The 2025 NCAA women’s basketball championship will feature a matchup between dominant programs South Carolina and UConn. Defending champion South Carolina aims for its fourth title, while UConn seeks its 12th, having not won since 2016. Both teams excelled in their semifinals, with South Carolina emphasizing defense and depth, while UConn relies on its star players like Paige Bueckers, who has returned strong after injury. Despite a prior loss to UConn this season, South Carolina is motivated for revenge. Analysts predict UConn may edge out with superior offensive performance, but South Carolina’s strong defense could be crucial for a close game.
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Michael Voepel
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Andrea Adelson
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Andrea Adelson
ESPN Senior Writer
- Covers the ACC.
- Joined ESPN.com in 2010.
- A graduate of the University of Florida.
The two most prominent programs in women’s college basketball in the last decade will compete for the 2025 NCAA championship. South Carolina, the reigning national champion, has claimed three titles during this period: in 2017, 2022, and last year, maintaining an undefeated record.
UConn earned its most recent NCAA championship—its 11th overall—in 2016. The Huskies have reached the Final Four 24 times, including every year since 2008, with the exception of 2023, due to star guard Paige Bueckers being sidelined that season with an ACL injury.
South Carolina and UConn faced off in the national championship game in 2022, held in Bueckers’ hometown of Minneapolis, with South Carolina emerging victorious at 64-49. The Gamecocks have triumphed in five of their last seven encounters with the Huskies.
However, in their latest clash on February 16 in South Carolina, UConn claimed a commanding 87-58 victory. Both teams won their respective national semifinals decisively on Friday here at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida.
What team might have the advantage on Sunday (3 p.m. ET, ABC)?
UConn appears to be in optimal form heading into the final stretch. What steps did the Huskies take to peak at the right moment?
Voepel: The younger and less experienced players have shown significant growth. This marks Bueckers’ fourth Final Four appearance; it was expected she would shine at this stage. However, several other teammates demonstrated they were also prepared to handle the added visibility in March and April.
“We possess less experience throughout the team compared to some other Final Four squads,” noted UConn coach Geno Auriemma. “Previous youthful teams had more significant experienced players. Paige is our only upperclassman who has been through this for four years.”
Auriemma highlighted freshmen Sarah Strong (22 points, 8 rebounds in the 85-51 semifinal victory against UCLA) and Jana El Alfy (6 points and 8 rebounds), along with second-year guard KK Arnold (9 points against UCLA), as key contributors stepping up in significant ways despite their youth. Although guard Kaitlyn Chen is a fifth-year senior, this is her first Final Four after transferring from Princeton, and she has also made substantial contributions in this NCAA tournament.
Does South Carolina possess sufficient offensive power to overcome UConn?
Voepel: The Gamecocks certainly have the offensive capability—but only if they avoid the mistakes that plagued UCLA in the semifinals against UConn. The Bruins struggled with turnovers, seemed unprepared for UConn’s pace, and their offense became overly reliant on center Lauren Betts (who accounted for 26 of UCLA’s 51 points).
“Many underestimate how fast we play,” Auriemma stated. “If you’re unable to score on your end, the pressure we apply by consistently putting points on the board is demoralizing. We often surprise teams, but I don’t expect to catch South Carolina off guard.”
In their semifinals against Texas, the Gamecocks had 10 different players contribute points, with 35 of those coming from the bench. Should South Carolina replicate that type of depth and versatility, it could prove quite challenging for UConn’s defense.
Adelson: South Carolina emphasizes that its defense fuels its offense; this intrinsic connection allows the Gamecocks to stay competitive. Coach Dawn Staley remarked that not having a standout player shouldn’t be viewed as a disadvantage, given their considerable depth.
“It’s a classic example of playing to one’s strengths. Our depth, our teamwork, and our cohesiveness are vital,” Staley explained. “A core element of our success has been our defense since our offense may sometimes struggle; our primary asset has consistently been our defensive capabilities and ability to devise effective strategies during tough offensive phases.”
1:59
Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi analyze the UConn-South Carolina matchup
Diana Taurasi and Sue Bird join Scott Van Pelt to discuss UConn’s successful Final Four performance against UCLA and preview the national championship game against South Carolina.
What takeaway from their February encounter could impact the game on Sunday?
Voepel: South Carolina’s players labeled their defensive performance during that game as “embarrassing,” a sentiment Coach Staley ensured lingered in their minds.
“Practices were intense that following week; Coach really pushed us,” guard Raven Johnson recalled. “That game served as a wake-up call for us. We didn’t play to our potential, and now it’s crucial for us to demonstrate our true capabilities.”
Since their defeat to UConn, the Gamecocks have remained undefeated. A victory on Sunday would extend their winning streak to 13 and secure the program’s fourth NCAA title.
2:36
Geno Auriemma: South Carolina will desire revenge for earlier loss
Geno Auriemma joins Scott Van Pelt to reflect on UConn’s Final Four victory over UCLA and its forthcoming matchup against South Carolina in the national championship game.
One factor that could lead UConn to triumph again
Voepel: The Huskies may have an overwhelming advantage in scoring with their dynamic trio of Bueckers, Strong, and Azzi Fudd, making it challenging for the Gamecocks to counter. They combined for 57 points during their game against UCLA, outscoring the Bruins themselves. A repeat of this performance could lead UConn to its 12th championship title.
Adelson: Indeed, as Auriemma has mentioned, the burden of winning a championship doesn’t rest solely on Bueckers anymore. UConn showcases enough talent and depth to secure the victory.
2:28
Highlight: Edwards orchestrates the 1-seed South Carolina’s triumph over 1-seed Texas
Joyce Edwards notches 13 points, 11 rebounds, and six assists to propel the Gamecocks past the Longhorns, 74-57, earning their opportunity for back-to-back national championships.
One reason South Carolina can rewrite the narrative this time
Adelson: South Carolina started the season as the No. 1 ranked team for a reason. With a roster filled with individuals who have experience in this high-stakes setting, they have what it takes to succeed. They openly embrace their underdog status and are eager for another match against UConn, as MiLaysia Fulwiley pointed out, “We owe them one.” They are also driven to make history and become repeat national champions. That’s definitely multiple reasons showcasing this team’s motivation to play their best basketball.
Voepel: Defense. UCLA forward Janiah Barker expressed frustration over the Bruins’ performance against the Huskies: “We gave them everything they wanted. We let them feel comfortable.”
South Carolina boasts elite defenders at every position; this is fundamental to their identity and a significant factor in their dominance in the SEC for the past decade. While their defense was lacking in the regular-season game against UConn, it’s likely to be present on Sunday.
Adelson: UConn. The Huskies have superior, more reliable shooters. While it’s said that defense brings championships, superior offense will prevail. Katie Barnes: UConn. The Huskies are demonstrating their best performance at the ideal moment. Alexa Philippou: UConn. Although the Gamecocks performed better against Texas than earlier in the tournament, the Huskies feel like a freight train heading toward the title. The game should be significantly closer than the previous February matchup—but if South Carolina gets behind early, it will respond more effectively than UCLA did on Friday. UConn’s trio of Bueckers, Fudd, and Strong will prove decisive, with Bueckers likely sealing a championship in her final collegiate game. Voepel: South Carolina. I’ve supported the Gamecocks’ quest for a repeat all season long. This matchup appears destined to be much closer than South Carolina’s previous NCAA final victories: by 12 points against both Mississippi State in 2017 and Iowa in 2024, and by 15 points against UConn in 2022. This contest may hinge on the final moments. If so, the Gamecocks’ defense could be crucial for that pivotal play.Which team will take home the championship?
