UConn and South Carolina Set for Epic NCAA Women’s Basketball Championship Showdown
As the 2025 NCAA Women’s Basketball Championship game approaches, fans are buzzing with anticipation. Two of the most dominant programs in women’s college basketball over the past decade, South Carolina and UConn, are set to clash for the title. South Carolina, the defending national champion, has been a powerhouse, winning three titles in recent years: 2017, 2022, and last year while going undefeated. Meanwhile, UConn, with its storied history, won its most recent NCAA title in 2016, marking their 11th overall. The Huskies have reached the Final Four an impressive 24 times, missing only in 2023 when star guard Paige Bueckers was sidelined with an ACL injury.
The Gamecocks and Huskies have a history of intense matchups, including a national championship game in 2022 in Bueckers’ hometown of Minneapolis, where South Carolina emerged victorious with a 64-49 win. The Gamecocks have won five of their past seven encounters with UConn. However, in their most recent meeting on February 16 at South Carolina, UConn dominated with an 87-58 victory. Both teams secured their spots in the championship game with decisive wins in their national semifinals at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida.
So, which team might have the edge in Sunday’s showdown at 3 p.m. ET on ABC?
UConn’s Late-Season Surge: What’s Behind It?
Voepel: UConn seems to have hit its stride over the past month. The younger and less experienced players have matured remarkably well. This is Bueckers’ fourth Final Four, and her experience is invaluable. But it’s not just her; several other players have stepped up under the bright lights of March and April.
UConn coach Geno Auriemma noted, “We have less experience throughout the lineup than some of the other [Final Four teams]. We have had teams that were young, but they also [had more] significant older players. Paige is the only upperclassman that’s been through this for four years.”
Auriemma highlighted the contributions of freshmen Sarah Strong and Jana El Alfy, along with second-year guard KK Arnold, as key players who have risen to the occasion. Even guard Kaitlyn Chen, a fifth-year senior, is making her first Final Four appearance after transferring from Princeton and has had standout moments in this tournament.
Can South Carolina’s Offense Overcome UConn’s Defense?
Voepel: South Carolina certainly has the offensive firepower to challenge UConn, provided they avoid the mistakes UCLA made in the semifinals. The Bruins struggled with turnovers, couldn’t keep up with UConn’s pace, and relied too heavily on center Lauren Betts, who scored 26 of their 51 points.
Auriemma remarked, “I think people underestimate how quickly we play. If you’re not able to get buckets on your end, the pressure that we put on you because we keep scoring is just demoralizing. I think we catch some people by surprise. I don’t think we’ll catch South Carolina by surprise.”
In their semifinal against Texas, the Gamecocks showcased their depth, with 10 players scoring and 35 points coming from the bench. If they can replicate that depth and versatility, even UConn will find it challenging to defend.
Adelson: South Carolina’s defense is a crucial component of their game plan. Coach Dawn Staley emphasized that their depth and ability to play as a cohesive unit are their strengths. “It’s just old-school basketball where you’re just playing to your strengths, and our strength is our depth, our ability to play together, to play linked up,” Staley said. “And I think a staple for us has been our ability to defend because the offense will sometimes go off on a journey on its own.”
Lessons from February’s Meeting: An X Factor?
Voepel: South Carolina players described their defensive performance in the February game as “embarrassing,” and Coach Staley made sure they remembered it. “Practice was very hard that [next] week; Coach turned it up,” guard Raven Johnson said. “It was like a lesson game for us. We didn’t feel like ourselves out there. Now we have to come out and show them who we really are.”
Since that loss to UConn, the Gamecocks have been on a roll, winning 12 consecutive games. One more victory would secure their fourth NCAA title.
Why UConn Could Win Again
Voepel: UConn’s offensive trio of Bueckers, Strong, and Azzi Fudd could prove too much for South Carolina to handle. They combined for 57 points against UCLA, outscoring the Bruins on their own. A similar performance could lead UConn to its 12th championship.
Adelson: UConn’s depth and talent mean it’s not all on Bueckers to deliver a championship. The Huskies have the pieces to get the job done.
Why South Carolina Could Change the Outcome
Adelson: South Carolina’s top ranking at the start of the season was no fluke. With a team full of experienced players, they have what it takes to win. They play with the mentality of underdogs and are eager for another shot at UConn. As MiLaysia Fulwiley said, “We owe them one.” They are motivated to make history and repeat as national champions.
Voepel: Defense is key. UCLA’s Janiah Barker noted, “We literally just gave them whatever they wanted. We let them get so comfortable.” South Carolina’s elite defenders at every position are a staple of their success. While their defense didn’t show up in the regular-season meeting against UConn, it’s likely to be a different story on Sunday.
Predictions: Who Will Win the Championship?
- Adelson: UConn. The Huskies have better, more consistent shooters. Even though they say defense wins championships, the better offense will win.
- Katie Barnes: UConn. The Huskies are playing their best basketball at the right time.
- Alexa Philippou: UConn. While the Gamecocks looked better against Texas than earlier in the tournament, the Huskies feel like a freight train barreling toward the championship. The game should be much closer than February’s meeting, and if South Carolina gets in a hole early, it will respond much better than UCLA did. But UConn’s combination of Bueckers, Fudd, and Strong will be the difference, and Bueckers will win a championship in her final collegiate game.
- Voepel: South Carolina. I’ve stuck with the Gamecocks to repeat all season. This game seems very likely to be much closer than South Carolina’s three previous NCAA final wins. This could come down to the final minute, where the Gamecocks’ defense could make the most important play.
Originally Written by: Michael Voepel,Andrea Adelson
