South Carolina vs UCLA prediction, national championship analysis, March Madness expert picks

The women’s 2026 NCAA Tournament concludes Sunday as No. 1 South Carolina and No. 1 UCLA battle for the national championship live on ABC and ESPN at 3:30 p.m. ET.

Head coach Dawn Staley and South Carolina are seeking their fourth title since 2017. The Lauren Betts, KiKi Rice and the Bruins are hoping to win the NCAA tournament for the first time in their program’s history.

USA TODAY Sports’ college basketball experts have analyzed all the angles and determined a path to victory for each side. Here’s everything you need to know — including how to watch, betting odds and analysis — before the Sweet 16 matchup tips off.

Stay up to date with USA TODAY’s team of journalists covering the women’s NCAA Tournament throughout the 68-team dance.

Favorite national championship storyline

• Nancy Armour: Ta’Niya Latson. She transferred to South Carolina just for this moment and has made the most of it. 
• Meghan Hall: South Carolina getting to/potentially winning a title with no “stars.”
• Heather Burns: UCLA winning its first title since 1978.
• Cydney Henderson: The Dawn Staley-Raven Johnson has been special to watch, as is the Lauren Betts-Cori Close bond. Seeing the seniors close out their college careers will be something to watch. 

South Carolina will win National Championship game vs UCLA if…

• Nancy Armour: It has another smothering defensive performance.
• Meghan Hall: It takes away UCLAs ability to move the ball and limit everyone else outside of Lauren Betts.
• Heather Burns: it plays the kind of disruptive, dominating defense it did against UConn.
• Cydney Henderson: South Carolina put on a defensive masterclass against UConn and the Gamecocks will walk away with another national championship if they can slow down Lauren Betts and shrink the floor.

UCLA will win National Championship game vs South Carolina  if…

• Nancy Armour: Lauren Betts can create space for herself inside.
• Meghan Hall: It can match South Carolina’s defense for four quarters.
• Heather Burns: It dominates the paint with Lauren Betts on both offense and defense.
• Cydney Henderson: Three words: Feed Lauren Betts.

South Carolina vs UCLA: 1 Stat to watch

• Nancy Armour: UCLA had 23 turnovers against Texas and still won. It’s going to need to tighten up against an opportunistic South Carolina.
• Meghan Hall: Fast break points and second chance points.
• Heather Burns: Points off turnovers: Whichever teams can score the most points in transition will win.
• Cydney Henderson: Turnovers. UCLA had 23 turnovers in their Final Four win. South Carolina’s defense is stout and will look to capitalize on takeaways.

South Carolina bold prediction

• Nancy Armour: Tessa Johnson is going to go off. She won’t go 0-for-3 from deep like she did against UConn. 
• Meghan Hall: Agot Makeer makes a championship-sealing basket.
• Heather Burns: Raven Johnson, who spent a lot of her time shutting down Azzi Fudd in the semifinals, will hit at least three 3-pointers.
• Cydney Henderson: Freshman Agot Makeer will have a career-high points off the bench. 

UCLA bold prediction

• Nancy Armour: Lauren Betts will have another big game but she won’t get enough help. 
• Meghan Hall: Lauren Betts scores 40 points
• Heather Burns: Lauren Betts will notch her second double of the weekend and win MOP.
• Cydney Henderson: Senior guard Kiki Rice has a signature game to end her college career. 

March Madness Most Outstanding Player winner

• Nancy Armour: Ta’Niya Latson — She was spectacular against UConn and will be hard for UCLA to contain. 
• Meghan Hall: Raven Johnson — Johnson is the heart and soul of South Carolina. Everything, on both sides of the ball, starts and ends with her.
• Heather Burns: Lauren Betts — UCLA won in the semifinals because of her play on both sides and THE block in the final seconds. 
• Cydney Henderson: Ta’Niya Latson — Sunday will mark Ta’Niya Latson’s first national championship appearance, but she’ll look just at home with an offensive performance that will lead South Carolina to a championship.

South Carolina vs UCLA National Championship winner

• Nancy Armour: South Carolina
• Meghan Hall: South Carolina
• Heather Burns: UCLA
• Cydney Henderson: South Carolina

No. 1 South Carolina vs No. 1 UCLA

• Opening Moneyline: South Carolina (-185), UCLA (+154)
• Opening Spread: South Carolina (-1.5)
• Opening Total: 133.5

How to Watch South Carolina vs UCLA in the National Championship

No. 1 South Carolina takes on No. 1 UCLA at Mortgage Matchup Center on April 5 at 3:30 PM The game is airing on ESPN and ABC.

Stream March Madness on Fubo

2026 Women’s NCAA Tournament full schedule

• March 18-19: First Four
• March 20-21: First Round
• March 22-23: Second Round
• March 27-28: Sweet 16
• March 29-30: Elite 8
• April 3: Final Four
• April 5: National Championship