Women's Final 4 predictions: Who will advance to 2026 national championship?

Yes, theWomen's Final Fourwill feature the same teams as last season.

But the four No. 1 seeds —UConn, UCLA, Texas and South Carolina— all made it clear with several statement wins in the Women's NCAA Tournament, they belong in Phoenix.

The No. 1 overall seeded Huskies won their four March Madness games by an average of 25 points each and are riding a 54-game winning streak dating back to last season as defending national champions. The remainder of the field has seven total losses this season.

UConn will play South Carolina, a rematch of last season's national title game, in the first semifinal on April 3 (7 p.m. ET, ESPN). UCLA will follow against Texas, the only team to best them this season, in the second semifinal (9:30 p.m. ET, ESPN).

USA TODAY Sports will have comprehensive coverage this week leading into Friday's national semifinals, but before we get to Phoenix, here's a look at our initial Final Four predictions:

2026 Women's Final Four predictions: Who advances to national championship?

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 the 2026 NCAA Women's March Madness Second Round basketball at the KFC Yum Center In Louisville, Ky. Weathers finished with 13 points. March 23, 2026.

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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.

UConn vs. South Carolina prediction

Heather Burns:UConn.The result will be the same as last year's championship game between the two teams, but let's hope for closer contest. UConn's deep roster and experience in big game situations should help it to prevail. Yes, the Huskies offense runs through Sarah Strong and Azzi Fudd but players like Blanca Quiñonez, KK Arnold and Allie Ziebell have all proven they can take over a game offensively. South Carolina doesn't have the depth to go player for player with UConn.

Megan L. Hall: UConn.Despite having seven players on the roster who have played in a Final Four, only two South Carolina players have won a championship. On the other side, UConn has six players who were on last year's championship team and understand the level of play it takes to win the title. With a trip to the national title game on the line, I'm concerned about South Carolina melting under UConn's suffocating defensive pressure, causing them to falter when the lights are the brightest.

Cydney Henderson: UConn.UConn's depth and experience make them dangerous. Sarah Strong and Azzi Fudd are UConn's go-to for offensive production, but Blanca Quiñonez has been a difference maker for the Huskies. Quiñonez dropped 20 points in UConn's Elite Eight win over Notre Dame. South Carolina won't be able to stop everyone.

Mitchell Northam: South Carolina. There are two areas in which UConn has shown some vulnerability this season: rebounding and defending the 3-pointer. South Carolina is elite in both areas, ranking fourth nationally in 3-point shooting percentage this season and inside the top 15 in seven different rebounding statistics. It's also hard to imagine there's going to be a player on the floor on Friday night more motivated to win than Gamecocks point guard Raven Johnson, who is playing in her fourth Final Four and looking to avenge a loss to UConn in last year's title game.

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Michigan State's Rashunda Jones (1) walks off the court following a second-round game in the NCAA women's basketball tournament between the Oklahoma Sooners and Michigan State Spartans at Lloyd Noble Center in Norman, Okla., Sunday March 22, 2026.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Kamy Peppler #1 of the Green Bay Phoenix reacts against the Minnesota Golden Gophers in the third quarter during the First Round of the Women's NCAA Tournament at Williams Arena on March 20, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Golden Gophers defeated the Phoenix 75-58.

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March Sadness hits hard in the Women's NCAA basketball tournament

Michigan State's Rashunda Jones (1) walks off the court following a second-round game in theNCAA women's basketballtournament between the Oklahoma Sooners and Michigan State Spartans at Lloyd Noble Center in Norman, Okla., Sunday March 22, 2026.

UCLA vs. Texas

Heather Burns: UCLA. The Bruins have lost one game all season and it was to theLonghorns. But, if UCLA does what it does best and continues to go inside-out, looking first for Lauren Betts, it should avenge the Texas defeat. The Bruins have to take care of the basketball, if they have 20 turnovers -- like in their first meeting with the Longhorns -- all bets are off.

Megan L. Hall: UCLA.The lone loss on UCLA's schedule this season is to Texas. The Bruins are a much different team since that moment and will not let Texas beat them twice. The Bruins will lean on its six WNBA draft prospects to get them back to the Final Four. Lauren Betts will lead the charge with a 25-point double-double.

Cydney Henderson: Texas.The Bruins have gotten off to several slow starts in the tournament and they can't do that against a Texas team that is rolling. Madison Booker and Rori Harmon are playing inspired basketball, but the team's defense has been even more impressive. It's hard to beat a good team twice, but Texas will hand UCLA its second loss of the season.

Mitchell Northam: UCLA.UCLA showed in its win over Duke that, while it is an elite 3-point shooting team, it doesn't need to rely on long-range shots to win. The Bruins hammered the Blue Devils inside with 6-foot-7 center Lauren Betts and let their veteran guards shine. Texas is a great defensive team -- and the only team to beat UCLA this season -- but the Bruins have too much talent, too many weapons and too many ways it can beat an opponent to allow a second loss to the Longhorns.

Where is the Women's Final Four?

• Location: Mortgage Matchup Center (Phoenix)

The Final Four of the 2026 NCAA women's basketball tournament will be held at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, the home venue of theNBA'sPhoenix SunsandWNBA'sPhoenix Mercury.

It will be the first time the state of Arizona has ever hosted the Women's Final Four, though it has previously hosted the men's twice, most recently in 2024 when it was played at State Farm Stadium in Glendale.

Final Four dates

• Dates: April 3-5

The two national semifinals of the Final Four will be held on Friday, April 3. The winners of those matchups will then advance to face off in the national championship game on Sunday, April 5.

Final Four schedule

All times are Eastern.

• No. 1 UConn vs. No. 1 South Carolina, 7 p.m.

• No. 1 UCLA vs. No. 1 Texas, 9:30 p.m.

If the field looks familiar, that's because it is. For the second straight season, the four teams left standing in the women's bracket are UConn, South Carolina, UCLA and Texas.

The Final Four will tip off with a between No. 1 seeds UConn and South Carolina at 7 p.m. ET. Both programs will be looking to add another historic chapter, as the Huskies will be playing in their 25th Final Four and the Gamecocks make their eighth appearance under Dawn Staley and fifth consecutive.

Following that up will be another clash of No. 1 seeds UCLA and Texas in a rematch from their Nov. 26 meeting in which theLonghornshanded the Bruins their only loss of the season. Since then, UCLA has won 29 straight.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Women's Final 4 predictions: Who will advance to 2026 national championship?

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March 30, 2026

Women's Final 4 predictions: Who will advance to 2026 national championship?

Yes, theWomen's Final Fourwill feature the same teams as last season. But the four No. 1 seeds —UConn, UCLA...

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Corbin Carroll has 4 RBIs, Diamondbacks ruin Justin Verlander's return to Tigers in 9-6 win

PHOENIX (AP) — Corbin Carroll hit a three-run homer and had four RBIs, Michael Soroka became the fourth pitcher in Arizona history to throwan immaculate inningand the Diamondbacks roughed up three-time Cy Young Award winner Justin Verlander in his return to the Detroit Tigers during a 9-6 victory Monday night.

The Diamondbacks won their home opener after getting swept at Dodger Stadium in their first series of the season.

The 28-year-old Soroka (1-0) gave up four hits over five scoreless innings — and the fifth was a gem. The right-hander struck out Javier Báez, Kerry Carpenter and Gleyber Torres on nine straight pitches, blowing a 95 mph fastball past Torres on the ninth one to tie a career high with 10 strikeouts.

The 43-year-old Verlander gave up five runs on six hits and two walks over 3 2/3 innings. The big blow came in the second when Carroll connected for his first homer of the season.

Verlander (0-1) began his 21st big league season after returning to the Tigers in Februaryon a $13 million, one-year deal. The nine-time All-Star spent the first 12 1/2 seasons of his career in Detroit before being traded to the Astros in 2017.

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The Diamondbacks built an 8-0 lead after five innings but the Tigers used a six-run seventh to make a big dent in the deficit. Joe Ross gave up six runs while getting just two outs. Ryan Thompson entered and allowed all three batters he faced to reach base — while also being called for two balks — before Juan Morillo got Parker Meadows to ground out with the bases loaded to end the inning.

Ildemaro Vargas hit a solo homer in the bottom of the seventh to push the D-backs ahead 9-6. Paul Sewald earned his first save.

Detroit's Colt Keith had two doubles, including one that scored two runs.

Up next

The Diamondbacks send RHP Brandon Pfaadt to the mound Tuesday while the Tigers counter with RHP Casey Mize. Both pitchers are making their first start of the season.

AP MLB:https://apnews.com/mlb

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Corbin Carroll has 4 RBIs, Diamondbacks ruin Justin Verlander's return to Tigers in 9-6 win

PHOENIX (AP) — Corbin Carroll hit a three-run homer and had four RBIs, Michael Soroka became the fourth pitcher in Arizon...

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Texas women's basketball team went from 'soft' back to the Final Four

FORT WORTH, TX ― Six weeks ago,Texas coach Vic Schaefercalled his team "soft." On Monday, Schaefer called theLonghorns"Texas tough" before cutting down the nets after a77-41 win over Michiganin the Elite Eight.

On February 12,Schaefer openly questioned the "heart" of Texas's playersafter a brutal 86-70 loss to Vanderbilt. The Longhorns found themselves down by as many as 27 points against the Commodores during a rough shooting night. Texas shot 38% from the field, and its usual perimeter production disappeared. The Longhorns made three shots from beyond the arc to the Commodores' nine.

"We had no heart tonight. We had no toughness. No competitive spirit. We're soft. We were whining. Complaining, but no toughness. So you know what? I've been doing this a while. I bet I'll fix it," Schaefer said at the time.

True to his word, the Longhorns coach did fix whatever was plaguing his roster. Texas has 12 consecutive victories since its coach publicly called the team out, including a massive win over the Wolverines to punch itsticket to the Final Fourfor the second straight year.

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 the 2026 NCAA Women's March Madness Second Round basketball at the KFC Yum Center In Louisville, Ky. Weathers finished with 13 points. March 23, 2026.

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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.

"That next day in practice, really, it's been different ever since, and it started with Madison (Booker) and her voice. She was very vocal that day. Rori (Harmon) was helping a little, but Madison was way different," Schaefer said.

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"How they've responded is exactly what I thought they'd do. I mean, these kids, they have been nothing but tough. They have been nothing but competitive since that day. They have answered the bell every night, and I think that speaks volumes about who they are, what they're about, and I couldn't be more proud of them."

Schaefer and Texas will now go onto Phoenix with the hopes of winning the program'sfirst championship in 40 years. On Friday, the Longhorns will begin their Final Four journey with a rematch against the UCLA Bruins, whom they beat in November, 76-65. Texas will be ready, and according toMadison Booker, her coach won't have to worry about the Longhorns being "soft" anymore.

"We never want to hear our head coach say that about the team he recruited because we're so much better than that," Booker said.

"You know, like we told him ... We say we have heart, and I think after that game we kind of turned it around. You know, I hope he sees we have heart now. That will never happen again. I think we will never play that bad or make sure we won't play that bad, but yeah, that was just the mindset from us (from that day forward)."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Texas women's basketball got tough just in time for Final Four run

byNeo

in

March 30, 2026

Texas women's basketball team went from 'soft' back to the Final Four

FORT WORTH, TX ― Six weeks ago,Texas coach Vic Schaefercalled his team "soft." On Monday, Schaefer called theLo...

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Why the nation trying to broker US-Iran peace talks risks being drawn into the conflict

In the month since the US and Israel began their aerialbombing campaign of Iran, thousands of people have been killed across at least nine countries in a rapidly escalating conflict that is costing economies billions of dollars a day. The world is facing a globalenergy crisis.

But the scale of this war could get much, much worse.

Iran has fired salvos of drones and missiles at Saudi Arabia, as well as fellow Gulf Cooperation Council members Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Oman.

Yet, so far, none of these countries have retaliated against Tehran.

"Saudi Arabia has been very patient," said retired Lieutenant General Muhammad Saeed, formerly the second highest officer in the Pakistan Army.

"If the Saudis retaliate militarily, it won't be the Saudis alone," Saeed continued. "That would then put the entire region into flames."

Saudi Arabia's direct involvement in the war would have implications that go far beyond fellow Arab countries in the Gulf.

In 2025, Saudi Arabia signed a mutual defense agreement with Pakistan.

During a meeting with the Saudi foreign minister in Islamabad on Sunday, Pakistan's prime minister thanked his ally for its "remarkable restraint."

He also assured the Saudi diplomat that "Pakistan would always stand shoulder to shoulder with Saudi Arabia."

The implication is, if the Islamic Republic of Iran pushes Saudi Arabia too far, it could end up forcing its nuclear-armed neighbor Pakistan to come to Riyadh's defense.

The Pakistani leadership isn't exactly spoiling for a fight.

It has been less than a year since arch-rivals India and Pakistan fought a 4-day air-and-missile war against each other. And the Pakistani military has been engaged in cross-border skirmishes with the Taliban in neighboring Afghanistan for months.

Pakistan has tremendous incentive to help de-escalate the conflict. And after launching drones and missiles at so many of its neighbors, Iran has very few friends left in the region.

"The least problematic relationship [Iran] has in its strategic environment is Pakistan," says Kamran Bokhari, Senior Resident Fellow with the Middle East Policy Council in Washington.

"There is no other channel."

The recognition that the current conflict will only lead to further "death and destruction," in the words of Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, is what prompted the top diplomats from Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Egypt to meet him for crisis talks in the Pakistani capital on Sunday.

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After those discussions, Dar argued that some kind of US-Iran peace talks hosted by Pakistan were on the table.

"Both Iran and the US have expressed their confidence in Pakistan to facilitate the talks," Dar said, adding that such a meeting could be possible "in coming days."

In his statement on Sunday, Dar also cited a recent call with his Chinese counterpart, Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

"China fully supports Pakistan's initiative to host Iran-US talks," Dar said.

The Pakistani diplomat is scheduled to fly to China on Tuesday for talks, despite suffering a hairline shoulder fracture in a fall during his meeting with the Egyptian delegation.

But Pakistan's crisis diplomacy faces graver challenges.

Last weekend, Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen entered the fray, firing missiles for the first time in this round of hostilities at Israel, further expanding the regional war.

Meanwhile, the US is deploying thousands of troops to the Middle East, raising the specter of possible ground operations against Iran.

And there are voices inside Iran, vowing to continue the fight for an extended period.

"This is our war, and we will not stop defending until we teach Trump and Netanyahu a historic lesson," asenior Iranian security officialtold CNN's Fred Pleitgen.

Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said Monday that Iran did not participate in any recent meetings organized by Pakistan with regional countries, saying they take the form of a framework not agreed upon by Iran.

"The meetings that Pakistan holds with neighboring countries are within a framework they have designed themselves, and we have not participated in this framework," he said.

According to the spokesperson, while the US has conveyed requests for negotiations and proposals through intermediaries, including Pakistan, Iran's current priority is defending itself against ongoing attacks. "Right now, under conditions in which America's military aggression and assault continue intensely, certainly all our efforts, all our capacity, are devoted to defending ourselves," the spokesperson said.

The situation is incredibly fluid and dangerous. Both the Trump Administration and the Islamic Republic of Iran are declaring victory, while simultaneously firing tons of deadly munitions at each other.

But even the warring parties in this conflict have demonstrated moments of restraint.

The risk that this war could expand far further is all too real.

CNN's Sophia Saifi contributed to this report.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account atCNN.com

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Mongolia names new prime minister in bid to end legislative deadlock

ULAANBAATAR, Mongolia (AP) — Mongolia's parliament has confirmed Uchral Nyam-Osor as the third prime minister in a year in a bid to end a deadlock in the legislature at a time of mounting economic pressures for thelandlocked, resource-dependent country.

Mongolia Politics

Uchral called for political unity, saying internal disputes have compounded external challenges.

"As others unite to confront crises, we cannot afford political infighting that weakens our economy," he told lawmakers.

A total of 107 ofthe body's 126 lawmakersvoted Monday night, with 88 supporting Uchral — or 82.2% — clearing the way for the 39-year-old leader to take office.

Uchral is a former minister of digital development and communications, where he promoted transparency reforms and digital governance initiatives. Before entering politics, Uchral got public attention as a hip-hop artist under the stage name "Timon."

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He has positioned himself as a reform-minded leader focused on modernizing Mongolia's regulatory environment, including streamlining the permitting systems inherited from the country's Soviet-era. Mongoliatransitioned to democracyin 1990 after decades of one-party Communist rule.

His appointment comes amid renewed concern among foreign investors over Mongolia's political instability, frequent policy changes and reputation for corruption and regulatory unpredictability.

Uchral was seen as a compromise between factions in the Mongolian People's Party loyal to the president and others loyal to a former prime minister, Oyun-Erdene Luvsannamsrai.

A boycott by the opposition Democratic Party and the infighting in the ruling party had left the parliament without the required number of members to hold votes in the session that began about two weeks ago.

Outgoing Prime MinisterZandanshatar Gombojav, who had taken office nine months ago,submitted his resignationFriday to resolve the crisis. He was also under pressure because one of his senior ministers faced corruption allegations.

Zandanshatar, who is close to the president, had replaced Oyun-Erdene, who was prime minister for four years beforeresigning last Juneafter losing a vote of confidence in parliament. All three prime ministers are from the Mongolian People's Party.

byNeo

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March 30, 2026

Mongolia names new prime minister in bid to end legislative deadlock

ULAANBAATAR, Mongolia (AP) — Mongolia's parliament has confirmed Uchral Nyam-Osor as the third prime minister in a ye...

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