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South Carolina eliminates TCU to return to women’s Final Four: Highlights
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- South Carolina eliminates TCU to return to women’s Final Four: Highlights
SACRAMENTO, CA ― No. 1-seed South Carolina advanced to their eighth Final Four in program history.
The Gamecocks defeated the TCU Horned Frogs , 78-52, in the Sacramento Regionals championship Elite Eight round of the NCAA Women's Tournament at Golden 1 Center on Monday, March 30.
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South Carolina will be looking for it fourth championship in its history, all under coach Dawn Staley. The Gamecocks are chasing the first title since winning in 2024.
South Carolina sophomore forward Joyce Edwards had a 24-point, 12-rebound double-double. Agot Makeer came off the bench to add 18 points and three steals for the Gamecocks.
The Gamecocks' size and physicality proved to be too much for the Horned Frogs as they were outrebounded 52-24. South Carolina will advance to the Final Four in Phoenix at Mortgage Matchup Center on April 3.
Several South Carolina players reached milestones tonight:
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Tessa Johnson scored her 1,000th career point. She also surpassed Te-Hina Paopao and stands third in made 3-pointers (88) in South Carolina single-season history.
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Raven Johnson reached 200 assists on the season, the fourth player in South Carolina history to reach the benchmark in a single season. With 21 more assists during this tournament run, Johnson would surpass Tyasha Harris for the single-season Gamecock record. Harris recorded 220 assists in 2017-18.
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Joyce Edwards is now in the No. 2 spot on the South Carolina all-time single season points list. Edwards passed A'ja Wilson and Beth Hunt, and is six points away from passing Katrina Anderson's top mark of 754 in 1977-78. − Dylan Clearfield
Here's how the matchup between No. 1 South Carolina and No. 3 TCU went on Monday, March 30:
Final Four ticket punched
At game's end, Joe Russo and Jim Bass took the court at Golden Center 1, carrying the posterboard bracket that shows the winning team's ticket to the Final Four. Russo, 57, and Bass, 56, aren't just NCAA staff – they've been best friends since they were 11 years old.
They've worked three NCAA Tournaments together — men's and women's — managing locker rooms, making connections with other NCAA staff and talking about the good ol' days.
The two met when they were boys in Marina, California . Eventually, "J-Squared," as other NCAA personnel call them, ended up on the same youth baseball team. Living not far from each other, the bond grew stronger over playing ball and riding in the back of Russo's mom's truck.
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"I would walk to practice, and every now and if I was lucky, Joe's mom would come rolling around the corner," Bass said. "I'd jump in the back of the pickup."
The duo ended up going to Palma High School in Salinas, California, where they played baseball and football together. Russo and Steve Tebbs, another friend from the area that works for the NCAA, got their driver's licenses before Bass, and the trio spent a lot of time bonding.
"Those are times you connect, when you're all together," Bass said. "It just continued to build from there."
Russo and Bass appreciate each other's company, but they know when it's time for business.
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"We're going to joke and jab, and we know when it's time to get going," Bass said. "We're just trying to do our best to make this a good experience for people, enjoy some basketball and some companionship along the way too."
Moving forward, Russo and Bass hope to continue their tournament duties. Their wives support them spending these weeks away from home, they said, knowing how much they enjoy their time together.
"Lord willing," Bass said when asked about participating next year. "We've already planned [that] we're coming back." − Wesley Webb
Tessa Johnson puts nail in coffin
South Carolina is a well-oiled machine that can get contributions from everywhere. They've gotten dominant performances from Joyce Edwards and Agot Makeer so far, which helped build up a 20-point lead.
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Next, it was Tessa Johnson's turn. The 6-foot junior guard scored 11 points in the fourth quarter alone. She knocked down three long distance shots.
Gamecocks take a 20-point lead
South Carolina's lead went up to 20 points with just under seven minutes left as TCU coach Mark Campbell called for a timeout to gather his team. Gamecocks led 61-41 with 6:48 left, thanks to a 12-0 run to start the final period.
South Carolina freshman guard Agot Makeer started the fourth quarter off perfectly for the Gamecocks, with a steal that led to a fastbreak layup. On the next possession, Makeer followed her own miss and converted another layup. At the 8:24 mark of the quarter, Makeer made a baseline layup for her 18th point – a career high. She also has been key to defending TCU star Olivia Miles . - Dylan Clearfield
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South Carolina starts to run away
Agot Makeer wants to seize the moment. Her prints all are over this game as the Gamecocks look to advance to their program's eighth Final Four appearance. Makeer scored the opening points in the quarter after getting a steal and leaking out for a lay. And a couple of possessions later, another score after she previously missed a 9-foot shot.
South Carolina led by 12.
Olivia Miles starts fourth quarter
Olivia Miles returned to the game for the Horned Frogs to begin the fourth quarter.
End of 3Q: South Carolina 49, TCU 41
South Carolina maintained their eight-point lead after both teams continued to trade buckets. Joyce Edwards is having herself a day. She copped a double-double against TCU with 18 points and 10 rebounds through three quarters. Agot Makeer has added 12 points.
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TCU is shooting 35% from the field and 40% from deep on 6-of-15.
Olivia Miles exits game with leg cramp
TCU senior guard Olivia Miles scored a layup and went to crashing to the floor, holding her left calf. She went to the bench with 1:24 left in the third quarter.
TCU trainers could be seen massaging Miles' left ankle/Achilles
Gamecocks offensive physicality puts pressure on TCU
The Gamecocks started playing a physical brand of basketball in the third, deciding to take everything to the basket. They either got layups, fouled or a close jumper near the rim. South Carolina led 47-39 with over a minute left in the third.
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South Carolina controlling the boards
South Carolina is winning the rebound battle. The Gamecocks are outrebounding TCU 34-21, including 15 offensive rebounds compared to seven for the Horned Frogs. South Carolina also has a 26-16 advantage in the paint with 3:41 remaining in the third quarter.
Marta Suarez returns for third quarter after injury
The 6-foot-3 forward emerged from the tunnel with her team and warmed up on the court ahead of the second half after appearing to injure her ankle at the end of the second quarter. She told USA TODAY Sports that she's "good" following her injury. She started the second half for TCU.
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Halftime: South Carolina 35, TCU 27
Raven Johnson has 10 points and four assists. Joyce Edwards has been making her presence felt with 14 points and six rebounds. The Gamecocks are shooting 50% from the field, compared to 35% for TCU.
Olivia Miles scored 11 first half points for TCU on 4-of-11 shooting. She added three assists.
Marta Suarez hurt as South Carolina increases lead
TCU got a couple of easy looks at the basket to dig in to South Carolina's slim lead. Clara Silva got a layup after Olivia Miles found her after penetrating the defense. Taylor Bigby followed with a layup. But it was too much South Carolina as Raven Johnson connected on back-to-back three pointers to extend the lead to eight.
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TCU forward Marta Suarez was injured with 1:18 left in the second after going for a rebound and landing on teammate Silva's foot. She hobbled up the court and was subbed out.
Suarez, who scored a career-high 33 points in the Horned Frogs' Sweet 16 victory over Virginia , limped off the court just before halftime. She hand-gestured to her coaches that she was unsure of what was wrong. Before the team went to the locker room at the half, she was doing laps behind the TCU bench and in and out of the tunnel. − Wesley Webb
Gamecocks take control of a back-and-forth affair
TCU and South Carolina traded field goals early in the second quarter. Kennedy Basham got a cutting layup, assisted by Olivia Miles to tie it. But South Carolina had an answer, Raven Johnson.
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TCU responded with a long-distance shot from Donovyn Hunter to regain the lead. Marta Suarez gave a drop off pass to Olivia Miles who pulled up for three. Agot Makeer matched her three as the Gamecocks trailed 22-21 with 6:02 left.
Joyce Edwards gave South Carolina an advantage with back-to-back scores, a layup then a nine-foot jumper.
A TCU turnover in the back court allowed South Carolina to get an easy fast break layup as Johnson got a steal, found Ta'Niya Latson who threw a quick, no-look pass to a cutting Edwards in transition. Gamecocks were up 27-22 with 3:59 left in the second period.
Horned Frogs fired up
TCU came out against South Carolina with a lot of energy — and not just on the court.
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Its band is up on its feet cheering during every possession, while the Horned Frogs fans erupt after each shot. It's a contrast from South Carolina, whose band and fans have mostly stayed in their seats. - Olivia Sayer
End of 1Q: South Carolina 16, TCU 14
Gamecocks came storming back to end the first quarter. Joyce Edwards scored six points in the period, including a 19-foot buzzer-beater with six seconds on the clock. Agot Makeer scored four in the period. She tied the game at 14 after connecting on a floater with a little over a minute left.
TCU was led in the opening period by their dynamic duo of Olivia Miles and Marta Suarez. In their Sweet 16 game against Virginia they combined for 77% of their team's points. They are picking up where they left off, combining for 12 of TCU's 14 total points. Miles scored seven, Suarez has five.
South Carolina responds to Horned Frogs run
South Carolina got a pull up in the mid-range area from Raven Johnson to get on the board for the first time in the game with 6:34 left.
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TCU stayed sharp. Marta Suarez responded with a three-pointer and so did Olivia Miles, after South Carolina layup from Ta'Niya Latson. Madina Okot was found underneath the basket for a layup. TCU led 12-6 with 4:16 in the first quarter.
TCU guard Olivia Miles in foul trouble early
Olivia Miles picked up her second foul with 6:46 remaining in the first quarter, but TCU coach Mark Campbell kept her in the game.
We're underway to decide Final Four team
Tip-off has gotten underway and it's TCU's Marta Suarez with the first bucket of the game. She was found down low on a mismatch. She scored and signaled to her defender "too small." That sparked a run for the Horned Frogs following scores from Olivia Miles and Taylor Bigby. TCU led 6-0.
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Mark Campbell calm ahead of TCU vs. South Carolina
TCU head coach Mark Campbell flashed heart hands at his daughter and family in the first row of the Golden 1 Center when the Horned Frogs took the court for warmups against No. 1 South Carolina. Campbell's daughter was holding up a sign reading "I love you" on her phone. His family have been vocal supporters from the front row all weekend long. - Jack Little
What time is South Carolina vs. TCU Elite Eight NCAA game?
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Date:Monday, March 30
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Time:9 p.m. ET
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Location:Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California
The South Carolina Gamecocks play the TCU Horned Frogs in the Elite Eight of the Women's NCAA Tournament at 9 p.m. ET on Monday, March 30 in Sacramento, California.
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South Carolina vs. TCU: TV, streaming
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TV: ESPN
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Stream: ESPN Unlimited
South Carolina starting lineup
Head coach: Dawn Staley
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00 Ta'Niya Latson | G 5-8 - Senior
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5 Tessa Johnson | G 6-0 - Junior
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8 Joyce Edwards | F 6-3 - Sophomore
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11 Madina Okot | C 6-6 - Senior
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25 Raven Johnson | G 5-9 - Senior
TCU Horned Frogs starting lineup
Head coach: Mark Campbell
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1 Taylor Bigby | G 6-1 - Senior
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4 Donovyn Hunter | G 6-0 - Junior
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5 Olivia Miles | G 5-10 - Senior
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7 Marta Suarez | F 6-3 - Senior
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17 Clara Silva | C 6-7 - Sophomore
TCU, South Carolina availability report
Women's Elite 8 scores
Sunday, March 29
Monday, March 30
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(1) South Carolina vs. (3) TCU, 9 p.m. | ESPN
Final Four schedule
Who's in the women's Final Four? Here's an updated March Madness bracket:
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Friday, April 3:No. 1 UConn vs. No. 1 South Carolina/No. 3 TCU (Phoenix)
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Sunday, April 5:National championship game (Phoenix)
The Final Four of the Women's NCAA Tournament will take place across Friday, April 3 and Sunday, April 5. The national semifinal games will take place on April 3 with tip-off times of 7 p.m. ET and 9:30 p.m. ET, while the national championship will tip off at 3:30 p.m. ET on April 5.
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South Carolina will win Elite Eight game vs TCU if...
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Mitchel Northam: Raven Johnson can lock up Olivia Miles and the Gamecocks don't allow Marta Suarez to make 3-pointers in bunches.
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Meghan Hall: It plays inside out, leaning on Madina Okot and Joyce Edwards. South Carolina also needs to take Olivia Miles out of the game and force TCU to beat them with anyone else.
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Heather Burns: it uses its big game experience to take control to dictate the tempo.
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Cydney Henderson: South Carolina's game plan starts and ends with slowing down Olivia Miles, who TCU's offense flows through. The SEC's physicality will also be on display in this matchup.
TCU will win Elite Eight game vs South Carolina if...
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Mitchel Northam: Olivia Miles and Marta Suarez continue to play at the high level that they have for all of March Madness.
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Meghan Hall: It can find a way to slow down South Carolina's floor general, Raven Johnson. TCU also needs to keep up with South Carolina's perimeter production.
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Heather Burns: it shoots well and wins the glass, they can absolutely pull the upset
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Cydney Henderson: Olivia Miles and Marta Suarez combined or assisted on ALL of TCU's points against Virginia in the Sweet 16. The Horned Frogs need another big game from their dynamic duo, but TCU will also need contributions from Taylor Bigby from deep and Clara Silva down low.
South Carolina's Raven Johnson faces TCU's Olivia Miles
SACRAMENTO, CA – One matchup that is sure to turn heads when South Carolina and TCU meet in the Elite Eight on Monday is the offensive mastery of TCU's Olivia Miles against the relentless defense of South Carolina's Raven Johnson. In the eyes of South Carolina coach Dawn Staley, it won't be as simple as a one-on-one: "You do it by committee."
A key committee member: freshman guard Agot Makeer. Johnson, a senior who is the reigning SEC Defensive Player of the Year, has mentored Makeer to become the next leader of South Carolina's "Seatbelt Gang." Read Dylan Clearfield's full story here.
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Watch: South Carolina, TCU players reveal stories behind tattoos
SACRAMENTO — Before their women's Elite Eight matchup on March 30 at the Golden 1 Center, players from top-seeded South Carolina and third-seeded TCU shared the stories behind some of their tattoos.
The players explained how the tattoos symbolize the experiences, the places and the people that shaped them before they ever stepped onto this stage. Their tattoos help keep them grounded, especially in a high-pressure situations, like March Madness. Read Wesley Webb's full story here.
TCU's special practice jerseys serve as March Madness rallying cry
SACRAMENTO, CA — TCU women's basketball head coach Mark Campbell is always looking for something to give his team an extra edge. "I try to always find something that's a rallying cry, but that's not a gimmick," he told USA TODAY Sports. "I was in the office late at night when it just clicked."
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Campbell came up with the idea of matching practice jerseys that have the No. 40 on the front and back. The number symbolizes that "the only thing we're promised right now is 40 more minutes of basketball," he said. Read Cydney Henderson's full story here.
Mark Campbell gets special win in city where career took off
SACRAMENTO, CA — TCU head coach Mark Campbell was kind of bummed out that the Horned Frogs weren't awarded home-court advantage for the Women's NCAA Tournament Regionals.
The Horned Frogs' campus is located in Fort Worth, Texas, also one of the sites for the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight rounds. The other regional site selected for the 2026 NCAA Tournament was Sacramento.
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Although not Fort Worth, it's still a familiar scene for Campbell. Campbell's first stint as a collegiate head coach was at Sacramento State, from 2021 to 2023. It's a full-circle moment for Campbell to be back in the city where his career took off. Read Marcus D. Smith's full story here.
Marta Suárez paints TCU's identity on and off the court
SACRAMENTO, CA — As the TCU women's basketball team filed into the locker room at Golden 1 Center ahead of their Sweet 16 matchup against Virginia, they each wore the same hoodie. But on closer inspection, no two were exactly alike.
Each hoodie featured small, personalized details, subtle nods to the individual wearing it, from hobbies and interests to personality traits and everyday passions.
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More than a fashion moment, it was a reflection of a team coming together on a national stage. The win over the Cavaliers that followed was co-led by the artist behind those hoodies, TCU graduate forward Marta Suárez. Read Erin Kirby's full story here.
How did South Carolina to Elite 8?
The Gamecocks advanced to the Elite 8 by beating Oklahoma 94-68 behind 28 points from Ta'Niya Latson. Sophomore forward Joyce Edwards has powered the Gamecocks this season with 19.9 points, 6.4 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game. Here's South Carolina's path to the Elite 8 in the Sacramento 4 bracket:
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First Round: No. 1 South Carolina 103, No. 16 Southern 34 (Columbia, SC)
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Second Round: No. 1 South Carolina 101, No. 9 USC 61 (Columbia, SC)
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Sweet 16: No. 1 South Carolina 94, No 4 Oklahoma 68 (Sacramento, CA)
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Elite 8:No. 1 South Carolina vs. No. 3 TCU (9 p.m. ET, ESPN)
How did TCU get to Elite 8?
TCU advanced to the regional final by defeating Dawn Staley's alma mater, Virginia, 79-69 on Saturday night behind a career-high 33 points from Marta Suarez. Notre Dame transfer Olivia Miles has been the bus driver for TCU this season, averaging 19.4 points, 7.2 rebounds and 6.6 assists per game. Here's TCU's path to the Elite 8 in the Sacramento 4 bracket:
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First Round: No. 3 TCU 86, No. 14 UC San Diego 40 (Fort Worth, TX)
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Second Round: No. 3 TCU 62, No. 6 Washington 59 OT (Fort Worth, TX)
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Sweet 16: No. 3 TCU 79, No. 10 Virginia 69 (Sacramento, CA)
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Elite 8:No. 1 South Carolina vs. No. 3 TCU (9 p.m. ET, ESPN)
South Carolina women's basketball roster
| # |
NAME |
POS |
EXP |
HT |
HOMETOWN |
| 00 |
G |
Sr. |
5' 8" |
Miami, FL |
|
| 1 |
G |
Soph. |
5' 9" |
Upper Marlboro, MD |
|
| 5 |
G |
Jr. |
6' 0" |
Albertville, MN |
|
| 8 |
F |
Soph. |
6' 3" |
Camden, SC |
|
| 11 |
C |
Sr. |
6' 6" |
Mumias |
|
| 15 |
F |
Soph. |
6' 5" |
Grand Prairie, TX |
|
| 21 |
F |
Sr. |
6' 2" |
Oviedo, FL |
|
| 24 |
G |
Fr. |
6' 1" |
Cypress, TX |
|
| 25 |
G |
Sr. |
5' 9" |
Atlanta, GA |
|
| 30 |
F |
Sr. |
6' 4" |
Bentonville, AR |
|
| 31 |
F |
Fr. |
6' 4" |
Charmeil |
|
| 44 |
G |
Fr. |
6' 1" |
Thunder Bay, ON |
TCU women's basketball roster
| # |
NAME |
POS |
EXP |
HT |
HOMETOWN |
| 0 |
C |
Sr. |
6' 7" |
Phoenix, AZ |
|
| 1 |
G |
Sr. |
6' 1" |
Las Vegas, NV |
|
| 2 |
G |
Sr. |
5' 9" |
Woodinville, WA |
|
| 4 |
G |
Jr. |
6' 0" |
Medford, OR |
|
| 5 |
G |
Sr. |
5' 10" |
Phillipsburg, NJ |
|
| 7 |
F |
Sr. |
6' 3" |
Oviedo |
|
| 14 |
F |
Sr. |
6' 2" |
Eden Prairie, MN |
|
| 15 |
C |
Fr. |
6' 8" |
- |
|
| 16 |
G |
Fr. |
6' 4" |
Recklinghausen |
|
| 17 |
C |
Soph. |
6' 7" |
Faro |
|
| 21 |
G |
Soph. |
6' 1" |
Oklahoma City, OK |
|
| 22 |
G |
Sr. |
5' 10" |
Florence, KY |
|
| 23 |
F |
Sr. |
6' 2" |
San Antonio, TX |
|
| 44 |
C |
Fr. |
6' 7" |
Nolensville, TN |
Where is the Final Four for the 2026 Women's NCAA Tournament?
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Women's Final Four Location: Mortgage Matchup Center
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: South Carolina eliminates TCU to return to women's Final Four: Highlights
