By Earl Heath | Contributing Sports Writer
It’s often said that experience is the best teacher—and this year’s Women’s Final Four is proving that point.
For just the second time in NCAA history, the same four programs have reached the sport’s final weekend in consecutive seasons. No. 1 seeds UConn Huskies women’s basketball, UCLA Bruins women’s basketball, Texas Longhorns women’s basketball, and South Carolina Gamecocks women’s basketball return to the Final Four, bringing with them lessons learned, unfinished business, and a deeper understanding of what it takes to win on the biggest stage.
Defending national champion UConn will face South Carolina in Friday’s semifinal in Phoenix, while UCLA meets Texas in a highly anticipated rematch.
Lessons Learned, Focus Sharpened
For UCLA head coach Cori Close, last year’s Final Four appearance helped sharpen her team’s mental approach.
“Experience is such an important teacher, for me as well as for the team,” Close said. “There’s been a clarity of focus.”
One of the biggest lessons? Managing distractions.
“We love having our families be part of it, but we have to do it in a way that keeps our focus very narrow,” she added.
That focus will be critical as the Bruins (35-1) prepare for a Texas team that handed them their only loss of the season—a 75-65 defeat in November. While that loss still lingers, Close is less interested in revisiting it and more focused on growth.
“Let’s show what it taught us,” she said.
Senior guard Charlisse Leger-Walker and the Bruins are confident they’re ready for Texas’ high-pressure defense, thanks in part to intense practices that have simulated similar conditions.
Texas Back With Purpose
Texas (35-3) enters the Final Four with momentum after a dominant 77-41 win over Michigan in the Elite Eight.
Head coach Vic Schaefer emphasized just how difficult it is to return to this stage.
“I don’t think people understand how hard it is to do it,” Schaefer said. “It bodes well for all of us, but there are four or five more teams right there nipping at your heels.”
Michigan, led by Olivia Olson and Mila Holloway with 11 points each, saw its historic season end just shy of the program’s first Final Four appearance.
UConn’s Championship Pedigree
Meanwhile, UConn continues to set the standard for consistency in women’s college basketball.
The Huskies grinded out a 70-52 win over Notre Dame to secure their 17th Final Four appearance in the last 18 tournaments—an extraordinary run under legendary coach Geno Auriemma.
After the win, Auriemma showed a lighter side, celebrating in a cowboy hat and even breaking into a dance—something his players don’t often see.
“Seeing him excited and kind of goofy is really good for us,” said sophomore Sarah Strong, who led UConn with 21 points. “He’s usually all serious or anxious. Seeing him let loose was really good.”
Growth Beyond the Game
For Close and others, this year’s Final Four represents more than just elite competition—it reflects the continued growth of women’s basketball.
“I think there’s a sense that not only do we all want to win, we all want to showcase our game the right way,” Close said. “We want to see it continue to move forward in a powerful way.”
She added, “It’s an elite group. I’m very fortunate to be a part of it, but I’m also very confident that we belong—and we’re excited to play our best basketball this weekend.”
With experience on their side and championships within reach, these four programs are not just competing—they’re elevating the game itself.