UCLA women enter the Big Ten tournament as the No. 1 seed and heavy favorites

UCLA is a big favorite to win the Big Ten tournament
Michigan State's Jalyn Brown, left, is blocked by UCLA's Lauren Betts during the third quarter on Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing.
Michigan State's Jalyn Brown, left, is blocked by UCLA's Lauren Betts during the third quarter on Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing. | Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

UCLA enters the Big Ten tournament as heavy favorites to win. They’re the No. 1 seed for a reason, as they have been very good all season long. The women are currently on a 22-game winning streak after their early season lost to Texas. They finished the season 28-1 which included a perfect 18-0 record in Big Ten play. Outside of the Michigan and Ohio State games. No game was ever really close for the Bruins. They were elite on defense and a very good offensive team.

UCLA will play on Friday morning and will play the winner of the USC and Washington game. There is a huge talent gap between them and both of those teams. They beat USC twice this year by margins of 23 and 34. They also beat Washington by 15 earlier this season. But the Bruins are not looking at past success as they move towards March Madness. They have one goal in mind and that is to win a national championship. Their schedule up until this point is history.

Now the Bruins will look to win the Big Ten tournament. As they secure a No. 1 seed for the NCAA tournament. If all goes according to plan for them, depending on how the bracket and regions are set up. They could be on a crash course to face their kryptonite in UCONN. Finishing off these seniors career with a big-time win or another loss that would end their college careers. They’re more equipped than ever to get it done right now. It is literally now or never if they want to do it, there is no longer see you next year.

The best part about these women is the consistency and chemistry that they’re playing with this season. It’s almost as if Gianna Kneepkens and Charlisse-Leger Walker have been a part of this team for a few years. They fit right in from the start and have made this team even better. If they’re able to make this run for a title. They’ll be two very important components that put them over the top. Let’s finish this historic season with a championship, ladies!

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