UCLA gets a second chance against Texas with a national championship appearance at stake

UCLA will get their revenge opportunity as they face off against Texas on Friday in the Final Four. Texas is the lone blemish on the 35-1 Bruins record this season. After a 76-65 loss earlier in the season, UCLA has completely dominated since with 29 straight wins. They will look to make it 30 straight with a win on Friday night and head to the national championship game. Where the winner will face off against either UCONN or South Carolina.

Texas is coming off a huge win against Michigan where they completely dominated them in the Elite Eight winning 77-41. Texas is a very good team and there is a reason why they got a No. 1 seed as well. UCLA will need to play their best basketball to make it to the national championship game. The Bruins will need to keep from having a slow start again. At some point, they will dig themselves too much of a hole to get out of.

Against Duke, UCLA start it off very slowly and were down 39-31 at halftime. Before their second half prowess took over and they ran away with the game. Angela Dugalić was a spark plug off the bench for the team. Lauren Betts was also her dominating self, leading the Bruins to the 70-58 victory. Setting themselves up to be one game away from making a championship appearance.

Madison Booker is one of the best players in the nation that UCLA will need to neutralize in this game. They will also rely heavily on Kiki Rice defense to pickup Rori Harmon on the perimeter. The best way to attack. The Texas offense is not allowed them to get into their sets. Harmon is as good as they come at setting players up at 6.3 assists per game. Texas averages 85 points per game, but only shoots 34% from 3-point range. Keep them away from the basket for the most success.