Top 16 NCAA Women’s Teams Revealed: UConn, UCLA, South Carolina, Vanderbilt
The NCAA women’s basketball selection committee just dropped its first top 16 seeds for the upcoming tournament. UConn, UCLA, South Carolina, and Vanderbilt headline as the No. 1 seeds.
This reveal gives us a glimpse into possible matchups and regional placements. There’s a lot to unpack about what this early seeding could mean.
The Top Four Seeds: A Closer Look
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According to the NCAA basketball selection committee, UConn, UCLA, South Carolina, and Vanderbilt would be the top contenders if the tournament started today. UConn, still undefeated, edges out UCLA for the overall No. 1 spot.
Amanda Braun, who chairs the selection committee, highlighted these teams’ impressive records and strengths. There’s a clear sense that these programs have set themselves apart so far.
UConn: The Overall No. 1 Seed
UConn hasn’t lost a game, which puts them at the top. Their dominance jumps out at you, and their seeding says it all.
Joining UConn in their bracket are:
- No. 2 seed LSU
- Third-seed Ohio State
- Fourth-seed Oklahoma
These teams will compete in the Fort Worth Regional. UConn could benefit from the Friday-Sunday schedule, which means a bit more rest before the Final Four.
UCLA: Strong Contenders
UCLA sits right behind UConn and looks like a real threat. Their strengths have earned them the No. 1 seed in the Sacramento Regional.
The Bruins’ bracket includes:
- No. 2 seed Texas
- No. 3 seed Duke
- Fourth-seeded Ole Miss
Texas lands here to keep the top four teams in their conference in separate regions. That’s the usual bracketing principle at play.
South Carolina and Vanderbilt: Rising Stars
South Carolina and Vanderbilt also grabbed No. 1 seeds. Both have put together strong seasons so far.
South Carolina will join UConn in the Fort Worth Regional. Vanderbilt heads to Sacramento.
South Carolina’s Path
South Carolina’s bracket in the Fort Worth Regional features:
- No. 2 Louisville
- No. 3 Iowa
- No. 4 Michigan State
The Gamecocks’ seeding shows just how consistent they’ve been. They look like a team built for a deep run.
Vanderbilt’s Momentum
Vanderbilt’s win over Texas pushed them up to the No. 1 seed line. Their bracket in Sacramento features:
- No. 2 Michigan
- No. 3 TCU
- Fourth-seed Maryland
Vanderbilt’s rise shows how much head-to-head wins can shake up the seeding.
The Regional Breakdown
The top 16 seeds will host the first and second-round games. Regional rounds will play out at neutral sites for the fourth year in a row.
Fort Worth, Texas, will host half of the Sweet 16. Sacramento, California, will host the other half.
Fort Worth Regional
The Fort Worth Regional brings together top teams like UConn and South Carolina. TCU hopes to land in this bracket—it’s just a 10-minute drive from their campus to the arena.
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Sacramento Regional
Sacramento will see UCLA and Vanderbilt leading the way. This region should have some wild matchups as teams fight for the Final Four.
Teams on the Cusp
Baylor and West Virginia sit just outside the top 16. People will keep an eye on them as they try to break into the seeded group and secure a spot in the tournament.
Upcoming Reveals and Final Seeding
The NCAA plans one more reveal on March 1. The official seedings drop on March 15.
For the first time, the committee will announce the schools hosting the first two rounds in alphabetical order a day before the full bracket. That gives those schools a little extra time to sell tickets—pretty clever, honestly.
The Final Four lands in Phoenix on April 3, with the championship game two days later. Since 2015, these in-season reveals have given teams a sense of where they stand and let fans start dreaming about the matchups ahead.
Conclusion
The NCAA women’s basketball selection committee just dropped its first top 16 reveal, and honestly, it sets the stage for a wild tournament. UConn, UCLA, South Carolina, and Vanderbilt sit at the top, so buckle up for some fierce matchups.
Every upcoming reveal and final seeding will add even more drama. At this point, every game feels like it could make or break a team’s shot at the Final Four.
If you’re as curious as I am, keep an eye out for more updates as we get closer to tournament time. For a deep dive into the initial top 16 seeds, check out the original article.