If you were watching the Final Four back in April 2025, you saw it. The "game of the century" vibes that felt more like a masterclass in basketball demolition. UConn didn't just win; they essentially dismantled a UCLA program that had finally found its footing on the biggest stage.
The Huskies rolled to an 85-51 victory. That 34-point margin wasn't just a win—it was the largest winning margin in the history of the NCAA Final Four. Ever.
People like to talk about the "UConn mystique" as if it’s some magical aura Geno Auriemma sprays in the locker room. Honestly, it’s just relentless execution. In that specific uconn huskies women's basketball vs ucla bruins women's basketball matchup, the Bruins were the No. 1 seed. They had Lauren Betts. They had Kiki Rice. They looked unstoppable. Then they met Sarah Strong.
The Night the Bruins Hit a Wall
Sarah Strong, a freshman at the time, played like she’d been in the league for a decade. She dropped 22 points, hitting 4-of-6 from beyond the arc. Imagine being 6-foot-2 and having to chase a mobile forward who hits threes like a guard. UCLA had no answer.
Lauren Betts was the only real bright spot for the Bruins that night. She put up 26 points. But here’s the kicker: she was basically the only one scoring. The rest of the team struggled so hard that Betts accounted for more than half of their total points. Kiki Rice, usually a flamethrower from the perimeter, was held to just 8.
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UCLA turned the ball over 19 times. You can't do that against UConn. You just can't.
Why This Rivalry is Different in 2026
Fast forward to right now, January 2026. The landscape has shifted, but the hierarchy at the top is still a two-team argument between UConn and South Carolina, with UCLA nipping at their heels.
UConn is currently sitting on a 34-game winning streak. They haven't lost since they lifted that 12th national title trophy last year. Paige Bueckers has moved on, which most people thought would be the "reset" year for the Huskies. Nope. Geno just reloaded. With Azzi Fudd healthy and Sarah Strong entering her "sophomore leap," the Huskies look just as terrifying.
UCLA is currently ranked No. 3 in the AP Poll. They are 15-1 and arguably the deepest team in the Big Ten.
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Cori Close has done something interesting with this roster. She added Sienna Betts—Lauren’s sister—and Gianna Kneepkens. It’s a "more complete puzzle," as she calls it. They aren't just relying on Lauren Betts to bail them out in the paint anymore. They have multiple scoring threats who can actually handle the ball under pressure.
The Statistical Reality
When you look at the uconn huskies women's basketball vs ucla bruins women's basketball data, a few things stand out:
- Turnover Margin: UConn thrives on "points off turnovers." In their last meeting, they scored 27 points directly from UCLA's mistakes.
- Three-Point Disparity: The Huskies shot 43.8% from deep in that Final Four game. UCLA? A measly 25%.
- Bench Depth: UConn's bench contributed 16 points in that blowout, which doesn't sound like much until you realize UCLA’s bench was almost non-existent during the scoring droughts.
Honestly, the biggest misconception about this matchup is that UCLA isn't "tough" enough. That’s garbage. They are incredibly physical. The issue is usually pace. UConn plays a style of "read and react" basketball that punishes teams that over-help on defense. If you double-team Fudd, Strong is open. If you guard the perimeter, Jana El Alfy smacks you in the paint.
What to Watch For Next
If these two meet again in the 2026 tournament—and let’s be real, they probably will—the x-factor is Serah Williams. She’s a double-double machine who transferred to UConn from Wisconsin. She gives the Huskies a defensive interior presence they were actually missing during the early parts of last season.
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UCLA, on the other hand, is banking on "cohesion." They’ve played the hardest schedule in the country this year. They have the most Quad 1 wins. They are battle-hardened in a way that the 2025 team maybe wasn't before they hit the Final Four buzzsaw.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Bettors
- Watch the First Quarter: In their last three meetings, whichever team led after the first 10 minutes won the game. UConn is notorious for "front-running"—they get a 10-point lead and then just suffocate you.
- The Betts Factor: If Lauren Betts is forced to score more than 30% of UCLA's points, UCLA loses. They need balanced scoring to beat the Huskies' defensive rotations.
- Track the "Unrivaled" Effect: Several alums from both schools are playing in the new Unrivaled 3x3 league. The professionalization of the off-season is making these college players much more technically sound.
UConn remains the gold standard. They are the only top-5 program currently without a Quad 1 loss this season. But the gap is closing. UCLA has the size to match up with anyone; they just need to prove they can handle the psychological pressure of the UConn jersey.
Keep an eye on the NET rankings. As of mid-January, UCLA is narrowing the gap significantly. If they can maintain their scoring average of 80+ points per game against ranked opponents, a rematch with the Huskies won't be another 34-point blowout. It'll be a fight.