UCLA vs. Oregon State: Women's Basketball Preview and Prediction

Get ready for a Pac-12 showdown this weekend, as the UCLA Bruins take on the Oregon State Beavers in a highly anticipated women's college basketball matchup. Both teams come into this game hungry to stay in the top three of the conference standing, making it a must-watch for fans of both squads and the conference as a whole.

Highlights and Summary of the UCLA team this season.

High-powered offense: The Bruins boast one of the most potent scoring attacks in the Pac-12, averaging over 88 points per game. Led by the dynamic duo of guard Charisma Osborne and center Lauren Betts, UCLA can light up the scoreboard in a hurry and they have proven that even against ranked teams this season.

Tenacious defense: Don't just assume that because the Bruins have an outstanding offense that their defense is subpar by the offensive fireworks they display game after game, the Bruins also bring a stingy defense to the table. They rank near the top of the conference in steals and blocked shots, making them a tough team to score against. They also held four teams to 49 or less points this season and they have only give up 71 or more points three times.

Eye on the prize: UCLA has their sights set on a deep postseason run. A win over Oregon State would be a major statement and boost their conference standing heading into the heart of Pac-12 play, especially after already defeating USC last weekend.

Highlights and a Summary of the Oregon State team this season.

Balanced attack: The Beavers don't rely on one star to carry the load. They have a well-rounded roster with multiple players capable of stepping up on any given night. However, their top scorers are forward Raegan Beers, guard Talia von Oelhoffen, and forward Timea Gardiner.

Playing on the road: Playing on the road could be difficult for Oregon State as they have not played a true road game all season. The only games they have played not in Corvallis, OR this season have been against Southeastern Louisiana and Texas Tech in the Maui Classic in Makawao, Hawai'i. It will be interesting to see how they play in their first true road game of the season.

Hungry for respect: Despite their talent, Oregon State often gets overlooked in the Pac-12 conversation and are currently not ranked in either the AP top 25 or Coaches Poll even though they are currently undefeated. A win over UCLA would put them on the map and prove they're a force to be reckoned with.

Both teams play on Friday before they play one another on Sunday.

What to Watch for this game.

The battle between UCLA's high-flying offense and Oregon State's gritty defense will be the key to this game. Can the Bruins' firepower overcome the Beavers' defensive intensity? Yes, UCLA should be able to score above 75 points for a home victory. Will Oregon State's lockdown defense shut down the Bruins' attack and lead them their first true road victory? No, Oregon State has an amazing defense statistically speaking but the Bruins offense will still be able to score enough points at home to get the win.

Game Prediction

This one may look like a toss up on paper and both teams seem like they are evenly matched on paper and playing for something big but UCLA overall is the better team. However, expect a close, competitive game that could go down to the final five minutes but expect the Bruins to pull away late to get a nine point victory. Final Score UCLA 79 Oregon State 70.