A Potential Super Team in Women’s College Basketball
This might be the closest we’ve seen to a super team in women’s college basketball for quite some time.
Six players are in the running for the first round of the 2026 WNBA Draft, featuring a National Player of the Year contender alongside five teammates, each with their own extraordinary skills.
But, will leading UCLA to its first NCAA Championship be enough?
Well, it’s hard to say.
Besides having incredible talent, quite a bit needs to align for success during this crucial time.
As the Bruins gear up for their NCAA Tournament opener on Saturday night against Cal Baptist at Pauley Pavilion, they aim to add another banner to that of 1978.
Having potential first-round picks like Lauren Betts, Kiki Rice, Gabriella Jaquez, Gianna Knepkens, Charliss Ledger-Walker, and Angela Dugarich on the roster isn’t just enough; the team needs collective dedication to legacy.
Key Considerations for UCLA
First off, it’s interesting how the Bruins handled losing the top overall seed without much fuss.
Some might say they had every right to feel disappointed.
UCLA (31-1) faced a tougher schedule than UConn (34-0), winning their conference championship by an astounding 51 points, while dominating the nation’s best conference with 19 victories compared to UConn’s nine in Quad 1.
If they find themselves in a rematch against these teams in the Final Four, that slight could serve as extra motivation to outperform the defending champions.
Emphasis on Shooting
One noticeable shift from last year’s team, which lost to UConn, is the number of sharpshooters surrounding Rice.
Knepkens boasts a 44.2% success rate from three-point territory, with Jaquez close behind at 41.1%. Leger-Walker’s solid 36.4% from deep means opponents are forced to defend the perimeter, which could open up driving lanes for Rice that weren’t there before.
Staying Out of Foul Trouble
One major hurdle for the most dominant player this season is, surprisingly, a whistle.
A foul could limit Betts’ playtime, allowing rivals to catch up and build confidence, which could be quite dangerous.
Though she hasn’t fouled out in any games this season, a couple of early fouls might see her sitting out until halftime.
Avoiding Early Deficits
One recurring theme in UCLA’s recent losses, against Texas and in last year’s Final Four against Collegiate Conference, is starting in a significant hole.
The Bruins found themselves down 15 points against Texas early in the second quarter and 14 points against UConn, making comebacks tough, particularly against top-tier teams. They cannot afford to be in such a position again.
Rising Star: Sienna Betts
Lauren Betts’ younger sister made a notable impact in the Big Ten championship game.
Sienna Betts tallied 14 points, seven rebounds, and five assists in just 18 minutes against Iowa, hinting at her potential after debuting mid-December due to a leg injury.
If she can deliver similar performances throughout the NCAA Tournament, it would give the already talented Bruins an even better shot at maintaining their momentum.
