NCAA Women’s Bracket Revealed: A Closer Look

The 2025 NCAA Women’s Tournament bracket was unveiled Sunday, setting the stage for a highly-anticipated event. This year’s NCAAW tournament boasts a field of talented teams, with no clear cut favorite. The main question leading up to the NCAAW Selection Show was: Who will be the number one overall seed?

UCLA and South Carolina were vying for it throughout the regular season. Before the show, ESPN’s Charlie Creme predicted South Carolina as the number one overall seed due to their impressive NET rating, despite UCLA’s earlier head-to-head victory. UCLA argued their case strongly, having lost only two games all season. We explore the bracket reveal, offering expert analysis and detailing the full field of 68.

The Number Ones

The following teams are the number one seeds: UCLA (Number One Overall), South Carolina, Texas, USC.

UCLA surprised many by securing the number one overall seed, highlighting South Carolina’s challenging schedule. South Carolina ranked number one in Quad One Wins and strength of schedule and number two in NET Ranking. Texas and USC complete the number one seeds, with USC earning recognition for their Quad One wins and strength of schedule over UConn, another unexpected decision. Ultimately, the committee made the right choices with the number one seeds, and it will be thrilling to see if these teams can all reach Tampa for the Final Four.

Seed Surprises

One notable surprise is Notre Dame’s placement as a No. 3 seed. The Irish were ranked No. 1 in the country earlier this season, but experienced three-game and five-game losing streaks at the end, including a defeat in the ACC semifinals to the Duke Blue Devils, the eventual conference champions. Despite being top ten in NET, Strength of Schedule, and RPI rankings, the committee seemed to apply the “What have you done for me lately?” criterion, leading to the No. 3 seed. This surprise might be the only one outside of South Carolina not being the number one overall seed.

Potential Rematches

This tournament presents an open field, with at least six teams capable of winning the NCAA W National Championship. To reach Tampa, many of these teams may face each other again, or possibly for a third time, to claim the trophy. In a potential Sweet 16 matchup, we could see UNC vs Duke III, with both programs having won on their home floors during the regular season.

N.C. State, defeated by LSU in Baton Rouge earlier this year in the ACC / SEC Challenge, has shown significant maturity since that game, making it a notable matchup to potentially watch. In one of the most exciting Elite Eight games from last year’s tournament, and the second highest viewed game in Fox Sports’ history in December, the UConn Huskies could avenge their loss to USC in a potential rematch. Finally, in a potential Final Four matchup, we might witness UCLA / USC and Texas / South Carolina IV. These rematches promise to be some of the most thrilling, so grab your popcorn.

Cinderella Anyone?

Several teams in the field could potentially pull upset and advance past the first weekend. One team, in particular, to watch is the No. 13 seed Norfolk State Spartans. Led by Meme Wheeler and MEAC Player of the Year Diamond Johnson, the Spartans are on a 15-game winning streak entering the tournament. Although they will face a Maryland team dealing with injuries, their potential for an upset is high.

No. 10 seed Harvard features one of the most electrifying players in the country, Harmoni Turner, and could be a team to watch in an upset of No. 7 seed Michigan State. Lastly, No. 10 seed South Dakota State can pose challenges to Oklahoma State. The Jackrabbits only suffered three losses this year and have solid victories against other tournament teams.

This year’s bracket is a strong one. Typically, we encounter head-scratching moments of teams not making the field, but this year, the selections were quite clear. The most exciting aspect of this year’s field is the committee’s inclusion of three Ivy League teams: Harvard, Princeton, and Columbia, a well-deserved recognition.

The road to Tampa begins on Friday!