South Carolina and UCLA face off in 2026 NCAA women’s finals

The 2026 NCAA women’s basketball championship game has set up an intriguing matchup between South Carolina and UCLA. The Gamecocks secured their spot by beating UConn—a team that hadn’t lost all season—62-48, relying on strong defense to limit the Huskies’ top scorers. Meanwhile, UCLA pulled off a narrow win against Texas, overcoming poor shooting from the Longhorns to clinch their first-ever championship appearance. The Bruins’ only loss this season came back in November, showing how far they’ve come since then. UCLA’s success hinges on Lauren Betts, their 6-foot-7 center who dominates the paint with points and rebounds. Her presence forces opponents into foul trouble, and her size makes her hard to guard. But South Carolina’s defense thrives on versatility. Raven Johnson and Joyce Edwards shut down UConn’s stars last game—now they’ll need a similar strategy to contain Betts. The Gamecocks have depth on offense too, with five players averaging double-digit points, including a breakout freshman, Agot Makeer.What makes this game even more interesting is experience. South Carolina has been to the championship five times before, while UCLA is making its first appearance. Older players like Betts and her senior teammates could use that maturity to their advantage. But South Carolina’s consistency and defensive intensity might just give them the edge. Oddsmakers see South Carolina as slight favorites at 3. 5-to-1, but UCLA’s growth shouldn’t be underestimated. If the Bruins’ guards—Kiki Rice, Gabriela Jaquez, and Charlisse Leger-Walker—can create passing lanes and disrupt the Gamecocks’ flow, anything is possible.