UCLA’s Dominant Season Fuels No. 1 Seed Debate Against Undefeated UConn

Despite UConn’s continued undefeated season and dominant victory in the Big East Tournament Championship, the debate over the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament is intensifying. UCLA’s impressive performance, particularly a 51-point rout of Iowa in the Big Ten Tournament final on March 8, has led some to believe the Bruins deserve the top spot.

Bruins Build a Strong Case

UCLA has amassed an impressive 18 Quad 1 wins, significantly outpacing UConn’s 10. This metric, which measures victories against top-tier opponents, is a key factor in the NCAA Tournament selection process. The Bruins also lead the nation in Wins Above Bubble (WAB) at No. 1, while UConn is fourth. CBS Sports reports that UCLA is also first in strength-of-schedule, based on the average NET rating of their opponents, while UConn ranks 58th.

Dominating Performance in the Big Ten Tournament

UCLA’s 96-45 victory over Iowa in the Big Ten Championship game was historic, marking the largest margin of victory in the conference tournament’s history. The Los Angeles Times highlighted the Bruins’ exceptional shooting performance, with a 63% field goal percentage. Kiki Rice led the team with 15 points and eight assists, earning tournament MVP honors. The Bruins’ defense also forced 19 turnovers.

Current Rankings and Tournament Projections

As of March 10, 2026, the latest USA TODAY Sports’ women’s basketball coaches poll has UConn at No. 1, UCLA at No. 2, Texas at No. 3, and South Carolina at No. 4. These rankings are expected to largely determine the No. 1 seeds in the NCAA Tournament, according to current bracketology.

Other Notable Poll Movements

Duke experienced the biggest rise in the poll, moving up four spots to No. 10 after winning the ACC Tournament Championship. Maryland and Baylor both fell three spots following early exits in their respective conference tournaments. Alabama fell out of the poll, while Notre Dame re-entered at No. 25 after reaching the semifinals of the ACC Tournament.

Looking Ahead to Selection Sunday

The NCAA Tournament selection committee will officially announce the bracket on Selection Sunday. While UConn remains the favorite for the No. 1 overall seed, UCLA has undeniably presented a compelling case for consideration. The committee’s decision will be closely watched by fans and analysts alike.