Lead
On March 30, 2026, the women’s NCAA Tournament Final Four was finalized in Phoenix as No. 1 seeds South Carolina and Texas won their Elite Eight games to join UConn and UCLA. Texas routed No. 2 Michigan 77-41 in Fort Worth while South Carolina beat No. 3 TCU 78-52 in Sacramento. The result means, for the fifth time in tournament history, all four No. 1 seeds advanced to the Final Four — and these same four programs have reached the semifinal in consecutive seasons. The national semis are set for Friday in Phoenix: Texas vs. UCLA and South Carolina vs. UConn.
Key Takeaways
- All four No. 1 seeds — Texas, South Carolina, UConn and UCLA — reached the 2026 Final Four in Phoenix on March 30, 2026, the fifth occurrence of that outcome (previously 1989, 2012, 2015, 2018).
- Texas defeated No. 2 Michigan 77-41 in Fort Worth; Michigan shot 13-for-57 (23%) overall, 2-for-15 (13%) from three and committed 15 turnovers.
- South Carolina beat No. 3 TCU 78-52 in Sacramento; Joyce Edwards led the Gamecocks with 24 points, 12 rebounds and three blocks.
- Texas’ margin of victory (36 points) ties for the third-largest margin in Elite Eight history; the Longhorns opened by making their first nine field-goal attempts.
- South Carolina advanced to its sixth straight Final Four; Edwards recorded her 22nd 20-point game of the season, tying a program record.
- Key contributors: Madison Booker (Texas) 19 points, seven rebounds; Rori Harmon (Texas) 13 assists, seven rebounds; Kyla Oldacre 12 points, 11 rebounds off the bench.
- TCU’s Olivia Miles finished with 18 points and six assists but had an 8-of-20 shooting night and dealt with a second-half cramping scare.
Background
The women’s NCAA Tournament has trended toward parity in recent decades, but top seeds still exert outsized influence late in the bracket. In 2026 the four No. 1 teams arrived at the regional finals with the pedigree and consistency expected of single-digit seeds: each program entered the Elite Eight with high-end defenses, roster depth and veteran coaching staffs.
Historically, all four No. 1 seeds advancing to the Final Four is rare — 1989, 2012, 2015 and 2018 were the previous instances. The 2026 result is notable not only for its rarity but because the same quartet of schools repeated the achievement from the prior season, something that has only happened once before in 1995–1996.
Stakeholders heading into Phoenix include professional scouts evaluating potential WNBA draft picks, athletic departments measuring program trajectories, and broadcasters positioning marquee matchups. With South Carolina and Texas both having recent championship aspirations, the matchup set with UConn and UCLA carries narrative weight as well as competitive stakes.
Main Event
In Fort Worth, Texas overwhelmed Michigan from the outset, making its first nine shots to build an early double-digit lead. The Longhorns sustained pressure defensively throughout the game, forcing poor Michigan shot selection and creating transition opportunities. Madison Booker led Texas with 19 points and seven rebounds on 9-of-13 shooting; Rori Harmon flirted with a triple-double and finished with 13 assists, seven rebounds and seven points.
Michigan managed just 41 points — a season low and the fewest the Wolverines have scored in a game since 2020 — largely because of Texas’ defense. Michigan converted only 13 of 57 field-goal attempts (23%) and made only two of 15 three-point tries (13%), while coughing the ball up 15 times, surrendering the tempo and margin early.
In Sacramento, South Carolina briefly trailed TCU early — the Gamecocks’ first deficit of the tournament — before All-American forward Joyce Edwards took over. Edwards scored 24 points, hauled in 12 rebounds and swatted three shots, including a momentum-shifting jumper at the first-half buzzer that put South Carolina back in front. Freshman Agot Makeer added a career-high 18 points off the bench and provided defensive energy with three steals.
TCU’s Olivia Miles produced 18 points and six assists but struggled to find efficient scoring range (8-of-20) and dealt with a second-half cramping episode that briefly limited her mobility. South Carolina gradually pulled away late, turning a narrow halftime edge into a comfortable 26-point final margin.
Analysis & Implications
The immediate implication is the strength and balance at the very top of the women’s college game: four distinct programs, each seeded No. 1, advanced as expected, signaling that selection and seeding mirrored on-court quality this season. That said, the manner of these wins exposed different narratives — Texas’ identity-centered defense vs. Michigan, and South Carolina’s reliance on star power and depth against TCU.
For Texas, the defensive clinic reaffirms Vic Schaefer’s program blueprint: stifle opponents into inefficiency and let high-percentage offense — often inside-out through strong post play and efficient wings — close games. The Longhorns’ emphatic margin and balanced contributions from Booker, Harmon and Oldacre make them a matchup concern for UCLA’s athleticism and transition game.
South Carolina’s run again centers on Joyce Edwards’ ascendancy and the impact of bench contributors like Makeer. The Gamecocks have now reached six straight Final Fours, a hallmark of sustained excellence that keeps Dawn Staley’s program among the small group of elite dynasties. However, South Carolina’s relative difficulty against TCU early — and the modest scoring from senior guards Raven Johnson, Ta’Niya Latson and Madina Okot in this game — highlights potential vulnerabilities in perimeter scoring that UConn may try to exploit.
Looking beyond Phoenix, the repeated presence of the same four teams in consecutive Final Fours may influence recruiting, media rights valuations and WNBA draft scouting. Programs that sustain deep tournament runs boost revenue, alumni engagement and national profile, while professional evaluators will give added scrutiny to players who perform under high-stakes late-season pressure.
Comparison & Data
| Year | All No.1 Seeds in Final Four? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Yes | First occurrence |
| 2012 | Yes | Second occurrence |
| 2015 | Yes | Third occurrence |
| 2018 | Yes | Fourth occurrence |
| 2026 | Yes | Fifth occurrence; same four schools repeated from previous year |
Contextualizing margins: Texas’ 36-point Elite Eight win ties for the third-largest Elite Eight victory margin on record, underscoring how dominant the Longhorns were in Fort Worth. South Carolina’s progression — despite a brief early deficit — speaks to the depth of a program that has averaged large margins in earlier rounds this tournament.
Reactions & Quotes
Players, coaches and observers framed the wins in terms of defense and poise. Texas’ senior point guard emphasized the program’s defensive identity after the game, crediting team effort and preparation.
“Yeah, I think our defense just gets us going,”
Rori Harmon, Texas (player) — CBS Sports live updates
“The Longhorns made their first nine shots,”
CBS Sports live updates (game recap)
“She never looked back,”
CBS Sports live updates (South Carolina recap)
Observers noted Dawn Staley’s program resilience and the significance of Joyce Edwards’ performance, while regional crowds and alumni celebrated the return to Phoenix for two blue-blood programs and two rising juggernauts.
Unconfirmed
- Olivia Miles’ second-half issue was reported as cramping; the team has not issued a formal medical update confirming the extent or whether it will affect availability in future seasons.
- Reports labeling Raven Johnson, Ta’Niya Latson and Madina Okot as likely first-round WNBA picks reflect draft projections; official draft declarations and team evaluations remain subject to change.
Bottom Line
The 2026 Women’s Final Four in Phoenix will feature the four No. 1 seeds — a rare alignment that rewards regular-season performance and seeding accuracy. Texas’ defensive dominance and South Carolina’s veteran-led resilience set up contrasting semifinal narratives: Texas vs. UCLA is poised to be an athletic, transition-driven contest, while South Carolina vs. UConn revives last season’s championship rematch with added storylines around Edwards and program continuity.
Beyond Friday’s games, the outcome reinforces the stability of elite programs in women’s college basketball and will influence recruiting, professional scouting and media interest. Fans should expect high-level tactical matchups, intense defensive focus, and individual performances that will factor into WNBA evaluations and the sport’s broader momentum.