The UCLA women's basketball team has secured the No.2 overall seed and top regional position in the NCAA Women's Division I Basketball Tournament as March Madness begins, according to multiple reports.
Key Takeaways
The UCLA women's basketball team has secured the No.2 overall seed and top regional position in the NCAA Women's Division I Basketball Tournament as March Madness begins. The Bruins finished the year as the second-ranked team nationally behind only UConn Huskies, who are undefeated at 34-0.
- UCLA women's basketball team secures No.2 overall seed in NCAA tournament
- Bruins face Cal Baptist Lancers in opening game with potential matchup against Oklahoma State or Princeton
- UCLA won 25 straight games after early-season loss to Texas, capped by Big Ten Tournament victory over Iowa (96-45)
- UConn Huskies named No.1 overall seed entering March Madness undefeated at 34-0
- USC Trojans earn No.8 seed in tournament facing Clemson next
As reported by CBS News, the Bruins finished the year as the second-ranked team nationally behind only UConn Huskies, who are undefeated at 34-0. UCLA will face Cal Baptist Lancers in their opening game, with a potential matchup against Oklahoma State or Princeton in the second round.
UCLA's dominant performance includes winning 25 straight games after an early-season loss to Texas and capping off the Big Ten Tournament with a 96-45 victory over Iowa, as noted by CBS News. The team is led by standout players Lauren Betts, Kiki Rice, Gabriela Jaquez, and Angela Dugalic.
The USC Trojans also earned a spot in the tournament as an No.8 seed after a 17-13 season, facing Clemson next according to CBS News. Meanwhile, UConn Huskies were named the No.1 overall seed, entering March Madness with a chance to complete their seventh undefeated season and aiming for their 13th national title.
The tournament features financial compensation for teams advancing each round, similar to the men's field, as detailed by the Chicago Tribune. The top 16 seeds will host first- and second-round games, with regional rounds played at neutral sites in Fort Worth, Texas, and Sacramento, California. The Final Four is set for April 3 in Phoenix.
According to AP News, UConn received 28 out of the 31-member national media panel's first-place votes, while UCLA picked up one more first-place vote this week, giving them three total. The final regular-season Associated Press women’s basketball Top 25 released Monday matched the No. 1 seeds in the NCAA Tournament announced Sunday night.
UConn coach Geno Auriemma expressed that having the top spot didn't significantly matter as he aims to lead the team to another undefeated season and the school's 13th national championship, per CBS News. The Huskies (34-0) need six more victories to complete their seventh undefeated season in school history.
UCLA reached the Final Four last year before losing to UConn. Cori Close's team ran through the Big Ten and has an experienced group led by center Lauren Betts, looking to win the school's first NCAA championship, as reported by CBS News.
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