South-Carolina
South Carolina vs UConn prediction, analysis, Final Four expert picks for women’s March Madness
The women’s 2026 NCAA Tournament continues with Final Four action Friday as No. 1 South Carolina and No. 1 UConn battle for a spot in the national championship
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 Final Four 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.
South Carolina will win Final Four game vs UConn if…
- Mitchel Northam: The Gamecocks have to own the glass, make their 3-pointers and try to get Sarah Strong in a bit of foul trouble.
- Nancy Armour: Joyce Edwards is going to need to have the game of her life, offensively and defensively.
- Meghan Hall: It keeps up the defensive pressure through 4 quarters; It slows down Azzi Fudd and Sarah Strong
- Heather Burns: if it locks down Azzi Fudd on defense and hold her to under double digits in scoring.
UConn will win Final Four game vs South Carolina if…
- Mitchel Northam: If Sarah Strong and Azzi Fudd can poke a few holes in South Carolinas defense and build an early lead, UConn might roll to a comfortable win.
- Nancy Armour: So long as Sarah Strong isn’t in foul trouble or getting triple-teamed, I don’t see how UConn can be stopped.
- Meghan Hall: It keeps South Carolina out of the paint; It slows down Raven Johnson and Joyce Edwards
- Heather Burns: if they rebound and take care of the basketball.
South Carolina vs UConn: 1 Stat to watch
- Mitchel Northam: There’s two areas in which UConn has shown some vulnerability this season: rebounding and defending the 3-pointer. South Carolina is elite in both areas, ranking fourth nationall in 3-point shooting percentage this season and inside the top 15 in seven different rebounding statistics.
- Nancy Armour: Can Joyce Edwards keep Sarah Strong in check? She hasn’t been able to the first two times they’ve played.
- Meghan Hall: Which team wins the turnover battle
- Heather Burns: Point of turnovers. If UConn can lock down on defense and score in transition, they will win.
South Carolina vs UConn Final Four prediction
- Mitchel Northam: South Carolina
- Nancy Armour: UConn
- Meghan Hall: UConn
- Heather Burns: UConn
- Cydney Henderson:
1 South Carolina vs 1 UConn
- Opening Moneyline: UConn (-305), South Carolina (+245)
- Opening Spread: UConn (-6.5)
- Opening Total: 136.5
How to Watch South Carolina vs UConn in the Final Four
No. 1 South Carolina takes on No. 1 UConn at Mortgage Matchup Center on April 3 at 7:00 PM The game is airing on ESPN.
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
WATCH: SCGOP announces plans to file lawsuit over voter party registration
The South Carolina Republican Party announces plans to file a federal lawsuit regarding political party voter registration in South Carolina.
The South Carolina Republican Party is planning to file a federal lawsuit to change the state’s primary voting process and require voters to register to a political party.
South Carolina voters do not have to register by political party, and are able to vote in either political party’s primary. State Republican lawmakers have pushed for legislation to close the state’s primary elections, but they have been unsuccessful in passing it.
South Carolina Republican Party leadership held a press conference at the statehouse in Columbia on May 12 to announce the new lawsuit related to closed primaries and required partisan voter registration.
SCGOP Chair Drew McKissick said that South Carolina political parties have the right under state law to define the terms of party membership and dictate who votes in their primaries. He said the law doesn’t offer the tool to enforce that policy.
“Many people who are not Republicans choose Republican nominees,” McKissick said. “That’s like allowing Carolina or Clemson fans to choose which players the other team puts on the field.”
U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman, R-District 5, is campaigning on closed primaries in his run for South Carolina governor. He said now is the time to institute closed primaries in South Carolina.
“I’m glad to see the party moving forward with it, and I look forward to having our day in court,” Norman said.
Last fall, the Republican Party of Texas filed a federal lawsuit against the state to close its primaries. The Texas Republican Party argued that the First Amendment gives political parties the right to determine who votes in their election.
Attorney General Alan Wilson offered his support to the South Carolina Republican Party as it takes up the lawsuit. The South Carolina Republican Party has not yet filed the suit, but McKissick said he expects the lawsuit to be filed shortly after the June 9 primary elections.
Bella Carpentier covers the South Carolina legislature, state, and Greenville County politics. Contact her at bcarpentier@gannett.com
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