The Road to the Final Four Intensifies

The 2025 NCAA Women's Tournament has reached its thrilling climax with the Elite Eight field now set. While the tournament has delivered its share of upsets and Cinderella stories, basketball purists will appreciate that all four No. 1 seeds remain standing - a testament to the depth and talent of this year's championship contenders.

1. UConn Huskies: The Bueckers Show Continues

• Tournament Dominance: Average margin of victory: +42 points
• Paige Bueckers' Historic Run:
  • First UConn player with 40+ in NCAA tourney game
  • 29 second-half points vs Oklahoma (Sweet 16)
  • Now holds UConn career scoring record (19.8 PPG)
• Key Stat: Huskies shooting 52% from three in tournament
• Elite Eight Challenge: Physical USC defense without injured star JuJu Watkins

2. UCLA Bruins: Betts' Coming Out Party

• Lauren Betts' Historic Performances:
  • 31 points (15-16 FG), 10 rebounds vs Ole Miss
  • Joins Delle Donne & Griner in elite 30/10 club
• Team Strength: Best defensive efficiency in Pac-12
• X-Factor: Guards need to contain LSU's transition game

3. South Carolina Gamecocks: Fulwiley's Redemption Arc

• MiLaysia Fulwiley's Breakout: 23 pts vs Maryland after 3-pt outing in previous meeting
• Defensive Identity: Allowing just 59.3 PPG in tournament
• Rematch Alert: December win over Duke featured completely different rotations

4. Texas Longhorns: Defense Travels

• Schaefer's Adjustments: Freshmen stepped up with 25 combined pts vs Tennessee
• Key Matchup: TCU's Van Lith vs Texas' perimeter defenders
• Historical Context: Seeking first Final Four since 1987

5. TCU Horned Frogs: Van Lith's Record Chase

• Hailey Van Lith's Milestone: First player in 25+ years with 5 Elite Eights (3 schools)
• Defensive Surge: 8 blocks in second half vs Notre Dame
• Concern: Only 6 players logging meaningful minutes

Unexpected Heroes Emerging

While stars like Bueckers and Betts dominate headlines, the tournament has revealed crucial role players:

• LSU's Sa'Myah Smith: 21 pts/11 reb when Flau'Jae Johnson struggled
• USC Freshmen: Combined 37 pts to offset Watkins' absence
• Duke's Defense: Allowing just 38.7 PPG (historically elite)

Must-Watch Elite Eight Matchups

1. UCLA vs LSU (Sunday 3pm ET): Betts vs Morrow post battle
2. South Carolina vs Duke (Sunday 1pm ET): Elite defense vs elite defense
3. Texas vs TCU (Monday 7pm ET): Lone Star State supremacy
4. UConn vs USC (Monday 9pm ET): Bueckers vs wounded Trojans

Tournament Trends to Watch

• #1 Seeds: All four still alive for first time since 2021
• Defensive Dominance: 6 of 8 teams rank top-20 in defensive efficiency
• Freshman Impact: 14 first-year players averaging 10+ tournament minutes