UCLA women win first Big Ten title in program history, look ready to chase National Championship originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The music was loud, the hugs were long and the white championship hats came out quickly inside Pauley Pavilion.
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UCLA didn’t just win another game. The Bruins secured their first Big Ten regular-season championship in program history, achieving it outright and with authority.
For a program that has been around since 1974 and owns a national title from the AIAW era, this is new territory. And it feels like the start of something bigger.
From west coast roots to midwest dominance
UCLA women’s basketball has history. The Bruins won the 1978 AIAW national championship behind Ann Meyers and have produced WNBA talent and tournament teams for decades.
But sustained, national-title-level buzz has been rare.
That began to shift under Cori Close, who took over in 2011 and steadily rebuilt the foundation. Last season’s Final Four appearance felt like a breakthrough.
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Then came the conference change.
In 2024, UCLA officially joined the Big Ten Conference after the collapse of the Pac-12. The move meant tougher travel, colder road environments and a more physical style of play.
Instead of adjusting slowly, the Bruins took control. In just their second season in the league, they climbed to the top.
A team built for March
This roster looks the part of a championship contender.
Lauren Betts has been dominant in the paint, controlling the glass and protecting the rim. Her presence allows UCLA to dictate pace and wear teams down over four quarters.
Around her, experienced guards like Kiki Rice and Gabriela Jaquez provide stability. They do not rush. They defend with purpose. They close games.
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That balance of size, poise and defensive consistency is exactly what wins in March.
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Not just happy to be here
For years, the standard in women’s college basketball has been the UConn Huskies.
Now UCLA is firmly in that conversation.
The Bruins have lost just once this season and have rolled through Big Ten play. They already proved they can reach the Final Four. This year, they look even more complete.
If a UCLA-UConn matchup materializes in the NCAA tournament, it would not feel like an upset opportunity. It would feel like two heavyweights meeting on the biggest stage.
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More than a banner
Winning the Big Ten in only their second year in the league sends a message.
It tells recruits UCLA can thrive in any conference. It tells the country last season was not a fluke. And it reinforces that Cori Close has built a program with staying power.
The Bruins have their first Big Ten title.
And the way they are playing, they are not just celebrating a conference crown. They are positioning themselves to chase something even bigger.
