The tip-off for the March Madness had been excellent, with no top team allowing any surprises and winning their games with big margins. Even though it’s just the first day of the March Madness tournament, fans are already putting their money on the UConn Huskies to win it all.
ESPN reporter Molly Howe suggested another winner for this year’s title, yet sided with Geno Auriemma and his team to go all the way. In the competition. Analyst Stephen A Smith ‘blindly’ puts his figure on the Huskies and has a reason for his prediction.
Stephen A Smith Backs UConn Huskies To Clinch National Championship
The defending champion title, undefeated run and dominant wins throughout the season highlight the Huskies’ preparations for the season. ESPN analyst Smith also sees them as contenders and points to the ‘scary’ pairing of Azzi Fudd and Srah Strong to be the deciding factor.
Praising the competition, SAS said, “I would love to have the field, because at Ole Miss, coach Cori Close at UCLA, I’ve been to both of their games. You know, you see what Texas is doing. I love me some Dawn Staley, the queen. No question about it, South Carolina. But what I’m seeing from UConn, I mean, this is some scary stuff. This is pure dominance. And I’m trying to figure out what the h*** you’re gonna do against them!”
UConn or the field? 🤔@stephenasmith cannot go against UConn and their "scary stuff." pic.twitter.com/vjeex7pozY
— First Take (@FirstTake) March 20, 2026
“I mean, what is there, a 50, 51-game winning streak? Sarah Strong, Fudd, I mean what you gonna do against them? They got size, they got shooters, they play defense. Geno Auriemma has been to, what is it, like 31 straight Sweet Sixteens? 24 Final Fours? 12 national championships? I mean, my god! And this team, they look better. They just continue to reload and re-tool,” Smith added.
Scroll to continue reading
Trending WNBA News
While the team has the highest chances of winning the title, the March Madness is famous for its surprises, and there are teams that could challenge the Huskies’ dominant force.
Top Challengers For UConn Huskies In 2025-26 Season
The challengers for the UConn team have to have a special trait that even Geno Auriemma might not be able to unlock. Although it seems a distant thought, three teams can really dent the dream.
The first one is South Carolina. The team has all but four ranked in the top 30 in rebounding, and all but two ranked in the top 20 in effective field goal defence. Simply, South Carolina could end up lifting the title behind its strong forward lineup, which could control the tempo and Sarah Strong.
Another team on similar lines is the UCLA Bruins. The side won the Big 10 tournament by 51 points, showcasing their versatility and command on both ends of the floor. Moreover, with recod seven WNBA Prospects, the side could use its experience and size to overpower the Huskies.
One surprising entry to the list would be Vanderbilt. The Commodores are equipped with the winners of the SEC’s annual awards for Coach, Player and Freshman of the Year in Shea Ralph, Mikayla Blakes and Aubrey Galvan. This includes League’s top scorer nationwide, top assist maker at the national level and coach Ralph, who has guided Vanderbilt to its most wins in a single season since 2007.