The stakes are bigger and the matchups more intense as theNCAA Tournamentmarches towards the Final Four in Phoenix. After 68 teams began the push for a national title, 16 remain. Only five of those 16 programs have ever won a ring: UConn, Texas, Notre Dame, North Carolina and South Carolina.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Can a team win the title for the first time? Who might add another title to their championship collection? Here's a ranking of all the Sweet 16 teams in the Women's NCAA Tournament in order of their chance to win it all in Phoenix.
UConn's Azzi Fudd and Sarah Strong are among the top players set to tipoff March Madness. Here's the best players in women's college basketball:
(Rick Osentoski, Imagn Images)
It's hard to believe Sarah Strong could top her record-breaking freshman season, but she's one-upped herself. Strong has career highs in points (18.5), assists (4.1), steals (3.4), field goal percentage (60.1%) and free throw percentage (87.3%). She leads UConn in nearly every statical category, including points, rebounds, steals and blocks. Expect Strong to have a strong showing in the NCAA Tournament. She set the freshmen points record in an NCAA Tournament (114) last season.
(Kamil Krzaczynski, -Imagn Images)
UCLA Bruins center Lauren Betts' stats are slightly down from last season, but she's no less dominant. She leads UCLA in points (16.4), rebounds (8.6) and blocks (1.9) per game and has 11 double-doubles. Her efforts earned her Big Ten Player of the Year and Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year honors, becoming the first player in Big Ten history to earn both in the same season.
(Jayne Kamin-Oncea, Imagn Images)
Texas Longhorns forward Madison Booker has reached new heights this season earning first-team All-SEC after recording career highs in points (18.9), steals (2.3) and field goal percentage (51.6%), which she raised from 46.1% last season. Booker leads the Longhorns in scoring and has been in double-digits for all but two games this season. She's only a junior, but she's already climbed to No. 6 on Texas' all-time scoring list with 1,873 points career points entering March Madness.
(Jim Dedmon, Imagn Images)
UConn Huskies senior guard Azzi is shooting lights out from the 3-point line. She's averaging a career-high 44.6% from beyond the arc and her 104 3-pointers rank second in the nation. Her field goal percentage (48.9%) also marks a career-high. Fudd has also helped anchor UConn's top-ranked scoring defense. She's one of three Huskies to have at least 85 steals this season, joining Sarah Strong (111) and KK Arnold (93). Fudd is also flirting with the 50-40-90 stat line — 50% from the field, 40% from the 3-point line and 90% from the free throw line.
(David Butler II, Imagn Images)
Vanderbilt's Mikayla Blakes was named the SEC Player of the Year after leading Vanderbilt to its first 27-win regular season in program history. Blakes leads the nation in scoring averaging 27.0 points per game, including 12 games of 30 or more points. Ten of those 12 games came in conference play. Blakes has recorded double-digit points in every game this season and is currently riding a 50 game double-digit scoring streak, the longest active streak in the SEC and third longest in NCAA Division I women's basketball. Blakes is the second Vanderbilt star to win SEC Player of the Year and the first sophomore since South Carolina's A'ja Wilson in 2016.
(Alan Poizner/For The Tennessean, USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
Olivia Miles' transfer from Notre Dame to TCU has been seamless if you look at her stat line. Miles is the centerpiece of the Horned Frogs' offense and has upped her scoring average from 15.4 points last season to a career-high 19.6 points. Miles tops the nation with five triple doubles and has done so efficiently, with career highs in field goal percentage (48.7) and free throw percentage (84.4%).
(Nick Tre. Smith, Imagn Images)
Iowa State Cyclones center Audi Crooks ended the regular season with a bang, dropping 41 points and 13 rebounds against Kansas State — shooting an efficient 16-of-19 from the field. That marked Crooks' fourth 40-point game of the season and 12th double-double. Crooks has scored in double digits every game this season, extending her streak to 97 straight career games — the longest active streak in the nation. She became the fastest player in Big 12 history to reach 2,000 points on Jan. 28 and picked up an unanimous first-team All-Big 12 nod.
(Reese Strickland, Imagn Images)
Ohio State's Jaloni Cambridge has arrived! The sophomore guard is in midst of a breakout season. She upped her points per game from 15.4 last season to 22.8, which ranks seventh in the nation. Her field-goal percentage also increased by nearly eight points to 49.0%. She's scored double-digit points in every game this season and became the 40th Buckeye to surpass 1,000 career points on Feb. 8 against Oregon. She's only the fifth Ohio State player to record 700 points in a season.
(Nick King/Lansing State Journal, USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
South Carolina Gamecocks forward Joyce Edwards has taken a large step this season. The 6-foot-3 forward slid into the starting lineup after senior forward Chloe Kitts was ruled out for the season with an ACL injury in her right knee. Edwards has powered South Carolina to the fourth-best scoring offense in the nation (86.3 points per game). She's averaging a team-high 19.6 points in 34 starts, up from 12.7 points and one start her freshman year. Her stat line is rounded out by 6.3 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.7 steals per game.
(Arden Barnes, Arden Barnes-Imagn Images)
Notre Dame Fighting Irish guard Hannah Hidalgo has been a walking highlight reel. Hidalgo turned in career highs in points, steals, rebounds, field-goal percentage and made ACC history by winning both Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year in consecutive seasons. Hidalgo set an NCAA record with 16 steals in a game and scored a school-record 44 points in Notre Dame's 85-58 win over Akron on Nov. 12. She leads the nation in total steals (173), which set a single-season ACC record.
(Brett Davis, Imagn Images)
1/11
Players to watch in 2026 women's NCAA basketball tournament
UConn's Azzi Fudd and Sarah Strong are among the top players set to tipoff March Madness. Here's the best players in women's college basketball:
(Rick Osentoski, Imagn Images)
1/11
Players to watch in 2026 women's NCAA basketball tournament
UConn's Azzi Fudd and Sarah Strong are among the top players set to tipoff March Madness. Here's the best players in women's college basketball:
(Rick Osentoski, Imagn Images)
2/11
Players to watch in 2026 women's NCAA basketball tournament
It's hard to believe Sarah Strong could top her record-breaking freshman season, but she's one-upped herself. Strong has career highs in points (18.5), assists (4.1), steals (3.4), field goal percentage (60.1%) and free throw percentage (87.3%). She leads UConn in nearly every statical category, including points, rebounds, steals and blocks. Expect Strong to have a strong showing in the NCAA Tournament. She set the freshmen points record in an NCAA Tournament (114) last season.
(Kamil Krzaczynski, -Imagn Images)
3/11
Players to watch in 2026 women's NCAA basketball tournament
UCLA Bruins center Lauren Betts' stats are slightly down from last season, but she's no less dominant. She leads UCLA in points (16.4), rebounds (8.6) and blocks (1.9) per game and has 11 double-doubles. Her efforts earned her Big Ten Player of the Year and Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year honors, becoming the first player in Big Ten history to earn both in the same season.
(Jayne Kamin-Oncea, Imagn Images)
4/11
Players to watch in 2026 women's NCAA basketball tournament
Texas Longhorns forward Madison Booker has reached new heights this season earning first-team All-SEC after recording career highs in points (18.9), steals (2.3) and field goal percentage (51.6%), which she raised from 46.1% last season. Booker leads the Longhorns in scoring and has been in double-digits for all but two games this season. She's only a junior, but she's already climbed to No. 6 on Texas' all-time scoring list with 1,873 points career points entering March Madness.
(Jim Dedmon, Imagn Images)
5/11
Players to watch in 2026 women's NCAA basketball tournament
UConn Huskies senior guard Azzi is shooting lights out from the 3-point line. She's averaging a career-high 44.6% from beyond the arc and her 104 3-pointers rank second in the nation. Her field goal percentage (48.9%) also marks a career-high. Fudd has also helped anchor UConn's top-ranked scoring defense. She's one of three Huskies to have at least 85 steals this season, joining Sarah Strong (111) and KK Arnold (93). Fudd is also flirting with the 50-40-90 stat line — 50% from the field, 40% from the 3-point line and 90% from the free throw line.
(David Butler II, Imagn Images)
6/11
Players to watch in 2026 women's NCAA basketball tournament
Vanderbilt's Mikayla Blakes was named the SEC Player of the Year after leading Vanderbilt to its first 27-win regular season in program history. Blakes leads the nation in scoring averaging 27.0 points per game, including 12 games of 30 or more points. Ten of those 12 games came in conference play. Blakes has recorded double-digit points in every game this season and is currently riding a 50 game double-digit scoring streak, the longest active streak in the SEC and third longest in NCAA Division I women's basketball. Blakes is the second Vanderbilt star to win SEC Player of the Year and the first sophomore since South Carolina's A'ja Wilson in 2016.
(Alan Poizner/For The Tennessean, USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
7/11
Players to watch in 2026 women's NCAA basketball tournament
Olivia Miles' transfer from Notre Dame to TCU has been seamless if you look at her stat line. Miles is the centerpiece of the Horned Frogs' offense and has upped her scoring average from 15.4 points last season to a career-high 19.6 points. Miles tops the nation with five triple doubles and has done so efficiently, with career highs in field goal percentage (48.7) and free throw percentage (84.4%).
(Nick Tre. Smith, Imagn Images)
8/11
Audi Crooks enters transfer portal after 3 seasons at Iowa State
Iowa State Cyclones center Audi Crooks ended the regular season with a bang, dropping 41 points and 13 rebounds against Kansas State — shooting an efficient 16-of-19 from the field. That marked Crooks' fourth 40-point game of the season and 12th double-double. Crooks has scored in double digits every game this season, extending her streak to 97 straight career games — the longest active streak in the nation. She became the fastest player in Big 12 history to reach 2,000 points on Jan. 28 and picked up an unanimous first-team All-Big 12 nod.
(Reese Strickland, Imagn Images)
9/11
Players to watch in 2026 women's NCAA basketball tournament
Ohio State's Jaloni Cambridge has arrived! The sophomore guard is in midst of a breakout season. She upped her points per game from 15.4 last season to 22.8, which ranks seventh in the nation. Her field-goal percentage also increased by nearly eight points to 49.0%. She's scored double-digit points in every game this season and became the 40th Buckeye to surpass 1,000 career points on Feb. 8 against Oregon. She's only the fifth Ohio State player to record 700 points in a season.
(Nick King/Lansing State Journal, USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
10/11
Players to watch in 2026 women's NCAA basketball tournament
South Carolina Gamecocks forward Joyce Edwards has taken a large step this season. The 6-foot-3 forward slid into the starting lineup after senior forward Chloe Kitts was ruled out for the season with an ACL injury in her right knee. Edwards has powered South Carolina to the fourth-best scoring offense in the nation (86.3 points per game). She's averaging a team-high 19.6 points in 34 starts, up from 12.7 points and one start her freshman year. Her stat line is rounded out by 6.3 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.7 steals per game.
(Arden Barnes, Arden Barnes-Imagn Images)
11/11
Players to watch in 2026 women's NCAA basketball tournament
Notre Dame Fighting Irish guard Hannah Hidalgo has been a walking highlight reel. Hidalgo turned in career highs in points, steals, rebounds, field-goal percentage and made ACC history by winning both Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year in consecutive seasons. Hidalgo set an NCAA record with 16 steals in a game and scored a school-record 44 points in Notre Dame's 85-58 win over Akron on Nov. 12. She leads the nation in total steals (173), which set a single-season ACC record.
(Brett Davis, Imagn Images)
1. UConn Huskies
The Huskies are loaded with talent offensively, including starsAzzi FuddandSarah Strong. They are also pests defensively. If UConn brings any version of its defense that won the championship last season and has been the best in the country all season long, it will repeat.
2. UCLA Bruins
The Bruins pose myriad problems for opposing defenses. From Lauren Betts to Kiki Rice to Gianna Kneepkens and more, it's truly pick-your-poison guarding UCLA's six potential WNBA draft picks. For UCLA, if there was ever a year to finally put it together and win the program's first championship, it's now.
After falling one game short of the national championship in 2025, the Longhorns are determined to return to the Final Four and earn the program's first championship since 1986. Much will be made about the contributions ofMadison Booker, or evenJordan Lee, butRori Harmon's energy and production on both ends of the floor are likely what determine how far Texas goes.
4. South Carolina Gamecocks
This year's South Carolina roster might not haveas much experience as previous Gamecocks championship rosters, but it still has plenty of talent. Any roster with Raven Johnson, Joyce Edwards, Ta'Niya Latson and Tessa "Tournament Tessa" Johnson is not to be underestimated.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
5. LSU Tigers
At over 95 points a game, LSU's offense has no problems showing up. It's the Tigers' defensive efforts on the court and activity on the glass that will determine if they win a championship. "No rebounds, no rings,"Mikayla Williams said.
6. Duke Blue Devils
Duke averages nearly 15 turnovers a game, and if it wants a chance at a national championship, that has to change immediately. If the Blue Devils could average 10 turnovers or fewer, a title is within reach.
7. Vanderbilt Commodores
Vanderbilt is one of the most dangerous teams in the tournament, with the country's leading scorer,Mikyala Blakes(27.1 points per game), at the helm. Still, Blakes is only the beginning of the problems for opposing teams. There are still players like freshman sensation Aubrey Galvan and Justin Pissott to worry about.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
8. Kentucky Wildcats
Tonie Morgan and Teonni Key are a dangerous duo that gives opposing defenses nightmares. However, combined with Clara Strack, who is a walking double-double (16.9 points and 10.1 rebounds per game), the Wildcats are a dangerous sleeper to potentially win a ring.
The Alabama bench celebrate after a big three-point shot by Alabama Crimson Tide guard Karly Weathers (22) in the fourth quarter against Louisville during the2026 NCAA Women's March MadnessSecond Round basketball at the KFC Yum Center In Louisville, Ky. Weathers finished with 13 points. March 23, 2026.
(Matt Stone, Courier Journal via USA TODAY NETWORK)
Laura Ziegler of the Louisville Cardinals kisses the court after her team's 69-68 victory over the Alabama Crimson Tide in the second round of the 2026 NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament at KFC YUM! Center on March 23, 2026 in Louisville, Ky.
(Andy Lyons, Getty Images)
Ohio State mascot Brutus Buckeye and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish leprechaun mascot cheer prior to the NCAA women's basketball tournament second round game at the Jerome Schottenstein Center in Columbus on March 23, 2026.
(Adam Cairns, Columbus Dispatch via USA TODAY NETWORK)
Louisville fans cheer during a first-round game between the Louisville Cardinals and Vermont Catamounts in the 2026 NCAA WomenâÕs Basketball Tournament at the KFC Yum Center, March 21, 2026, in Louisville, Ky.
(Jeff Faughender, Courier Journal via USA TODAY NETWORK)
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish huddle up prior to the start of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament Second Round game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Jerome Schottenstein Center on March 23, 2026 in Columbus, Ohio. Notre Dame defeated Ohio Sate 83-73.
(Kirk Irwin, Getty Images)
A Louisville fan held a sign in the final seconds as the Cards defeated Alabama 69-68 to move on to the Sweet 16 during the 2026 NCAA Women's March Madness Second Round basketball at the KFC Yum Center In Louisville, Ky. March 23, 2026.
(Matt Stone, Courier Journal via USA TODAY NETWORK)
Alabama mascot Big Al works the crowd during a first-round game between the Rhode Island Rams and Alabama Crimson Tide in the 2026 NCAA WomenÕs Basketball Tournament at the KFC Yum Center, March 21, 2026, in Louisville, Ky.
(Jeff Faughender, Courier Journal via USA TODAY NETWORK)
The Ohio State Buckeyes sit for the starting lineup prior to the NCAA women's basketball tournament second round game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at the Jerome Schottenstein Center in Columbus on March 23, 2026.
(Adam Cairns, Columbus Dispatch via USA TODAY NETWORK)
Ohio State Buckeyes fans react to a foul call during the NCAA women's basketball tournament second round game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at the Jerome Schottenstein Center in Columbus on March 23, 2026.
(Adam Cairns, Columbus Dispatch via USA TODAY NETWORK)
A member of the Louisville Cardinals band performs during the third quarter against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the second round of the 2026 NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament at KFC YUM! Center on March 23, 2026 in Louisville, Ky.
(Andy Lyons, Getty Images)
A player spins a basketball branded with the NCAA logo before a game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Louisville Cardinals in the second round of the 2026 NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament at KFC YUM! Center on March 23, 2026 in Louisville, Ky.
(Andy Lyons, Getty Images)
The Iowa State Cyclones mascot on the court during a break against the Syracuse Orange in the first half at Harry A. Gampel Pavilion in Storrs, Ct. on Mar 21, 2026.
(David Butler II, Imagn Images)
Guard Kylie Feuerbach #4 of the Iowa Hawkeyes interacts with fans after a match-up against the FDU Knights on March 21, 2026 at Carver-Hawkeye Arena during the first round of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament in Iowa City, Iowa.
(Matthew Holst, Getty Images)
1/13
See women's March Madness 2026, from mascots and fans to celebrities
The Alabama bench celebrate after a big three-point shot by Alabama Crimson Tide guard Karly Weathers (22) in the fourth quarter against Louisville during the2026 NCAA Women's March MadnessSecond Round basketball at the KFC Yum Center In Louisville, Ky. Weathers finished with 13 points. March 23, 2026.
(Matt Stone, Courier Journal via USA TODAY NETWORK)
1/13
See women's March Madness 2026, from mascots and fans to celebrities
The Alabama bench celebrate after a big three-point shot by Alabama Crimson Tide guard Karly Weathers (22) in the fourth quarter against Louisville during the2026 NCAA Women's March MadnessSecond Round basketball at the KFC Yum Center In Louisville, Ky. Weathers finished with 13 points. March 23, 2026.
(Matt Stone, Courier Journal via USA TODAY NETWORK)
2/13
See women's March Madness 2026, from mascots and fans to celebrities
Laura Ziegler of the Louisville Cardinals kisses the court after her team's 69-68 victory over the Alabama Crimson Tide in the second round of the 2026 NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament at KFC YUM! Center on March 23, 2026 in Louisville, Ky.
(Andy Lyons, Getty Images)
3/13
See women's March Madness 2026, from mascots and fans to celebrities
Ohio State mascot Brutus Buckeye and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish leprechaun mascot cheer prior to the NCAA women's basketball tournament second round game at the Jerome Schottenstein Center in Columbus on March 23, 2026.
(Adam Cairns, Columbus Dispatch via USA TODAY NETWORK)
4/13
See women's March Madness 2026, from mascots and fans to celebrities
Louisville fans cheer during a first-round game between the Louisville Cardinals and Vermont Catamounts in the 2026 NCAA WomenâÕs Basketball Tournament at the KFC Yum Center, March 21, 2026, in Louisville, Ky.
(Jeff Faughender, Courier Journal via USA TODAY NETWORK)
5/13
See women's March Madness 2026, from mascots and fans to celebrities
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish huddle up prior to the start of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament Second Round game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Jerome Schottenstein Center on March 23, 2026 in Columbus, Ohio. Notre Dame defeated Ohio Sate 83-73.
(Kirk Irwin, Getty Images)
6/13
See women's March Madness 2026, from mascots and fans to celebrities
A Louisville fan held a sign in the final seconds as the Cards defeated Alabama 69-68 to move on to the Sweet 16 during the 2026 NCAA Women's March Madness Second Round basketball at the KFC Yum Center In Louisville, Ky. March 23, 2026.
(Matt Stone, Courier Journal via USA TODAY NETWORK)
7/13
See women's March Madness 2026, from mascots and fans to celebrities
Alabama mascot Big Al works the crowd during a first-round game between the Rhode Island Rams and Alabama Crimson Tide in the 2026 NCAA WomenÕs Basketball Tournament at the KFC Yum Center, March 21, 2026, in Louisville, Ky.
(Jeff Faughender, Courier Journal via USA TODAY NETWORK)
8/13
See women's March Madness 2026, from mascots and fans to celebrities
The Ohio State Buckeyes sit for the starting lineup prior to the NCAA women's basketball tournament second round game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at the Jerome Schottenstein Center in Columbus on March 23, 2026.
(Adam Cairns, Columbus Dispatch via USA TODAY NETWORK)
9/13
See women's March Madness 2026, from mascots and fans to celebrities
Ohio State Buckeyes fans react to a foul call during the NCAA women's basketball tournament second round game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at the Jerome Schottenstein Center in Columbus on March 23, 2026.
(Adam Cairns, Columbus Dispatch via USA TODAY NETWORK)
10/13
See women's March Madness 2026, from mascots and fans to celebrities
A member of the Louisville Cardinals band performs during the third quarter against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the second round of the 2026 NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament at KFC YUM! Center on March 23, 2026 in Louisville, Ky.
(Andy Lyons, Getty Images)
11/13
See women's March Madness 2026, from mascots and fans to celebrities
A player spins a basketball branded with the NCAA logo before a game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Louisville Cardinals in the second round of the 2026 NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament at KFC YUM! Center on March 23, 2026 in Louisville, Ky.
(Andy Lyons, Getty Images)
12/13
See women's March Madness 2026, from mascots and fans to celebrities
The Iowa State Cyclones mascot on the court during a break against the Syracuse Orange in the first half at Harry A. Gampel Pavilion in Storrs, Ct. on Mar 21, 2026.
(David Butler II, Imagn Images)
13/13
See women's March Madness 2026, from mascots and fans to celebrities
Guard Kylie Feuerbach #4 of the Iowa Hawkeyes interacts with fans after a match-up against the FDU Knights on March 21, 2026 at Carver-Hawkeye Arena during the first round of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament in Iowa City, Iowa.
Michigan's trio of stars (Syla Swords, Olivia Olson and Mila Holloway) has done a lot of heavy lifting to get the team to this point. The question now becomes who will be the X-factor off the bench, the deeper the Wolverines go into the tournament?
The Sooners are very young, with only three upperclassmen on the roster. For Oklahoma to win a championship, it would have to be through the leadership of Raegan Beers, who averages nearly 16 points a game and 10.5 rebounds.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
11. TCU Horned Frogs
TCU has never been to a Final Four in program history. To get there, the Horned Frogs can't "get bored with being boring,"Donovyn Hunter said. They have to focus on "simple plays" and not try to play outside of what got them this far.
12. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Notre Dame is playing its best basketball right now, winning nine of its last 10 games. WithHannah Hidalgoleading the Fighting Irish, never count them out. Hidalgo is a one-person wrecking crew, whose per-game average is 25.2 points, 6.5 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 5.5 steals.
13. Louisville Cardinals
The path for the Cardinals to win a title starts with their bench. Imari Berry, second on the team in scoring (11.2 points per game), has to lead a unit that needs multiple breakout games in the tournament. After Berry, who will step up?
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
14. North Carolina Tar Heels
North Carolina tended to fall behind in the third quarter at times during the regular season, making finishing games that much tougher. That habit has extended into the postseason. The Tar Heels have to ask themselves how long they're willing to let it go on with a championship on the line.
15. Minnesota Golden Gophers
Minnesota is seeking its first Final Four appearance since 2005 and first national championship. To win, the Golden Gophers have to depend on their scrappy defense, which only allows 57.9 points a game.
16. Virginia Cavaliers
As the No. 10 seed, the Virginia Cavaliers have their work cut out for them. A team ranked 10 or lower has never won a championship. However, with standout guard Kymora Johnson leading the charge, anything feels possible.
