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EspañolUCLA undoubtedly has the advantage in Indianapolis, but the Big Ten race may not be as simple as it looks on paper.
Here’s everything you need to know heading into the Big Ten women’s basketball tournament this week.
UCLA enters as top seed
UCLA might be the team that’s most-capable of knocking off UConn in the NCAA tournament, but the Big Ten won’t be simple for the Bruins by any means.
UCLA went a near-perfect 28-1 this season and will enter the Big Ten tournament in Indianapolis as the No. 2 team in the nation. The Bruins’ lone loss came against Texas back in November. Since then, they went undefeated in Big Ten play and ended the season on a 22-game win streak. They will very likely secure a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament.
Lauren Betts put up 16.3 points and a league-high 8.8 rebounds per contest this season, and will be incredibly hard to stop in the tournament. Kiki Rice shot better than 50% from the field while adding 15.2 points per game, too.
But there were a few close calls along the way. No. 3 seed Michigan came within three points of knocking them off in early February, though Syla Swords missed a game-tying shot in the final seconds. Ohio State kept it within single digits, too. No. 2 seed Iowa, despite losing to UCLA by more than 20 points, also ended the year on a six-game win streak that included an 18-point rout of the Wolverines.
Someone else leaving Indianapolis with the Big Ten tournament title is certainly in the realm of possibilities this week. But it’s going to take a perfect outing against the Bruins, and likely a little bit of help along the way, to get that done.
Big Ten women’s basketball tournament basics
When: March 4-8
Where: Gainbridge Fieldhouse | Indianapolis
TV: Peacock, Big Ten Network
Big Ten women’s basketball schedule, results
All times ET
Wednesday, March 4 – First Round
Game 1 | No. 12 Nebraska vs. No. 13 Indiana | 3:30 p.m. | Peacock
Game 2 | No. 10 Illinois vs. No. 15 Wisconsin | 25 minutes after Game 1 | Peacock
Game 3 | No. 11 Oregon vs. No. 14 Purdue | 25 minutes after Game 2 | Peacock
Thursday, March 5 – Second Round
Game 4 | No. 8 Washington vs. No. 9 USC | 12 p.m. | BTN
Game 5 | No. 5 Ohio State vs. G1 Winner | 25 minutes after Game 4 | BTN
Game 6 | No. 7 Michigan State vs. G2 Winner | 6:30 p.m. | BTN
Game 7 | No. 6 Maryland vs. G3 Winner | 25 minutes after Game 6 | BTN
Friday, March 6 – Quarterfinals
Game 8 | No. 1 UCLA vs. G4 Winner | 12 p.m. | BTN
Game 9 | No. 4 Minnesota vs. G5 Winner | 25 minutes after Game 8 | BTN
Game 10 | No. 2 Iowa vs. G6 Winner | 6:30 p.m. | BTN
Game 11 | No. 3 Michigan vs. G7 Winner | 25 minutes after Game 10 | BTN
Saturday, March 7 – Semifinals
Game 12 | G8 Winner vs. G9 Winner | 2 p.m. | BTN
Game 13 | G10 Winner vs. G11 Winner | 4:30 p.m. | BTN
Sunday, March 8 – Championship
Game 14 | G12 Winner vs. G13 Winner | 2:15 p.m. | CBS