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The NCAA Women's Division I Basketball Championship, also known as Women's March Madness, is a highly anticipated annual tournament. UConn holds the record for the most championship wins, with 11, followed by Tennessee with 8. In 2024, the South Carolina Gamecocks beat the Iowa Hawkeyes to take home the title. For the 2025 championship, analysts, writers, and commentators predict that South Carolina will win again, with UConn, USC, and UCLA as strong competitors.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year | 2024 |
| Winner | South Carolina Gamecocks |
| Runner-up | Iowa Hawkeyes |
| No. of wins by South Carolina | 3 |
| Team with most wins | UConn Huskies |
| No. of wins by UConn | 11 |
| No. 1 seed in 2025 | UConn |
| Favourite to win in 2025 | South Carolina |
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What You'll Learn
South Carolina Gamecocks: the favourite to win
The South Carolina Gamecocks are the favourite to win the NCAA Women's Basketball Championship in 2025. They were the most popular pick among nearly two dozen women's college basketball analysts, writers and commentators polled by ESPN, receiving nine of the 23 votes. This is despite the fact that this season, every team among the top 16 seeds has at least two losses, making the battle for the championship wide open.
The Gamecocks have a strong history in the tournament, having won the 2024 championship, beating the Iowa Hawkeyes. They entered the 2025 tournament undefeated and as the heavy favourite, mirroring their position in the two preceding years. This puts them in a strong position to take home the title for the second year in a row and secure their fourth championship win overall.
UConn, a No. 2 seed, is also a strong contender, seeking its first championship since 2016. They received the second-most votes in the ESPN poll, with seven votes. They hold the record for the most NCAA Women's Division I Basketball Championships, with 11 wins, including four straight championships from 2013 to 2016. They have also made the semi-finals for 14 consecutive tournaments.
Other teams in the running include UCLA and USC, which received three votes apiece in the ESPN poll. Notre Dame has also been put forward as a potential winner by one commentator, although this is considered a risky bet.
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UConn: the record-holder for the most NCAA Women's Division I Basketball Championships
UConn women's basketball has won a record 11 national championships, including back-to-back titles in 2009-10, a three-peat from 2002-04, and four in a row from 2013-16. The Huskies have produced the national player of the year as many times as they have won championships. Their coach, Geno Auriemma, is considered by some to be the greatest coach of all time. With a victory in 2024, Auriemma secured his 1,217th career win, setting the NCAA record for the most career victories by any coach in college basketball history.
UConn's first national championship was in 1995. They then went on to win in 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2009, 2010, 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2016. In 2004, the UConn men's basketball team also won the men's national championship, marking the first time that one university won both the men's and women's basketball championships in a single season. UConn repeated this feat in 2014.
UConn has appeared in every NCAA tournament since 1989, the third-longest active streak in Division I as of the 2018-19 season. From 2008 to 2022, they appeared in a record 14 consecutive Final Fours. The Huskies hold the two longest winning streaks in college basketball history, with 111 straight wins from 2014 to 2017 and 90 consecutive wins from 2008 to 2010.
UConn's success has been driven by legendary players such as Rebecca Lobo, who achieved an 11-for-11 performance against Iona in 1994, and Breanna Stewart, who led the team to a 33-point victory in the 2025 championship game. UConn's dominance in women's college basketball has solidified their place as one of the most successful programs in NCAA history.
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Notre Dame: a potential dark horse
Notre Dame has a strong chance of advancing to Tampa and potentially winning the 2025 NCAA Women's Basketball Championship. The team has a solid foundation, returning 82.6% of its scoring, 82.8% of its rebounding, and 82.8% of its minutes played from the previous season. They also added two five-star McDonald's All-Americans and a nearly 2,000-point scorer from Fordham to their roster.
The Irish have a talented backcourt, which is crucial for success in March. Players like Hidalgo, Citron, and Emma Risch, a five-star freshman, provide depth. If they can stay healthy, Notre Dame has a legitimate chance of contending for the championship.
One key player to watch is Miles, who has been named to the watch list for the Nancy Lieberman Award, given to the best point guard in women's college basketball. Miles's performance will be pivotal for the team's success.
While Notre Dame faces challenging opponents like South Carolina, Tennessee, UConn, Louisville, and NC State, they have the potential to overcome these obstacles. If they can replicate the form that saw them beat USC, Texas, and UConn, they could emerge as champions.
In conclusion, Notre Dame is a dark horse with the talent and potential to make a deep run in the tournament. With a strong backcourt, key players like Miles, and a talented roster, they could surprise many and challenge for the 2025 NCAA Women's Basketball Championship.
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UCLA: received three votes
The UCLA women's basketball team has received three votes to win the 2025 NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Championship, also known as Women's March Madness. This puts them in a tie for third place with USC in terms of the number of votes received.
UCLA's three votes represent a significant achievement for the team, as they are one of only four teams to receive multiple votes in the predictions for the upcoming championship. The other three teams are South Carolina, UConn, and Notre Dame. South Carolina is the favourite to win, receiving nine votes, while UConn received seven votes.
UCLA's placement as a potential winner is even more impressive considering the history of the tournament. The NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Championship has been dominated by a few select teams. UConn holds the record for the most championships with 11, followed by Tennessee with eight, Baylor with three, Stanford with three, and South Carolina with three. These five teams have consistently been the most successful in the tournament's history, with UConn's four consecutive championships from 2013 to 2016 standing out as a remarkable feat.
UCLA's potential to be a contender for the 2025 championship reflects the team's hard work and talent. While they may not have the same championship history as the more favoured teams, their performance this season has put them on the radar of analysts, writers, and commentators. It will be exciting to see if UCLA can rise to the challenge and make their mark in the upcoming tournament, which promises to be a highly competitive and unpredictable battle for the national championship.
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USC: received three votes
The USC women's basketball team has received three votes from nearly two dozen women's college basketball analysts, writers, and commentators polled across ESPN to win the 2025 NCAA Women's Basketball Championship. This year's tournament, also known as Women's March Madness, will feature 68 women's college basketball teams from the Division I level of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).
The USC women's basketball team has a strong track record in the NCAA Women's Basketball Championship. In the 2024 championship, USC held tight as the No. 1 seed, showcasing their prowess and potential to be a top contender. Their performance in recent years has been impressive, and they continue to be a force to be reckoned with in the 2025 tournament.
USC's success in the 2024 championship and their consistent ranking as a top seed highlight their strength as a program. Their performance in the 2025 tournament is highly anticipated, and the three votes they received in the ESPN poll underscore the respect and recognition they have earned in the women's college basketball community.
While the exact details of why USC received these votes remain unknown, it can be speculated that their past achievements, current roster, and coaching staff all contributed to the analysts', writers', and commentators' decisions. USC's performance in the 2024 tournament, where they faced tough competition, likely played a role in demonstrating their resilience and ability to rise to the challenge.
The 2025 NCAA Women's Basketball Championship is shaping up to be an exciting and closely contested tournament, with several strong teams vying for the title. USC, with their three votes, is definitely a team to watch, and their performance will be closely followed by those who voted for them and the women's college basketball community at large.
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Frequently asked questions
South Carolina is the most popular prediction to win the 2025 NCAA Women's Basketball Championship.
The South Carolina Gamecocks beat the Iowa Hawkeyes in the 2024 NCAA Women's Basketball Championship.
The UConn Huskies hold the record for the most NCAA Women's Division I Basketball Championships, with 11 national titles.
The NCAA Women's Basketball Championship currently features 68 women's college basketball teams from Division I.
Other favourites to win the 2025 Championship include UConn, UCLA, and USC.
