Predictions for the Women’s College Basketball Tournament: Who Will Claim the No. 1 Seeds?

As Selection Sunday quickly approaches and with women’s college basketball conference tournaments wrapping up, it’s time to start thinking about how the brackets might shape up. The big question is which teams will get the top spots and who will make the final push to the NCAA tournament title on April 6. While the bracket won’t officially be revealed until Sunday night at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN, our writers and editors have already made their predictions. Let’s break down their thoughts.

Projected No. 1 Seeds:

Emma Baccellieri has South Carolina, UCLA, USC, and UConn as her top four picks. She notes that Texas was a strong contender for the last No. 1 seed, but with South Carolina as her No. 1 overall pick, she couldn’t leave out UConn, especially after they handed the Gamecocks their toughest loss of the season. UConn also sits at No. 1 in the NET rankings, which strengthens their case for a top seed.

Clare Brennan also favors South Carolina, UCLA, USC, and puts Texas in the No. 2 spot after the Gamecocks dominated the SEC tournament. While USC might be better prepared for the Big Dance, UCLA gets the edge due to their Big Ten tournament win.

Zach Koons echoes the same No. 1 seed choices of South Carolina, USC, UCLA, and Texas, pointing out the Gamecocks’ strong record against Quad 1 teams and their dominance in the SEC tournament. He notes that the three teams following South Carolina could be ranked in any order due to their close competition.

Elizabeth Swinton also has South Carolina, UCLA, USC, and UConn, emphasizing that the Gamecocks are peaking at the right time for a national title run. Despite Texas’s strong finish, UConn’s impressive close to the regular season and Big East championship secured their place as a top seed.

Kristen Nelson, however, gives the edge to UCLA, South Carolina, USC, and UConn, acknowledging UCLA’s revenge win over USC in the Big Ten tournament, and South Carolina‘s return to form after February struggles, making them a solid No. 1 overall.

Bubble Team Picks:

Emma Baccellieri has Virginia Tech on the bubble. Despite the Hokies undergoing a rebuild after losing coach Kenny Brooks and key players, they’ve remained competitive and still have a shot to sneak into the NCAA tournament.

Clare Brennan is backing Iowa State, who are likely safe after their strong regular season. The Cyclones’ resume includes a solid NET ranking and an impressive win over Kansas State, which helps them stay on the right side of the bubble.

Zach Koons picks Murray State, the nation’s highest-scoring team. Though they might be a stretch for an at-large bid, their high-powered offense, led by Katelyn Young, makes them an intriguing tournament prospect.

Elizabeth Swinton also highlights Virginia Tech, who are keeping a close eye on the Ivy League tournament. The Hokies’ fate could depend on how many Ivy teams get into the NCAA tournament, with a win by Harvard potentially opening the door for Virginia Tech to make the field.

Kristen Nelson is rooting for Harvard, with the Crimson boasting the nation’s best scoring defense. They’d likely need a win over Princeton in the Ivy League semifinals to keep their hopes alive for an NCAA tournament bid.

National Championship Picks:

Emma Baccellieri believes South Carolina will take it all, pointing out their balanced, deep roster where even their two leading scorers come off the bench. The Gamecocks are a well-oiled machine, making them tough to beat in the tournament.

Clare Brennan also backs South Carolina, highlighting the team’s confidence and growth through the season. She acknowledges that UConn is a contender, but it’s hard to bet against the Gamecocks’ championship pedigree.

Zach Koons is going with USC, noting their nine-game win streak leading up to the conference tournament final, where they fell short against UCLA. With standout players JuJu Watkins and Kiki Iriafen, USC has the depth and postseason experience to make a strong run.

Elizabeth Swinton picks UConn, citing their return to form with a healthy Azzi Fudd and Paige Bueckers. After their surprise Final Four berth last season, the Huskies are poised for a deeper run and could clinch their first title since 2016, assuming the bracket falls in their favor.

Kristen Nelson also favors UConn, with Bueckers and Fudd both firing on all cylinders after injury-plagued careers. She sees this as the perfect opportunity for Bueckers to cap off her college career with a national title before becoming the No. 1 pick in the 2025 WNBA draft.

We’re just days away from Selection Sunday—it’s shaping up to be a thrilling NCAA tournament with these powerhouses all in the mix for the championship. Stay tuned for the official bracket release!