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UCLA women open up their NCAA tournament with matchup against Cal Baptist tonight

These women are back for their last March run before heading to the WNBA
ByJustin Hickey|
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UCLA Bruins center Lauren Betts (51) and UCLA Bruins guard Kiki Rice (1) high-five UCLA Bruins guard Gianna Kneepkens (8) on Sunday, March 8, 2026, during the Big Ten Tournament Championship game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. UCLA Bruins defeated the Iowa Hawkeyes, 96-45, for back to back Big Ten championships.
UCLA Bruins center Lauren Betts (51) and UCLA Bruins guard Kiki Rice (1) high-five UCLA Bruins guard Gianna Kneepkens (8) on Sunday, March 8, 2026, during the Big Ten Tournament Championship game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. UCLA Bruins defeated the Iowa Hawkeyes, 96-45, for back to back Big Ten championships. | Grace Hollars/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The UCLA women will open up their NCAA tournament run tonight versus Cal Baptist. They will look to go on a run to try and win their first national championship. Sending their top six players off to the WNBA at the conclusion of this tournament. This is the best UCLA team that the women have ever had. If all goes according to planned, they will get their chance at beating their kryptonite again in UCONN.

There is no more we will get another chance at this. This is the last chance for these women as their eligibility will be up. Gianna Kneepkens and Charlisse Leger-Walker have both had very efficient seasons for UCLA. Both of them being grad transfers and looking to be the spark plug for this team to get over the hump. They pair with the trio of Lauren Betts, Kiki Rice and Gabriela Jaquez who have been at this for a few years now.

UCLA should easily roll in this game as they’re way more talented. They will take control as soon as the game tips off and shouldn’t leave any doubt from the start. This is a team that is coming off the biggest win in Big Ten tournament history in a championship game. They beat Iowa by a margin of 51 points. Putting to bed any doubts that people may have had about this team entering the NCAA tournament.

The best part is UCLA does not need to travel at all for their first two games. They will play at Pauley Pavilion in front of their home fans. Saving them precious travel, which has been a grueling schedule over the season. As a West Coast team playing in the Big Ten. Any time you do not have to travel will save on the team. You can stay home and rehab any minor injuries and be able to be in a familiar setting.

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