10 Teams Chase First Women's NCAA Basketball Title
This year's Sweet 16 includes ten teams that have never won an NCAA championship, from top-seeded UCLA to Cinderella story Virginia. Women's basketball is booming, and historic firsts are within reach.
The women's NCAA tournament has never seen so many teams compete for a first-ever championship, and this year could change history for one of them.
Ten teams in the Sweet 16 are still chasing their inaugural NCAA title. Some have come heartbreakingly close, while others are making deeper runs than ever before.
UCLA leads the pack as the top contender. The No. 1 seed Bruins are 33-1 and boast five potential first-round WNBA draft picks, including star Lauren Betts. They won a national championship in 1978 under a different association, but they're hungry for their first NCAA crown.
Duke, Louisville, and Oklahoma have each reached championship games before, only to fall short. Duke's 2006 loss went to overtime against Maryland in a stunning upset. Louisville got stopped twice by powerhouse UConn in blowout defeats.
Then there's Virginia, the ultimate underdog story. The No. 10 seed Cavaliers have pulled off three consecutive upsets, including double-overtime wins against No. 2 Iowa and No. 7 Georgia. Senior guard Kymora Johnson hit a clutch go-ahead three-pointer to escape the First Four, and the team hasn't stopped fighting since.
Minnesota's Amaya Battle delivered another March Madness moment on Sunday. Her game-winning jumper against Ole Miss sent their home crowd into bedlam, including the now-famous "Blanket Lady" who's captured fans' hearts.
Kentucky and Michigan are making their deepest runs in recent years. TCU just reached the Elite Eight for the first time ever, powered by super-senior transfer Olivia Miles.
Why This Inspires
Women's basketball continues its incredible growth in audience and investment. More programs than ever can compete at the highest level, proving the sport's expanding talent and opportunity. These ten teams represent different paths to success: transfer portal stars, homegrown talent, veteran coaches, and young phenoms all getting their shot at glory.
One of these teams could make history in the coming weeks, cutting down the nets for the very first time.
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Based on reporting by Google News - Championship Win
This story was written by BrightWire based on verified news reports.
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