The 2026 Women's National Championship should be a great one. No. 1 seeded South Carolina Gamecocks vs the No. 1 seeded UCLA. This game is the 5th National Championship game for Dawn Staley's Gamecocks, but is the first ever Women's title game for UCLA and Cori Close. This game comes less than 48 hours after the handshake fiasco between Geno Auriemma and Dawn Staley. UConn and Auriemma have issued an apology statement, but the narrative is not likely to subside any time soon. While South Carolina has an impressive 36-3 record, UCLA also enters this game with 36 wins and have not lost a game since November 27, 2025. Coach Staley is not overlooking the Bruins. “We’re going to be challenged because they are pretty methodical in how they want to cut you apart,” South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley said on Saturday when asked about UCLA. “So they got bigs, they got shooters, they got a point guard that’s super smart. They’re complete.”South Carolina is led by Joyce Edwards and her almost 20 points and seven rebounds per game. However, Ta'Niya Latson and Raven Johnson played heavily in how the Gamecocks were able to take down the undefeated UConn Huskies. UCLA will need to lean on C Lauren Betts who is averaging 17 points and eight rebounds on the season. In the last two games Betts is averaging almost 30 points and 10 rebounds. Winners:South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley. After securing a spot in this title game, UConn coach Geno Auriemma caused a post game handshake scene. The entire sport of Women's College Basketball seems to be unified in support of Dawn Staley in that situation. Losers:A 3:30pm EST tip off for a National Championship game that should air in prime time. The Men's National Championship game is tomorrow. The only thing the Women's title game would be competing against in the Men's NIT and Crown Tournament. Neither of which should get top billing over the Women's NCAA National Championship game. Highlights and Fan ReactionsHonoring the 1976 USA Women's Olympic team ABC#WFinalFour #OlympiansMadeHere pic.twitter.com/HngxS25CUC— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessWBB) April 5, 2026AND-1️⃣ with the fancy finish @tessajohnsonnnn #WFinalFour x ABC / @GamecockWBB pic.twitter.com/T1wCTeQEsq— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessWBB) April 5, 2026BANG @kiki_rice0 drains it at the BUZZER!! ABC#WFinalFour x @UCLAWBB pic.twitter.com/dI5cyNh8S3— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessWBB) April 5, 2026WOAH @gabrielarj11 Count the bucket #WFinalFour x ABC / @UCLAWBB pic.twitter.com/0S221PTXgF— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessWBB) April 5, 2026There will be no pre-game handshake conspiracy theoryDAWN AND CORI SHOWING LOVE欄 ABC#WFinalFour pic.twitter.com/mrqx43pbFT— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessWBB) April 5, 2026Rugby Queen Ilona Maher is in the building (again)Hey Girly Pop @ilona_maher ABC#WFinalFour pic.twitter.com/NS22OGOMY6— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessWBB) April 5, 2026Sibling love @jaquez_jr in the building supporting his sister @gabrielarj11 ABC#WFinalFour x @UCLAWBB pic.twitter.com/qh85A0UixY— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessWBB) April 5, 2026Ready for battle ABC#WFinalFour x @GamecockWBB pic.twitter.com/NqNT2tsz3w— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessWBB) April 5, 2026Almost showtime ABC#WFinalFour x @UCLAWBB pic.twitter.com/ZcliyO1FSK— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessWBB) April 5, 2026Cori Close is HERE ABC#WFinalFour x @UCLAWBB pic.twitter.com/XsjctxkUmb— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessWBB) April 5, 2026Dawn Staley has entered the building 朗 ABC#WFinalFour x @GamecockWBB pic.twitter.com/e8ZQqEoBUT— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessWBB) April 5, 2026More college basketball news:Two fans ejected from NCAA Tournament after bringing FAFO energy, lose $6NCAA basketball tournament reportedly expanding to 76 teams: What to knowDawn Staley says 'I will beat Geno's ass' in new video after heated exchangeWhat UConn's Geno Auriemma said after ripping Dawn StaleyNate Burleson's wardrobe gets roasted during March Madness coverage