Big Ten Tournament - No. 1-Seed UCLA Begins Tourney Play Against Washington The No. 1-seeded UCLA women’s basketball team kicks off its Big Ten Tournament campaign against Washington on Friday morning at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The game, scheduled for 9 a.m. PT on the Big Ten Network, pits the Bruins, who finished the regular season undefeated in conference play with an 18-0 record, against the Huskies, who entered the tournament with a 21-9 overall record and 10-8 mark in the Big Ten. This matchup marks the first time in Big Ten history that a team has gone undefeated in conference play, with UCLA joining an elite group that includes only three other teams. UCLA’s dominance this season has been underscored by its performance against top-tier opponents. The Bruins led the nation with 10 wins against Top 25 teams and 14 victories over Quad 1 squads, despite a single loss in their schedule. Their ability to consistently outperform ranked competition has positioned them as one of the premier teams in the country. Washington, however, will need to overcome the challenge of facing a squad that has already proven its mettle in high-stakes games. The two teams have met before, with UCLA securing a decisive 82-67 victory on Feb. 19. While the Bruins’ performance in that game was strong overall, with a 53.3% shooting percentage, their struggles from beyond the arc—hitting just 26.7% of three-pointers—were notable. Washington, on the other hand, shot 43.0% from the field and 37.0% from three-point range, a performance that exceeded the Bruins’ defensive expectations. This discrepancy raises questions about whether Washington can replicate its success against USC in the upcoming matchup. Washington’s recent game against USC provided a glimpse of its potential.#ucla_womens_basketball #washington_womens_basketball #gainbridge_fieldhouse #big_ten_tournament #indianapolis
