Repeat Performance: Familiar Faces Dominate Women's Final Four

The Women's Final Four is set for a familiar scene, featuring the same four No. 1 seeds as the previous season: UConn, UCLA, Texas, and South Carolina. This marks only the second time in the sport's history that the exact same quartet has advanced to the final weekend in consecutive years.

While the teams remain the same, the matchups have shifted for this year's competition in Phoenix. Reigning national champion UConn is slated to face South Carolina on Friday, a rematch of last year's title game. Meanwhile, the Bruins of UCLA will compete against the Texas Longhorns.

Coach Perspectives on Consecutive Success

Texas coach Vic Schaefer acknowledged the difficulty of achieving this level of sustained success. "I don’t think people understand how hard it is to do it," Schaefer stated. He added that while it bodes well for the four programs, there are several other strong teams close behind them.

The only prior instance of the same four teams reaching consecutive Final Fours occurred between 1995 and 1996, involving UConn, Tennessee, Stanford, and Georgia. This year, all eyes will be focused on stopping the dominant Huskies.

UConn: The Undefeated Standard Bearer

Huskies' Legacy and Current Dominance

Under coach Geno Auriemma, UConn has long been the benchmark in women's college basketball. The program boasts 12 national championships and has appeared in 25 Final Fours, including a record streak of 14 appearances from 2008 through 2022. Auriemma's teams have secured 1,288 victories over 41 seasons.

Last year, UConn secured the national title as a No. 2 seed after a hard-fought tournament run. This season, the Huskies are aiming for their seventh undefeated season, having won 54 consecutive games across two seasons.

Key Players Fueling UConn's Run

This year's squad has been particularly dominant, winning games by an average margin of 37.8 points. The team is led by first-team All-Americans Sarah Strong and Azzi Fudd. Strong noted the team's exceptional depth, leading the team with 18. points per game.

"We can have kind of anyone off the bench step up and change the whole pace of the game," Strong commented, emphasizing the strength of their reserves.

South Carolina and the Quest for Revenge

Staley's Gamecocks Return to Title Contention

UConn's opponent, South Carolina, is no stranger to Final Four intensity. Coach Dawn Staley has guided the Gamecocks to seven Final Fours in the last nine seasons, including six straight, resulting in three national championships.

South Carolina features five players averaging double-figure scoring, spearheaded by second-team All-American Joyce Edwards, who averages 19.6 points per game. Their defensive prowess is notable, holding opponents to an average of just 57.6 points per game.

Elite Eight Victory Sets Up Title Rematch

The Gamecocks demonstrated their resilience in the Elite Eight, overcoming their first deficit of the NCAA Tournament against TCU to secure a 78-52 victory. This win completed their repeat trip to the Final Four and sets up a chance for payback against UConn following last year's championship loss.

Coach Staley emphasized the need for fearlessness against the undefeated Huskies. "I think you've just got to go pound for pound with them, just be unafraid of running against an undefeated team," Staley said. She hopes that keeping the game close might force UConn into an off night.

UCLA vs. Texas: A Battle of Top Seeds

UCLA's Inside Presence

UCLA, under coach Cori Close, reached the Final Four for the first time last year in her 15th season leading the program. The Bruins are still seeking their first national championship but possess a significant advantage inside with 6-foot-7, two-time All-American Lauren Betts.

Betts has been dominant this senior season, averaging 18.5 points and 7.6 rebounds while shooting 60.1% from the field. She powered the Bruins past Duke in the Elite Eight with 23 points, 10 rebounds, and five blocks in a 70-58 win.

Duke coach Kara Lawson noted Betts' difficulty to guard: "Her size and her skill make her difficult to defend one-on-one." She added that the surrounding shooting talent makes double-teaming Betts risky.

Texas Seeks to Replicate Early Season Win

UCLA now faces Texas, the only team to defeat them this season. The Longhorns won that matchup 76-65 on November 26 in Las Vegas, leading by 20 at halftime before holding off a late UCLA rally.

Texas, led by fifth-year guard Rori Harmon and All-American forward Madison Booker, steamrolled their first four NCAA Tournament opponents by an average of 35.5 points. They dominated Michigan 77-41 in the Elite Eight, securing their second consecutive Final Four appearance.

Coach Schaefer praised his squad's toughness and focus. "Well this group is awfully special. They’re tough. We call it Texas tough in Austin, but I told them they’re good enough," Schaefer said. He urged them to enjoy the moment without taking the opportunity for granted.