Women's NCAA tournament: How to watch Lauren Betts and UCLA vs. Southern
UCLA has never made the Final Four of the NCAA women's basketball tournament.
The Bruins could change that over the next few weeks. They begin March Madness as the tournament's No. 1 overall seed for the first time in program history.
As the top-seeded team in Spokane regional 1, UCLA will host No. 16 Southern in the opening round.
Here's everything you need to know to watch and enjoy the game.
How to watch UCLA vs. Southern
The first-round game takes place at 7 p.m. PDT Friday at Pauley Pavilion and will be televised on ESPN. Another viewing option is to head over to UCLA and watch the game in person. Ticketmaster has seats listed for less than $35 and admission also includes the 4:30 p.m. game between No. 8 Richmond and No. 9 Georgia Tech.
Read more:UCLA sets school record by earning No. 1 overall seed in women's NCAA tournament
How did both teams get here?
The Bruins are 30-2 overall and 18-2 in the Big Ten, with both losses coming in the regular season to rival USC. UCLA avenged those losses in the conference tournament final, defeating the Trojans 72-67 to win a tournament championship for the first time since claiming the Pac-10 title in 2006. USC is the No. 1 seed in the Spokane 4 regional, so a fourth Bruins-Trojans showdown this season would only take place if both teams reach the Final Four.
The Jaguars are 21-14 overall and 18-3 in the Southwestern Athletic Conference. Southern was the SWAC regular season and tournament champion. The Jaguars then had to play in the First Four, where they defeated UC San Diego 68-56 Wednesday night to punch their ticket to Westwood.
Read more:March Madness women's tournament analysis: Teams and players to watch
Who to watch
Lauren Betts leads the Bruins with 19.6 points, 9.7 rebounds and 2.9 blocks a game. Kiki Rice has scored 12.8 points a game while leading UCLA in assists (4.8) and steals (1.6). Coach Cori Close was named the U.S. Basketball Writers Assn. coach of the year Thursday after leading the Bruins to their first 30-win season.
Senior Aniya Gourdine is the Jaguars' leader in points (12), rebounds (4.8) and steals (2.4).
This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Topics
-
March Madness 2025: How to watch the UC San Diego vs. Southern women's game tonight
UC San Diego plays Southern in the First Four of the NCAA women's basketball tournament — here's how to watch.Yahoo Sports - 2d -
March Madness 2025: How to watch the UCLA vs. Utah State NCAA tournament game tonight
UCLA and Utah State will meet in the NCAA Tournament First Round — here's the scoop on how to watch tonight's game.Yahoo Sports - 21h -
Women's March Madness schedule: NCAA Tournament start times, TV, streaming for first round
The NCAA women's basketball tournament bracket is set. Here's how to watch every first-round game.Yahoo Sports - 4d -
Women's March Madness games today: Game times, predictions, how to watch
Here's how to follow along with the First Four of the 2025 NCAA women's basketball tournament, including game times and TV channels.Yahoo Sports - 1d -
March Madness 2025: How to watch the Iowa State vs. Princeton women's game tonight
Iowa State takes on Princeton in the First Four of the NCAA women's basketball tournament — here's how to tune in.Yahoo Sports - 2d -
What channel is Fairleigh Dickinson vs. TCU on today? Time, TV schedule for March Madness game
It's Fairleigh Dickinson's women basketball vs TCU in the 2025 March Madness bracket. Here's how to watch the NCAA Tournament first round game.Yahoo Sports - 8h -
Here's how you can watch Friday's MSU-Bryant NCAA Tournament basketball game
Here's how you can watch the NCAA Tournament first round matchup between Michigan State and Bryant on FridayYahoo Sports - 19h -
March Madness 2025: How to watch the Gonzaga vs. Georgia NCAA tournament game today
Gonzaga plays Georgia in the NCAA Tournament First Round — here's the scoop on how to watch today's game.Yahoo Sports - 1d -
March Madness 2025: How to watch the Michigan vs. UC San Diego NCAA tournament game tonight
Michigan will face UC San Diego in the NCAA Tournament First Round — here's the scoop on how to watch tonight's game.Yahoo Sports - 22h
More from Yahoo Sports
-
March Madness 2025: How to watch the Notre Dame vs. Stephen F. Austin women's NCAA tournament game today
Notre Dame plays Stephen F. Austin today in today's NCAA women's basketball tournament, here's how to catch the game.Yahoo Sports - 13m -
Jamie Laing enters final 5 miles of Comic Relief Ultra Marathon Man challenge - live updates
Can Jamie Laing run five Ultra Marathons in five days, between London and Salford?Yahoo Sports - 14m -
UFC interim champ Tom Aspinall thinks Curtis Blaydes win should be considered legit title defense
UFC interim champion Tom Aspinall wonders if he's already notched his first official title defense. Aspinall is just over a month away from surpassing Renan Barao's record of holding the interim ...Yahoo Sports - 18m -
Oakland Mills seniors Isaac and Caleb Ramsey reunite on lacrosse field
Mar. 21—Growing up, football and basketball were big in the Ramsey household. Now the twin brothers are giving Oakland Mills lacrosse a lift. Subscribe to continue reading this article. Already ...Yahoo Sports - 18m -
17 basketball players from the Texas Panhandle selected to TABC All-State Teams
Almost 20 boys and girls basketball players from the Texas Panhandle were selected to the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches All-State teams.Yahoo Sports - 19m
More in Sports
-
NHL Power Rankings: Capitals reign at No. 1, plus pickups for the fantasy playoffs
As the playoff field solidifies, here's how our panel voted. And here's one fantasy player to target per team.ESPN - 10m -
How rookie goaltender Dustin Wolf saved the Calgary Flames' season
The Northern California native, and 214th overall pick in 2019, has his team right in the playoff mix.ESPN - 10m -
March Madness 2025: How to watch the Notre Dame vs. Stephen F. Austin women's NCAA tournament game today
Notre Dame plays Stephen F. Austin today in today's NCAA women's basketball tournament, here's how to catch the game.Yahoo Sports - 13m -
Jamie Laing enters final 5 miles of Comic Relief Ultra Marathon Man challenge - live updates
Can Jamie Laing run five Ultra Marathons in five days, between London and Salford?Yahoo Sports - 14m -
Kane: 'Aura' improved after Spurs to Bayern move
Harry Kane sees a real chance of winning the next men's Ballon d'Or, saying his "aura" as a player has improved since joining Bayern Munich.ESPN - 14m