UConn was awarded the No. 1 overall seed in the women’s NCAA Tournament on Sunday and enters March Madness needing six more victories to complete the seventh undefeated season in school history. The Huskies (34-0) are looking for their 13th national title and trying to become the first team to repeat as champion since the program won four in a row from 2013-16. UConn is joined by UCLA, Texas and South Carolina as the other No. 1 seeds.
UConn, led by stars Sarah Strong and Azzi Fudd, will open the tournament at home against 16th-seeded UTSA and compete in the Fort Worth Regional. If seeds hold, the Huskies could face No. 2 Vanderbilt, coached by former UConn great Shea Ralph. This marks the 23rd time UConn has earned a No. 1 seed and the first since 2021.
UCLA (31-1) secured the second overall seed in the tournament, having won 25 straight games following a single loss to Texas. “The debate was pretty close the whole time between the two teams,” said NCAA selection committee chair Amanda Braun. “The committee felt the observable component gave UConn the edge.” UCLA reached the Final Four last year before losing to UConn.
Cori Close’s Bruins, led by center Lauren Betts, aim to win the school’s first NCAA championship and the first for the Big Ten Conference since 1999. Twelve Big Ten teams are in the field, matching a record set last season. The SEC has 10 teams, the ACC nine, and the Big 12 eight.
The Longhorns (31-3) earned the third No. 1 seed after winning the SEC Tournament title, having defeated South Carolina in two of their three matchups this season. Texas will play in Fort Worth Regional 3. The Gamecocks (31-3) are the No. 1 seed in the Sacramento Regional 4 and have been a No. 1 seed for six consecutive seasons.
The College of Charleston secured a spot in the tournament field for the first time in school history as a 14-seed. BYU, North Dakota State, Utah and Texas A&M were the first four teams left out of the field.
For the second consecutive year, teams in the women’s tournament will receive financial compensation for each round played, based on “units” awarded for wins and bids. The NCAA is providing additional units to teams reaching the championship game and the eventual champion.
The top 16 seeds will host first- and second-round games, with regional rounds at neutral sites in Fort Worth, Texas, and Sacramento, California. The Final Four will be played in Phoenix on April 3, with the championship game two days later. The NCAA revealed the 16 host schools a day early to aid in preparations.
Tennessee extended its streak of reaching every NCAA Tournament since its inception in 1982, despite a 10th-seed placement and a 16-win season. This is the lowest seed for the Lady Vols since 2019.
Frequently Asked Questions
What seeds did the top four teams receive?
UConn, UCLA, Texas and South Carolina were awarded the No. 1 seeds in the women’s NCAA Tournament.
How many teams from the Big Ten Conference made the tournament?
Twelve teams from the Big Ten Conference are in the tournament field, matching a record set last season.
What is the financial compensation structure for teams in the tournament?
Teams will be financially compensated for each round they play, based on “units” awarded for wins and bids. This year, teams reaching the championship game and the champion will receive extra units.
As the tournament unfolds, will UConn’s experience and UCLA’s momentum prove to be the deciding factors in their pursuit of the national championship?
