Honestly, if you haven't been keeping up with the court lately, the short answer is the UConn Huskies. They did it. On April 6, 2025, they finally climbed back to the mountain top, crushing South Carolina 82–59.
It wasn't even close.
For a lot of fans, this felt like the natural order of the universe resetting itself. Geno Auriemma, now 71 and officially the oldest coach to ever win a Division I title, secured his 12th championship. It ended a nine-year "drought"—which, for any other program, would be a blip, but for UConn, felt like an eternity.
The Paige Bueckers Fairytale Ending
You can't talk about who won the women's NCAA tournament without talking about Paige Bueckers. This was her swan song. After years of dealing with injuries and heartbreak in three previous Final Fours, she finished her college career with 17 points, six rebounds, and three assists in the final.
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Basically, she got the one thing her trophy case was missing before heading to the WNBA.
But here is what most people get wrong: it wasn't a one-woman show. While everyone was watching Paige, Azzi Fudd and freshman sensation Sarah Strong were absolutely torching the nets. They both dropped 24 points. Fudd, who took home the Most Outstanding Player (MOP) award, looked completely untouchable.
How South Carolina Lost the Script
South Carolina came into this as the defending champs. Dawn Staley had them looking like a juggernaut all year. But in the final at Amalie Arena in Tampa, they just sort of... ran out of gas? Or maybe they ran into a wall.
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The Gamecocks shot a measly 34% from the floor.
UConn’s defense was suffocating. It was weird to see a Staley-led team look that out of sorts. None of their starters even hit double digits in scoring. That’s almost unheard of for a team that has spent the last few years dominating the paint.
Why This Win Was Different
A lot of people think UConn wins because they have the best recruits. That's part of it, sure. But this 2025 run was about health and timing. When Azzi Fudd and Paige Bueckers are both on the floor and healthy, it’s a cheat code.
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- The Score: 82-59
- The Venue: Amalie Arena, Tampa
- The Key Stat: UConn made 26 of 45 shots inside the arc.
- The Legacy: This win put UConn four titles ahead of any other program (Tennessee has eight).
There’s a lot of talk about parity in women’s basketball now, and it’s real. Teams like UCLA and Texas made deep runs, and the "Caitlin Clark effect" has left a permanent mark on the sport's popularity. But when the dust settled in 2025, the old guard proved they still have the keys to the kingdom.
What Happens Next?
If you're wondering what this means for the future, keep an eye on Sarah Strong. She’s only a freshman (well, she was then), and she’s already playing like a veteran. With Paige heading to the pros—likely as the No. 1 pick—the Huskies are now Sarah and Azzi's team.
For the rest of the league, the target is back on Connecticut.
To stay ahead of the curve on the next season, start watching the recruiting classes for 2026. South Carolina isn't going anywhere, and the SEC is deeper than ever with nine teams in the Top 25. If you want to understand the modern game, stop looking for "the next Caitlin Clark" and start looking at how UConn’s hybrid motion offense is evolving to beat the size of the SEC.
Practical Steps for Fans:
- Check the 2026 preseason rankings; UConn is already the unanimous No. 1.
- Follow the WNBA draft to see how the 2025 championship stars transition to the professional level.
- Watch South Carolina’s upcoming rematch with Texas; it’s the best barometer for who will challenge for the 2026 title.