Some teams don’t just play in March—they own it. Over the years, a few women’s college basketball programs have taken over the NCAA tournament. From iconic coaches to unforgettable title runs, these schools stack wins. Let’s break down the programs that have stood at the top of the mountain.
NCAA Women’s Basketball Teams With the Most National Championships
1. UConn Huskies, 12 Titles
Years: 1995, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2009, 2010, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2025
No one touched the Huskies’ level of dominance. Geno Auriemma’s UConn teams have shown how to win titles. They had multiple undefeated years and a 111-game win streak between 2014 and 2017. Their championship history reads like a decade-spanning highlight reel. Auriemma explained their formula simply:
“We’ve had great players and great staff, and we’ve been consistent. That’s the secret.”
Consistency came in the form of legendary players like Diana Taurasi, Maya Moore, and Breanna Stewart—each a generational talent on their own.
2. Tennessee Lady Volunteers, 8 Titles
Years: 1987, 1989, 1991, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2007, 2008
Before UConn became the standard, Pat Summitt and the Lady Vols ruled the court. Tennessee was the first true women’s basketball brand. And Summitt, with her no-nonsense style, turned Knoxville into a college basketball powerhouse.
She left the game with 1,098 wins, the most in NCAA history when she retired. Her final run—winning back-to-back titles in 2007 and 2008. Well, now we could say it was a proper send-off for one of the greatest to ever do it.
T-3. Baylor Bears, 3 Titles
Years: 2005, 2012, 2019
When Kim Mulkey was in charge, Baylor was never out of the conversation. The 2012 title team, led by Brittney Griner, didn’t just win—they dominated with a perfect 40-0 season. Mulkey said it best:
“A once-in-a-lifetime team.”
The Bears also had the talent, toughness, and edge to capture two more titles. They built a legacy of their own in a competitive Big 12 landscape.
T-3. Stanford Cardinal, 3 Titles
Years: 1990, 1992, 2021
Tara VanDerveer’s teams were built to last. With nearly three decades between their second and third titles, Stanford stayed competitive year after year. Their 2021 win came during one of the most difficult seasons ever, as it was shaped by COVID restrictions and constant travel. After their championship win over Arizona, VanDerveer said:
“It means everything, especially with what this team went through during COVID.”
It was a title that showed how experience, leadership, and resilience still matter.
T-3. South Carolina Gamecocks, 3 Titles
Years: 2017, 2022, 2024
Dawn Staley transformed South Carolina into the team everyone has to chase. With three titles in less than a decade, she’s built a new-era dynasty. The 2024 Gamecocks went 38-0—an undefeated season that proved they were the best in the country by a mile. After cutting the nets, Staley said,
“This team was special from Day 1. They bought in, they stayed focused, and they made history.”
South Carolina isn’t just competing with the greats anymore—they’re joining them.
T-6. Louisiana Tech Lady Techsters, 2 Titles
Years: 1982, 1988
Back in the early years of the NCAA women’s tournament, Louisiana Tech was one of the original powerhouses. They played in the first NCAA title game in 1982 and followed it up with another championship in 1988. Coached by Sonja Hogg and Leon Barmore, the Lady Techsters helped bring serious attention to the women’s game when it needed it most.
T-6. USC Trojans, 2 Titles
Years: 1983, 1984
Led by Cheryl Miller, one of the greatest players in women’s basketball history, USC went back-to-back in the mid-80s. Coach Linda Sharp guided a team that not only won but also entertained. Miller’s presence on the court pushed the sport to new heights and made USC must-watch TV at the time.
T-6. Notre Dame Fighting Irish, 2 Titles
Years: 2001, 2018
Muffet McGraw’s Irish weren’t strangers to Final Four heartbreaks, but when they won, they did it with flair.
KEEP READING: Top 10 Women’s College Basketball Stars Who Played in the Final Four
In 2018, Arike Ogunbowale delivered the coldest game-winner in championship history to beat Mississippi State. That buzzer-beater sealed a title and instantly became an all-time moment in March Madness history.
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