The 2025 Women’s NCAA Basketball Tournament has officially begun, and the excitement is at an all-time high. With the bracket revealed on Selection Sunday, fans are gearing up for what promises to be one of the most competitive tournaments in recent memory. This year’s field is stacked with talent, featuring powerhouse programs, rising stars, and Cinderella hopefuls all vying for the championship in Tampa, Florida.
Top Seeds and Contenders
The No. 1 seeds for this year’s tournament are UCLA, South Carolina, Texas, and USC. UCLA earned the top overall seed for the first time in program history after a dominant season led by star center Lauren Betts. South Carolina, under legendary coach Dawn Staley, enters as a strong contender after their stellar season. Texas brings a balanced roster with depth and experience, while USC has emerged as a defensive juggernaut with a strong inside-out game.
USC’s sophomore guard JuJu Watkins, who was named The Athletic’s National Player of the Year, has been instrumental in leading her team to a 27-2 record and a No. 1 seed for the second consecutive season. Meanwhile, Florida State’s junior guard Ta’Niya Latson, the nation’s leading scorer at 24.9 points per game, has powered her team into the tournament with one of the highest-scoring offenses in Division I.
Players to Watch
This year’s tournament features an incredible lineup of stars who are sure to make headlines:
- JuJu Watkins (USC): The sophomore sensation averaged 27.1 points, 7.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 2.3 steals per game this season. Watkins has already cemented herself as one of the best players in college basketball.
- Ta’Niya Latson (Florida State): The nation’s leading scorer at 24.9 PPG, Latson is a scoring machine who has also grown into a more complete player this season.
- Hannah Hidalgo (Notre Dame): The ACC Player and Defensive Player of the Year, Hidalgo is known for her relentless defense and ability to take over games offensively.
- Paige Bueckers (UConn): Back to her All-American form after injuries, Bueckers is a game-changing guard with unmatched court vision.
- Izzy Higginbottom (Arkansas): A scoring guard who has carried Arkansas with her offensive prowess.
- Harmoni Turner (Harvard): A standout mid-major star who can score and create for her teammates.
- Audi Crooks (Iowa State): A dominant post player with size and skill that make her nearly unstoppable near the basket.
- Mikayla Blakes (Vanderbilt): A rising SEC star known for her athleticism, scoring, and basketball IQ.
- Grace Larkins (South Dakota): An all-around talent who can impact games on both ends of the floor.
- Katie Dinnebier (Drake): A sharpshooting guard with excellent playmaking skills.
Key Matchups to Watch
The tournament kicks off with the First Four games on March 19-20, followed by the Round of 64 on March 21-22. Here are some key matchups to keep an eye on:
- (1) USC vs. (16) UNC Greensboro: JuJu Watkins leads USC into their opening-round matchup against UNC Greensboro as they look to start their championship run strong.
- (1) South Carolina vs. (16) Tennessee Tech: Can Tennessee Tech pull off a historic upset against one of women’s basketball’s greatest dynasties? We doubt it.
- (6) Michigan vs. Winner of Iowa State/Princeton: This game features two contrasting styles that could produce fireworks.
- (4) Baylor vs. (13) Grand Canyon: Baylor aims to reestablish itself as a title contender against an underrated Grand Canyon squad.
Tournament Schedule
Here are the key dates for this year’s tournament:
- First Four: March 19-20
- First Round: March 21-22
- Second Round: March 23-24
- Sweet 16: March 28-29
- Elite Eight: March 30-31
- Final Four: April 4 at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida
- National Championship Game: April 6 at 3 p.m. ET on ABC
Did You Know?
A Celebration of Women’s Basketball
The 2025 Women’s NCAA Tournament is more than just a competition—it’s a celebration of how far women’s basketball has come. With record-breaking viewership expected and an ever-growing pool of talent, this year’s March Madness promises unforgettable moments that will inspire fans around the globe.
From buzzer-beaters to Cinderella stories, every game will add another chapter to this storied tournament’s history. Don’t be surprised if UCLA, Texas, Duke, UConn, or the champs from South Carolina make their case. Don’t be surprised if Notre Dame and North Carolina feel slighted and gets after the competition. Will TCU surprise us? Can Juju and her team prove their merit to go long and finish? Not to be forgotten, deep in the heart of Texas the Longhorns believe this is their year! Which team will be left with proud tears? March Madness and March Sadness begins. Grab your brackets—it’s time for another unforgettable edition of women’s college basketball!