March Madness Brackets: Expert Predictions for the 2025 Women’s NCAA Tournament

Our staff makes round-by-round picks and decides which teams will advance to the Final Four in Tampa.

Paige Bueckers (5) and JuJu Watkins could meet in a star-studded regional final. / Joe Buglewicz/Getty Images

The women’s NCAA tournament bracket is set and 68 teams are ready to start dancing. And in a season that saw plenty of movement atop the rankings, the bracket fittingly revealed a few surprises as it was unveiled.

The madness begins with First Four matchups Wednesday and Thursday, with the first round tipping off Friday morning. Who will cut down the nets in Tampa on April 6? Our writers and editors make their picks.

Emma Baccellieri

Sports Illustrated

Baccellieri’s Final Four: UCLA Bruins, South Carolina Gamecocks, Notre Dame Fighting Irish, UConn Huskies

Baccellieri’s 2025 champion: South Carolina

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Clare Brennan

Sports Illustrated

Brennan’s Final Four: UCLA Bruins, South Carolina Gamecocks, Texas Longhorns, UConn Huskies

Brennan’s 2025 champion: South Carolina

Zach Koons

Sports Illustrated

Koons’s Final Four: UCLA Bruins, South Carolina Gamecocks, TCU Horned Frogs, USC Trojans

Koons’s 2025 champion: USC

Elizabeth Swinton

Sports Illustrated

Swinton’s Final Four: UCLA Bruins, South Carolina Gamecocks, Texas Longhorns, UConn Huskies

Swinton’s 2025 champion: UConn

Kristen Nelson

Sports Illustrated

Nelson’s Final Four: UCLA Bruins, South Carolina Gamecocks, TCU Horned Frogs, UConn Huskies

Nelson’s 2025 champion: UConn

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