UCLA and USC Women’s Basketball Teams Find Out Their Tournament Path
UCLA Women’s Basketball Team Prepares for NCAA Tournament Matchup
The No. 1-seed UCLA women’s basketball team is set to host No. 16-seed California Baptist on Saturday in the opening round of the NCAA tournament. Coming off an impressive season with a record of 31-1 and a perfect 18-0 in Big Ten play, the Bruins recently secured the Big Ten tournament championship.
According to Amanda Braun, chair of the NCAA tournament selection committee, UCLA’s strong performance was closely evaluated. “We watched a lot of UConn, we watched a lot of UCLA,” she remarked on ESPN. “The way we watched UConn win throughout the year… we gave UConn the edge.”
There was speculation as to whether UCLA would secure the top overall seed after finishing unbeaten in Big Ten play and achieving a remarkable 51-point victory over Iowa in the conference tournament. However, UConn retained the top position in the bracket.
Head Coach Cori Close expressed confidence despite the slight, stating, “Everybody else can talk about whatever they want. We’re completely committed to just being really focused on us and our journey.”
Similarly, UCLA men’s basketball coach Mick Cronin emphasized the importance of managing expectations. With an illustrious history that includes an NCAA record of 11 national titles and 19 Final Four appearances, the No. 7-seed Bruins face No. 10-seed Central Florida on Friday in Philadelphia’s East Regional. A victory would place them against the winner of the matchup between No. 2 Connecticut and No. 15 Furman.
Cronin was hopeful the Bruins would have a more favorable schedule following their travel from the Big Ten tournament in Chicago, and his anticipation proved correct, as they will play Friday.
In other local news, the USC women’s basketball team also confirmed its return to the NCAA tournament after an inconsistent season marred by injuries. Securing a No. 9 seed, the Trojans face No. 8-seed Clemson in Columbia, South Carolina, on Saturday. Coach Lindsay Gottlieb acknowledged the challenges of traveling across the country but remains optimistic about her team’s performance.
As the March Madness excitement continues, both UCLA and USC aim to make significant impacts in the tournament, each bringing their own formidable legacies to the postseason stage.
