Big Ten Women’s Basketball Teams Meet Again in the NCAA Sweet Sixteen: What to Expect from UCLA Versus Minnesota
The first two rounds of games in the 2026 NCAA Tournament have officially concluded, leaving only 16 teams remaining. Three of the 16 teams are representing the Big Ten, including the number-one-ranked UCLA Bruins and the Minnesota Gophers, who will face off on Friday. This game has big implications for Minnesota, who lost to UCLA twice in the regular season. With an upset on their minds, the Gophers are coming into this game hot. Will UCLA be able to hold on for a third straight win against Minnesota and advance to the Elite Eight?
The Game That Punched Minnesota’s Ticket to the Sweet Sixteen
On Sunday, March 22nd, the Gophers faced off against a fiery Ole Miss squad. The Ole Miss Rebels, led by Cotie McMahon, had been a scary team in the SEC and pulled off a few upsets during their season. However, the Gophers showed no fear. The game went back and forth until the very end, when Mara Braun tied the game up with a huge three-pointer. And then, at the final buzzer, senior guard Amaya Battle hit a buzzer-beater jumper that put them ahead and won them the game. This was a huge win for Minnesota, who hadn’t been to the Sweet Sixteen since 2005. Their resilience and brick-wall defense brought them back from an eight-point deficit in the fourth quarter. Next, Dawn Plitzuweit and her Gophers will face UCLA on Friday, March 27th.
The Madness of March
The NCAA Tournament is notorious for providing entertainment, twists and turns, and even major upsets. So what would it take for Minnesota to upset a team like UCLA? The Bruins rely heavily on their star forward, Lauren Betts. At six-foot-seven, Betts is incredibly difficult to guard. For the Gophers, it will take a lot of work from forward Sophie Hart and taller guards like Tori McKinney to slow down Betts. Additionally, Minnesota needs a stellar three-point shooting performance to improve their chances of an upset. Guards like Amaya Battle and Mara Braun, who can shoot threes in high-stakes moments, will be critical in this matchup. Overall, UCLA is a very well-rounded team. There’s a reason they are the number-one seed, and they aren’t going down easily.
A Big Ten Matchup Will Never Disappoint
Although UCLA and Minnesota have met twice already this season, once in January and again in February, this matchup could be different. UCLA won both matchups by around 20 points. However, this is March. Minnesota has proved they have what it takes to defeat tough competition. Look for lots of scoring in the paint from both teams, as they both possess impressive post talent. Expect Kiki Rice and Mara Braun to get hot from beyond the arc, and don’t be surprised by lockdown defensive performances from both teams. This highly anticipated game will either end a historic run for Minnesota or result in the biggest upset in the NCAA tournament so far.
