No. 1-seed UCLA women’s basketball (28-1, 18-0 Big Ten) begins its run in the Big Ten Women’s Basketball Tournament against 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 regular-season championship after going undefeated in conference play with an 18-0 record. It was only the fourth time in Big Ten history a team has accomplished that feat.
The Bruins have also made waves nationally, leading the country with 10 wins against the Top 25 and 14 wins against Quad 1 teams. Despite one loss, UCLA is one of the best teams in the nation — if not the best.
That is something Washington will have to deal with as it looks to survive another round and improve its NCAA Tournament résumé.
In their previous meeting Feb. 19, the Bruins disposed of the Huskies in an 82-67 rout, though there were a few weaknesses in the Bruins’ game. UCLA shot 53.3% overall but only 26.7% from 3-point range, well below its 37.6% season average.
On the other side, Washington shot 43.0% and made 37.0% from the arc, which is uncharacteristic of the Bruins’ defense to allow that top of production. So can Washington flip the script and surprise the women’s basketball world with a win over UCLA? That will rely on several factors.
Back in December, in the Huskies’ first conference game of the season, Washington traveled to USC and took a 59-50 loss. It was a different story in the second round of the 2026 Big Ten Women’s Basketball Tournament.
On Wednesday, Washington and USC did battle once more and were neck and neck in a defensive first quarter, tied 8-8 after the opening frame, though Washington took control in the second. The Huskies outscored the Trojans 24-14 on 47.6% shooting while holding USC to 36.4%. For the game, Washington hit half of its shots, going 29-for-58 from the field, and held the Trojans to 31% shooting.
Washington’s surge was led by guard Elie Ladine (6-foot) with 25 points on 10-for-13 shooting. She received support from guard Avery Howell (6-foot), who nearly posted a double-double with 18 points and nine rebounds on 7-for-9 shooting. Washington star guard Salvia Sellers (5-7), recently named a first-team All-Big Ten selection, had a quiet game with four points on 0-for-5 shooting, though she did not need to be a major factor as three teammates scored in double figures.
The momentum from the win could give Washington a boost, but it defeated a USC team that had lost its fourth straight game and held its best player, Jazzy Davidson, to eight points on 2-of-13 shooting. Davidson also appeared to sustain an injury during the game. That matters for a USC team that typically relies on four primary contributors, but Washington now faces a UCLA team that can go six deep with its main contributors — not including a productive bench.
Heading into the quarterfinal, Washington averages 72.1 points per game and allows 61.6, which ranks 11th and third in the Big Ten, respectively. UCLA leads the conference in both scoring offense and defense with 85.4 points per game and 57.1 allowed.
As seen in the previous matchup, Washington’s defense limited the Bruins somewhat, though it was not enough as four UCLA players scored in double figures. Center Lauren Betts (6-7) had 23 points in that game, six more than her season average. In fact, over the last four games, the Big Ten Player of the Year has averaged 20.0 points while shooting 55.7%. Her size and length are difficult for smaller teams like Washington to handle.
It also helps UCLA that it averages 44.1 points in the paint while allowing only 22.9, giving the Bruins a major advantage down low.
Even if teams limit Betts, she has the vision and improved passing ability to kick the ball out to teammates who are adept at making plays away from the rim.
Three of UCLA’s four starting guards are shooting better than 50% from the field and 40% from 3-point range, making the lineup especially dangerous. With help from Kiki Rice (5-11), Gabriela Jaquez (6-0) and Gianna Kneepkens (6-0), the Bruins present a united front that is difficult to contain — and that should be the story in this quarterfinal.
No team has proven capable of consistently limiting UCLA, let alone slowing it down. Though Washington may be riding high after its double-digit win over USC, defeating UCLA appears to be a daunting task. Expect another Bruins victory.
PREDICTION
No. 1 UCLA Bruins 77
No. 8 Washington Huskies 63