TAMPA — After a four-month regular season, a smorgasbord of conference tournaments and 64 NCAA tourney contests nationwide, the stage for the signature event of women’s college basketball finally is set.

And what an ensemble.

A reigning national champ. The country’s No. 1-ranked team. A stampede of stingy Longhorns. And the winningest coach — men’s or women’s — in college hoops lore.

A literal red carpet outside Amalie Arena awaits South Carolina, UCLA, Texas and Connecticut, who compete in the sold-out Women’s Final Four starting Friday night. The Gamecocks, Bruins and Longhorns arrive as No. 1 seeds from their respective regions, while the Huskies were a two-seed. But what this event lacks in Cinderellas, it compensates with suspense. Any of these four can win the whole thing.

Indeed, nip-and-tuck could accompany pick-and-rolls this weekend, and tension’s always a good thing in the closing acts of any drama. Here’s a closer look at the four participants, and why we think each has a chance of being slathered in confetti Sunday afternoon.

South Carolina (34-3)

Why they could win it all: Because the reigning national champs likely will arrive in Tampa still peeved over not receiving the tournament’s No. 1 overall seed. But more than jilted, the Gamecocks are battle tested. They trailed Indiana by one at halftime, and rallied from fourth-quarter deficits against Maryland and Duke. Four starters, and seven members of the playing rotation, remain from last season’s undefeated national championship squad. Some of the wins have lacked style points (see Duke), but the Gamecocks are a skilled, seasoned bunch who hardly will be overwhelmed by the moment.

Did you know? Before managing only nine bench points against Duke, the Gamecocks averaged 41.7 points from their backups in their first three NCAA tourney games. For the season, South Carolina leads the nation with 40.6 bench points per game.

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UCLA (34-2)

Why they could win it all: Because the Bruins know how to start fast — in both halves. The tournament’s top overall seed has outscored its opposition by a combined 232 points in the first quarter, and by a combined 242 in the third. This is a deep team (nine players average at least 12 minutes) that still led LSU by six at halftime on Sunday despite having 6-foot-7 All-American Lauren Betts (20.0 points, 9.6 rebounds per game) on the bench the entire second quarter with foul trouble. What UCLA lacks in long-range proficiency (33.7% from 3-point land), it atones for with defense. The Bruins rank sixth nationally in 3-point percentage defense (35.2).

Did you know? Betts’ next blocked shot will be her 100th this season, making her one of only five players with at least 100 blocks this year.

Texas (35-3)

Why they could win it all: Defense. Arguably no team was more dominant defensively over the last few games than the Longhorns, who held TCU to its lowest point total of the season and Tennessee to its second-lowest. In Monday night’s region final, Texas allowed TCU only nine first-quarter points and forced 21 Horned Frogs turnovers — nine more than their season average. The Longhorns boast one of the game’s most dominant forces in 6-foot-1 sophomore All-American Madison Booker (16.5 points per game, 6.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists), and one of its best ball distributors in senior guard Rori Harmon (6.0 assists).

Did you know? Texas is 23-0 when opponents shoot less than 40% from the floor.

Connecticut (35-3)

Why they could win it all: Because the Huskies — and their best player — are peaking at the perfect time. Veteran guard Paige Bueckers has totaled 105 points in her last three games, the most prolific three-game stretch in program history. Two days after scoring 40 against Oklahoma, she poured in 31 in Monday night’s Elite Eight win against USC. What’s more, Bueckers’ supporting cast is deep. Hall of Fame coach Geno Auriemma, never known for long benches, has nine players who have averaged at least 12 minutes in at least 30 games. Six-foot-2 freshman Sarah Strong (16.1 points per game, 8.8 rebounds) has tallied a double double in three of four NCAA tourney contests.

Did you know? UConn enters the tournament on the nation’s longest active win streak (14 games). Its average victory margin during that stretch: 32.7 points.

Women’s Final Four

Friday-Sunday, Amalie Arena. TV: ABC/ESPN (Games are sold out.)

Semifinals: Friday, 7 p.m., 9:30.

Final: Sunday, 3 p.m.

Of note: An All-Star Game will be held at Hillsborough Community College, 3 p.m. Saturday, ESPN2. General-admission tickets are $25.

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