In the 2025 Women's NCAA Tournament Final Four, the South Carolina Gamecocks faced the Texas Longhorns on April 4 at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida. The Gamecocks secured a decisive victory with a final score of 74-57, advancing to the national championship game.
2025 Women’s Final Four: Top-Seeded SEC Powers Texas and South Carolina Set for High-Stakes Showdown
Two SEC heavyweights will clash in the Final Four of the 2025 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament this Friday as No. 1 seeds Texas (35-3) and South Carolina (34-3) face off for a spot in the national championship game. The showdown at Amalie Arena in Tampa Bay marks the fourth meeting between the two programs this season, with both teams looking to break the deadlock and punch their ticket to Sunday’s title game against the winner of UConn vs. UCLA.
Texas and South Carolina split their two regular-season matchups earlier in the year, but it was the Gamecocks who claimed the edge in their most recent meeting—a decisive 64-45 win in the SEC Tournament Championship Game. Now, head coach Dawn Staley has her squad aiming for a fourth national championship since 2017, solidifying the Gamecocks’ dynasty in the modern era of women’s college basketball.
The Longhorns, meanwhile, are eyeing a return to glory for the first time since their lone NCAA title in 1986. Led by a well-rounded roster and strong defensive identity, Texas will look to flip the script and finally overcome their conference rival when it matters most.
Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET, with South Carolina opening as 5.5-point favorites according to the latest odds. The over/under is set at 123.5 total points, reflecting the defensive prowess both teams bring to the floor.
Expert Analysis: Barzilai and Wetzel's Picks
Before locking in your picks for Friday’s marquee matchup, consider insights from SportsLine analysts Aaron Barzilai and Calvin Wetzel, two of the most respected names in women’s basketball betting.
Aaron Barzilai, a Ph.D. graduate from Stanford, previously served as the Director of Basketball Analytics for the Philadelphia 76ers. His deep understanding of the game’s analytical side makes him one of the most trusted voices in the field.
Calvin Wetzel, meanwhile, blends a strong mathematical foundation with an in-depth knowledge of women’s basketball to help power SportsLine’s proprietary prediction model. Together, the duo has achieved remarkable success this season, compiling a 543-383 overall record (+122.89 units) during the 2023-24 campaign and a 125-71-1 mark (+44.33 units) so far in 2024-25.
Their track record includes consistent results across a wide array of matchups, and their data-backed insights could provide a crucial edge for fans, bettors, and bracket enthusiasts heading into this highly anticipated Final Four clash.
Final Thoughts
Friday’s semifinal between Texas and South Carolina is more than just a rematch—it’s a culmination of months of competition between two of the NCAA’s elite programs. With star power, coaching excellence, and a championship berth on the line, fans can expect a battle that lives up to its billing.
Will South Carolina’s experience and defensive dominance carry them to another championship game? Or can Texas finally overcome the Gamecocks and take the next step toward a title that’s eluded them for nearly four decades?
Either way, one thing’s for sure: this Final Four matchup is can’t-miss basketball.
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