To say that the Connecticut Huskies have been dominant under Geno Auriemma is an understatement. Since he took over in 1985, UConn has won 12 national championships and been home to some of the world’s best players in women’s basketball. Breanna Stewart. Diana Taurasi. Maya Moore. Sue Bird. Rebecca Lobo. Tina Charles. Napheesa Collier. Paige Bueckers. We’re barely scratching the surface here. No list would be without omissions.
This year’s Huskies team looks poised to be the latest addition to the record books. Azzi Fudd is arguably the best 3-point shooter in program history. Sarah Strong – still just a sophomore – is already the most unstoppable player in college basketball and could wind up being the best player to ever suit up for Auriemma. Quite simply, this team lacks even one single, exploitable weakness. If you are looking for a sportsbook to bet on 2026’s Women’s March Madness click here for our favorites.
That’s shown throughout the season – the Huskies went 36-0 ranked No. 2 or better on offense and defense – and, now, well into the NCAA Tournament. It wasn’t surprising to see UConn thrash No. 16 UTSA in the Round of 64, but their 98-45 win over No. 9 Syracuse was something out of a movie. The Huskies jumped out to a 65-12 lead at the break behind Fudd’s 26 first-half points before cruising over the finish line.
Unsurprisingly, there aren’t many teams that are thought to be capable of defeating UConn. But they’ll be tested on the way to the national championship, and if any team gives them trouble, it’ll likely be one of these five.
Which Teams Could Beat UConn?
There’s a short list of teams that could reasonably give UConn trouble. Actually pulling off the upset is a tall task, but it can be done.
No. 1 UCLA
UCLA has been a superpower over the last few seasons, and much of that has to do with the presence of 6-foot-7 center Lauren Betts. A two-time AP All-American and two-time Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, Betts is both one of the most physically imposing and skilled players in women’s college basketball.
It goes deeper than that for the Bruins, though. UCLA is projected to have four first-round picks in the upcoming WNBA Draft, including Betts, Giannia Kneepkens, Kiki Rice and Gabriela Jaquez, all of whom play instrumental roles for the nation’s most efficient offense.
UCLA is 33-1 – the lone loss coming to Texas back in late November – and has won 27 straight heading into the Sweet 16, including a 96-45 victory over Iowa in the Big Ten Tournament.
The Bruins last met UConn in the Final Four of last year’s tournament, where they lost 85-51 to the eventual champions. A 34-point loss doesn’t make me feel all that confident about picking UCLA for the possible rematch in this year’s title game, but the Bruins likely have the best chance among the remaining teams.
No. 1 South Carolina
UConn hasn’t lost to South Carolina since February 2024, when Dawn Staley’s Gamecocks cruised to an 83-65 victory. The series has been all Huskies since then – UConn won 87-58 on the road in February 2025 before beating them again in last year’s national championship, 82-59.
South Carolina has been slightly more vulnerable this season than in years past, but it still heads into the Sweet 16 at 33-3 with a top-five offense and defense. Staley’s squad is led by sophomore forward Joyce Edwards, an AP All-American who averages nearly 20 points per game.
The Gamecocks also have experience, which is necessary to succeed in March – particularly against the Huskies. Madina Okot, Ta’Niya Latson and Raven Johnson are all seniors, and they’re each averaging double-digit points per game.
Still, while South Carolina remains a national superpower, this team’s strengths just don’t measure up to what UConn has been able to accomplish this season. I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Huskies win by 20 or more should they go on to meet in the Final Four.
No. 1 Texas
Texas actually won when these teams last met in December 2023, defeating the visiting Huskies 80-68 behind Rori Harmon and Madison Booker’s combined 47 points and 14 assists. This year’s group of Longhorns returns both stars and carries a 33-3 record into the Sweet 16.
Like South Carolina, Texas excels on both ends of the floor, ranking inside the top five on offense and defense. Booker is the star: The junior forward and three-time AP All-American averages a team-high 19.3 points, plus 6.7 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 2.2 steals per game.
Notably, the Longhorns have gone 2-1 against UCLA and South Carolina this season, with the lone loss coming on the road in Columbia on January 15. The Gamecocks won 68-65 thanks to an all-out defensive effort.
Unfortunately for the Longhorns, they just don’t match up all that well with the Huskies. Sarah Strong is a neutralizer on both ends of the floor, and if Booker is unable to get going against her, Texas could have trouble making up the difference on offense.
No. 2 Michigan
Michigan is the only team to make the Huskies look human this season. UConn won 35 of its first 36 games by double-digits, but it just squeaked by the Wolverines when they met in late November, winning 72-69.
The stars were out for both sides in that matchup. Michigan’s Syla Swords and Olivia Olson combined for 47 points and 19 rebounds, while UConn’s Strong and Fudd went for 47 points, 25 boards, seven assists, five steals and six blocks. Strong, in particular, was terrific.
Michigan has gone 23-5 since then, losing to Washington, Vanderbilt, UCLA and Iowa (twice) before blowing through the first two rounds of the NCAA Tournament. Olson and Swords are still just sophomores, and they’ve only gotten better as the season has progressed. Could the Wolverines really push the Huskies to the brink a second time?
Truth be told, we may not find out. Michigan would potentially have to get through Texas and UCLA to reach a national championship against UConn, where Auriemma has gone 12-1 all-time. The Wolverines have likely missed out on their lone opportunity to score the upset.
No. 2 Vanderbilt
Vanderbilt rosters one of the nation’s most outstanding players in Mikayla Blakes, a sophomore guard who’s averaging a Division I-best 27 points per game. A two-time AP All-American and an absolute force at all three levels, Blakes has proven that there’s no stopping her once she gets going.
Unlike Blakes, though, the Commodores have flaws. Vanderbilt is 29-4, and while it boasts a top-10 offense, it ranks around the middle of the pack on the other end of the floor. This team’s defensive struggles were highlighted by a 103-74 loss to South Carolina on Jan. 25 – Vanderbilt’s first loss of the season.
The Commodores have looked strong to begin March Madness, crushing High Point and Illinois en route to their first Sweet 16 appearance since 2009. Assuming they can get by surging Notre Dame, they’ll have to get through UConn to advance to the Final Four.
Perhaps they could keep up for part of the game, but Vanderbilt’s defense is just too vulnerable to survive 40 minutes on the court with these Huskies. I don’t buy it.
UConn vs. The Field: Which is the Best Bet?
As of March 24, UConn is listed at -275 to win the national championship at BetOnline. UCLA is the next closest team at +475, with South Carolina and Texas following at +800 apiece.
At this point, another title seems inevitable for the Huskies. They execute perfectly on both ends of the floor and never miss an opportunity to punish their opponents. All told, -275 is a bargain.
