NCAA Women’s Final Four Set: Surprises and Predictions Unveiled

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — The stage is set for the 2025 NCAA Women’s Basketball Division I Final Four as former champions South Carolina and UConn join Texas and first-time entrants UCLA for a thrilling showdown. Speculation about the teams began weeks ago, amid a flurry of fan predictions and some unfortunate injuries.

Alex Morgan, co-owner of the media brand Togethxr, made headlines when she shared her bold predictions for the Final Four. Anticipating a challenge, she initially backed the University of Southern California (USC) to eliminate Angel Reese’s LSU and South Carolina to advance from the Birmingham region. Despite those choices, it was USC’s unexpected triumph over the Gamecocks that ultimately secured their spot in the national championship.

Posting an Instagram story that proclaimed, “Who ya got?! 🙌🙌,” Morgan showcased confidence in her selections. However, the current Final Four bracket presents an entirely different landscape. The current matchups will see South Carolina face Texas and UConn meet UCLA, providing a stark contrast to Morgan’s predictions.

“LFG👏👏,” Morgan posted after the Final Four was confirmed, indicating her eagerness for the upcoming games. Nevertheless, disappointment surrounding the injury of Juju Watkins, a star player for the USC Trojans, added a layer of complexity to the celebrations. Watkins suffered an ACL tear, leading Morgan to express her concern and send support to her fellow athlete.

While Morgan’s calls may have missed the mark, she isn’t alone in her predictions. Former USWNT teammate Megan Rapinoe, alongside her partner Sue Bird, provided their insight on their podcast, A Touch More. The couple predicted UCLA and UConn would emerge from their respective regions, with Rapinoe jokingly considering USC as a backup pick. Bird, demonstrating loyalty to her alma mater, stood firm on her choice of UConn but acknowledged the biases in her selection.

“Do I want to see UCLA and USC play against each other for the fourth time this year in the final four? There’s a part of me that wants that storyline but not more than my own safety,” Bird explained when discussing her logic behind UConn’s selection.

In their predictions, Rapinoe also included South Carolina and Notre Dame, and while their forecast isn’t entirely accurate, they successfully identified the two leading teams in the Final Four. “Paige Bueckers is going to ride off into glory right into Dallas to start her WNBA career,” Rapinoe confidently stated regarding her hopes for UConn’s success.

As anticipation builds towards the Final Four, fans and participants alike reflect on the unpredictability of March Madness and the excitement it brings. With brackets reshuffled and injuries affecting team dynamics, the tournament continues to capture the essence of competitive spirit in women’s sports.