How UCLA Can Finish Its Storybook Ending

With UCLA’s core primarily consisting of seniors, the path to glory would be the perfect send-off if the Bruins are able to win out.

UCLA’s starting five of Charlisse Leger-Walker, Gianna Kneepkens, Gabriela Jaquez, Kiki Rice, and Lauren Betts are all projected to leave for the WNBA Draft after this season. Each player is projected to go in the first round, a feat no school has ever accomplished.

The Revenge of the Bruins

The Bruins finished the season with just one loss, which came back in November against Texas in the Players Era Championship in Las Vegas. While that game was unusual because UCLA played back-to-back games, it proved that the Bruins are not flawless.

UCLA lost 76-65, a game it never truly had control of. The Bruins fell behind 45-25 in the first half, allowing the Longhorns to cruise to victory in the second half. UCLA made a push, but it simply was not enough.

Mar 29, 2026; Sacramento, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins forward Gabriela Jaquez (11) drives to the basket during the first quarter of the game against the Duke Blue Devils in the Sacramento Regional 4 of the women's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images | Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images

Fast forward to today, and UCLA now has a chance to get revenge on Texas and prove that the earlier loss was a fluke. However, Texas has remained strong since then, even though the Longhorns have taken a few losses along the way. Even so, a UCLA win here would check one of two major boxes.

Return of the Bruins

The second most recent loss UCLA suffered came in last year’s Final Four against UConn. The Bruins were routed 85-51 in a very embarrassing fashion. As of now, it appears UConn could reach the national championship game again if it handles business against South Carolina.

If UCLA were to beat UConn in the National Championship game, it would serve as revenge in one of the most emotional ways possible in college sports. Defeating the team that embarrassed you the year before would be the perfect send-off for UCLA’s seniors.

Mar 29, 2026; Sacramento, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins forward Angela Dugalić (32) takes a shot over Duke Blue Devils forward Delaney Thomas (12) during the second quarter in the Sacramento Regional 4 of the women's 2026 NCAA Tournament at the Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images | Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images

However, that road will not be easy. UConn has proven to be one of the most dominant teams in college basketball. Prior to its Final Four matchup against South Carolina, the Huskies were 38-0 and had been the unanimous No. 1 team in the country since January.

Mar 21, 2026; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins head coach Cori Close in the first half against the California Baptist Lancers at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images | Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

The bottom line for UCLA is that it must find a way to get over the hump. With its last two losses potentially standing in the way of a championship run, the Bruins must overcome the demons of the past. If they can do that, UCLA would cap off an incredible two-year stretch in program history.