With a week to go before the final of the NCAA Women’s Division I Championship, the winner of the tournament looks likely to be either UConn or South Carolina. UCLA and Texas are among the teams who can push them.
UConn (2.61) is the most successful team in the history of NCAA women’s college basketball. They will be eager to finally deliver on a championship win that has been elusive over the last nine years. UConn have been champions in 1995, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2009, 2010, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016.
South Carolina (2.94) has won two of the last three championships. Led by an impressive head coach, Dawn Staley, they are in with a shot.
Texas (8.32) have established themselves as contenders with wins over W&M and Illinois at NCAA March Madness. UCLA (8.53) has gained convincing wins over Southern and Richmond to put their names in the mix.
The Brilliance of Paige Bueckers
Paige Bueckers has achieved greatness at UConn, but one thing is missing—a national championship. She has won individual honours and led the Huskies to multiple Final Fours, yet the ultimate prize has eluded her. This March Madness is her last chance to change that.
UConn’s history is built on championships. Legends like Diana Taurasi, Sue Bird and Breanna Stewart all won multiple titles. Bueckers was expected to continue that tradition, but injuries and tough losses have kept her from doing so. Now, she has the best-supporting cast she has ever had, with stars like Azzi Fudd and Sarah Strong.
Her legacy will be shaped by these next two weeks. Win it all, and she secures her place among UConn’s greatest. Fall short, and she risks being remembered as the best UConn player to never win a title.
“To have gone through what I’ve gone through — I can’t remember, four or five surgeries that I’ve had this entire time that I’ve been here — I’ve bounced back from every single one with my head held high, never changed in who I am as a person,” Bueckers said, as per ESPN. “I think I’ve only grown here as an individual, as a person and as a player, and I’m extremely grateful. It was a dream come true. I wouldn’t trade it for the world.”
Can USC Challenge Without JuJu Watkins?
Another team to watch if you are interested in online sports betting is the USC Trojans. However, they will have to make do without star guard JuJu Watkins at crunch time, as she suffered a season-ending knee injury. Bueckers is the clear star in women’s college basketball at the moment, but a void has been created that another player has the potential to step up and fill.
Conclusion: NCAA Women’s Basketball Teams to Watch
UConn and South Carolina remain the frontrunners for the NCAA Women’s Division I Championship, but Texas and UCLA could provide stiff competition. Paige Bueckers is aiming to cement her legacy with a long-awaited national title, while South Carolina’s Dawn Staley seeks to continue her dominance.
UConn’s history is defined by championships, and Bueckers has the chance to add her name to the program’s greatest. With a strong supporting cast, this may be her best opportunity yet. However, history has shown that March Madness is unpredictable, and challengers like Texas and UCLA will be eager to disrupt the narrative.
Meanwhile, USC must adapt without JuJu Watkins, leaving space for another emerging star to make their mark. Whether it is Bueckers finally achieving her goal, South Carolina securing another title, or a surprise team upsetting expectations, this year’s tournament promises to be unforgettable.
With just a week to go, the stage is set. The question remains: Who will rise to the occasion and claim the ultimate prize?
