The Moments That Made March

March is undoubtedly one of the most exciting times of the year for any sports fan. Emotions are at an all-time high—athletes across the nation face off in a single-elimination battle for legacy, glory, and a place in college basketball history. Every shot until the last second counts; every possession from tip-off has fans on the edge of their seats; and every game ends in a sharp contrast between sadness and joy. There are 68 teams, yet only one every year will be remembered in history. This year’s Women’s March Madness had no shortage of unforgettable moments. Here are some of the biggest stories of the tournament. 

Fire Without the Finish

In just the second round of the tournament, Texas Christian University guard Hailey Van Lith went up against her former teammates at Louisville. The Cardinals fell 85-70 to the Bullfrogs, despite Louisville guard Jayda Curry’s historic 41-point game. Curry shot 13-28 from the field and 6-12 from behind the arc, while the Cardinals as a whole only shot 24-71 from the field and 8-24 from the three. Curry’s 41 points were the most points scored by any Louisville player in the NCAA tournament, surpassing the 35 points scored by WNBA veteran Angel McCoughtry in 2008. Curry even outscored the rest of her own team, who had a combined 39 points. Despite the disappointing loss, Louisville head coach Jeff Walz acknowledged Curry’s incredible performance, saying, “She was the best player on the floor... [TCU] couldn’t stop her. It didn't matter what they did, and we executed some things extremely well. I was proud of her. Really, really happy.” 

A Star Goes Down

In the second round of the tournament, the USC Trojans faced off against Mississippi State. It was just midway through the first quarter when USC guard JuJu Watkins fell onto the floor, clutching her knee. She was eventually carried off the court. Later that night, the program announced everybody’s worst fears: Watkins, the national player of the year, had suffered an ACL injury and was to undergo surgery then begin her long road of rehabilitation. Watkins is arguably one of the key faces of this new generation of NCAAW players and averaged 23.9 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game this season. Without Watkins, USC was forced to adjust; not only was she their star player, but she had also played in every game since her freshman year. Looking ahead, the Trojans will have to find a new identity next season and navigate a world without Watkins. Despite the setback, as USC head coach Lindsay Gottlieb said, “We will have time to figure out how to be great, even if Juju isn’t out there.” 

The Comeback Kid

While some players faced new challenges, others returned to the court with unfinished business. UConn guard Azzi Fudd had never experienced an entirely healthy season, until this year. Even before entering college, she had torn her ACL and MCL while competing in the USA Basketball 3x3 U18 National Championships. These injury issues continued during Fudd’s collegiate career. During her freshman year, she injured her foot, causing her to be out for 11 games. During her sophomore year, she missed 22 games due to a knee injury. When she returned, she reaggravated it, causing her to miss even more time on the court. The injury sustained during her junior year was arguably her worst: she tore both her ACL and meniscus, which limited her to only two games over the course of the entire season. This year was a welcome back for Fudd, who was featured in a career-high 34 games, averaged 13.6 points, and had a 47.4 percent shooting accuracy. Her performances led the team to the biggest stage of her career, where she became one of the key leaders on UConn’s championship team while delivering one of her best performances so far. Her journey is one of resilience and later dominance. By the time the final horn of the tournament blew, Fudd had a team-high 24 points, ended up winning the Most Outstanding Player of the tournament, and left as a national champion. In a tournament filled with multiple stars and powerhouses, Fudd shone the brightest when the stakes were the highest, cementing her legacy. However, this isn’t the end for Fudd. Despite being eligible for this year’s WNBA draft, Fudd has opted to stay at UConn for a fifth year, hoping to further her UConn legacy. 

The Big Three Dominate

The 2025 Women’s NCAA tournament came to a close in Tampa. UConn defeated South Carolina in the finals to win their 12th national championship—four more than any other university. Historic coaches Geno Auriemma (UConn) and Dawn Staley (South Carolina) faced off once again. UConn ended up winning in a blowout, cruising to victory with a score of 82-59 over the 2024 champions. Fudd finished the game with 24 points, five rebounds, three steals, and was named the Final Four Most Outstanding Player of the tournament. UConn forward Sarah Strong had a double-double with 24 points and 15 rebounds, also recording five steals. Strong became the only player to record 20/15/5 in a national championship game and achieved this feat as a freshman. UConn point guard Paige Bueckers, who was recently drafted as the number one pick in the WNBA draft, put up 17 points. These three players combined made 63 of UConn’s 82 points, outscoring the Gamecocks themselves—and it wasn't even the first time they’ve done so. In the final four game against the first seed UCLA, the Huskies delivered a 34-point loss to the Bruins—Fudd, Bueckers, and Strong made a total of 57 points. The Huskies dominated from start to finish, game after game. UConn’s core trio showed why they were the heart of the team. Bueckers had her perfect ending and passed down the torch to Strong in hopes that this glory can repeat next year. 

The 2025 Women’s March Madness tournament was a showcase of grit, heartbreak, and unforgettable moments that have defined March Madness over the years. With the transfer portal open and players leaving left and right, rosters are sure to look much different next year. Either way, the tournament’s passion and intensity will remain the same. As new stars rise, new stories will be written; next season, the journey will start all over again.