2026 NCAA Women’s Final Four Betting Preview: Predictions, Odds, & Picks

South Carolina vs. UConn Huskies Preview and Prediction

From the moment the brackets were announced, it felt almost inevitable that women’s college basketball powerhouses South Carolina and UConn would collide in the Final Four. Both have cruised through the NCAA Tournament, and now they finally meet in a marquee showdown this weekend.

Oddsmakers list the Huskies as 6.5‑point favorites, but South Carolina doesn’t feel like a typical underdog. The Gamecocks are fresh off a 78-52 dismantling of TCU in the Elite Eight, which came right after they ran Oklahoma off the floor in a 94-68 Sweet Sixteen win.

Those wins were part of a dominant tournament run, including a 103-34 rout of Southern and a 101-61 beatdown of USC. South Carolina has won all four NCAA Tournament games by at least 25 points. Overall, the Gamecocks are 35-3, with the lone recent blemish a 78-61 loss to Texas in the SEC Tournament. That defeat may end up being more of a lesson and motivator than a red flag for this veteran group.

Statistically, these offenses are almost neck and neck. South Carolina ranks third in the nation at 87.1 points per game, while UConn sits just ahead in second at 87.9. On paper, the Huskies do have a slight edge on defense, but it’s not a massive one.

UConn leads the NCAA by allowing only 50.1 points per game, thanks largely to active guards who rarely give opposing ball‑handlers room to breathe. South Carolina, however, is no pushover on that end. The Gamecocks surrender just 57.5 points per contest and bring a bruising, physical presence in the paint.

Offensively, the contrast in styles is clear. UConn lives on the perimeter, leaning on its talented guard trio of Azzi Fudd, Kamorea Arnold, and Ashlynn Shade. The Huskies are second nationally in three‑point percentage at 38.72%, and their offense is built around the threat of the three ball.

When those shots are falling, they can bury anyone; however, when they’re not, UConn suddenly looks far more beatable.

"We just did what we had to do to in order to win the game."

Joyce Edwards and the Gamecocks were ready to handle business 😤 pic.twitter.com/m8KsVLBqsc

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) March 31, 2026

South Carolina’s advantage comes on the interior, where Joyce Edwards is the focal point. The 20‑year‑old sophomore forward is a major matchup problem for UConn, averaging 19.7 points per game on 58.2% shooting from the field and coming off a 24‑point performance against TCU. Her battle with Sarah Strong should be pivotal, and the edge in that matchup leans toward Edwards.

Put it all together and this projects as a tight, highly competitive contest rather than a comfortable UConn win. With South Carolina’s physicality inside, balanced scoring, and recent dominance, the 6.5‑point cushion looks generous. Backing Dawn Staley and the Gamecocks +6.5 is a strong strategy for your 2026 NCAA Women’s Final 4 picks.

Texas Longhorns vs. UCLA Bruins Preview and Prediction

The Texas Longhorns and UCLA Bruins clash in a matchup that projects to go down to the final minutes. Texas enters the Final Four on a roll and might have the most momentum of any team left in the tournament.

The Longhorns ride a 12-game winning streak, a run that includes capturing the SEC title with a convincing 78-61 upset over South Carolina. Any concern about a post-championship letdown has been erased.

Texas followed that performance with four straight tournament wins, each by at least 22 points. Most recently, the Longhorns demolished Michigan 77-41 in the Elite Eight.

This is a team playing with a surplus of confidence and cohesion, especially in the frontcourt, where Texas is capable of physically overwhelming UCLA. Spearheaded by Madison Booker, Breya Cunningham, and Justice Carlton, the Longhorns are well-positioned to control the paint.

Madison Booker is DANCIN' 🗣️

Watch 5-seed Kentucky vs. 1-seed Texas now on ABC and the ESPN App 🍿 pic.twitter.com/qaeNwdxIwG

— ESPN (@espn) March 28, 2026

UCLA’s primary interior answer is center Lauren Betts, but beyond her, the Bruins don’t have the same blend of size and athleticism up front to consistently push back against Texas.

Betts is a major threat, yet Texas has already shown the ability to disrupt elite frontcourts, as they did against South Carolina in the SEC title game. That experience suggests the Longhorns’ defense will be prepared for this challenge as well.

Defensively, Texas has the edge, allowing just 55.9 points per game, which ranks 12th nationally. The Longhorns also hold a slight advantage on offense, averaging 85 points per game this season.

In what should be a nail-biter that comes down to the final seconds, Texas’ balance and interior dominance give them the edge. Expect the Longhorns to create just enough separation late, pulling away by five to six points and covering the spread for your NCAA Women’s Final Four best bet.