UConn vs. South Carolina: Our experts predict the women’s national championship

TAMPA, Fla. — Thousands of women’s college basketball games have been played since the opening tip-off on Nov. 4, 2024. On Selection Sunday, the NCAA whittled the field to a group that would compete in 67 games. On Friday, two games convincingly determined the best two teams in the country. So, on Sunday, April 6, 2025, we are left with one final game to reveal the national champion.

Will UConn win its 12th title under Geno Auriemma, earning Paige Bueckers her first crown after an illustrious career in Storrs, Conn.?

Or will South Carolina become the first team since 2016 to win back-to-back titles, fully cementing itself as a dynasty in the sport?

Throughout the season, has brought you analysis, storytelling and columns to bring you inside the sport. Our podcast, “No Offseason,” has entertained and informed. At the Final Four, eight reporters and our audio team are here to provide keen insight and perspective on the games.

So who’s better to ask than our field of experts this one remaining question: Who will win the national championship?

UConn 64, South Carolina 59

No need to overthink it. Bueckers is too good to end her career without a national championship, and Auriemma is overdue to win another. South Carolina’s depth and defense are impressive, but Sarah Strong and the rest of the Huskies will be able to overcome them and, finally, get Bueckers the only thing she’s missing.

UConn 67, South Carolina 61

Auriemma has spoken frequently over the years about wanting Bueckers to be more selfish. She is more conductor than soloist, a winning quality in a player frequently with the ball. But historically, at this moment in the tournament, the team that wins has two things: the best player, and the player most willing to impose herself on the game. I think Bueckers and Strong control this game offensively against a South Carolina team that has been relentless on defense lately. It will be much closer than the meeting in February, but the result will be the same. It’s Title No. 12 for UConn.

UConn 72, South Carolina 66

The Huskies have shown through the postseason that they can win in an assortment of ways and against an array of teams with different skills — against UCLA’s 6-foot-7 Lauren Betts, heavy 3-point shooting Oklahoma and ultra-motivated USC. South Carolina throws in another new challenge: The Gamecocks might be the most balanced tournament team the Huskies have faced. One more unique challenge? UConn’s highest-profile win came against South Carolina earlier this season, and the Gamecocks’ uncompetitiveness in that game contributed to the Gamecocks not receiving the No. 1 overall seed. So, yes, there’s extra motivation for South Carolina, too. But even so, UConn’s disruptive defensive pressure and the three-headed monster of Bueckers-Strong-Fudd seems like it’s coming in with too much momentum to slow. With 40 minutes between Bueckers and her last shot at a national title, the scales tip toward UConn here.

UConn 71, South Carolina 59

UConn is consistently and efficiently dominating teams this tournament. The Huskies have had only one “close” game against USC, and they still won by double digits. The only team capable of challenging UConn’s momentum and confidence is the well-coached juggernaut South Carolina. My only concern is slow starts. Since the Round of 32, South Carolina has taken too long to get going offensively, often trailing after the first quarter, and UConn can and will take advantage of that. I hate to bet against Dawn Staley, but ultimately, she isn’t playing. Bueckers, Strong and Azzi Fudd are — and their team looks primed for a championship.

UConn 74, South Carolina 60

The Huskies have been able to slowly build throughout the regular season because the Big East didn’t test them significantly. While other teams like South Carolina had to grind out their conference seasons, UConn is fresh and playing its best basketball. The Huskies can run Bueckers and Strong for 40 minutes apiece to close out the season, and there is no team — not even the defending champion — that can contend with their activity and efficiency on both ends of the floor.

UConn 66, South Carolina 57

The 2022 national championship between South Carolina and UConn was relatively low-scoring. The Gamecocks topped the Huskies 64-49 in that title game as they jumped to a 14-point lead and held off UConn runs. Expect a reversal from that script on Sunday. Bueckers, Strong and Fudd will help the Huskies get off to a fast start (much like they did in February when they played) and stunt any South Carolina challenges.

UConn 75, South Carolina 70

South Carolina impressed me with how it dismantled Texas on Friday. After struggling in the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight, the Gamecocks looked like the South Carolina teams we’ve become accustomed to seeing win championships. But I think UConn has too many weapons. The Huskies are physically imposing, but they play clean basketball and will have the two best players on the floor in Strong and Bueckers. It’s Bueckers’ time, but this should be much more competitive than the 29-point win UConn had on Feb. 16.

UConn 75, South Carolina 68

Bueckers is on a mission, and it doesn’t look like anything will stop the Huskies from getting the job done. It’s hard to see South Carolina getting as far behind as the Gamecocks did in the regular-season matchup, but the Huskies just have too many pieces. Bueckers. Strong. Fudd. Jana El Alfy, who was sensational against UCLA on defense. This team is finally healthy at the right time and has dominated from start to finish in this tournament.

South Carolina 75, UConn 74

By virtue of being last, it is my duty, and privilege, to disrupt this monolith. This game will be stamped by the underdog spirit of South Carolina. They will swarm and claw and pressure and push the pace enough to keep close. The sheer will of the Gamecocks’ defense produces a poor shooting night by UConn, and someone from South Carolina finds a groove — Te-Hina Paopao? Joyce Edwards? MiLaysia Fulwiley? — and does enough to keep pace with Bueckers. This Final Four, out of nowhere, gets some much-needed drama with a close game that comes down to final possessions. It must end with a game-winner by South Carolina. Let’s just say Paopao. Because if Bueckers gets the ball last, the monolith wins.

This article originally appeared in The Athletic.

South Carolina Gamecocks, Connecticut Huskies, Women’s College Basketball, Women’s NCAA Tournament

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UConn vs. South Carolina: Our experts predict the women’s national championship

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