💃🏽 Hey Tampa, Let's Dance!

And then there were four.

Uconn, South Carolina, Texas and UCLA are headed to Tampa!

The Elite Eight took place on Sunday afternoon, and we were treated to two outstanding games. In the opener, South Carolina and Duke went down to the final possession, but SC survived and advanced to the Final Four.

This is South Carolina’s fifth straight Final Four appearance, and their quest to repeat as National Champions continues. Although they fell short, Duke made their first Elite Eight since 2013 and saw their freshman forward, Toby Fournier, play the game of her life against a dynastic SC squad. Duke’s future with Kara Lawson leading them is incredibly bright.

In the afternoon game, LSU and UCLA played another barn burner. It came down to the final minutes, but the Bruins were able to withstand a second half flurry from Flau’jae Johnson and hang on to win 72-65.

For the Bruins, their dream season continues and they are two victories away from winning their first championship since 1978. For LSU, they might be transitioning into a new era as Aneesah Morrow is moving on to the pros and Flau’jae Johnson deciding on whether she should turn pro as well.

Monday night we saw the battle of Texas as the Longhorns withstood a late TCU rally to make their first Final Four since 2003 with a 58-47 win. With AP First Team All-American Madison Booker leading the way, the Longhorns can make history and win their first-ever national championship.

TCU finishes up the most successful season in team history, but will be saying goodbye to Sedona Prince and Hailey Van Lith as they move on to the WNBA.

Sarah Strong powered the UCONN attack early as her 15 first half points kept USC at bay. In the second half, it was the Paige Bueckers show as the superstar guard put on a show and made some history along the way. She passed Napheesa Collier for third-most points in school history and is the only player in school history to have three consecutive 30-point games. That combination powered UCONN to a 78-64 win and a trip to Tampa.

USC fought hard but were at a deep disadvantage without Juju Watkins. The Trojans will be back next year, and coach Lindsey Gottlieb will look to hold things down while Watkins heals from her ACL injury.

Stay with us at the Women’s Basketball Roundup as we break down the Final Four and upcoming National Championship game!

WELCOME BACK, STEWIE!

It took a while, but Breanna Stewart will (officially) be back in New York!

On March 29, the Liberty officially announced that Stewie would return for her third season in New York. Multiple reporters confirmed that Stewart signed a one-year contract worth over $208,000.

For the Liberty, this move puts a bow on an off-season that saw them add Natasha Cloud, Marine Johannès, and Isabelle Harrison to the team to offset Kayla Thornton's and Courtney Vandersloot's departures.

The Liberty’s length, athleticism, and quickness up and down the roster make them a favorite to repeat as WNBA champions. Training camp is right around the corner, and we’ll keep you locked into all things Liberty on Gotta Get Up!

For Stewart, she joins other players in the league who signed one-year contracts in preparation for the new CBA and the increase in money that will come from the WNBA’s new media rights contract.

As a Vice President of the Players Association, Stewart will play a big role in getting players the benefits and rewards they deserve.

BETNIJAH LANEY-HAMILTON UNDERGOES SURGERY, OUT 5-6 MONTHS

When the New York Liberty begin their championship defense this spring, they’ll have to do it without the heart and soul of the team.

On March 31, the Liberty announced that Betnijah Laney-Hamilton underwent surgery on her left knee to repair a meniscus injury. The timetable for her recovery is approximately five to six months, which means Betnijah will most likely miss most if not all of this season. On behalf of the WBB Roundup, we’re sending our best to Betnijah as she recovers from this surgery.

 💰 MONEY MOVES

Olivia Miles shakes things up?

For the past few months, it felt as if the top of the WNBA Draft was set in stone. Paige Bueckers at number one, Olivia Miles at number two, and we flow from there. On Monday evening, everything we thought we knew got turned upside down.

Per multiple reports, Olivia Miles has decided to forgo entering this year’s Draft and return to college. More importantly, she will be LEAVING Notre Dame and going to a new school. The team she will join figures to be a favorite to make it to the Final Four in 2026. Looking ahead, Miles’ decision could be a byproduct of the current WNBA landscape…

We’ve been discussing the road to the CBA negotiations here at the WBB Roundup. The league is trending upwards and players are due to receive the money and funds they deserve after years of hard work and advocacy.

We’ve seen how it’s affected players currently in the league as just about every player will be a free agent in 2026 when the new CBA is in effect.

For college players who might be high lottery picks, they have to decide if they should make the leap into the pros now or wait a little bit longer in school so they reach a higher spot in the Draft and earn a bit more money along the way.

The landscape of the WNBA is changing by the day, and it’s shaping up to be a fascinating 2025 in the pros and college as well.

📰 WHAT WE’RE READING!

At Black Rosie Media, we love to give flowers to other writers and creators in women’s basketball.

Here’s what we’re reading

• Breanna Stewart re-signs with New York Liberty, continuing big off-season by Brian Fleurantin for Netsdaily

• Women's March Madness 2025: UCLA, fueled by 2024 Sweet 16 exit, seeks redemption with not-so-Hollywood style by Erica Ayala for CBS Sports

• BREAKING: Betnijah Laney-Hamilton to miss most, if not all, of 2025 after undergoing meniscus repair. by Lucas Kaplan for Netsdaily

• Gabriela Jaquez could be the key to UCLA’s national title dreams by Jackie Powell for The Next

• WNBA stars are changing young female athletes’ lives in a beautiful way by Noa Dalzell for Breakaway

• ‘She can be one of the greatest at Duke’: Inside Toby Fournier’s freshman season by Hunter Cruse for The Next

• Hailey Van Lith’s redemption tour continues as ‘Miss March’ pushes TCU into a historic Elite Eight by Mitchell Northam for Breakaway

• Azzi Fudd will return next season as UConn’s undisputed leader by Tee Baker for The Next

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