The four teams advancing to the 2026 NCAA women's basketball Final Four in Cleveland secured their spots through lopsided victories in the Elite Eight, setting the stage for what coaches expect to be much more competitive national semifinals. On March 30, No. 1 seed South Carolina defeated No. 3 seed Oregon State 70-58, while No. 1 seed USC beat No. 3 seed UConn 80-73. The following day, No. 1 seed Texas triumphed over No. 3 seed NC State 76-66, and No. 1 seed Stanford topped No. 2 seed UCLA 78-65.
These decisive wins, with an average margin of 11.5 points, contrast sharply with the unpredictability and last-second finishes that characterized the earlier rounds of the tournament. Coaches have acknowledged the challenge of maintaining competitive sharpness after such commanding performances, with the extended break before the Final Four posing a potential risk of rust.
The national semifinals are scheduled for April 4 at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. South Carolina will face Stanford, and USC will play Texas, with the winners advancing to the national championship game on April 6. Analysts predict these matchups will be significantly tighter, featuring battles between elite defenses and high-powered offenses.
