As the women's NCAA Tournament Final Four tips off in Tampa, Texas, South Carolina, UConn, and UCLA will battle it out — and if you think you can stay awake for all the action, good luck!

With Texas, South Carolina, UConn, and UCLA locked in for the semifinals at Amalie Arena, basketball fans are advised to prepare their favorite caffeinated beverages. The stakes are high as South Carolina chases a second consecutive title and its third in four years, while UConn aims for their first crown since 2016, and UCLA celebrates its inaugural Final Four appearance. As these powerhouse teams clash this Friday night, it's clear that sleep will be the real opponent.

The games are set for April 4, with the first semifinal featuring Texas going up against South Carolina at 7 p.m. ET, followed by UConn squaring off against UCLA at 9:30 p.m. ET. Fans can rest assured they will have ample opportunity to ascertain how many snacks fit in one's lap by ordering a feast for the couch, since both games will be broadcast live on ESPN. For those wishing to multitask while pretending to be engaged in comprehensive analyses, there's also the option to stream through ESPN+ and Fubo.

The Longhorns are not only hoping to capture their second national championship—inspiring enough anxiety for any supportive student—they’ve also organized a bus trip to Tampa. It's a show of faith that will undoubtedly go down in the annals of bad decisions alongside the last time anyone suggested 7 a.m. classes.

On the opposite side of the bracket, South Carolina is gearing up to defend its title, with Coach Dawn Staley at the helm. Staley, known for her emphasis on trust and communication within her squad, clearly believes that a strong team dynamic can overcome even the toughest of competitors—or at least make for some spirited post-game discussions about what went wrong in the second quarter.

Meanwhile, the UConn Huskies are looking for a revival of their former glory days after a championship title drought that extends back to 2016. With Paige Bueckers leading the charge as a frontrunner for the Most Outstanding Player award, UConn fans are anticipating a display of basketball acumen that may or may not lead to more Instagram posts about how amazing it is to be a Huskies fan. Such posts, of course, should be posted mere moments after an argument over last weekend's pizza toppings.

Not to be overshadowed, UCLA is making its first-ever appearance in the Final Four, proving that sometimes the path to greatness is paved with surprise trips and an inflated sense of enthusiasm—though not for soccer apparently. With a roster that includes Lauren Betts, who has been honored as the national defensive player of the year, the Bruins are stepping onto the court with a strategy of shutting down their opponents' offensive machinations while perfectly timing their own.

As the emotional rollercoaster unfolds on Friday, fans will undoubtedly reflect on the stakes—UCLA faces the dual pressure of making history while celebrating a championship-caliber season, while Texas hopes to transform decades of disappointment into a euphoric title run last seen in their 1986 victory. That’s a long time, approximately 1,000 cycles of ‘Maybe next year’ statements at every Thanksgiving dinner.

Adding a thrilling twist to the championship horizon, the national championship game is slated for Sunday, April 6, at 3 p.m. ET, ensuring that any remaining vestiges of social life are completely obliterated. Those interested in observing how emotions are processed on live television should plan to thoroughly outfit their viewing area with an outline of what they're willing to shout at the screen by halftime. After all, basketball speaks its own language, one of rapid shouting and disallowed snack breaks.

In the spirit of athletic camaraderie and collective angst, fans from all four universities will be glued to their screens and probably take to Twitter for live commentary, venting about fouls, referee calls, and whether or not 'that shot was totally a three-pointer.' It is the one time that everyone can agree on one thing: sportsmanship is at its best, as long as the referee’s eyesight comes under scrutiny.

Ultimately, as the weekend looms, fans and players alike are filled with anticipation and energy levels that would qualify as caffeinated sports fuels—because sleep is a luxury now reserved only for after the champion is crowned and nacho cheese is applied judiciously. Best of luck to all the teams; rest is for the weak, and by Monday, we expect to be discussing the ‘what could have been’ scenarios for each team for the next twelve months.