Everyone thought they knew how the NCAA women's basketball final four 2025 would go. We all expected a coronation for the undefeated South Carolina squad or maybe a miracle run for JuJu Watkins and USC. But basketball—real, high-stakes, pressure-cooker basketball—doesn't follow a script.
Amalie Arena in Tampa was humid. The air inside felt heavy.
If you weren't watching on April 6, 2025, you missed the moment the power structure of the sport tilted back toward Storrs. UConn is back. Honestly, after a few years of "down" seasons (by their impossible standards), seeing Geno Auriemma hoist that trophy again felt both nostalgic and inevitable. But the way they did it? That’s what people are still arguing about at sports bars.
The Tampa Shakedown: Amalie Arena Results
Most fans forget that the NCAA women's basketball final four 2025 wasn't just about the championship game. The semifinals on Friday, April 4, were absolute grinders.
South Carolina came in looking like a freight train. They had already beaten Texas in the SEC title game earlier that year, 64–45. When they met again in the Final Four, people expected more of the same. It didn't happen. Texas made them bleed for every bucket. While South Carolina eventually pulled away for a 74–57 win, the Gamecocks' bench—usually their "secret" weapon—had to carry the load because the starters were gapped.
On the other side of the bracket, we had UCLA making its first-ever Final Four appearance.
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It was a big deal. The Bruins, led by Lauren Betts, were the No. 1 overall seed. They looked invincible until they hit the UConn wall. Paige Bueckers was playing her final collegiate games, and you could see the "pro mode" engaged. UConn didn't just win; they dismantled UCLA 85–51. It was a statement. It was a warning.
The Championship Scoreboard
- Winner: UConn Huskies (82)
- Runner-up: South Carolina Gamecocks (59)
- Location: Amalie Arena, Tampa, FL
- MOP: Azzi Fudd (UConn)
UConn’s 12th title didn't come easy, despite the final score. They had to survive a 37–3 season just to get there.
Why the 2025 Final Four Changed Everything
For years, the narrative was that Dawn Staley had built a dynasty that eclipsed the old guard. And she has. But 2025 proved that roster depth can't always overcome elite, laser-focused star power.
South Carolina's depth is legendary. They play ten players deep without losing a step. In the semifinals, Joyce Edwards, their phenomenal freshman, looked like the best player on the court. But when they hit the finals, UConn’s "Big Three" of Bueckers, Fudd, and freshman Sarah Strong was too much.
Sarah Strong. Remember that name.
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She put up 24 points and 15 rebounds in the title game as a freshman. Basically, she did to South Carolina what they usually do to everyone else: she out-hustled them in the paint. It was a rare sight to see the Gamecocks get out-rebounded in a championship setting.
Key Players Who Owned the Weekend
- Azzi Fudd (UConn): After years of injury hell, she finally stayed healthy. She dropped 24 points in the final and walked away with Most Outstanding Player honors.
- Paige Bueckers (UConn): 17 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists. It wasn't her highest-scoring night, but her gravity on the court opened up everything for her teammates.
- Joyce Edwards (South Carolina): Even in a loss, she proved she’s the next face of the SEC.
- Madison Booker (Texas): She carried the Longhorns to their first Final Four since 2003. Even though they fell to the Gamecocks, Booker’s 16.4 PPG season average wasn't a fluke.
The JuJu Watkins and Hannah Hidalgo Factor
You can't talk about the NCAA women's basketball final four 2025 without talking about the stars who didn't make it to Sunday.
JuJu Watkins and USC were the media darlings all year. They won the Big Ten regular-season title—their first conference title since 1994. But they ran into the UConn buzzsaw in the Elite Eight, losing 78–64. It was a "welcome to the big leagues" moment for JuJu, who still finished the year as a unanimous All-American.
Then there’s Hannah Hidalgo at Notre Dame. She swept the ACC awards (Player of the Year and Defensive POY). The Irish were a popular pick to make it to Tampa, but they got bumped in the Sweet Sixteen by a gritty TCU team.
It's sorta wild when you think about it. The two most "exciting" individual players in the country didn't even make the Final Four. It just goes to show that in March and April, team defense and tournament experience usually trump a 30-point-per-game scorer.
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What Fans Got Wrong About the Rankings
Before the tournament started, everyone was obsessed with the No. 1 seeds. UCLA, South Carolina, USC, and Texas.
UConn was actually a No. 2 seed.
People thought the Huskies were "vulnerable" because they didn't have the same size as previous years. Wrong. They had Sarah Strong, who basically played like a 6-foot-2 veteran from day one. They also had a chip on their shoulder.
There’s this misconception that UConn is "boring" because they win so much. But if you watched them in Tampa, they played with a desperation we haven't seen from them since the Breanna Stewart era. They weren't just playing for a trophy; they were playing to prove they weren't "finished."
Actionable Insights for the 2026 Season
If the NCAA women's basketball final four 2025 taught us anything, it's how to look at the 2026 landscape. Here is what you should be watching for right now:
- The Post-Bueckers Era: Now that Paige has moved on to the WNBA (projected No. 1 pick), UConn is Sarah Strong’s team. Watch how her role expands as the primary option.
- The SEC Arms Race: Texas is no longer the new kid in the SEC. They shared the regular-season title with South Carolina in 2025. This rivalry is the new "must-watch" TV.
- Freshman Impact: In 2025, freshmen like Joyce Edwards and Sarah Strong didn't just play; they dominated. When looking at 2026 predictions, don't just look at seniors. Look at the recruiting rankings.
- Venue Shifts: Keep an eye on the calendar. The 2026 Final Four is heading to Phoenix at the Footprint Center. It’s the first time the city has ever hosted the event.
The 2025 season was a massive win for the sport. Ratings were through the roof, and the games actually lived up to the hype. While UConn sits back on the throne for now, the gap between the "powerhouses" and the rest of the field is smaller than it’s ever been.
To stay ahead of the curve for the next tournament cycle, start tracking the 2026 recruiting classes now. The shift we saw in Tampa—where freshmen dictated the pace of the national championship—is the new reality of women’s college basketball.