UCLA and Ivy League Shine in Women’s NCAA Tournament Selections

The 2025 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament bracket has been unveiled, marking a historic moment for several teams.

UCLA has earned the No. 1 overall seed for the first time in school history, while other teams like South Carolina, Texas, and USC join them on the 1-line.

Additionally, the Ivy League has made an unprecedented achievement by securing three bids to the tournament. This article delves into the winners and losers from Selection Sunday, highlighting the teams that made history and those that narrowly missed out.

UCLA’s Historic Achievement

UCLA’s journey to the No. 1 overall seed is nothing short of remarkable.

After starting the season with a 23-0 record and maintaining the No. 1 ranking for nearly three months, the Bruins faced setbacks with two losses to USC, jeopardizing their top seed hopes.

However, a series of fortunate events, including Texas’s loss to South Carolina in the SEC Tournament title game and UCLA’s victory over USC in the Big Ten Tournament, propelled them back to the top.

The Road to Redemption

Despite the mid-season hiccups, UCLA’s resilience paid off.

They clinched the Big Ten Tournament title and were subsequently named the No. 1 overall seed, a first in the program’s history.

This achievement not only sets the stage for their potential first Final Four appearance but also raises hopes for a national championship.

Ivy League’s Unprecedented Success

The Ivy League has outdone itself this year by securing three bids to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in conference history.

Harvard, Columbia, and Princeton have all earned their spots, showcasing the growing competitiveness of the league.

Breaking Down the Bids

Harvard won Ivy Madness to secure the automatic bid and a No. 10 seed in the Spokane 1 region.

Meanwhile, Columbia and Princeton, who won the regular season title, both received No. 11 seeds in the Birmingham 2 and Birmingham 3 regions, respectively.

While Columbia and Princeton will need to navigate the First Four, their presence in the tournament is a testament to the Ivy League’s rising prominence.

New Entrants to the Tournament

This year’s tournament also welcomes six teams making their debut appearances: Arkansas State, Fairleigh Dickinson, George Mason, Grand Canyon, San Diego, and William & Mary.

Each of these teams earned their spots by winning their respective conference tournaments.

Spotlight on the Newcomers

• Arkansas State (Sun Belt): The Red Wolves defeated James Madison in overtime to win the Sun Belt title and are a No. 15 seed in the Spokane 4 region, facing UConn in the first round.
• Fairleigh Dickinson (NEC): The Knights, riding a 22-game winning streak, won the NEC Tournament and are a No. 15 seed in the Birmingham 3 region, set to play against TCU.
• George Mason (A-10): The Patriots overcame St Joseph’s in the A-10 title game to earn a No. 11 seed in the Spokane 1 region, where they’ll face Florida State.
• Grand Canyon (WAC): The Antelopes, on a 30-game winning streak, won the WAC championship and are a No. 13 seed in the Spokane 1 region, facing Baylor.
• San Diego (Big West): The Tritons won the Big West title and are a No. 16 seed, facing Southern in the First Four, with a potential matchup against UCLA in the Spokane 1 region.
• William & Mary (CAA): The Tribe pulled off a surprise win in the CAA Tournament and are a No. 16 seed, set to play High Point in the First Four, with the winner facing Texas in the Birmingham 3 region.

South Carolina’s Strong Case

South Carolina had a compelling argument for the No. 1 overall seed after a dominant performance in the SEC Tournament, including a 19-point victory over Texas.

Despite this, they were named the second overall seed, a decision that left coach Dawn Staley less than pleased.

The Path Forward

While South Carolina didn’t receive the top honor, their path to the Final Four appears favorable.

They have already defeated Duke and Alabama, the No. 2 and No. 5 seeds in their region, by significant margins this season.

Notre Dame’s Late-Season Collapse

Notre Dame’s season took a downturn in the final stretch, losing three of their last five games, including crucial matchups against NC State and Duke.

This slump resulted in the Fighting Irish being named a No. 3 seed in the Birmingham 3 region.

Challenges Ahead

Notre Dame faces a tough road ahead, with the No. 2 seed in their region, TCU, having already beaten them this season.

To advance, they’ll need to get their star backcourt of Hannah Hidalgo and Olivia Miles back on track.

Bubble Teams Left Out

While many teams celebrated their inclusion in the tournament, others were left disappointed.

Notably, Colorado, James Madison, and Virginia Tech did not make the cut, despite strong seasons.

Analyzing the Snubs

Colorado had a solid season with impressive wins and a run to the Big 12 Tournament quarterfinals. However, their poor finish hurt their chances. They lost six of their final ten games.

James Madison was overlooked despite a stellar 28-5 record. This was due to their weak strength of schedule. Virginia Tech put together a commendable campaign but fell short with a 3-8 record against other tournament teams. They also endured a challenging offseason.

For more detailed insights and the complete list of winners and losers from Selection Sunday, visit CBS Sports.