NCAA Women's Basketball bracket: Top teams, storylines, and predictions

The NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament is back, and the stakes are higher than ever. With the field set, it's time to take a look at the top teams, storylines, and predictions for this year's tournament.
Top teams
There are a number of teams that could make a run to the Final Four this year, but here are the top contenders:
* Stanford Cardinal: The Cardinal are the defending national champions and have won the tournament three times in the past five years. They have a lot of experience and talent, led by All-American Haley Jones.
* South Carolina Gamecocks: The Gamecocks are the No. 1 team in the country and have been dominant all season. They have a lot of size and athleticism, led by All-American Aliyah Boston.
* Louisville Cardinals: The Cardinals are the No. 2 team in the country and have been one of the most consistent teams in the country all season. They have a lot of experience and depth, led by All-American Emily Engstler.
* UConn Huskies: The Huskies are one of the most storied programs in college basketball history, and they're always a threat to win the national championship. They have a lot of young talent, led by All-American Azzi Fudd.
* NC State Wolfpack: The Wolfpack are one of the most surprising teams in the country this season. They're led by All-American Diamond Johnson, and they have a lot of depth and experience.
Storylines
There are a number of storylines to watch in this year's tournament, including:
* Can Stanford repeat as champions? The Cardinal are the defending champions, but they lost a lot of key players from last year's team. They'll need to find a way to replace those players if they want to make another run to the Final Four.
* Will South Carolina win its first national championship? The Gamecocks are the No. 1 team in the country and have been dominant all season. They're led by All-American Aliyah Boston, and they have a lot of size and athleticism. They're the clear favorites to win the tournament, but they'll need to avoid complacency if they want to cut down the nets.
* Can Louisville make a run to the Final Four? The Cardinals are the No. 2 team in the country and have been one of the most consistent teams in the country all season. They have a lot of experience and depth, and they're led by All-American Emily Engstler. They're a dark horse to make a run to the Final Four, but they'll need to play their best basketball in order to do so.
* Can UConn return to its former glory? The Huskies are one of the most storied programs in college basketball history, but they've struggled in recent years. They have a lot of young talent, and they're hoping to make a run to the Final Four this year. They'll need to play well, but they have the potential to be a major contender.
* Can NC State make a Cinderella run? The Wolfpack are one of the most surprising teams in the country this season. They're led by All-American Diamond Johnson, and they have a lot of depth and experience. They're a long shot to make a run to the Final Four, but they have the potential to be a spoiler.
Predictions
Here are my predictions for the Final Four and the national championship:
* Final Four: Stanford, South Carolina, Louisville, UConn
* National championship: South Carolina
I think South Carolina is the best team in the country and will be very difficult to beat. They have the size, athleticism, and experience to win it all. Stanford, Louisville, and UConn are all talented teams, but I think South Carolina is the best matchup for them.