The UCLA women’s basketball team is well on their way to jumping a spot in the rankings. After they continue to roll through every opponent. With one of the toughest strengths of schedule in the nation. They also saw Oklahoma upset South Carolina. The same Oklahoma team that the Bruins made easy work of earlier in the season in a matchup of top six teams. Setting UCLA up to move to the No. 2 slot barring a loss to Northwestern. A week after jumping to No. 3 hurdling Texas who beat them as their only loss this season. At 18-1 on the season, the women are in a perfect spot only trailing UCONN in the rankings.
Bruin bucket-getters clocked in last night 🙂↕️🪣#GoBruins pic.twitter.com/gwi1nh9VtG
— UCLA Women's Basketball (@UCLAWBB) January 22, 2026
UCLA is looking to compete with UCONN in the grand scheme of things. The same team that dismantled them in the Final Four last season. But this Bruins team is different, they have Gianna Kneepkens now who can do it all. Then have Sienna Betts coming off of the bench to compliment a team that is a year older and wiser. With Gabriela Jaquez, Kiki Rice and Charlisse Leger-Walker playing great basketball. Then the engine that has UCLA always going in Lauren Betts hitting her stride after a slow start to the season.
We can play the What Ifs game all day. UCLA could easily be 19-0 right now, as they played a bad game when they played Texas. Most likely if they played today, UCLA would win that game by double digits. But the fact of the matter remains they are 18-1 and that game served as a wakeup call to them. They are beating teams by 30 and 40 points almost daily since that game including six ranked matchups. Their closest matchup was an 82-75 matchup against No. 12 Ohio State. Second closest was 76-58 against Minnesota. The other 10 opponents, the Bruins have won by margins that range from 22 to 87 points.
What I wouldn’t give to see another season of UCLA women’s basketball with this is exact lineup.
— Mike Regalado 🏀🏈🎧 (@MikeRegaladoLA) January 19, 2026
This team has simply been dominant this season. We’re heading into the final 10 games of the season as they look to win the Big Ten. Then head into the March tournament as a No. 1 seed. The team could have their entire starting lineup the first round picks in the 2026 WNBA Draft. Proving to be the best team they have ever had. As Cori Close team looks to win the elusive NCAA championship. Which would be the perfect send off for this team.