South Carolina vs. UCLA odds, lines, predictions for 2026 Women's national championship game
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South Carolina vs. UCLA odds, lines, predictions for 2026 Women's national championship game originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
No. 1 South Carolina meets No. 1 UCLA in the national championship game at the 2026 Women's Final Four on Sunday.
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Tip-off is at 3 p.m. ET at the Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix. The game will be televised on ABC and ESPN.
South Carolina (36-3) advanced to the national championship game for the third straight season in a 62-48 victory against No. 1 UConn (38-1) on Friday. Coach Dawn Staley improved to 8-4 in the Final Four and is now seeking a fourth national championship with the Gamecocks. South Carolina spoiled the Huskies' unbeaten season.
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UCLA (36-1) advanced to the national championship game for the first time in school history under coach Cori Close after a 51-44 victory against No. 1 Texas (35-4). All-American center Lauren Betts had 16 points, 11 rebounds and three blocks – one against Texas forward Madison Booker that helped seal the victory.
It's a SEC vs. Big Ten showdown for the national championship, and the schools have some recent history. Here is everything to know ahead of a blockbuster national title matchup in the 2026 Women's Basketball Tournament.
South Carolina vs. UCLA odds
- Moneyline: South Carolina -170, UCLA +143
- Spread: South Carolina -3.5
- Over/under: 130
South Carolina vs. UCLA series history
South Carolina is 4-1 S/U all time against UCLA, and the teams have met each of the last three seasons. The Gamecocks beat the Bruins 59-43 in the Sweet 16 in 2023. UCLA won the last regular-season meeting 77-62 earlier this season. Betts had 14 points, 11 rebounds and four blocks in the victory.
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South Carolina key players against UCLA
South Carolina has a seven-player rotation led by forward Joyce Edwards (19.5 ppg.), who avearged 18.6 points and 9.4 rebounds in the NCAA Tournament. Edwards – a 6-foot-3 sophomore forward – is complemented by center Madina Okot (13.0 ppg.) – a 6-foot-5 senior center.
Seniors Raven Johnson (10.0 ppg.) and Ta'Niya Latson (14.4 ppg.) – a Florida State transfer – make up the backcourt. Johnson has a chance to win a third national title with the Gamecocks, and Latson had 16 points and 11 rebounds in the victory against the Huskies. Tessa Johnson (12.8 ppg.) is the other starter, and Agot Makeer (7.2 ppg.) provides off the bench. Makeer had 14 points against UConn.
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UCLA key players against South Carolina
Betts (17.2 ppg.) – a 6-foot-7 center – leads the Bruins with 8.7 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 2.1 blocks per game. Betts averages 24.4 points and nine rebounds in the tournament. UCLA has six seniors who see most of the playing time. Forward Angela Dugalic (9.0 ppg.) – who is 6-foot-4 – completes UCLA's front line.
Kiki Rice (15.1 ppg.), Gabriela Jaquez (11.3 ppg.) and Gianna Kneepkens (12.8 ppg.) complete the UCLA backcourt. Rice and Jaquez average 5.9 and 5.4 rebounds, respectively. The Bruins do not have a deep bench. Charlisse Leger-Walker (8.3 ppg.) and Sienna Betts (6.2 ppg.) – a 6-foot-4 forward – are the only other two players who saw time in the semifinal against UCLA.
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South Carolina vs. UCLA national championship pick, prediction
Who controls the glass? UCLA has an average rebounding margin of plus-8 in its last four tournament games, and Betts is an imposing force in the middle. South Carolina, however, averages a plus-18.2 rebounding margin in its last four games. Latson had 10 rebounds against the Huskies in the semifinals. This is going to be a challenge for the Bruins to match that effort, especially on the defensive side.
Betts has been dominant in the tournament. UCLA will isolate the 6-foot-7 center in the post, and Okot will have to stay out of foul trouble. How much will Staley opt to double-team Betts off the perimeter? UCLA is just 3 of 22 from 3-point range in its last two tournament games. Kneepkens (93%), Rice (90.6%) and Jaquez (85.6%) are excellent free-throw shooters, and they will look to drive to the basket off of passes from Betts, who is shooting 66.7% from the floor in the last three tournament games. She will be a challenge, even for South Carolina's defense.
Edwards is 18 of 47 (38.3%) from the floor the last three games for the Gamecocks, and Betts is a defensive presence. Will that push Edwards out to the free-throw line in the offense more? South Carolina does not shoot the 3-pointer much either, but Raven Johnson, Tessa Johnson and Latson can get out in transition. South Carolina might look to play up-tempo more in the first half, and the wings will be active. The Gamecocks have nine steals in the victory against the Huskies.
Makeer and Maddy McDaniel (4.4 ppg.) can do that off the bench, too. Makeer is averaging 14 points per game and is 4 of 8 from 3-point range in South Carolina's last three games. She is hitting the momentum-turning shots in the tournament, and that could be the case here, too.
Raven Johnson and Tessa Johnson have played in the championship game in each of the last two seasons. That experience matters, especially if it gets tight. Betts will keep the Bruins close into the fourth quarter, but the Gamecocks have been on this stage too many times. Add a fourth national championship to Staley's resume.
Final score: South Carolina 67, UCLA 62
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