No. 1-seed UCLA ladies’s basketball (28-1, 18-0 Big Ten) begins its run within the Big Ten Women’s Basketball Tournament towards Washington (21-9, 10-8) on Friday morning at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis (9 a.m. PT, Big Ten Network).
UCLA is coming off its first Big Ten common-season championship after going undefeated in convention play with an 18-0 document. It was solely the fourth time in Big Ten historical past a workforce has achieved that feat.
The Bruins have additionally made waves nationally, main the nation with 10 wins towards the Top 25 and 14 wins towards Quad 1 groups. Despite one loss, UCLA is without doubt one of the greatest groups within the nation — if not the greatest.
That is one thing Washington must cope with because it appears to outlive one other spherical and enhance its NCAA Tournament résumé.
In their earlier assembly Feb. 19, the Bruins disposed of the Huskies in an 82-67 rout, although there have been a number of weaknesses within the Bruins’ recreation. UCLA shot 53.3% total however solely 26.7% from 3-level vary, effectively under its 37.6% season common.
On the opposite aspect, Washington shot 43.0% and made 37.0% from the arc, which is uncharacteristic of the Bruins’ protection to permit that high of manufacturing. So can Washington flip the script and shock the ladies’s basketball world with a win over UCLA? That will depend on a number of components.
Back in December, within the Huskies’ first convention recreation of the season, Washington traveled to USC and took a 59-50 loss. It was a unique story within the second spherical of the 2026 Big Ten Women’s Basketball Tournament.
On Wednesday, Washington and USC did battle as soon as extra and have been neck and neck in a defensive first quarter, tied 8-8 after the opening body, although Washington took management within the second. The Huskies outscored the Trojans 24-14 on 47.6% taking pictures whereas holding USC to 36.4%. For the sport, Washington hit half of its photographs, going 29-for-58 from the sector, and held the Trojans to 31% taking pictures.
Washington’s surge was led by guard Elie Ladine (6-foot) with 25 factors on 10-for-13 taking pictures. She obtained assist from guard Avery Howell (6-foot), who almost posted a double-double with 18 factors and 9 rebounds on 7-for-9 taking pictures. Washington star guard Salvia Sellers (5-7), lately named a primary-workforce All-Big Ten choice, had a quiet recreation with 4 factors on 0-for-5 taking pictures, although she didn’t must be a significant component as three teammates scored in double figures.
The momentum from the win might give Washington a lift, but it surely defeated a USC workforce that had misplaced its fourth straight recreation and held its greatest participant, Jazzy Davidson, to eight factors on 2-of-13 taking pictures. Davidson additionally appeared to maintain an harm throughout the recreation. That issues for a USC workforce that usually depends on 4 main contributors, however Washington now faces a UCLA workforce that may go six deep with its essential contributors — not together with a productive bench.
Heading into the quarterfinal, Washington averages 72.1 factors per recreation and permits 61.6, which ranks eleventh and third within the Big Ten, respectively. UCLA leads the convention in each scoring offense and protection with 85.4 factors per recreation and 57.1 allowed.
As seen within the earlier matchup, Washington’s protection restricted the Bruins considerably, although it was not sufficient as 4 UCLA gamers scored in double figures. Center Lauren Betts (6-7) had 23 factors in that recreation, six greater than her season common. In reality, during the last 4 video games, the Big Ten Player of the Year has averaged 20.0 factors whereas taking pictures 55.7%. Her measurement and size are tough for smaller groups like Washington to deal with.
It additionally helps UCLA that it averages 44.1 factors within the paint whereas permitting solely 22.9, giving the Bruins a significant benefit down low.
Even if groups restrict Betts, she has the imaginative and prescient and improved passing skill to kick the ball out to teammates who’re adept at making performs away from the rim.
Three of UCLA’s 4 beginning guards are taking pictures higher than 50% from the sector and 40% from 3-level vary, making the lineup particularly harmful. With assist from Kiki Rice (5-11), Gabriela Jaquez (6-0) and Gianna Kneepkens (6-0), the Bruins current a united entrance that’s tough to comprise — and that must be the story on this quarterfinal.
No workforce has confirmed able to persistently limiting UCLA, not to mention slowing it down. Though Washington could also be using excessive after its double-digit win over USC, defeating UCLA seems to be a frightening process. Expect one other Bruins victory.
PREDICTION
No. 1 UCLA Bruins 77
No. 8 Washington Huskies 63
