Women’s 2025 March Madness Preview: Leading Contenders & Lively Outsiders
March Madness is here, and the 2025 Women’s NCAA Tournament is shaping up to be one of the most competitive in recent history. The defending champion South Carolina Gamecocks have made their presence felt again this year. And then there is UConn who have delivered at their usual standard. However, there are plenty of other very talented teams snapping at their heels. Selection Sunday is fast approaching, and our next edition of March chaos promises to be as good as ever. So, let’s take a quick spin through the leading contenders and lively outsiders with our Women’s 2025 March Madness Preview.
The Leading Contenders
UConn Huskies (30-3)
The Uconn Huskies Women are no stranger to success in March. Having featured in two National semifinals and one final in the last four seasons. This year, they enter the NCAA tournament as the betting favorite. Being fresh off a 30-3 regular season record and Big East title.
Despite operating in a less talented division, don’t let these Huskies fool you. They are the betting favorites for a reason. They prove their mettle when hammering the reigning champion Gamecocks by 87 points to 58 earlier in the season.
Of course, the leader of the team is superstar Paige Bueckers; whose 18.7 points and 4.9 rebounds per game lead the team in both categories. Sarah Strong is also racking up some impressive numbers. Ranking second on the team with 15.9 points per game, and leading it with 8.1 rebounds; 2.3 steals, and 1.5 blocks per game.
As one can see, there is star power on this Huskies roster for sure. Especially, with Azzi Fudd also notching over 12 points per game. And contributing to the Huskies being the only team shooting over 50% this season.
It’s not just on offense that Uconn are thriving though. When you briefly glance at stats you see six different players averaging over 1 steal per game. You really do have to be on point if you want to get one over on this lot.
The mastermind of the operation is Geno Auriemma, who has coached the team since 1985. Geno is up well over 1,000 wins in the process, and a whopping 11 National Championship victories. Between the experience of Auriemma and the quality of Bueckers, Strong, and company on the court. It should come as no surprise that these Huskies are so highly touted. They have been a staple of the NCAA tournament for decades, and will be going in with high expectations this time around.
Women’s 2025 March Madness Preview: Leading Contenders & Lively Outsiders
South Carolina Gamecocks (30-3)
The other dominant force of the 2024-25 women’s college basketball season has been the South Carolina Gamecocks, who have, once again, proven themselves as one of the sport’s premier programs. Their incredible 2023-24 campaign saw them deliver a perfect, unbeaten regular season, before running all the way through the NCAA Tournament to earn the title. Now, one year later, here they are again, ready to defend it.
After losing Kamilla Cardoso to the draft, the Gamecocks needed to find some firepower to build around, which emerged in the form of freshman Joyce Edwards. Edwards’ 13.2 points per game led the team, and she has been brilliantly supported by a very well-balanced roster who have all played their parts perfectly.
Chloe Kitts has taken her game up a notch as a junior, scoring 10.1 points per game, and leading the team with 7.9 rebounds per game. MiLaysia Fulwiley is the team’s second-best scorer with 12 points per game. In total, the Gamecocks have seven players averaging at least 7 points per game, reflecting their willingness to share the production around and keep defenses on their toes, with scoring threats all over.
This depth and balance on the roster is what makes them so dangerous, and is a major reason why they have been able to retain their position atop a tough SEC. A hefty 87-58 loss to Uconn was a concerning midseason blemish to the overall record, but that can be written off as a bad day at the office for the Gamecocks. With head coach Dawn Staley having overseen three national titles in the last eight seasons, they will be primed and ready for this March Madness, and must be taken seriously.
NCAA Tournament: The Next Best
USC Trojans (28-3)
The USC Trojans have remained one of the most exciting teams in women’s college basketball this year, led by superstar guard JuJu Watkins. The thrilling sophomore has averaged the second most points per game this year. With 24.6, to go along with a team-leading 3.5 assists and 2.2 steals. Thus, showing she can make her impact felt on both ends of the court.
Kiki Iriafen is the other big name on the Trojans roster. Notching 18.2 points per game for herself; along with a team-leading 8.3 rebounds.
After suffering an early loss to Notre Dame, USC pulled it together big time. The Trojans go on to win 15 straight before being hit by loss number two. That impressive streak saw them topple the Uconn Huskies in a 72-70 thriller; led by 25 points from JuJu Watkins.
Such determination and performance shows that they have what it takes to win it all. Which will hopefully give them the confidence they need to rebound after a disappointing loss to the UCLA Bruins in the Big Ten championship game. That was the team’s third game against UCLA in the 2024-25 season and the first they lost. It isn’t what you want to see as you prepare for the NCAA Tournament. However, there has been plenty more to get excited about to make up for it.
Wherever they are seeded, the Trojans know that they will have a shot in every single game because of JuJu Watkins. She has now scored double-figures in all but one game in her Trojans career and in every single game this season. She is box office, and absolutely capable of propelling the Trojans to the top.
2025 Women’s NCAA Tournament Preview
Texas Longhorns (31-3)
For much of the 2024-25 season, it appeared as if the Texas Longhorns were going to be the team to beat. A 31-2 record was about as good as Longhorns fans could have asked for and wanted. However, a disappointing 64-45 loss to South Carolina in the SEC title game was a far from ideal way to cap off the regular season. Nevertheless, you don’t get to 31 wins without playing top-tier basketball all year long. Therefore, despite bumps in the road the Longhorns remain one of the top teams entering the NCAA tournament.
Moreover, Texas’ success this year has primarily come off the back of its defense; giving up just 55.9 points per game. Rori Harmon has been a menace all year long, averaging 2.2 steals per game. Followed by four other players with at least 1 per game.
One of those players is Madison Booker, who is second on the team with 1.6 steals per game. All while she is also leading the way with an average of 16.2 points per game. She has been the focal point of the Longhorns game when they have the ball in hand; shooting an impressive 43.9% from deep.
Nevertheless, Taylor Jones also falls into the scoring threat category. She is averaging 12.1 points per game in just 21.4 minutes per game. While also leading the team with 7 rebounds. Unfortunately, threes are not a part of her game at all; with the team’s leading scorer Edwards getting little help on that front.
As a result, the Longhorns as a team are scoring on just 29.6% of their three-point attempts. A stat showing how they lag considerably behind the 37.7% being posted by the UConn Huskies. This could make it tricky for Texas to keep up with their powerhouse opponents. But they shouldn’t be written off too quickly.
Women’s 2025 March Madness Preview—Lively Outsiders
Jaw-dropping upsets are what we all tune in for, so let’s take a spin through some of the lively outsiders who could make some noise in this year’s women’s March Madness.
NC State are one team that could force an upset, led by the brilliant senior Aziah James. James is averaging 17.9 points per game this year, and is supported by three other playmakers who are averaging double-digits. They certainly know how to put up points.
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish will also play their part in some entertaining clashes when the action gets underway. Hannah Hidalgo is one of the nation’s most exciting young talents. She’s averaging an impressive 24.2 points per game. Furthermore, the Fighting Irish have already knocked off USC, Texas, and Uconn this year. Which means they are absolutely a team that could enjoy some success.
Of course, UCLA will be excited to prove themselves after their Big Ten Championship win; however, the LSU Tigers can never be overlooked. There are some daunting programs they need to hunt down, with Uconn and South Carolina leading the way. But we all know that anything can happen. What a wonderful time of year this is. Now, enjoy!
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