The 2026 Women's Final Four returns to Phoenix this week, featuring a familiar quartet of programs that have dominated the conversation since the season’s opening tip. With UConn, South Carolina, Texas, and UCLA earning their spots through a relentless stretch of postseason play, the final stage is set for a clash between the nation's top seeds.

UConn arrives in the desert as the No. 1 overall seed, fresh off a dominant run through the Fort Worth 1 Region. The Huskies are chasing a national championship repeat and an NCAA-record 13th title overall. A significant part of that success has been the play of Sarah Strong, who was named the 2026 Naismith Women's College Player of the Year on Wednesday. The sophomore leads her team in scoring, rebounding, blocks, and steals, making her the eighth player in program history to earn the prestigious trophy.

On the perimeter, Azzi Fudd has regained her form as one of the premier shooters in the college game. She is currently shooting 45.5% from 3-point range and remains the primary scoring threat for a UConn offense that leads the nation in field goal percentage. In a tight three-point win over Michigan earlier this season, she proved her value in high-pressure moments by hitting three critical 3-pointers and four free throws to seal the victory.

Complementing the veterans' scoring is KK Arnold, whose defensive tenacity has been a hallmark of the Huskies' backcourt. Her ability to force turnovers was on full display in the season-opening months, including a game-sealing steal against the Wolverines. With a rotation that has shrunk during the tournament, the trio of Strong, Fudd, and Arnold will be expected to carry a heavy workload as they face South Carolina in the semifinals.

South Carolina is making its sixth consecutive trip to the Final Four, a testament to the program Dawn Staley has built in Columbia. After falling just short last season, she has retooled her roster with a focus on high-end scoring threats. Sophomore Joyce Edwards has emerged as a force, averaging 19.7 points per game, the highest scoring average for a Gamecock since A’ja Wilson in 2018. Alongside her, Florida State transfer Ta’Niya Latson provides the explosive perimeter scoring the team lacked in previous runs. While Raven Johnson and Tessa Johnson provide the veteran leadership in the backcourt, the Gamecocks will also rely on the interior presence of 6-foot-6 transfer Madina Okot and the versatility of freshman Agot Makeer.

In Austin, Vic Schaefer has built a squad defined by physicality and defensive tenacity. The Longhorns are riding a 12-game winning streak, headlined by their dominant 17-point victory over South Carolina in the SEC tournament championship. The engine of the Texas offense is Madison Booker, who has excelled as a midrange scorer throughout March. Her ability to create her own shot is complemented by the defensive pressure applied by Rori Harmon and Jordan Lee. In the paint, the Longhorns boast a rotation of size and strength with Kyla Oldacre, Breya Cunningham, and Justice Carlton.

The Bruins are seeking their first NCAA title in program history, led by a core that has stayed together for three seasons. Center Lauren Betts remains the focal point of the Bruins' interior game, coming off a dominant Elite Eight performance where she carried the team past Duke. However, UCLA’s championship hopes rest largely on the play of Kiki Rice. As the primary floor general, her ability to handle the full-court pressure of Texas and facilitate the Bruins' high-powered offense will be a deciding factor in Friday’s late game.