UCLA Women Secure Top Seed, Face California Baptist in NCAA Opener

The UCLA women’s basketball team is riding high after clinching the No. 1 seed in the Sacramento 2 Regional of the NCAA Tournament. This comes after a dazzling season—31-1 overall, and a spotless 18-0 in the Big Ten.

They’re getting ready to host 16th-seeded California Baptist at Pauley Pavilion. Right now, the focus is all about taking it one game at a time, especially after last year’s tough Final Four loss.

UCLA’s Stellar Season and Tournament Seeding

The Bruins finished with a near-perfect 31-1 record. In the Big Ten, they didn’t drop a single game—18-0, which is just wild.

This hot streak locked them in as the No. 2 overall seed and the top spot in the Sacramento 2 Regional. Their first test? California Baptist, a team that’s riding a six-game win streak and just grabbed the WAC Tournament title for an automatic NCAA bid.

If you want a deeper dive into their seeding and matchups, check here.

Key Players and Leadership

Head coach Cori Close leads the way, guiding the team to four straight NCAA Tournament regionals at Pauley Pavilion. The roster’s loaded with seasoned seniors, and honestly, that experience matters.

Kiki Rice and Gabriela Jaquez, in particular, keep showing up when it counts. They’ve been through the fire of past tournaments and know what it takes.

Key Players to Watch:

• Kiki Rice: Senior guard who brings leadership and experience.
• Gabriela Jaquez: Another senior who has been pivotal in the team’s success.

Lessons from the Past

Last year’s blowout loss to UConn in the Final Four? Yeah, that one still stings. Coach Close keeps pushing everyone to focus on the present and not get stuck on what’s already happened.

Staying in the moment is a big deal for this group. They’re channeling last year’s pain into fuel for this run.

The Importance of a Present Mindset

Coach Close preaches staying present and tackling what’s right in front of them. Assistant coach Tasha Brown jumps in too, always talking about tightening the circle and guarding what kind of thoughts get in.

This sort of mental toughness is what the Bruins think will get them through the tournament. Maybe it will—who knows?

Upcoming Matchups

As the No. 1 seed in their regional, UCLA faces California Baptist in the first round at Pauley Pavilion. That game’s set for Saturday, and you can bet the Bruins aren’t overlooking anyone.

California Baptist is coming in hot, fresh off six straight wins and a WAC Tournament title. That’s not nothing.

Potential Challenges

Sure, UCLA’s the favorite, but they know better than to take any team lightly. Every game’s a new fight, and they’re just trying to earn another shot in the tournament.

If the Bruins get past California Baptist, they’ll meet the winner of Oklahoma State vs. Princeton in the Round of 32. Sweet Sixteen and Elite Eight games will be in Sacramento, so there’s a lot to look forward to—and a lot that could go sideways.

Fan Support and Home Advantage

Hosting at Pauley Pavilion? That’s huge. The home crowd can seriously tilt the energy and give UCLA that extra push.

They’ve got a history of showing up big when they play at home. It’s hard not to expect more of the same this time around.

The Role of the Fans

Fans really do set the tone. A loud, buzzing crowd can rattle opponents and lift the Bruins up when it matters.