All four seeds No. 1 remain alive in the NCAA women’s tournament in 2025. But as the finals of four are coming, another seed no. 2 was excluded on Sunday as South Carolina knocked Duke in the elite eight in Birmingham.
Although March Madness continues, the coaching carousel is spinning and the transmission portal is open – so it is never too early to look forward to the next season.
For the rest of the tournament, ESPN analysts are discussed as 1- and 2-southes have their hopes for the title and what will be for each team. What departures of the player can be on the way? Who are the best coming recruits? What gears could fit in the list for 2025-26?
Record: 29-8, 14-4 ACC (third, won the ACC tournament title)
As they were excluded: 54-50 loss to South Carolina in the Elite of Eight
Expected departures: G Reigan Richardson
Key contributors expected next year: F Toby FournierG ASHLON JacksonG Yellow OkanwaF Delaney ThomasG Jaden DonovanG Vanessa de Jesus.
Best incoming recruitment: PG Emilee Skinner (No. 7 for ESPNW TOP 100)
Portal Priorities: There should really be no big holes that would fill in this team if Blue Devils bring back that everyone expected to return. This means that even if Blue Devils bring the Supreme Point recruiter, if a veteran is transferred to this position, coach Kara Lawson can consider adding. The key for any transfer supplement: must play a very high level defense and get up and down the court.
Can Blue Devils break through for Final Four next year? It is likely that Duke will enter the next season as the first five team and ACC favorite. This year, Blue Devils have come close to the final four berths thanks to their ability to suppress their opponents in their energy defense style. If there was something, they should be even better next season, because their deep Sophomore class will move to their junior years and the ACC Freshman of the Year Fournier returns with the season under her belt.
Duke is probably not your cup of tea if you like high score games; Lawson’s Blue Devils has been very different from the last four teams in 1999, 2002, 2003 and 2006 under Coach Gail Goestedkors. But the Duke’s style now plays efficient and Lawson is certainly ready to achieve the last four of his own. – Michael Voepel
Record: 28-7 Overall, 16-2 ACC (tied first)
As they were excluded: Loss of 80-73 to 3 LSU seeds in Sweet 16
Tigers were lower seed but felt like popular in this game: they were healthier than in recent weeks (with the guardian Embarrassed Johnson back from the injury) and defeated Wolfpack in November. Both teams were successful in the NCAA tournament; NC State created the last four seasons and the LSU The Eight (Tigers won the NCAA in 2023) and both had a lot of experience back in 2024-25. But LSU Senior forward Aneesah Morow (30 points, 19 rebounds) was the biggest X factor on Friday. The NC State, a team led by a guard, could not stop Morrow, who led the division this season in reflection and twice.
Departures: G Aziaha JamesG SaniyaG Madison Hayes
Key contributors expected next year: Although Wolfpack loses a lot of guards, Zoe Brooks and Zamareya Jones The coach Wes Moore should feel quite good about his perimeter game again. And publish players Tilda Guarantees (6-naha-6) and Lorena Awou (6-5), both freshmen this season, return size plus additional experience. Forward Maddie CoxWhich will be the next season junior, had the best game in the season-8 points on Friday and 7 rebounds-confidence for the next season.
Best incoming recruitment: G Destiny “Ky’She” Lunan (No. 60 for ESPNW)
Portal Priorities: Adding experience on guard and other game. James led Wolfpack in points, Hayes led them to rebounds and rivers in assistance. This trio meant so much NC state with their production and leadership. If this season there was an Achilles heel for Wolfpack, it was a need for better games. That hurt them Friday’s loss.
Can the state NC keep its sweet 16 moment? No matter where they were selected to end up in ACC over the past few years, Wolfpack usually put things together and became a strong team in Postseason. In six of the last seven seasons, they got to the regional semifinals of NCAA. Next season they will have to do it without standouts who thought so much for the program.