Honestly, if you missed the vibe in Tampa this past April, you missed the moment women’s college basketball proved it didn't need a single "generational" star to keep the world watching. For months, the chatter was all about whether the sport would crater once the 2024 class moved to the WNBA. It didn't. Not even close. The final four women 2025 was less of a "reset" and more of a hostile takeover by the sport's blue bloods.
UConn is back. That’s basically the headline.
But the way it happened was weirdly dominant. We saw a UCLA team make its first-ever Final Four, a Texas squad that looked invincible until they weren't, and a South Carolina team that felt like a final boss in a video game. Then Geno Auriemma reminded everyone why he’s got more rings than fingers.
The Final Four Women 2025: Who Actually Showed Up?
When the dust settled in the regional finals, the bracket gave us a heavyweight lineup in Tampa at Amalie Arena. It wasn't the "Cinderella" story people usually crave. It was a clash of the titans.
- UConn Huskies: Led by Paige Bueckers and the breakout star of the tournament, Azzi Fudd.
- South Carolina Gamecocks: Dawn Staley's defensive juggernaut, coming in as the overall top seed.
- UCLA Bruins: The newcomers to this stage, bringing that West Coast flair.
- Texas Longhorns: A physical, gritty group that bullied their way through the Birmingham regional.
The semifinals on April 4 were... well, they were a bit of a reality check for the newcomers. South Carolina took care of business against Texas, winning 74-57. It wasn't particularly close. Texas just couldn't find a way through that Gamecock frontline. Then, the nightcap saw UConn absolutely dismantle UCLA 85-51.
Fifty-one points. That's it.
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UCLA had a historic season, but the Huskies played like they were offended by the suggestion that their dynasty was over. Sarah Strong, the freshman phenom, looked like a veteran out there. She dropped 22 points and grabbed 15 rebounds like it was a casual gym run.
Why the "Post-Caitlin" Slump Never Happened
Everyone was worried about the ratings. You’ve probably heard people say the sport would lose half its fans.
The numbers tell a different story.
While the 2025 championship game didn't hit the 18.9 million mark of the previous year, it still pulled in an average of 8.6 million viewers. That is massive. It’s the third most-watched women’s title game ever. It more than doubled the 2021 numbers. People didn't stop watching; they just started rooting for teams instead of just one player.
The energy in Tampa was electric. Over 19,000 fans packed Amalie Arena for the final. Fans traveled from all 50 states. It felt like a permanent fixture of the American sports calendar, not a passing fad.
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The Championship Rematch: UConn vs. South Carolina
The final on April 6 was a rematch of the 2022 title game. Back then, South Carolina crushed UConn. This time, the script was flipped.
UConn won 82-59.
It was a masterclass. Azzi Fudd, who has dealt with more injuries than anyone deserves, finally had her moment. She scored 24 points and was named the Most Outstanding Player. She was hitting shots from the parking lot. South Carolina’s defense is usually a brick wall, but Fudd and Sarah Strong found every single crack.
Dawn Staley is a legend, and her team was incredible all year, but they just ran into a buzzsaw. The Gamecocks' 71-game home winning streak had already been snapped by UConn earlier in the season, so the Huskies had the psychological edge.
Key Performances You Might Have Missed
While Fudd got the MVP, Sarah Strong was the "X-factor." It’s rare to see a freshman dominate a Final Four like that. She finished the title game with 24 points and 15 rebounds.
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Paige Bueckers didn't even have to be the leading scorer. She had 17 points, played elite defense, and just controlled the tempo. It was a "quiet" dominant performance. On the South Carolina side, Chloe Kitts and Joyce Edwards fought hard, but the Gamecocks shot a dismal 34% from the field. You aren't beating UConn shooting like that.
What This Means for the 2026 Season
If you think 2025 was a fluke, look at the recruiting classes. The talent pool is getting deeper, not shallower.
The 2025 tournament proved that the "brand" of women's basketball is now bigger than any individual player. We are seeing a shift where the rivalries—UConn vs. South Carolina, USC vs. UCLA—are becoming the main draw.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans and Bettors
If you're looking ahead to next season, keep these things in mind based on what we saw in Tampa:
- Trust the Freshman Impact: Sarah Strong proved that the top-tier recruits are now ready to lead championship teams on day one. Don't overlook teams with "young" rosters.
- Watch the Big Ten/SEC Gap: The move of UCLA and USC to the Big Ten has changed the power dynamics. The travel is tougher, but the competition is sharpening these teams for March.
- Depth is King: South Carolina usually wins because they can play 10 deep. In the final, UConn’s top-heavy talent actually outshined them because those stars were conditioned to play 40 minutes.
- Venue Matters: Tampa was a huge success. Future Final Four hosts (like Phoenix in 2026) are already seeing record ticket interest. If you want to go, buy your tickets the minute they go on sale.
The final four women 2025 wasn't just another tournament. It was the "proof of concept" for the future of the sport. The Huskies are back on top, but the gap between the elite and the rest of the field is closing fast. Every year the "experts" say it's going to slow down, and every year the players prove them wrong.
To stay ahead for the 2026 season, start tracking the transfer portal movements in May. The way rosters are built now, a team can go from a Sweet Sixteen exit to a Final Four favorite in a single off-season through a couple of key veteran additions.