The 2025 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament has reached the Elite Eight, and the stage is set for an epic week of games.
After an exciting Sweet 16 full of nail biters and star performances, eight teams remain in the hunt for the national championship. Each regional final is exciting in its own way.
Below, we break down each Elite Eight matchup with recaps of how the teams got here, key player highlights, team strengths and predictions into who might punch a ticket to the Final Four.
South Carolina Gamecocks vs. Duke Blue Devils
South Carolina outlasted No. 4 seed Maryland 71-67 in a hard-fought Sweet 16 game. The Gamecocks, who entered the tournament 33-3 and first in the SEC, leaned on their depth and defence to pull through.
Duke advanced by grinding down No. 3 seed North Carolina 47-38 in an all-ACC Sweet 16 slugfest, holding the Tar Heels to just 38 points. Duke’s defensive effort — a hallmark of Kara Lawson’s team — stifled UNC and sent the Blue Devils to their first Elite Eight in over a decade.
Under coach Dawn Staley, South Carolina reloaded this season after losing its famous 2023 senior class. The new-look Gamecocks are led by freshman forward Joyce Edwards (13.0 points per game [ppg]) and junior forward Chloe Kitts (8.0 rebounds per game [rpg]). Senior transfer guard Te-Hina Paopao provides veteran leadership (team-high 3.0 assists per game) while local sophomore MiLaysia Fulwiley adds an offensive spark (12.1 ppg). South Carolina plays fast and presses on the defence, having averaged over 80 points and 16.8 assists per game this season. They’ve won with balanced scoring — five players between 8 and 13 points — and relentless rebounding, both hallmarks of Staley’s teams.
Duke, meanwhile, prides itself on defence. The Blue Devils allowed just 47 points in the Sweet 16 and led the nation in scoring defence during stretches of the season. Offensively, 6’2” freshman forward Toby Fournier has emerged as a go-to scorer, averaging 13.1 points and 5.3 rebounds. Fellow underclassman Jadyn Donovan, a 6’0” guard, leads Duke in rebounding (6.4 rpg) and blocks (2.3 blocks per game [bpg]) despite her guard position — a testament to her athleticism and Duke’s gang-rebounding philosophy. Junior point guard Taina Mair (a transfer who averaged 7.8 assists last year at Boston College) now runs the offence, dishing 3.7 assists per game to lead the team. Duke’s scores tend to be lower; they rely on a slow tempo, half-court defence and an opportunistic offence. In their Sweet 16 win, no player scored more than a dozen points — instead, they forced 20 plus turnovers and held UNC to 25 per cent shooting in a defensive clinic.
This matchup pits experience against a rising team. Dawn Staley has built a dynasty at South Carolina with multiple national titles, and her 2024-25 team won the SEC regular season. The Gamecocks’ ability to reload (despite losing stars like Ailyah Boston and Zia Cooke to the WNBA last year) is on display again.
On the other sideline, Kara Lawson has quickly turned Duke into an Elite Eight team. Lawson, a former Olympian and WNBA champion, has instilled toughness in the Blue Devils. This is Duke’s first Elite Eight since 2013, and they’ll lean on that strong defence to try to upset South Carolina. Notably, South Carolina’s size in the paint (6’5” centre Sakima Walker and 6’3” forward Ashlyn Watkins) will challenge Duke’s shooters in the lane, while Duke’s perimeter defenders will try to contain South Carolina’s guards.
Expect a low-scoring, physical battle. South Carolina averages around 82 points per game, but Duke holds opponents in the 50s. The Gamecocks will look to push the pace and crash the boards — Chloe Kitts (8.0 rpg) and Sania Feagin (1.5 bpg) give them an edge inside. Duke will counter by slowing it down and seeking high-percentage looks for Fournier and senior wing Reigan Richardson. If South Carolina’s freshmen (like Edwards) handle the moment and Paopao knocks down timely shots, the Gamecocks should have enough offence to prevail. Duke’s path to victory is to muck it up — replicating the defensive intensity that held UNC to 38 points.
Ultimately, South Carolina’s depth and championship pedigree make them the favourite. Look for Staley’s crew to make the plays late to win a close one and advance to yet another Final Four.
UCLA Bruins vs. LSU Tigers
The top-seeded UCLA looked powerful in a 76-62 victory over No. 5 Ole Miss. The Bruins used a strong second half to pull away, showcasing their blend of inside power and backcourt skill.
Meanwhile, No. 3 LSU knocked off No. 2 NC State 80-73 in a high-scoring Sweet 16 affair. LSU’s duo of Aneesah Morrow and Flau’Jae Johnson propelled the Tigers past the Wolfpack in what was effectively a shootout. These results set up a star-studded Elite Eight battle between the Pac-12 (now Big Ten) champions in UCLA and the defending 2023 national champions in LSU.
UCLA (33-2) has perhaps the most balanced roster in the nation. The Bruins feature 6’7” sophomore centre Lauren Betts, who has been dominant since transferring from Stanford. Betts averages a double-double with 20.1 points and 9.7 rebounds per game, leading UCLA in both categories. She has converted an eye-popping 65.4 per cent of her shots from the field, often overwhelming opponents in the paint. Complementing Betts is junior point guard Kiki Rice, the former No. 1 recruit, who chips in 13.1 points and a team-high 5.0 assists per game. Rice is also a pesky defender (1.5 steals per game) and steady floor general. UCLA bolstered its roster with impact transfers: forward Janiah Barker (a 6’4” junior who adds athleticism in the frontcourt) and sharpshooting guard Charlisse Leger-Walker (a senior transfer from New Zealand). The Bruins can play inside-out basketball by feeding Betts on the block or kicking out to guards for three. They average around 82 points per game and have multiple players capable of leading the scoring on any given night.
LSU (31-5) brings explosive scoring and talent. Coach Kim Mulkey’s Tigers led the SEC in offence this year, and it starts with forward Aneesah Morrow. The DePaul transfer is a double-double machine, averaging 18.8 points and 13.7 rebounds per game. Morrow’s motor on the glass (grabbing nearly 14 boards a night) and scoring touch around the rim have powered LSU all season. Alongside her, junior guard Flau-Jae Johnson — who helped LSU win the 2023 title as a freshman — has blossomed into a star, averaging 18.3 points and shooting 38 per cent from three. Johnson had a big Sweet 16 (she poured in over 20 points against NC State, per game reports) and is known for her ability to heat up from long range. Another key senior point guard is Shayeann Day-Wilson (a Duke transfer), who leads LSU with 3.5 assists per game and pushes the tempo. LSU’s roster is loaded with talent: sophomore guard Mikaylah Williams was the No. 1 recruit in 2023 and contributes on both ends, and 6’6” centre Aalyah Del Rosario provides a steady post presence. The Tigers love to run in transition and score in bunches — they eclipsed the 100-point marker twice in earlier rounds of the tournament. Expect Mulkey’s team to aggressively attack UCLA’s defence off the dribble and crash the offensive boards.
This matchup features two coaching heavyweights. UCLA’s Cori Close has steadily built the Bruins into a national contender and now has them one win from the program’s first Final Four since 2018. On the other side, Kim Mulkey is chasing history — she’s already won NCAA titles at Baylor (three) and LSU (one) and is looking to repeat with LSU.
The coaching chess match will be fascinating: Close will certainly try to utilize UCLA’s size advantage with Betts and 6’3” freshman-reserve Amanda Muse, while Mulkey will likely emphasize her team’s quickness and aggression. One subplot is experience versus youth: LSU’s core has big-game experience from last year’s championship run, whereas UCLA leans on some underclassmen. However, UCLA’s Lauren Betts is playing arguably better than anyone in the tournament — she averaged 20 points in the first two rounds and is coming off a 22-point, 11-rebound game in the Sweet 16. LSU’s defence will need to find an answer for Betts inside. Conversely, can UCLA’s perimeter defence contain LSU’s slashing guards? The Bruins allowed just 62 to Ole Miss, a defensively oriented team, but LSU’s offence is a different game.
This game promises to be high scoring and physical. Look for UCLA to establish Betts early — if she can dominate the paint and perhaps get LSU’s forwards in foul trouble, the Bruins will have a major edge. UCLA also has a capable secondary scorer in Kiki Rice, who can exploit LSU’s sometimes inconsistent perimeter defence. On the other hand, LSU will likely try to speed up the pace. If Johnson and Morrow can get out in transition and turn it into a track meet, LSU could put UCLA on its heels. One matchup is on the glass: Morrow (13.7 rpg) vs. Betts (9.7 rpg). Both are elite rebounders; whichever team earns more second-chance points could swing the outcome. Another X factor is three-point shooting — LSU’s Flau’Jae Johnson has the edge there (LSU hit 8 threes against NC State) while UCLA’s outside shooting is respectable but not their primary weapon. In crunch time, expect a battle of wills between Betts in the post and Morrow attacking from mid-range.
It’s truly a toss-up game. If the Bruins can dictate a half-court game and Betts continues her tour de force, UCLA should survive. But don’t be surprised if LSU’s championship pedigree and Mulkey’s tactics produce a minor upset. Either way, this heavyweight showdown could come down to the final minutes.
Texas Longhorns vs. TCU Horned Frogs
In an all-SEC (newcomer) vs. SEC classic, No. 1 seed Texas defeated No. 5 Tennessee 67-59 to advance. The Longhorns led wire to wire, using a big fourth quarter from their young stars to pull away from the Lady Vols.
Meanwhile, No. 2 seed TCU continued its Cinderella run by knocking off No. 3 Notre Dame 71-62. The Horned Frogs, who had never before reached the Elite Eight, were led by graduate guard Hailey Van Lith’s 26-point performance. Van Lith’s heroics helped TCU eliminate the ACC champion Fighting Irish, stamping TCU’s ticket to a historic Elite Eight, the first in team history.
Texas (43-3) has been a model of consistency and balance under coach Vic Schaefer. Interestingly, the Longhorn’s leading scorer this season is a freshman — 6’1” forward Madison Booker, who averages 16.4 points and 6.8 rebounds per game. Booker was a highly touted recruit and has more than lived up to the hype, shooting 46.7 per cent from the field and an impressive 42.4 per cent from three-point range. In the Sweet 16, Booker again led the team in scoring, showcasing a polished mid-range game beyond her years. The engine of the Longhorns, however, is senior point guard Rori Harmon. Harmon is the team’s leader in assists (6.0 per game) and steals (2.2) and is the floor bender who makes Texas go. She nearly averages a double-double with points and assists, and in the win over Tennessee she stuffed the stat sheet (unofficially eight points, 10 assists, three steals). Texas also boasts 6’4” senior forward Taylor Jones (12.3 points, 6.9 rebounds, 1.8 blocks), an inside presence who will be critical in protecting the rim. Another impact player is senior wing Laila Phelia (a transfer from Michigan), who provides scoring on the perimeter.
The Longhorns play a tough, physical style — not surprising given Schaefer’s Mississippi State teams were known for defence. They led the SEC in field-goal defence this year. Offensively, they share the ball (Harmon’s 6.0 assists led the conference) and can get points from various players — six players average six-plus points. Texas also has depth: 6’6” junior Kyla Oldacre rotates in to bolster the post, and senior Aaliyah Moore is a significant player as a former All-Big 12 forward returning from injury. In summary, Texas is balanced, combining youth and experience with a defence-first mentality.
TCU (34-3) has become the story of the tournament. The Horned Frogs were a No. 2 seed, but many doubted them due to a lack of deep tournament history. Nevertheless, they’ve emphatically silenced those doubts. Their style is defined by one name: Hailey Van Lith. The fifth-year senior guard (who previously starred at Louisville and won a title with LSU in 2023) transferred to TCU for her final year and she has led by example. Van Lith averaged 19-plus points and four assists, and she lit up Notre Dame for 26 points to carry TCU into the Elite Eight. In fact, this marks Van Lith’s fifth consecutive trip to the Elite Eight (three times with Louisville, once with LSU, now with TCU) — an astounding streak of personal success. Her experience is rubbing off on a TCU team that has never performed on this stage. Aside from Van Lith, TCU relies on a balanced backcourt consisting of senior guard Knisha Godfrey and junior Lauren Heard.
The Frogs push the tempo and love the three-ball. They hit 10 three-pointers in their second-round upset of No. 7-seed Louisville and continued to shoot well against Notre Dame. In the regular season, TCU averaged around 78 points and was among the nation’s leaders in three-point attempts. Defensively, TCU isn’t as stout as some other teams, but they thrive on creating turnovers and fast-break chances. Van Lith’s fiery leadership has ignited this team — she’s often seen urging her teammates on and brings skill from her championship pedigree. One concern, however, is that TCU’s front court is undersized compared to Texas. The Frogs’ starting centre is 6’1”, which could be an issue against Taylor Jones and Madison Booker in the paint.
This matchup is a Texas-sized showdown — literally a battle for bragging rights in the Lone Star State, now on the national stage. Texas head coach Vic Schaefer took Mississippi State to back-to-back national title games in 2017 and 2018 (famously snapping UConn’s 111-game win streak), but he’s seeking his first championship win. He’s in his fifth year at Texas and has already amassed a 128-34 record, building the Longhorns back into a powerhouse.
On the other sideline, Mark Campbell (in his first year coaching at TCU) has engineered a stunning run. Hired last offseason, Campbell inherited Van Lith via the transfer portal and quickly molded a cohesive unit that broke through the Big 12 (TCU won the Big 12 tournament, per their 16-2 conference mark) and now the NCAA bracket.
The contrast in experience is at stake; Texas is used to deep March runs (Elite Eight in 2022), whereas TCU is brand new to this pressure. Yet TCU is playing with house money and has the tournament’s most seasoned player in Van Lith. A subplot to watch is fatigue and composure — Texas has a deeper bench, while TCU leans heavily on Van Lith, who logged 39 minutes in the Sweet 16. Can TCU sustain their momentum against a more rested Texas team?
Expect an emotional, high-energy contest. These schools know each other well (former conference rivals in the Big 12), and that familiarity might breed some excitement. Texas will look to establish their interior game — feeding Taylor Jones in the post and attacking off the dribble with Rori Harmon. Madison Booker versus TCU’s forwards is a mismatch Texas will try to exploit, as Booker’s versatility (she can hit the three and post up) could give TCU fits.
TCU, on the other hand, will put the ball in Van Lith’s hands and let her go to work. Don’t be surprised if Van Lith puts up another 20-plus shot attempts — she knows what it takes at this stage and has the green light to carry the offence. If Texas can force the ball out of Van Lith’s hands and make others beat them, their chances improve significantly. Look for Texas to perhaps throw a box-and-one or trap defence to make Van Lith give it up. TCU will need a secondary scorer to step up — perhaps senior forward Emily Fisher or another shooter hitting timely threes.
Ultimately, Texas’s balance may be the deciding factor. The Longhorns can score inside and out, and they have multiple defenders to rotate on Van Lith and try to wear her down. TCU’s fairy-tale run has been phenomenal, but to continue, they’ll need an almost perfect game from Van Lith and the team. Given Texas’s edge in the paint and superior depth, the prediction leans toward the Longhorns ending TCU’s impressive run.
USC Trojans vs. UConn Huskies
No. 1 seed USC reached the Elite Eight by defeating No. 5 Kansas State 67-61 in the Sweet 16. Impressively, the Trojans did so without star guard JuJu Watkins, who sat out due to injury. In her absence, freshman Kennedy Smith and sophomore guard Avery Howell delivered clutch performances as USC held off a late Kansas State rally, sending them to their first Elite Eight since 1994.
Their opponent, No. 2 seed UConn, is far more familiar with this stage — the Huskies blew past No. 3 Oklahoma 82-59 behind a vintage performance from Paige Bueckers. Bueckers erupted from a career-high 40 points, becoming the first UConn player ever to score 40 in an NCAA tournament game. Her second-half takeover (29 of her 40 points came after halftime) carried UConn comfortably into the Elite Eight.
USC (31-3) has quickly become a contender under coach Lindsay Gottlieb thanks to advanced recruiting and strategic transfers. JuJu Watkins, the 6’2” sophomore guard who was the nation’s No. 1 recruit in 2023, is the centrepiece. She led USC with 23.9 points, 6.8 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game this season — extraordinary numbers that underscore her do-it-all talent. Watkins was the Pac-12 (now Big Ten) Player of the Year but suffered a minor knee injury in the Sweet 16 win; her status for the Elite Eight is the big question mark. In her stead, USC leans on a balanced group. 6’3” senior forward Kiki Iriafen (a transfer from Stanford) has been a deadly force, averaging 18.6 points and 8.5 rebounds. In fact, Iriafen shouldered the load in earlier rounds, pouring in 36 points with 9 boards in USC’s second-round win. Versatile freshman wing Kennedy Smith contributed across the board (Big Ten Freshman of the Year with 12 points and 2n2 steals per game), and don’t forget senior centre Rayah Marshall, an elite shot-blocker (2.2 blocks per game) and rebounder who returned late in the season and anchors the paint on defence. USC’s style under Gottlieb is a blend of pace and space, having averaged around 85 points often running offence through Watkins’ playmaking. They also led the Big Ten in steals, using Smith and sophomore guard Kayleigh Heckel to pressure opponents.
UConn (34-3), on the other hand, needs no introduction. Geno Auriemma’s Huskies are in their 29th consecutive Elite Eight, an unparalleled streak. After some injury-plagued seasons, UConn is back at near-full strength and playing with a chip on its shoulder — they haven’t won the national title since 2016, a drought by UConn standards.
Leading the way is redshirt senior Paige Bueckers, the 2021 National Player of the Year, who is fully healthy after knee surgery in 2022. Bueckers has played brilliantly, with 19.2 points, 4.8 assists and 2.1 steals per game, while shooting 54 per cent from the floor and 90 per cent from the line. Her 40-point outburst in the Sweet 16 was a reminder of her ability to take over games single-handedly. Alongside her is fellow senior Azii Fudd, a sharpshooter averaging 13.4 points on 45 per cent three-point shooting. Fudd missed some games mid-season due to a knee injury, but she’s back and providing UConn with a lethal perimeter threat. The revelation for UConn has been freshman forward Sarah Strong — the 6’2” rookie is averaging 16.1 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.4 steals and 1.7 blocks. Strong’s emergence (she led UConn in rebounding and was second in scoring) gave the Huskies a dynamic frontcourt presence reminiscent of past UConn greats. UConn also gets contributions from sophomore point guard KK Arnold (who steps in when Bueckers rests, 2.9 (assists per game) and senior wing Aubrey Griffin (a defensive stopper, though limited to 13 games by injury).
Tactically, UConn plays a fast-paced offence with precise passing, having averaged 19 assists per game and nearly 85 points. Defensively, they often smother teams; against Oklahoma in the Sweet 16, they forced turnovers and held the Sooners to a measly 36 per cent shooting average. UConn’s offence can explode in spurts, demonstrating that this is a team peaking at the right time.
There are rich storylines here. Lindsay Gottlieb, in just her third season at USC, has taken a program that was middling for years and turned it into a national contender — largely by recruiting Watkins and others to stay home in L.A. She now faces Geno Auriemma, the Hall of Famer with 11 national titles, in a true test of how far USC has come. It’s a bit of a rematch: these teams met in last year’s Sweet 16 (2024), where UConn eliminated USC en route to the Final Four. USC surely hasn’t forgotten that. Adding intrigue, this game is effectively a home contest for USC — the regional final is being played in Anaheim, and Trojan fans will be out in full force. Can the new blood (USC) take down the ultimate women’s basketball blue blood (UConn)?
Also, watch the injury report: JuJu Watkins’ availability could swing USC’s chances significantly. The coaching match will involve adjusting to whether Watkins plays. If she does, Geno will likely throw multiple defenders at her (perhaps using the quickness of Caroline Ducharme or Qadence Samuels off the bench to double-team). If Watkins is out, USC’s offence may run through Iriafen in the post, which could favour UConn — Auriemma’s teams excel at helping defensively and could collapse on Iriafen. On the flip side, USC must devise a plan for Bueckers. Kansas State tried everything, yet Bueckers still dropped 40 on them. Expect USC to put the taller Kennedy Smith on Bueckers at times to contest her shots and use their depth to keep fresh legs on her. The battle inside between Rayah Marshal and Sarah Strong — two athletic forwards who can block shots and run the floor — will also be pivotal.
If JuJu Watkins were fully healthy, this game would be a potential classic down to the wire. With her status in doubt, though, USC faces a tougher hill to climb. The Trojans will need another all-around team effort like they had in the Sweet 16. Look for USC to try to dictate tempo: they’ll want to run off of turnovers and not let UConn’s half-court defence get set up. Kennedy Smith’s slashing ability and Avery Howell’s shooting will be critical to support Iriafen inside.
For UConn, the game plan is simpler: put the ball in Bueckers’ hands and play through their star. Paige Bueckers is averaging nearly 30 points per game in the tournament and has that killer instinct; if the game is tight late, she’s proven she can close. Additionally, UConn’s supporting cast might have easier matchups if Watkins is absent — Azzi Fudd could have a big night from three if USC’s defensive focus shifts elsewhere. A key factor will be turnovers. USC is young in the backcourt, and UConn’s pressure could rattle the Trojans into making mistakes. In their Sweet 16, USC nearly let Kansas State come back late, committing a few turnovers and shaking possessions as K-State cut the lead before USC sealed it. Against UConn, any such lapse will be punished swiftly.
Given all these factors, UConn is favoured to advance. The Huskies have the edge in experience (this core made the Final Four last year) and health. However, don’t count USC out — they have a home crown, considerable talent and the motivation of revenge. If Watkins somehow suits up and is effective, USC’s chances rise dramatically — she’s the kind of transcendent player who could duel Bueckers shot-for-shot. Without her, expect UConn to gradually pull away.
My prediction is that UConn will win, using their defence and sheer will to force turnovers down the stretch to secure the win. USC’s rise has been remarkable, and this experience will only further solidify them as a future powerhouse, but the stakes still belong to the Huskies, who appear destined for yet another Final Four in their quest to end the title drought since 2016.
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As the Elite Eight tips off, all eyes are on these four marquee matchups. Will the traditional powers prevail, or can the newcomers continue to upset the balance? By the end of the Elite Eight, we may see familiar faces like South Carolina and UConn in the Final Four, or we could witness new history with teams like UCLA, TCU or USC breaking through. One thing is certain: fans can expect more drama and heroics as these teams battle for a trip to the Final Four. The road to the national championship is narrowing, and every team left believes this is their year.