Women’s Hoops: North Carolina v. UCLA

UCLA and North Carolina meet under the Las Vegas lights at Michelob Ultra Arena, and the gap looks real. We have the Bruins No. 3 today and likely moving them to No. 2 on Sunday—talent, depth, and cohesion all point the same direction. They rebound at an elite level, which feeds their identity: one shot for you, two for us. Lauren Betts anchors the paint as a national player of the year candidate, converting deep seals and protecting the rim without fouling. Kiki Rice is the governor on pace—she controls tempo, picks her spots in ball screens, and turns good possessions into great ones. Add Gianna Kneepkens as a live-wire shot maker and complementary scoring from Gabriela Jaquez and Angela Dugalic, and the Bruins can win high or low possession games.

North Carolina is no slouch—we slot the Tar Heels just inside our top 15—but they’re talented and young, and not quite ready to share this stage. The difference between No. 2/3 and No. 15 on the women’s side often shows up in the middle eight minutes and on the glass. Expect UCLA’s togetherness to squeeze late-clock shots, stack extra attempts, and separate after halftime. Money has come on the Bruins for good reason—-13.5 has been bought, and it still may not be enough.

Pick:
North Carolina 60
UCLA 81