For the first time in school history, the UCLA women's basketball team is a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. Not only that, but the Bruins earned the top overall seeding in this year's March Madness bracket, making them the front runners.
This is uncharted territory for head coach Cori Close, but her team has both incredible talent and the resume to support a deep tournament run. The program has never reached the Final Four, so there will be immense pressure to get there and make school history.
However, the road to Tampa will not be easy. UCLA is playing in Spokane Region 1, which boasts some of the best teams and most talented players in the country. If the Bruins want to make a run for the Final Four, they'll have to get through several star players.
Who are the best players in UCLA's Spokane Region 1?
1. Aneesah Morrow, F, LSU
Morrow has been this year's Angel Reese for the LSU Tigers. With averages of 18.5 points and 13.6 rebounds per game, it is obvious to see the impact that she leaves. Such an active player on the glass could be trouble for UCLA center Lauren Betts, but she has held her own against each of the elite bigs she has faced this season.
LSU would not match up with the Bruins until the Elite 8, which is the benefit of being such a high seed. However, Morrow is a double-double machine and leaves her imprint all over the game, so she would be a tough draw for UCLA.
2. Ta'Niya Latson, G, Florida State
Enough cannot be said about Latson's ability to simply put the ball in the basket. She is the nation's leading scorer at 24.9 points per game, and although she has struggled in recent weeks, she is a 30-point game waiting to happen. Latson also contributes 4.7 assists, 4.5 rebounds and 2.2 steals per game, which proves that she can do everything on the basketball court.
She and the Seminoles will likely have to get past LSU and NC State if they want a chance to face the Bruins in the Elite 8. However, if they can make a deep run, it will almost certainly be because of Latson's play. If she gets hot at the right time, UCLA should watch out.
3. Flau'jae Johnson, G, LSU
Johnson has become an icon for some of her off-the-court ventures, but do not let that distract you from the fact that she can flat-out play. She is leading LSU with 18.9 points per game and also contributing 5.8 rebounds per contest. She is experienced in the tournament and should be fresh after recovering from an injury that kept her out of the SEC Tournament.
Once again, she would not face the Bruins until the Elite 8 if both teams get there. However, UCLA may have to get through a difficult one-two punch of Johnson and Morrow if they want a spot in the Final Four, which is easier said than done.