Women’s NCAA Final Four® Preview and How
to Stream with Sling TV
Following an incredible set of regional finals, the Women’s Final Four® is set. Here's a preview, plus how to watch the rest of the NCAA® Tournament with Sling.
The 2026 NCAA® Women’s College Basketball Final Four® in Phoenix is set. And in a tournament defined by record-shattering viewership and elite shot-making, the stage is prepared for a legendary climax.
The first game features the undefeated UConn Huskies—who look to complete a perfect season behind the dominance of Sarah Strong—taking on the defensive juggernaut South Carolina Gamecocks, who return to the Final Four® for the fourth consecutive year (Fri., April 3, 7:00pm ET, ESPN). That’s followed by a titanic clash of styles as the high-octane UCLA Bruins and their star-studded roster square off against the Texas Longhorns, who reached Phoenix after a defensive masterclass in the Elite Eight® (Fri., April 3, 9:30pm ET, ESPN).
Both Final Four® games are on ESPN, while the National Championship game is on Sunday, April 5 at 7:00pm ET on ABC. Here’s a preview of the Final Four games, plus full details on how to watch the biggest weekend in Women's College Basketball with Sling.
How to Stream NCAA® Women’s Final Four® with
Sling TV
The Final Four will air on ESPN while the National Championship will air on ABC. ESPN is available both with a 1, 3, & 7 Day Pass with Sling or a subscription to Sling Orange, while ABC is available with a subscription to Sling Blue or Select in the markets listed below:
#1 UConn vs. #1 South Carolina – Friday, April 3, 7:00pm ET on ESPN
https://youtu.be/of7Ez6FWYS0?si=px7uhyt_IZxjETo4
The opening game of the 2026 Women’s Final Four in Phoenix features a high-stakes collision as the No. 1 seed UConn Huskies face the No. 1 seed South Carolina Gamecocks. This meeting of the sport’s modern giants carries immense historical weight: UConn is looking to secure back-to-back national titles, while South Carolina is hungry to reclaim the trophy after falling to the Huskies in last year’s championship game.
Journey to the Final Four
UConn arrived in Phoenix as the tournament's only undefeated squad, surviving a defensive battle against No. 2 seed Notre Dame in the Elite Eight®. Trailing early, the Huskies relied on a clinical second-half performance to extend their winning streak to 54 games. Their path included dominant wins over Syracuse and North Carolina, proving that Geno Auriemma’s rotation—now fully healthy and seasoned—remains the most efficient and disciplined unit in the country.
South Carolina (35–3) took a path defined by sheer physical force, asserting their bench depth through in the first rounds. The Gamecocks dismantled TCU 78–52 in the Elite Eight and previously overpowered Oklahoma in a high-scoring Sweet 16® masterclass. Led by Dawn Staley, the Gamecocks have won 17 of their last 18 games, finding a peak rhythm that has made them the most feared rebounding and shot-blocking team in the nation.
History and Pedigree
UConn is the defining dynasty of women's college basketball with an unprecedented 12 national championships. Having finally broken their title drought last year in Tampa, a win this weekend would officially signal a new era of Husky dominance.
South Carolina is making its sixth Final Four appearance (all since 2015). The Gamecocks are searching for their fourth national title (2017, 2022, 2024). After losing the 2025 title to UConn by a 23-point margin, this game represents a chance for the Gamecocks to reclaim their spot at the summit and even the score between the decade's two most successful programs.
Key Players and Statistics
The game features a clash of disciplined execution and raw physical depth:
- UConn: Sophomore forward Sarah Strong has evolved into the nation’s most efficient force, leading the Huskies in scoring, rebounding, and steals. She is complemented by the elite perimeter shooting of senior Azzi Fudd and the breakout play of freshman guard Blanca Quiñonez, who provides the defensive spark for a UConn rotation that has gone undefeated (38-0) since their 2025 title run.
- South Carolina: The Gamecocks' offense is a balanced machine, leading the nation in bench scoring. Graduate transfer Ta’Niya Latson leads the backcourt attack, but the true engine is the interior duo of Madina Okot and Adhel Tac, who combine for nearly 20 rebounds and 5 blocks per game.
Best Bet
While UConn enters as the undefeated favorite with a 54-game winning streak, South Carolina is playing with a statistical edge in the paint that could disrupt the Huskies' rhythm. The Gamecocks’ impressive rebounding margin during the tournament is the only unit in the country capable of truly challenging UConn’s interior efficiency, and their resurgent bench allows them to maintain a physical intensity that few teams can match for 40 minutes. Expect South Carolina to keep this a one-possession battle late into the fourth quarter, potentially ending the streak in a defensive grind.
Best Bet: South Carolina +6.5
#1 Texas vs. #1 UCLA – Friday, April 3, 9:30pm ET on ESPN
https://youtu.be/DVsGswFwahI?si=KpBdvpxPRppS2-jm
The second game of the 2026 Women’s Final Four in Phoenix features a high-stakes collision as the No. 1 seed Texas Longhorns face the No. 1 seed UCLA Bruins. Texas looks to secure its first national title under Vic Schaefer, while UCLA is hungry to claim the first championship in program history after years of elite recruiting and deep tournament runs.
Journey to the Final Four
Texas arrived in Phoenix as the tournament's most feared defensive unit, most recently holding a prolific Michigan squad to just 41 points in the Elite Eight®. The Longhorns relied on their "Schaefer Shield" philosophy to dismantle opponents, suffocating high-major offenses with relentless perimeter pressure. Their path included dominant wins over Kentucky and Missouri State, proving that their physical, "no-easy-buckets" identity remains the most disciplined defensive system in the country.
UCLA (35–1) took a path defined by offensive versatility and elite size, asserting their dominance through the Albany region. The Bruins defeated Duke 70–58 in the Elite Eight and previously overpowered Minnesota in a high-scoring Sweet 16® masterclass. Led by Cori Close, the Bruins have found a peak rhythm that has made them the most efficient shooting team in the nation, featuring a lineup of blue-chip talent that has finally realized its championship potential.
History and Pedigree
Texas is a storied program looking to return to its 1986 glory. This is their first Final Four appearance of the decade, and they are hunting for a second national championship. Under Vic Schaefer, the Longhorns have consistently knocked on the door of the elite, and a win this weekend would officially cement Texas as the new defensive standard-bearer in the SEC era.
UCLA is making its first Final Four appearance in the modern era, signaling a breakthrough for the program. The Bruins are searching for their first-ever NCAA tournament title, looking to join the ranks of the sport's elite champions. After years of falling just short in the regional rounds, this game represents a chance for UCLA to validate their "irresistible force" offense on the game's biggest stage.
Key Players and Statistics
The game features a clash of defensive grit and offensive spacing:
- Texas: All-American forward Madison Booker has evolved into the nation’s premier mid-range threat, leading the Longhorns in scoring and playmaking. She is complemented by the elite on-ball pressure of Rori Harmon and the interior toughness of the Texas frontcourt, which has held tournament opponents to an average of just 50.2 PPG.
- UCLA: The Bruins' offense is a balanced machine, leading the nation in field goal percentage. Junior center Lauren Betts provides a massive 6’7” presence in the paint, but the true engine is the perimeter duo of Kiki Rice and Charlisse Leger-Walker, who provide the elite spacing and veteran leadership necessary to crack a top-tier defense.
Best Bet
While UCLA enters as the slight favorite with superior offensive depth, Texas is playing with a defensive edge that historically thrives in the high-pressure environment of the Final Four. The Longhorns’ ability to force turnovers and limit opponents to one-and-done possessions is the only unit in the country capable of slowing down the Bruins' rhythm, and their physicality allows them to grind out wins in low-possession games. Expect Texas to turn this into a tactical battle, potentially upsetting the top overall seed in a defensive masterclass.
Best Bet: Texas -1.5