UCLA Wins Its First Women's National Championship
In one of the most dominant performances in women's championship game history, UCLA crushed South Carolina 79-51 on Sunday in Phoenix to claim its first-ever NCAA women's basketball title — and it was not close for a single minute.
The Bruins led 21-10 after the first quarter, pushed the lead to 13 at halftime, and then detonated in the third quarter with a 25-9 run that put the game completely out of reach. The final margin of 28 points is the third-largest in women's title game history. South Carolina, which entered the game 36-4 and had been on this stage five times since 2017, had no answer for UCLA's perimeter pressure and interior dominance.
The Stars Who Made It Happen
Senior guard Gabriela Jaquez was the best player on the floor, finishing with a game-high 21 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists — making her just the fifth player ever to post that line in a national championship game, joining names like Breanna Stewart and Dawn Staley. Lauren Betts, UCLA's All-American center, added 14 points, 11 rebounds, and two blocks, and held South Carolina to 7-for-18 shooting when contesting at the rim. All five Bruins starters scored in double figures. South Carolina, meanwhile, shot just 29% from the field — their lowest offensive output all season.
Head coach Cori Close, in her 15th season at UCLA, guided the Bruins to a 37-1 record and a 31-game winning streak to close the season. "I think it starts with that perimeter pressure," Betts said after the game. "Our guards did a really good job of just making it difficult for them. Once we get stops, they're just not able to do what they want to do."
Now the Men Take Center Stage: Michigan vs. UConn, Monday Night
With the women's crown settled, all attention shifts to Indianapolis and Lucas Oil Stadium, where No. 1 seed Michigan faces No. 2 seed UConn on Monday night at 8:30 p.m. ET on CBS. This is for the men's national championship — and it is a genuinely fascinating matchup between the most dominant team in the country and the most battle-tested program in the sport.
The Case for Michigan
Michigan has been a juggernaut all season and has been nothing short of historic in this tournament. The Wolverines have scored 90 or more points in all five of their NCAA Tournament games — a tournament record — and dismantled No. 1 seed Arizona 91-73 in the Final Four. They enter Monday ranked No. 1 in KenPom with a net rating of +39.72, top-five nationally in both adjusted offense and adjusted defense. Junior center Aday Mara scored a career-high 26 points against Arizona and has been unguardable in the paint. The Wolverines have won every game in this tournament by double digits and boast the lowest effective field-goal percentage allowed in the country at 44.9%.
The one question mark: star forward Yaxel Lendeborg suffered a knee and ankle injury in the Arizona game. He returned and has stated he will play Monday, but his mobility at full strength is what makes Michigan's offense go. Lendeborg averages 19 points per game in the tournament. How much he has left will be a major storyline heading into tip-off.
The Case for UConn
Never count out Dan Hurley. UConn has not lost a tournament game in the Sweet 16 or beyond since 2009 — an almost incomprehensible streak. The Huskies are 18-3 against the spread during March Madness under Hurley and have covered in all three tournament games where they were the underdog, including the stunning comeback over Duke in the Elite Eight when Braylon Mullins hit a buzzer-beating 35-footer. Against Illinois in the Final Four, Mullins scored 15 and Tarris Reed Jr. posted 17 points and 11 rebounds as UConn controlled the interior.
UConn's defense ranks 10th nationally, holding opponents to 65.1 points per game. The Huskies held Illinois to just 38.8% shooting and 23.1% from three in the Final Four. If they can replicate that against Michigan's perimeter shooters, the game becomes very different than the public expects.
The Betting Breakdown
Michigan opened as a 7.5-point favorite and has settled around -6.5 at most books with a -298 moneyline. UConn is +240. The total is 144.5. KenPom projects Michigan to win 77-70, giving them a 73% chance of cutting down the nets.
The sharp play here is taking UConn and the points. Michigan is an elite team, but 6.5 to 7.5 points is a significant number to lay in a national championship game where defense tightens, pace slows, and the margin for error shrinks. UConn is 18-3 ATS under Hurley in the tournament and has covered as an underdog every time they have been one. The Huskies have championship DNA, proven clutch performers, and a coach who has engineered comebacks from 19 points down in this very tournament.
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Final Thoughts
What a weekend for college basketball. UCLA made history on Sunday with one of the most dominant championship performances in women's tournament history. Now the men get their moment Monday night in Indianapolis. Whether you are riding Michigan to cover as the powerhouse favorite or taking UConn and the points with the most proven March Madness coach of his generation, there is real value on both sides of this game. Tip-off is 8:30 p.m. ET on CBS. Do not miss it.