UConn and UCLA Poised for No. 1 Seeds in Women’s NCAA Tournament

As the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament Selection Committee finalizes its bracket, the debate centers on whether UConn or UCLA will earn the No. 1 overall seed. Both teams concluded successful conference tournaments, solidifying their positions as top contenders.

No. 1 Seeds Determined

The top four No. 1 seeds – UConn, UCLA, Texas, and South Carolina – were decided following the conclusion of the Power Four conference tournaments. The committee has already identified the teams that will host opening-round games.

The Debate: UConn vs. UCLA

UConn, the reigning champion, and UCLA are expected to be the headliners on Selection Sunday (8 p.m. ET, ESPN). While UConn has been projected as the No. 1 overall seed since October, boasting an undefeated record and nine Quad 1 wins, UCLA presents a strong case.

UCLA’s Impressive Metrics

UCLA’s resume includes 18 Quad 1 wins, the highest wins above bubble number, and the nation’s best strength of schedule. Their recent performance, including a dominant victory in the Big Ten Tournament, further strengthens their claim for the top seed.

Bracketing Implications and Regional Hosts

By bracketing rules, teams from the same conference must be placed in different regions. This impacts the potential matchups for LSU and Vanderbilt, both expected to be No. 2 seeds, with South Carolina, and Texas. The No. 1 overall seed will too influence regional pairings, potentially affecting travel considerations for teams.

Currently, ESPN’s Bracketology projects UConn as the No. 1 overall seed, paired with Vanderbilt in the Fort Worth 1 Regional. UCLA is projected as the No. 1 seed in the Sacramento 2 Regional, alongside LSU as the No. 2 seed.

The Bubble Teams

The committee is also carefully evaluating bubble teams, with a new metric – Wins Above Bubble (WAB) – playing a role in the decision-making process. WAB compares a team’s wins to the average of a bubble team (ranked 45th in the NET). Arizona State, Nebraska, Virginia, and Richmond are currently on the right side of the bubble, while BYU and Texas A&M are on the outside looking in.

Impact of Championship Week

Performance during Championship Week significantly influenced the top 16 seeds and the bubble. West Virginia and North Carolina, who made strong runs in their respective tournaments, earned hosting rights. Conversely, Maryland and Michigan State were left out of the final top 16 after failing to advance in the Big Ten Tournament.

Final Bracket Reveal

The complete NCAA bracket will be revealed on Selection Sunday, providing clarity on the matchups and seeding for the 2026 Women’s NCAA Tournament. The committee’s deliberations will ultimately determine which teams will compete for the national championship.