Shocker! The UConn Huskies finished yet another regular season undefeated.
For the 13th time in program history, the best collegiate basketball program ever — men's or women's, full-stop — finds itself on a warpath toward dynastic prestige once more.
Prior to their 2025 national title, it had been some time (relatively) since UConn had reached the top. Nine seasons came between that win, led by Paige Bueckers, Azzi Fudd and Sarah Strong, and their 2015-16 title, their fourth consecutive natty under the guidance of Breanna Stewart, Kia Nurse and Napheesa Collier, among others.
It's clear legendary head coach Geno Auriemma and the star-studded cast in Storrs don't intend to see a drought that long ever again.
The Huskies have trounced their opponents this year despite facing one of the hardest non-conference schedules in college hoops — 13th-ranked non-conference schedule, per NET — and giving up more than 55 points only twice against Big East competition.
Riding a 46-game win streak, only six games away from a second-straight national title and a chance to become the first back-to-back winner since, well, UConn (who would've thought?), all eyes will be on the Huskies as Strong looks to cement her case as the best player in college hoops and Fudd tries to lock up her spot as the top-overall WNBA draft choice.
Here are some takeaways from the selection show:
Huskies in line for some dogfights
Yes, the Huskies are the preemptive favourite, but their path to a second-straight title won't be one they can just coast through.
Right away in the second round, a matchup against either No. 8 Iowa State and the dominant Audi Crooks or No. 9 Syracuse and towering freshman centre Uche Izoje should give the UConn frontcourt a tough test.
Crooks has had a ridiculous campaign, notching four 40-plus-point games and scoring at a Big 12-leading 64.7 per-cent clip from the field. Meanwhile, Izoje earned a spot on the All-ACC First Team and was named the ACC Rookie of the Year after scoring 15.5 a night and averaging a conference-leading 2.6 blocks per game.
Then, potential showdowns with No. 5 Maryland or No. 4 UNC await in the Sweet 16, both of whom present challenges in the form of quick guard play and microwave scoring ability.
As well, a few teams could give the Huskies a fight in the Elite 8 should things break their way: No. 6 Notre Dame and Hannah Hidalgo are hoping to finally advance to the Final Four, No. 3 Ohio State and the Cambridge sisters remain dangerous, and No. 2 Vanderbilt has looked like one of the best teams in the country behind star guard Mikayla Blakes.
There's no such thing as a sure thing in March.
Are the Gamecocks vulnerable?
Unlike the squads in years past under coach Dawn Staley, the South Carolina Gamecocks certainly don't look bulletproof.
Despite a dominant 31-3 record heading into the tourney, they're coming off a loss in the SEC title game to a fellow No. 1 seed in the Texas Longhorns — a second loss to their conference rival this season.
While they won't have to worry about another game against the Longhorns until the National Championship, should both teams advance, waiting in the wings of the Sacramento 4 bracket is none other than the Oklahoma Sooners, who account for the Gamecocks' only other loss this season.
Though Joyce Edwards has lived up to expectations in her sophomore season as one of the best forwards in the country, she was outplayed by star freshman guard Aaliyah Chavez and dominant senior forward Raegan Beers in their lone meeting this year.
As Chavez poured in 26 while hitting multiple clutch three-pointers, and Beers dominated inside, missing only one shot and grabbing 14 boards, Edwards struggled to find an offensive rhythm, shooting 3-of-12 from the field for one of her worst showings in conference play.
Could the Sooners be the best bet to knock out a tournament favourite in the early goings?
Region 2 Sacramento looks like the Group of Death
While there were arguments for UCLA to finish as the No. 1 overall seed above UConn due to their 31-1 record to go along with the second-hardest strength of schedule, getting one past the Huskies was also gonna be a tough ask.
As a reward for being the second-best team in the nation, the Bruins got possibly the hardest bracket possible. Congrats!
While this iteration of the Bruins has been a powerhouse, qualifying for its fourth straight tournament under Cori Close and earning its second straight No. 1 seed, it hasn't yet lived up to expectations. And with the trio of Lauren Betts, Kiki Rice and Gabriela Jaquez all potentially on the way to becoming first-round picks in the upcoming WNBA Draft, this might be their best and final shot at program glory.
Standing in their way, however, are No. 2 LSU and No. 3 Duke.
LSU, under Kim Mulkey, have been a consistent threat at the tournament. The combination of MiLaysia Fulwiley and Flau'jae Johnson has helped the Tigers to a solid 27-5 record and the most productive offence in the country, netting 94.5 points per game.
Duke, meanwhile, is coming off a second straight ACC tournament win under coach Kara Lawson and looks like one of the best defences in the country with Canadian superstar Toby Fournier manning the paint.
Add to that a plucky No. 4 Minnesota side, and it's clear the Bruins will come away with some battle scars should they want to make their way to Phoenix.
Canadians in the spotlight
After taking Duke to the dance last year and earning her stripes in a tight loss to South Carolina in the Elite 8, Fournier has snatched a starting role with the Blue Devils and has become a force in her sophomore year in Durham.
The Toronto native has been on a tear this year, averaging 17.3 points, 8.2 rebounds and 2.3 blocks while shooting 53.2 per cent from the field and 34.7 per cent from three-point range.
Fellow sophomore Jasmine Bascoe has been a big part of Villanova's resurgence this season, averaging 18.8 points, four rebounds and 4.8 assists while helping the Wildcats to a 25-7 record.
Should things break the right way, the two could meet up in the Sweet 16 to reprise their rivalry from their prep school days, when Bascoe played at King's Christian Collegiate in Oakville and Fournier at Crestwood Prep in North York.
Meanwhile, Sudbury, Ont., flamethrower Syla Swords is back in action as her No. 2-seed Michigan Wolverines get set to take on No. 15 Holy Cross in first-round action, before a showdown against NC State or Tennessee in Round 2.
It's also worth keeping an eye on Avery Howell, who transferred from USC to Washington this summer and has propelled the Huskies to a No. 6 seed behind her 13.7 points per game and 41.9 per cent three-point rate.
Schedule notes
The First Four get things started on Wednesday and Thursday, with tournament play tipping off on Friday.
The Final Four will take place from April 3-5 in Phoenix, Ariz.
