The journey to the NCAA DI women’s basketball Final Four is an exceptionally challenging one, particularly for the four No. 1 seeds in the tournament. While being a top seed does not guarantee a place in the Final Four, the statistics indicate that it significantly improves the chances of reaching the pinnacle of the tournament.
Since the inception of the DI women’s basketball tournament in 1982, the number of participating teams has undergone various changes. The tournament began with 32 teams in its inaugural year, expanded to 36 the following year, and then reverted to 32 for a period of time. The number of teams has continued to grow and reached 68 teams as of the 2022 tournament. The increase in teams means there are more games to win, making the path to the Final Four even more challenging.
Despite the fluctuations in the size of the tournament, the number of No. 1 seeds has consistently remained at four. Up to the 2022-23 season, there have been 164 instances of a team earning a No. 1 seed in the tournament’s history. Of these, 92 teams, or 56.1%, have successfully advanced to the Final Four.
An analysis of tournament history reveals that the most common scenario is two No. 1 seeds making it to the Final Four, occurring in 23 out of 41 tournaments, representing 56% of the games. Additionally, in 35 out of 41 years, there have been at least two No. 1 seeds in the Final Four, indicating that 85% of the time, the Final Four is populated by two, three, or all four top seeds.
In some specific years, all four No. 1 seeds have reached the Final Four, which has occurred four times, with three instances taking place since 2012. The rarity of this occurrence between 1982 and 2011 highlights the increased competitiveness of the tournament in recent years.
In the history of DI women’s basketball, UConn and Tennessee have been dominant forces in the sport. UConn, in particular, has been a powerhouse as a No. 1 seed, making the Final Four a remarkable 19 times. This means that nearly half of all tournaments have featured UConn in the semifinals as a top seed, with the team clinching the national championship in 10 of those appearances.
Similarly, the Lady Vols of Tennessee have also boasted an impressive record, securing 12 national semifinal appearances as a No. 1 seed. Of these, 10 years saw Tennessee competing in the national championship game, ultimately claiming victory in seven seasons.
Aside from UConn and Tennessee, Louisiana Tech and Stanford have also had notable success as No. 1 seeds, each making eight appearances in the Final Four. Following closely behind is Notre Dame with seven appearances. It is noteworthy that all of Louisiana Tech’s appearances occurred before 2000, while Stanford secured all three of its national titles as a top seed in 1990, 1992, and 2021.
These statistics highlight the significance of securing a No. 1 seed in the DI women’s basketball tournament. While it does not guarantee a place in the Final Four, it undoubtedly enhances a team’s prospects of making a deep run in the tournament and competing for the coveted national championship.