The UCLA Bruins are set to meet the North Carolina Tar Heels in Las Vegas, and all eyes will once again be on senior center Lauren Betts. She has started the season efficiently, scoring well around the rim and setting the tone for UCLA’s interior dominance.
The Bruins enter this matchup ranked in the top three nationally, carrying the confidence of a team already showing Final Four potential. North Carolina arrives at 2–0 and looking to make a statement against one of the best teams in the country.
The Tar Heels sit just outside the top ten and want to prove they can compete with elite competition early in the year. It has been several seasons since these two programs last met, and both sides come into this showdown with momentum and opportunity.
So how does this high-profile meeting between UCLA and UNC stack up? Let’s break it down.
UCLA Bruins vs North Carolina Tar Heels Prediction
UCLA holds a 3–0 record and has looked sharp on both ends to start the year. Their greatest advantage is still their size, with Betts anchoring the middle and controlling the paint. North Carolina, meanwhile, is dealing with limitations in the frontcourt and does not have its primary true center available for this contest.
UNC will lean heavily on its guards and wings to push tempo, spread the floor and test UCLA from the perimeter. They have enough scoring talent to hang around, but they will need to force turnovers and avoid letting the Bruins dominate the boards.
On paper, UCLA enters with more depth, more length and stronger early-season form. North Carolina has the pieces to compete, but the size gap makes this an uphill battle.
UCLA Bruins Starting Lineup
- PG: Kiki Rice
- SG: Gabriela Jaquez
- SF: Gianna Kneepkens
- PF: Timea Gardiner
- C: Lauren Betts
North Carolina Tar Heels Starting Lineup
- PG: Indya Nivar
- SG: Lanie Grant
- SF: Nyla Harris
- G: Reniya Kelly
- C: Ciera Toomey
Injury Report
UCLA Bruins:
Freshman forward Sienna Betts remains out as she continues to recover from a leg injury and will not be available for this matchup. Forward Timea Gardiner is active but still managing her workload after missing action earlier this month.
Injured / Out:
Sienna Betts – left-leg injury
Timea Gardiner
North Carolina Tar Heels:
Sophomore center Blanca Thomas has yet to appear this season and is still unavailable, leaving UNC without its main interior defender. Guard Reniya Kelly has recently returned from a lower-body setback and may still see managed minutes depending on game flow.
Injured / Out:
Blanca Thomas – has not played this season (undisclosed injury)
Managing Minutes:
Reniya Kelly – lower-body recovery
Both teams enter unbeaten, but UCLA’s depth and size give them a clear edge.
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