It is now down to two, as the No. 1 UCLA Bruins take on the No. 1 South Carolina Gamecocks for the NCAA National Championship. Dawn Staley’s Gamecocks were the first and only team to hand UConn their first and only loss of the season, while the Bruins defeated the dominant Longhorns in the Final Four. UCLA is chasing history while South Carolina is seeking to cement its legendary coach’s legacy in this finals showdown.
The Bruins will all about be their anchor in the middle, Lauren Betts, who is projected by many to be the No. 1 overall draft pick in the WNBA this year. She has a stellar supporting cast, including her sister, Sienna, and point guard Kiki Rice. Meanwhile, South Carolina has an all-star team, and each of them can lead any team outside of South Carolina, but they act as a unit.
South Carolina vs. UCLA Women’s Basketball National Championship Projected Starting Lineups
South Carolina Gamecocks
- F Joyce Edwards
- C Madina Okot
- G Tessa Johnson
- G Ta’Niya Latson
- G Raven Johnson
UCLA Bruins
- C Lauren Betts
- G Gianna Kneepkens
- G Gabriela Jaquez
- G Charlisse Leger-Walker
- G Kiki Rice
Both teams are filled to the brim with guards, but that does not mean they do not have potent frontlines. Madina Okot is a double-double machine, but she may have her hands full against UCLA’s big, Lauren Betts. Another interesting matchup will be point guards Raven Johnson and Kiki Rice.
South Carolina vs. UCLA Women’s Basketball National Championship Injury Report
South Carolina Gamecocks
- Adhel Tac: Out
- Chloe Kitts: Oiut
UCLA Bruins
- Timea Gardiner: Out
- Megan Grant: Out
Both teams have been hit hard by the injury bug, with the Gamecocks missing two key bigs to maybe try and hold Lauren Betts, to UCLA missing senior forward Timea Gardiner to injury and maybe challenge Joyce Edwards.
South Carolina vs. UCLA Women’s Basketball National Championship Prediction
Dawn Staley’s South Carolina might be more than motivated after that blowoff between Staley and UConn head coach Geno Auriemma. However, UCLA is hungry and Lauren Betts wants to end her college career with a natty before heading to the WNBA. This one could be a close matchup, but South Carolina has the experience and they have been here before, so this should be a Gamecocks win.
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