The 2026 NCAA women’s basketball tournament has delivered a familiar mix of dominance, drama and historic performances, setting up an Elite Eight loaded with bluebloods and star players. From UConn’s undefeated march to Notre Dame’s resurgence, Texas’ continued rise and South Carolina’s revenge tour, the Final Four race is shaping up to be a good one.
Below is a full breakdown of every team still standing.
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UConn
Undefeated and unbothered, No. 1 overall seed UConn continued its commanding run with a 63–42 win over North Carolina on Friday. Sarah Strong powered the defending national champions with 21 points and 10 rebounds, helping the Huskies reach their 30th Elite Eight.
The Huskies will face sixth‑seeded Notre Dame in Sunday’s Fort Worth final, renewing one of the sport’s most storied postseason rivalries. UConn remains one of the tournament’s most complete team and look poised to repeat as national champions.
Notre Dame
For the first time since 2019, Notre Dame is back in the Elite Eight and they did it with a performance for the record books. Hannah Hidalgo delivered a historic 31‑point triple‑double that included 10 steals in a 67–64 win over No. 2 seed Vanderbilt, breaking the NCAA Division I women’s single‑season steals record in the process.
The sixth‑seeded Irish now face UConn for the ninth time in NCAA tournament play, the most frequent matchup in women’s tournament history. Notre Dame holds a 5–3 edge in those games against the Huskies and boasts a 9–1 all‑time record in Elite Eight appearances.
Texas Longhorns
Texas is becoming a postseason fixture under coach Vic Schaefer, advancing to its third straight Elite Eight after a 76–54 win over Kentucky. Rori Harmon filled the box score with 11 points, seven assists and six steals as the top‑seeded Longhorns controlled the game from start to finish.
Last season’s Final Four run ended a two‑decade drought, and this year’s group looks equally talented. Texas will meet second-seeded Michigan in Forth Worth, a matchup that pits the Longhorns’ defensive identity against one of the tournament’s most balanced offenses.
Michigan Wolverines
Michigan rallied from an early 11‑point deficit to beat No. 3 seed Louisville 71–52, earning just the second Elite Eight appearance in program history. The Wolverines tied their single‑season wins record (28) behind a collective effort led by Olivia Olson’s 19 points and five rebounds.
Syla Swords added 16 points, and Te’Yala Delfosse provided a crucial spark off the bench with 10 points and eight rebounds. Michigan dominated the glass 42–33 and forced 18 turnovers, showcasing the toughness and depth that have defined its postseason run. The Longhorns are the only thing standing between them and a Final Four berth.
UCLA Bruins
Top‑seeded UCLA cruised past Minnesota 80–56 to reach its second straight Elite Eight. The Bruins’ size, tempo and defensive pressure overwhelmed the Gophers in Sacramento, setting up a Sunday showdown with three-seed Duke.
UCLA has been one of the nation’s most consistent teams all season, and a return to the tournament’s final weekend stage feels well within reach.
Duke Blue Devils
Duke delivered one of the tournament’s most dramatic finishes when senior Ashlon Jackson drilled a corner three at the buzzer to beat LSU, 87–85. Jackson finished with 19 points and five assists, while Toby Fournier and Taina Mair each scored 22.
Arianna Roberson added 10 rebounds and three blocks in a gritty performance that helped the Blue Devils outlast the Tigers. Duke now turns its attention to UCLA for a shot at its first national semifinal since 2003.
South Carolina Gamecocks
Top‑seeded South Carolina avenged its regular‑season loss to Oklahoma with a dominant 94–68 win Saturday. Ta’Niya Latson scored 28 points and Raven Johnson added 18 as the Gamecocks advanced to their sixth Elite Eight in the past eight tournaments.
With three national championships in that span, South Carolina remains one of the sport’s modern dynasties as they look to make a third straight final and add another ring to Dawn Staley’s historic resume.
TCU Horned Frogs
TCU is back in the Elite Eight for the second straight season after a 79–69 win over Virginia. Marta Suarez erupted for a career‑high 33 points, while Olivia Miles nearly posted a triple‑double with 28 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists.
The Horned Frogs came up short last season in the Elite Eight, falling to Texas, and will need to get past South Carolina in order to take that next step.
