UCLA Women’s Basketball Aims for First Final Four Appearance

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — The UCLA women’s basketball team, a historic program yet to reach the NCAA Final Four, is poised to make a statement as the No. 1 overall seed in the 2025 NCAA tournament. This marks the first time UCLA has earned this ranking, as the Bruins prepare to host No. 16 Southern University in the opening round on Friday, March 21.

The game is set to tip-off at 7 p.m. PDT at Pauley Pavilion, with ESPN providing live coverage. Fans can also purchase tickets, which start at under $35, allowing them to witness the matchup featuring No. 8 Richmond against No. 9 Georgia Tech earlier in the day.

UCLA concluded the regular season with an impressive 30-2 record and 18-2 in the Big Ten, marking a successful campaign led by head coach Cori Close. The Bruins avenged both their losses to rival USC in the conference tournament final, securing their first championship since the Pac-10 title in 2006. The team’s depth and performance have positioned them as strong contenders throughout the tournament.

The Bruins will face the Jaguars from Southern University, who hold a record of 21-14 overall and clinched the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) championship. Southern fought through the First Four, defeating UC San Diego 68-56 to secure their place in the tournament.

UCLA’s Lauren Betts, the standout player of the season, boasts averages of 19.6 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 2.9 blocks per game. Betts was instrumental in the Bruins’ success, as was point guard Raven Johnson, who contributed 12.8 points per game, along with team-leading assists of 4.8. Coach Close was recognized as the U.S. Basketball Writers Association Coach of the Year for her efforts in leading UCLA to a stellar season.

“It is a dream come true for our team, and we are ready to show what we can do,” said Betts during a pre-tournament press conference. “Our focus is on Southern, and we are determined to take it one game at a time.”

Southern’s top performer, Aniya Gourdine, leads her team with 12 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 2.4 steals per game. The Jaguars will look to Gourdine to help them pull off an upset against UCLA.

The 2025 NCAA women’s tournament format introduces two super regionals, with teams competing in Spokane, Washington, and Birmingham, Alabama. Each regional will yield two Final Four qualifiers, emphasizing the competitive nature of the tournament. If both UCLA and USC advance, another matchup between the crosstown rivals would take place in the semifinals, heightening the stakes of the already intense rivalry.

The Bruins aim to break through their historical barrier of never reaching the Final Four after growing strong over previous tournaments where they reached the Elite Eight twice (in 1999 and 2018) and the Sweet Sixteen nine times.

As they prepare for their upcoming game, UCLA has maintained a mindset of determination and resilience, setting their sights on making history.