Overview
- The selection committee named undefeated UConn the overall No. 1, with committee chair Amanda Braun citing the Huskies’ record and observable performance.
- UCLA, South Carolina and Vanderbilt complete the top line, with Vanderbilt elevated after a head-to-head win over Texas two days before the reveal.
- Regional placements project UConn and South Carolina in Fort Worth with UCLA and Vanderbilt in Sacramento under this first bracket preview.
- The SEC and Big Ten each placed six teams in the Top 16, reflecting their depth in the early seeding picture.
- Top 16 teams would host first- and second-round games, with a second reveal set for March 1, an alphabetical host list on March 14, and the full bracket on March 15 at 8 p.m. ET.