UCLA Bruins Face Southern Jaguars in NCAA Tournament

The UCLA Bruins women's basketball team is entering the NCAA Tournament as the No. 1 overall seed with an impressive record of 30-2, marking a historic season for the program. They will face the Southern Jaguars, who have a record of 21-14, in the first round on March 21, 2025. Under head coach Cori Close, who received the USBWA Coach of the Year award, the Bruins achieved their first conference tournament title since 2006 and held the top rank in the AP Top 25 poll for 14 weeks. Star center Lauren Betts has been a standout player, averaging 19.7 points and 9.7 rebounds, and is recognized as an All-American. The Bruins head into the tournament with confidence after overcoming a significant deficit to win their conference championship against USC. Meanwhile, Southern recently made history by winning their first NCAA Tournament game, adding intrigue to the matchup.