UCLA women’s basketball is back in Las Vegas at the Michelob ULTRA Arena. They went 2-0 at the arena against North Carolina and South Florida 10 days ago. Now they have their biggest test of the season on deck. That comes in the form of number 4 Texas in the start of the Players Era Women’s Championship. Both teams are undefeated on the season and have skated past the competition.
The Bruins are back in Las Vegas for the Players Era Women's Championship!
— UCLA Women's Basketball (@UCLAWBB) November 25, 2025
Everything you need to know for this week's tournament ⤵️
🗞️: https://t.co/E0JLjTqm8o #GoBruins pic.twitter.com/90AUyAV71o
UCLA is built to win this year, with a lot of seniors playing in their last season. Cori Close has the roster to get over the hump and lead UCLA to a national title. Because next year this team will look much different. They have up to five players who could see their names called in the first round of the 2026 WNBA Draft. Three of them in Lauren Betts, Kiki Rice and Gianna Kneepkens would are projected in the top eight. Stakes are high and the girl's chemistry is proving to be their strong suit.
This is a team that is coming off of a Final Four run in 2025. Then was able to add Kneepkens as a graduate transfer with a full returning team. Hopefully to add enough to get them past UCONN should they see them again in March. Texas provides a challenge early in the season that North Carolina and Oklahoma did not. They can go nine deep in the rotation and have one of the stars in the nation in Madison Booker. She is averaging a whopping 4.2 steals per game and can change a game at any time with her defense. UCLA will need to play smart basketball and limit turnovers.
Gianna Kneepkens is a practical, almost scientific person. But that doesn’t mean she’s risk-averse.
— Eden Laase-Derouin (@eden_laase) November 25, 2025
“It’s a practical risk. I don’t just go out and do crazy things. My risks are well-thought out.”
On @UCLAWBB’s newest star and her journey to LA:https://t.co/i8d7NhRy1u
Points per game: UCLA 82.8, Texas 102.8
Defense: UCLA 58.6 points allowed, Texas 56.2 points allowed.
Assists: UCLA 22.2 per game, Texas 19.6 per game.
Rebounds: UCLA 47 per game, Texas 40 per game.
Blocks: UCLA 5.5 per game, Texas 5.2 per game.
Steals: UCLA 6.5 per game, Texas 16.2 per game.
Texas has one of the best offenses in the nation. But their strength of schedule isn’t as tough as the Bruins with two top 15 wins over Oklahoma and North Carolina. Texas has not seen anything close to what UCLA can put up. It will be imperative to get out to a fast start while Texas adjusts to the speed and communication of the game. UCLA needs to continue to dominate the ball on the glass as well for extra opportunities and ending possessions on defense.
How to watch No. 3 UCLA and No. 4 Texas:
Teams: No. 3 UCLA (6-0) vs No. 4 Texas (5-0)
Date: Wednesday, November 26
Location: Michelob ULTRA Arena, Las Vegas, NV
Time: 11:00 AM Pacific Standard Time
Television: TNT/truTV/HBO Max
Stream: Fubo
Radio: AM 790
Betts numbers are down this year. But the Bruins don’t need her as much with the addition of Kneepkens. There is only one basketball to go around. These are the games that separate the best of the best. This is a game where Betts needs to play at an all time high and establish herself as the number one pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft. Even with an early season matchup this shapes up to be a game of the year nominee, and the stars will be out.