Published Apr 2, 9:41pm ET by
Keith McCarthy - Betting Preview Analyst and Sports Writer
Last updated Apr 2, 9:41pm ET
Updated Apr 2, 9:45pm ET
Texas and UCLA meet in an exciting matchup. Both lost in last season's Final Four, setting up high stakes for this game. The winner advances to the Finals while the loser bows out in the Semis again.
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| UCLA Bruins | +115 |
| Texas Longhorns | -135 |
The Longhorns enter this game favored to return to the championship for the first time since 1986. It was an excellent season for Texas, finishing 2nd in the SEC behind only South Carolina. Their dominant defense is one of the best in the nation, exerting its full forth in the 77-41 Elite 8 win over Michigan. Senior G Rori Harmon plays a key role in that defense, averaging over 3 steals per game. She will be key in this matchup.
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The Bruins have the most talented and experienced starting-5 in college basketball, giving them a unique path to the championship. All five of their starters are projected to be selected in the first round of the 2026 WNBA Draft, with three of the five expected to land in the top-10. UCLA's 35-1 record and massively talented roster may be overlooked slightly, with the Bruins entering as the underdog. They'll be aiming for the upset.
The winner of this game is likely to enter the title game as an underdog, giving them a chip on their shoulder. The Bruins already have one of those as the underdog in this game, despite their roster full of WNBA talent. Expect a low-scoring game with the Longhorns making things difficult but ultimately coming up just short.
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Pick
UCLA Bruins (+115)
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