For the NCAA Women’s National Championship game between South Carolina and UCLA on April 5, the broadcast features the following announcing teams:
Television (ABC):
- Play-by-Play: Ryan Ruocco
- Analyst: Rebecca Lobo
- Sideline Reporter: Holly Rowe
National Radio (Westwood One):
- Play-by-Play: Ryan Radtke
- Analyst: Debbie Antonelli
- Sideline Reporter: Ros Gold-Onwude
ESPN is also providing a “MegaCast” and several specialty feeds.
“Beyond the Rim / Courtside,” will feature Jess Sims, Katie Feeney, Ilona Maher, Natisha Hiedeman and Courtney Williams.
Additionally, UCLA’s local radio call will be available through UCLA Digital Radio on the Bruins’ official athletics website.
The game is scheduled for 3:30 PM ET at the Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, Arizona.
Storylines in 2026 National Championship Game Between South Carolina and UCLA
Coach Dawn Staley is looking to secure her fourth national title (and third in the last five seasons). A win today would move her into a tie with Kim Mulkey for the third-most championships by a head coach in women’s basketball history, trailing only Geno Auriemma and Pat Summitt
On the other hand, this is the Bruins’ first-ever appearance in the NCAA National Championship game. After being a perennial contender, they are finally on the doorstep of their first title in the NCAA era.
South Carolina enters this game after stunning UConn in the semifinals.
That win served two purposes. Firstly, they snapped UConn’s massive 54-game winning streak. The Gamecocks held the nation’s second-highest-scoring offense to a mere 48 points. This was the lowest point total for UConn in a tournament game since their 2022 championship loss (also to South Carolina).
Secondly, it was a revenge for last year’s national championship game, where UConn defeated the Gamecocks.
Moreover, the Gamecocks vs. UConn clash on April 3 became a talking point after the tense exchange between coaches Dawn Staley and Geno Auriemma took place.
With 0.1 seconds left, Auriemma approached Staley at the scorer’s table. Instead of a traditional handshake, he began yelling at her and pointing his finger at the floor. Staley quickly fired back. Assistant coaches from both teams had to step in to separate them.
After the flare-up, Auriemma walked straight to the tunnel without shaking hands with the South Carolina players or the rest of the coaching staff.
Looking forward to April 5’s final game between the Gamecocks vs. Bruins, the most critical individual matchup features UCLA’s Lauren Betts.
South Carolina is known for stifling defense. Whether Betts can produce against the Gamecocks’ physical interior defense, which held UConn to just 48 points, will likely decide the game.
Also Read:
Analyst Urges Geno Auriemma To Consider Retirement As ‘Aggressive Meltdown’ vs Dawn Staley Overshadows UConn Loss
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