In Reply to: The Athletic on the Lady Bruins posted by wesclinbruin on March 16, 2026 at 07:54:35
"Sacramento 2 Region
UCLA leans on its seniors
The Bruins have an obvious sense of urgency. Last season, they made their first run to the Final Four (in the NCAA era) behind a strong junior class. This season, it’s the same deal … only they’re a year older.
There’s a sense that assembling a collection like this senior trio — Lauren Betts, Kiki Rice, Gabriela Jaquez — simply might not happen again outside of the traditional powerhouses. Over the last three seasons, these three have clocked nearly 1,400 minutes on the floor together (more than 2,300 possessions). How often will we see such continuity again in the transfer portal era?
Betts, Rice and Jaquez will want a do-over from last season’s miserable Final Four performance against UConn, in which they were run off the floor by halftime in an 85-51 loss. Now, UCLA has a chance to exorcise those demons in the national title game. Both squads look different, but there’s no denying UCLA’s lineup upgrades — Gianna Kneepkens was one of the best portal pickups of the season and Charlisse Leger Walker’s return from injury has made the Bruins’ backcourt arguably the nation’s best. Bringing Angela Dugalić off the bench is simply an embarrassment of riches for a team that appears most prepared to knock off UConn. That added fuel from last season’s loss doesn’t hurt, either.
Final Four explanation
The women’s tournament is usually pretty chalky, and I won’t fault anyone who opted to go with four No. 1 seeds in the Final Four. Those four teams are certainly worthy contenders. Before I knew the bracket, I assumed the only non-No. 1 seed I might pick to get to the Final Four would be Vanderbilt … but then the Commodores ended up in UConn’s region. (How is Vanderbilt the No. 8 team in the country?) UConn, South Carolina and UCLA seem like locks for the Final Four, but that Fort Worth 3 group makes me think — if there is some magic for Michigan — the Wolverines could make history. It would take the best 40 minutes of ball control they’ve had all season and at least nine 3-pointers, but if that happens, then look for Texas to be the lone No. 1 seed knocked out before the Final Four.
National championship game forecast
UConn and UCLA have been the country’s two best teams wire to wire this season. The Bruins have been eager for an opportunity to prove themselves against the Huskies after last season’s disappointing finish in the Final Four. If this were a series of one-on-one games, I might give the individual advantage to the Bruins. But the sum of UConn’s parts and the Huskies’ March experience just make UConn’s path to a national title repeat seem inevitable.
Prediction: UConn 76, UCLA 70