The Final Four is officially set for this year's women's college basketball tournament after a thrilling night of games. On Monday, Texas and South Carolina won their important matches to earn their spots in the big finale. They will now travel to Phoenix to join UConn and UCLA, who had already secured their places on Sunday. It is a very special year because these are the exact same four teams that made it to the Final Four last year.

What Happened?

South Carolina had a tough challenge against TCU, but they showed why they are one of the strongest teams in the country. Early in the game, the TCU Horned Frogs actually took the lead and made the Gamecocks work hard. TCU has a very talented star player named Olivia Miles who tried to use her smart passing to confuse the South Carolina defense. However, South Carolina stayed calm and did not let the pressure get to them. Before the first quarter was even finished, they took control of the game and never let go. They eventually won thanks to a huge second half where they simply outplayed their opponents.

The big story for South Carolina was the performance of their younger players. Freshman Agot Makeer and sophomore Joyce Edwards were the players who made the biggest difference. Even though they had a hard time in their previous game against Virginia, they played amazing on Monday night. Edwards finished the game with 24 points and 12 rebounds, which is a massive achievement. Makeer also played great, scoring 18 points and making a beautiful spin move around a defender that fans are already talking about. This win means South Carolina has reached the Final Four for the sixth year in a row, which is a very rare and impressive streak.

In the other big game on Monday, Texas played against Michigan and dominated from the very beginning. The Longhorns started the game by making 11 of their first 12 shots, which is almost a perfect score. By the end of the first quarter, they were leading 22-9. While their offense slowed down a little bit later, their defense stayed incredibly strong. They held Michigan to a very low shooting percentage of only 23 percent. Michigan’s young stars, including Olivia Olson and Syla Swords, really struggled to score against the tough Texas defenders. Texas ended the game with a big lead and showed the world they are ready to fight for the national title.

Key Highlights

The Final Four is now complete with Texas, South Carolina, UConn, and UCLA all heading to Phoenix.
Texas beat Michigan by starting the game with an incredible 11-for-12 shooting performance.
South Carolina reached its sixth straight Final Four after defeating TCU on Monday night.
Joyce Edwards led South Carolina with 24 points and 12 rebounds in a dominant performance.
Freshman Agot Makeer set a career high in scoring during the tournament and added 18 points against TCU.
Texas coach Vic Schaefer says his team is playing its best basketball after previously calling them soft in February.
Michigan struggled heavily on offense, making only two of their 15 attempts from the three-point line.

Why Does This Matter?

This news is very important because it shows the incredible consistency of these four top basketball programs. For the same four teams to reach the Final Four two years in a row is very unusual in sports. It means these schools have the best coaching, the best players, and the most discipline. For fans, this is exciting because it sets up legendary rematches. People love to see if the same team will win again or if someone new will take the trophy this time around.

It also matters because it shows how hard work can change a season. Just six weeks ago, the Texas coach was very disappointed in his team. He even called them the "softest" team he had coached in years after a bad loss. Instead of giving up, the players worked harder and improved their defense. Now, they are considered one of the favorites to win the whole tournament. This is a great lesson for everyone that you can turn things around if you have heart and stay focused on your goals.

What Are People Saying?

Many sports experts are now wondering if Texas might actually be the best team left in the tournament. Alexa Philippou from ESPN mentioned that the combination of experience and defensive power makes Texas very hard to beat. Fans are also very impressed with the young talent on the South Carolina team. People are talking about how freshman Agot Makeer is becoming a star right before our eyes. The way she can score under pressure has made her a favorite among the supporters in South Carolina.

On social media, many fans are excited about the "repeat" Final Four. While some people wanted to see new teams, most are happy to see the highest level of basketball being played by the best athletes. Coaches from the losing teams, like Michigan, have also given credit to their opponents. They noted that the defense played by teams like Texas is what makes it so hard to win at this stage of the competition.

Conclusion

The stage is now set for an incredible finish to the season in Phoenix. With UConn, UCLA, Texas, and South Carolina all moving forward, the games are sure to be filled with energy and talent. These teams have all proven they are the best of the best. Whether it is the young stars of South Carolina or the tough defense of Texas, every team has a real chance to win. Basketball fans around the world will be watching closely to see which team finally stands alone as the national champion.