In early February, and with Selection Sunday only six weeks away, there’s just one team in women’s college basketball with an undefeated record.
It’s not coach Dawn Staley and reigning national champion South Carolina, nor is it Paige Bueckers and UConn. It’s not JuJu Watkins and USC, either. Rather, it’s UCLA.
In their first season in the Big Ten, the No. 1 Bruins have been an overpowering force, racing out to a 21-0 record that they’ll put on the line Wednesday in one of their toughest tests of the season – a home matchup against No. 8 Ohio State that pits two of the sport’s best teams against one another.
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Coach Cori Close’s UCLA team has been one of the defining storylines of the 2024-25 season, flirting with a perfect regular season after earning victories against five teams that were ranked at the time of the matchup, including a 77-62 win on Nov. 24 against then-No. 1 South Carolina. They’ve been dominant, too, with a seven-point win against Louisville in the season opener the only game the Bruins have won by single digits. Center Lauren Betts has been central in that effort, ranking among the top-20 Division I players in scoring at 20.2 points per game.
Whether that unbeaten run can continue against Ohio State is an open question. The Buckeyes have been nearly as flawless as UCLA this season, with only one loss — a 62-59 defeat at Penn State on Jan. 19 — to their name. Coach Kevin McGuff’s squad has been defined as much by their balance as anything, with five players averaging at least 10 points per game. That group’s led by forward Cotie McMahon’s 16.5 points per game.
Wednesday’s game will be the first of two games on a loaded West Coast swing for Ohio State, which will face No. 7 USC three days later.
Here’s how to watch the UCLA vs. Ohio State women’s basketball game, including the start time, TV channel and streaming information:
Watch UCLA vs. Ohio State women’s basketball live with Peacock
What channel is UCLA vs Ohio State basketball on today?
The matchup between the Bruins and Buckeyes will not air on traditional linear television. Rather, it’s available exclusively through Peacock, NBC’s subscription streaming service. Peacock subscription options can be found here.
Cindy Brunson (play-by-play) and Aja Ellison (analyst) will be on the call for the game.
UCLA vs Ohio State start time today
- Date: Wednesday, Feb. 5
- Start time: 9:30 p.m. ET
UCLA and Ohio State women’s basketball are scheduled to tip off at 9:30 p.m. ET (6:30 p.m. PT) on Wednesday, Feb. 5 from Pauley Pavilion in Los Angeles.
UCLA vs Ohio State women’s basketball predictions, picks, odds
This section will be updated when odds become available.
Prediction: UCLA 79, Ohio State 65
The Buckeyes have had a stellar season to this point, but they haven’t faced a challenge quite like the Bruins and don’t have a player poised to stop the 6-foot-7 Betts. Combining all of that with a cross-country trip won’t help much, either.
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UCLA women’s basketball schedule 2024-25
Here’s a look at UCLA’s past five games, along with its upcoming matchup. For the Bruins’ full 2024-25 schedule, click here.
- Wednesday, Jan. 15: vs. Penn State (W, 83-67)
- Monday, Jan. 20: vs. No. 25 Baylor (W, 72-57)
- Thursday, Jan. 23: at Rutgers (W, 84-66)
- Sunday, Jan. 26: at No. 8 Maryland (W, 82-67)
- Sunday, Feb. 2: vs. Minnesota (W, 79-53)
- Wednesday, Feb. 5: vs. No. 8 Ohio State
Ohio State women’s basketball schedule 2024-25
Here’s a look at Ohio State’s past five games, along with its upcoming matchup. For the Buckeyes’ full 2024-25 schedule, click here.
- Thursday, Jan. 16: at Wisconsin (W, 80-69)
- Sunday, Jan. 19: at Penn State (L, 62-59)
- Thursday, Jan. 23: vs. No. 8 Maryland (W, 74-66)
- Sunday, Jan. 26: at Nebraska (W, 72-66)
- Sunday, Feb. 2: vs. Washington (W, 66-56)
- Wednesday, Feb. 5: at No. 1 UCLA
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