UCLA women’s basketball, the No. 1 seed, is gearing up for the Big Ten Women’s Basketball Tournament. Their first challenge comes against Washington at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on Friday morning. The Bruins enter the tournament fresh off their first Big Ten regular-season championship. They achieved this feat by going undefeated in conference play, boasting an impressive 18-0 record.
Bruins’ Dominance on Display
UCLA’s impact extends beyond the Big Ten, making a splash nationally. They lead the country with 10 victories against Top 25 teams. They also secured 14 wins against Quad 1 teams. Despite a single loss, UCLA is considered one of the nation’s top teams.
Washington’s Uphill Battle
Washington faces a tall order as they seek to advance in the tournament. They also hope to bolster their NCAA Tournament résumé. Their previous encounter with the Bruins on Feb. 19 resulted in an 82-67 victory for UCLA. However, the game revealed some areas where the Bruins weren’t at their sharpest. UCLA’s 3-point shooting was below their season average, at 26.7% compared to their usual 37.6%.
Washington managed to shoot 43.0% overall and 37.0% from beyond the arc. This level of offensive output is uncharacteristic against the Bruins’ typically strong defence. Whether Washington can turn the tables and upset UCLA hinges on several factors.
Huskies’ Tournament Journey So Far
Washington’s tournament journey included a recent match against USC. Back in December, Washington faced USC and suffered a 59-50 loss. In the second round of the 2026 Big Ten Women’s Basketball Tournament, Washington and USC met again. The game began as a defensive battle, tied at 8-8 after the first quarter, before Washington seized control in the second. The Huskies outscored the Trojans 24-14, shooting 47.6% while holding USC to 36.4%.
Ultimately, Washington prevailed, hitting half of their shots (29-for-58) and limiting the Trojans to 31% shooting. Guard Elie Ladine led Washington’s charge with 25 points on 10-for-13 shooting. She was supported by guard Avery Howell, who contributed 18 points and nine rebounds on 7-for-9 shooting. Salvia Sellers, a first-team All-Big Ten selection, had a quiet game with four points on 0-for-5 shooting, though three teammates scored in double figures.
Momentum vs. Depth
The momentum from their win over USC could benefit Washington. However, they defeated a USC team that had lost its fourth consecutive game. USC’s best player, Jazzy Davidson, was held to eight points on 2-of-13 shooting and appeared to sustain an injury. This is significant for a USC team that relies on four primary contributors. Washington now faces a UCLA team that can go six deep with its main contributors — not including a productive bench.
Washington averages 72.1 points per game and allows 61.6, which ranks 11th and third in the Big Ten.
UCLA’s upcoming match against Washington will test Washington’s ability to overcome a team with significant depth and recent dominant form.