The NCAAW Final Four is set! On Friday, No. 1 seed South Carolina Gamecocks will take on the No. 1 Texas Longhorns. Additionally, the No. 2 UConn Huskies will face off against the No. 1 UCLA Bruins.

Gamecocks Journey To A Fifth Straight Final Four

In the third quarter of the Elite Eight matchup between Duke Blue Devils and South Carolina, the Blue Devils outscored the Gamecocks 20 to 12. Although South Carolina trailed, it came back to win the game by four points.

During the matchup, South Carolina was overpowered on the offensive boards, 19-6, but ultimately won the defensive rebounding battle. Additionally, the Gamecocks had 13 steals, which showcased their defensive prowess. 

"The message was we got to operate," South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley said Sunday. "One, the offensive rebounds were killing us. Two, we have to operate in a broken place because they blew up some of our sets. When they blow them up, we have to stay calm and we have to get a shot at the basket to actually give us an opportunity to make a basket or offensive rebound."

In the fourth quarter, junior forward Chloe Kitts made two crucial free throws with five seconds remaining to seal the win for South Carolina. The 2025 SEC Women's Tournament MVP led the Gamecocks in scoring with 14 points and four rebounds. Furthermore, WNBA draft prospect Sania Feagin recorded 12 points, eight rebounds, and three assists.

It Comes Down To The Experience Of South Carolina's Junior And Senior Classes

Head coach Dawn Staley showed nothing but praise, noting she is "super proud of Chloe (Kitts)" for leading the Gamecocks to a close win in the comeback.

The senior class, which includes Bree Hall, Sania Feagin, and Raven Johnson, could end their collegiate careers with a third National Championship. Since 1982, USC, Tennessee, and UConn are the only teams to win back-to-back NCAA women's titles. Currently, the Gamecocks are looking for their third NCAA championship in three years.

"(Sania Feagin) has been a part of our program for four years now," Staley said of Feagin. "Her growth, her maturation process has just been on an upward trajectory. I've always said she was the most talented big, like whatever big that was on our roster, she was the most talented as far as being able to make moves and understand the game and and communicate the game to see her just out there performing like a senior.  So very happy we got to lean on her for hopefully two more games and that entire class will leave here as the most decorated if they can get another championship."

To secure their second consecutive appearance in Sunday's national championship game, the Gamecocks will need increased contributions from younger players like sophomores MiLaysia Fulwiley and Tessa Johnson. The experience South Carolina’s upperclassmen has gained over the past four years has been evident on both ends of the court.

Texas Defeats the TCU Horned Frogs To Advance To Fhe Final Four for The First Time In 22 years

On Monday, the Texas Longhorns took down the TCU Horned Frogs, ending Hailey Van Lith's collegiate career and advancing to the Final Four for the first time since 2003 and fourth time in program history.

The Longhorns, guided by sophomore forward and SEC Player of the Year Madison Booker, along with senior guard Rori Harmon, focused on their defense and effectively contained Van Lith. They limited her to just 3-for-15 shooting from the field and forced her to commit seven turnovers.

Texas also outscored TCU in points in the paint, 24-8, and held the Longhorns to only nine points in the first quarter. Speaking of Harmon, the star guard overcame a torn ACL sustained during the 2022–23 season to lead the Longhorns to their first Final Four appearance since 2003.

Known for her playmaking and defense as a two-way guard, Harmon leads a Texas defense that's among the most elite in the nation. No. 16 in scoring defense, the Longhorns held opponents to a whopping 55.7 points in the regular season. In fact, through four NCAAW tournament games, the Longhorns have held all four opponents to average of 53.8 points per game. 

Vic Schaefer Has Made All The Difference For Texas

Since coach Vic Schaefer took over the Longhorns' women's basketball program, Texas has participated in the Elite Eight in four of the past five seasons. The team also posted a 144-35 (67-21 SEC Conference) record throughout his tenure. Schaefer is a special type of coach, one that's indebted to his players.

It will also be Schaefer's fifth time coaching in the Women's Final Four as head coach or an assistant coach. He led Mississippi State to three trips to the Final Four before taking the Texas job.

What is Next for South Carolina and Texas?

The Gamecocks and Longhorns also faced each other in the SEC women's championship game, in which South Carolina won back in March. 

Four Gamecocks scored in double figures and Kitts had 15 points and nine rebounds in the victory. Harmon and senior forward Taylor Jones scored a combined 28 points for the Longhorns.

South Carolina outscored Texas in points in the paint, 40-18, and in the second quarter, 21-6, both of which played a big role in the Gamecocks' win. Texas is going to have to play better on the interior and not led South Carolina go on a big run in the second half in order to avenge that loss.  

Overall, Texas and South Carolina are extremely familiar with each others play styles. Two of premier defenses in the NCAAW tournament, the Gamecocks hold a 2-1 series lead over Texas in the regular season. Limited to 45 points in the SEC tournament, Madison Booker cannot afford to go awol. The leading scorer for the Longhorns, No. 35 was limited to 10 points, on 4-13 shooting in the SEC Championship. 

South Carolina And Texas Are SEC NCAAW Rivals

Bottom line, the Longhorns will have to shoot more efficient than 29.6 percent from the field. After witnessing how South Carolina's defense held up against Duke, will South Carolina continue their winning trajectory against Texas. With a 4-3 record all-time, the Gamecocks stifling defense held the Longhorns to 53.7 points through three games. 

Defense will undoubtedly will set the tone between the Longhorns and Gamecocks. Expected a physical, close game between the two SEC rivals.