Women’s Hoops: Oklahoma v. UCLA

Monday night in Sacramento brings a marquee showdown between Oklahoma and UCLA. The Sooners return their big three and add superstar freshman Aaliyah Chavez, giving them downhill punch and shot-making on the perimeter. Raegan Beers is a force on the interior, while Payton Verhulst and Sahara Williams are proven two-way pieces. After those four, though, the rotation gets thin, and that could matter against the deep, experienced Bruins.

Everyone knows national player of the year candidate Lauren Betts, but UCLA arrives in waves. Gabriela Jaques and Gianna Keepkens can score in bunches, stretching help and punishing soft closeouts. The hinge is Kiki Rice: her command of tempo, pick-and-roll reads, and late-clock poise consistently put the Bruins in high-leverage spots while limiting live-ball mistakes.

Stylistically, expect Oklahoma to hunt early advantages through Chavez’s gravity and inside touches for Beers, then flow to Verhulst and Williams as counters. UCLA’s answer is length, rebounding, and second-unit pressure that keeps the floor tilted.

The market respect is clear: UCLA -8.5. It’s a hefty number for a top-ten duel, but it reflects trust in the Bruins’ depth and closing power. Over forty minutes, that bench advantage compounds.

Pick:
Oklahoma 70
UCLA 83