Honestly, if you missed the latest clash between the UConn Huskies and the UCLA Bruins, you missed one of the most lopsided "heavyweight" bouts in the history of college hoops. People were calling it the game of the century. A matchup between a No. 1 seed and a No. 2 seed that felt like it should have gone down to the wire.
It didn't.
UConn absolutely dismantled UCLA. We're talking about an 85-51 beatdown in the Final Four. This wasn't just a win; it was a statement that left the Bruins searching for answers in a season that was supposed to end with a trophy.
Who Won UConn or UCLA? The Short and Long of It
If you’re just here for the quick answer: UConn won. They didn't just win; they crushed UCLA by 34 points on April 4, 2025, at Amalie Arena in Tampa. It was the largest margin of victory in the history of the NCAA Women’s Final Four.
Think about that for a second. In a round where the best of the best meet, one team was basically playing a different sport. UConn never trailed. Not once. They jumped out to a 10-point lead in the first quarter and by halftime, it was 42-22. The Bruins looked like they were stuck in mud while the Huskies were running a track meet.
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Why the Gap Was So Huge
Usually, when two top-tier programs meet, there’s some back-and-forth. This was different. UCLA’s Lauren Betts did her best, putting up 26 points, but she was basically a one-woman army. The rest of the Bruins roster struggled to find any rhythm against a UConn defense that felt like it had six players on the floor.
- Sarah Strong was a nightmare for UCLA, dropping 22 points.
- Azzi Fudd looked like her old self with 19 points.
- Paige Bueckers played the floor general role perfectly with 16.
The Huskies shot a blistering 55% from the field. UCLA? They were hovering around 38%. You can't win big games when you're throwing bricks and the other team is throwing darts.
The History You Probably Forgot
While the 2025 game is the one everyone is talking about, these two programs have a weird, storied history. It's not just about one game in Tampa. It’s about two of the biggest brands in the sport.
Funny enough, UCLA actually won the meeting before this one. Back in November 2023, during the Cayman Islands Classic, the Bruins took down UConn 78-67. Back then, it felt like the tide was shifting. UCLA was the "it" team, and UConn was dealing with injuries (as they always seem to be).
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But in the grand scheme? UConn owns this series. Before that 2023 slip-up, the Huskies had won every single meeting since 1999. We are talking about decades of dominance.
A Tale of Two Dynasties
It’s kinda wild to think about the "UCLA vs UConn" debate in a broader sense.
- UCLA is the old guard, the John Wooden era, the 11 titles on the men's side.
- UConn is the modern juggernaut, the Geno Auriemma era, the 11 titles on the women's side (and the recent back-to-back men's titles).
When these two jerseys meet on a court, there's just more weight to it. You've got the blue and gold of the West Coast versus the navy and white of the East Coast.
What This Means for the Future
Looking ahead to the 2025-2026 season, UCLA is "angry," according to Lauren Betts. They’ve got most of their roster coming back, and that 34-point loss is going to be pinned to the locker room wall.
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UConn, meanwhile, is still UConn. As long as Geno is on the sidelines and Bueckers is healthy (which, fingers crossed, stays that way), they are the gold standard. They move into 2026 as the hunted, but after that Final Four performance, it’s clear they like it that way.
If you’re trying to keep track of who won UConn or UCLA in the future, watch the schedules for the early-season tournaments. These two love to test each other before the madness of March begins.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans
If you're a bettor or just a hardcore fan, here's the reality:
- Watch the Pace: UConn wins when they can transition quickly. If UCLA slows the game down and feeds the post, they have a chance.
- Health is Everything: UConn's depth is legendary, but their stars have had a rough run with injuries. Always check the lineup before the tip-off.
- The Revenge Factor: UCLA is 1-8 in their last nine against UConn. That one win came when they were undervalued.
Basically, the rivalry is alive and well, even if the last game was a blowout. Keep your eyes on the 2026 rankings because these two are on a collision course once again.
Keep an eye on the official NCAA bracket releases in late February. If UCLA and UConn are in the same region again, expect the Bruins to play with a massive chip on their shoulder. Check the injury reports for Paige Bueckers and Lauren Betts specifically, as those two determine the ceiling for both programs.