enormously. Key for Texas are big performances from Taylor Jones and Kyla Oldacre, with Booker being indispensable. Her past few outings against South Carolina showcased her potential impact.

Voepel: Booker’s accurate mid-range jumper presents a unique threat. Texas’ bench, featuring promising freshmen, provides crucial scoring depth and maintains team morale.

Who will reach the title clash on Sunday? Adelson: South Carolina, UConn Barnes: South Carolina, UConn Philippou: South Carolina, UConn Voepel: South Carolina, UCLA.

Who will claim the national championship? Adelson: UConn. With their depth, spearheaded by Bueckers, UConn appears poised for triumph. Barnes: UConn. Bueckers’ determination to secure a title post her 2022 double-overtime masterpiece is evident, making UConn a formidable opponent. Philippou: UConn. The blend of Bueckers, Strong, and Fudd ensures UConn’s ascendancy under Auriemma’s tutelage. Voepel: South Carolina. The Gamecocks’ scoring gamut and defensive prowess give them a fair shot at the crown. Utilizing their bench effectively could prove crucial for a victorious campaign.