How Two Days in LA Shook Up the Women’s NCAA Title Race
LOS ANGELES — The energy inside Pauley Pavilion was electric as the final buzzer sounded. The No. 5 UCLA Bruins had just pulled off a monumental upset, defeating the defending national champions and No. 1-ranked South Carolina Gamecocks 77-62. The victory not only snapped South Carolina’s program-record 43-game winning streak but also sent shockwaves through the women’s college basketball world. The Bruins celebrated wildly at center court, joined by students who stormed the floor, while junior star Lauren Betts shared a heartfelt moment with recent alums Charisma Osborne and Camryn Brown.
And that wasn’t the only upset in Los Angeles over the weekend. Just a day earlier, then-No. 6 Notre Dame stunned No. 3 USC 74-61, leading by as many as 21 points and leaving Trojans fans heading for the exits well before the final whistle. Two games, two massive upsets, and a seismic shift in the women’s college basketball landscape. These two days in November have already become the most consequential of the season so far.
Last season, South Carolina was the undisputed powerhouse, holding the No. 1 spot in the Associated Press poll from mid-November through the end of the season. They capped off a perfect 38-0 campaign with their third national title in seven tournaments. But this weekend’s results have thrown the 2025 title race wide open.
UCLA Proves They’re the Real Deal
Five games into the season, UCLA has made a loud and clear statement: they are legitimate national title contenders. Sunday’s victory over South Carolina marked the first time in program history that the Bruins defeated an AP No. 1 team, breaking a 0-20 streak in such matchups. For head coach Cori Close, this win is undoubtedly the biggest of her tenure.
Last season, UCLA showed promise, spending nine weeks as the No. 2 team in the country. However, they faltered during Pac-12 play and were eliminated in the Sweet 16 by the defending champion LSU Tigers. But this year’s Bruins look like a completely different team. With freshman Elina Aarnisalo and transfer Timea Gardiner in the starting lineup, and another impact transfer, Janiah Barker, coming off the bench, UCLA boasts depth, versatility, and a dangerous combination of size and shooting.
Lauren Betts was a force on Sunday, controlling the game on both ends of the floor with 11 points, 14 rebounds, 4 assists, and 4 blocks. The Bruins led by 21 points at halftime and extended their lead to 23 in the fourth quarter, completely overwhelming the Gamecocks. South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley described UCLA as a “buzz saw,” and the numbers back her up: this was South Carolina’s largest loss since 2019.
Betts made it clear that UCLA’s goal is to win a national championship, and after Sunday’s performance, that dream feels entirely within reach.
Hannah Hidalgo Joins the Player of the Year Race
Heading into the season, the national player of the year conversation was largely centered around UConn’s Paige Bueckers and USC’s JuJu Watkins. But after Notre Dame’s win over USC, sophomore Hannah Hidalgo has firmly inserted herself into the conversation.
Hidalgo was unstoppable on Saturday, finishing with 24 points, 8 assists, 6 rebounds, and 5 steals. It was her 10th career game with at least 20 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, and 5 steals, the most in Division I over the past 25 seasons. Her fiery celebrations and relentless energy fueled a Notre Dame team that is currently operating with a seven-player rotation due to injuries.
With Olivia Miles in the backcourt, Hidalgo doesn’t have to carry the load alone, making Notre Dame’s offense even more dangerous. Fans can look forward to marquee matchups later this season, including a showdown between Bueckers and Hidalgo on Dec. 12 and a Watkins-Bueckers clash on Dec. 21.
USC’s Growing Pains
USC head coach Lindsay Gottlieb didn’t mince words after her team’s loss to Notre Dame, admitting that the Trojans were “exposed.” While the game wasn’t as one-sided as UCLA’s win over South Carolina, it highlighted USC’s offensive struggles. The Trojans turned the ball over 20 times and shot poorly from beyond the arc, issues that also plagued them in their season opener against Ole Miss in Paris.
USC is still adjusting to a roster filled with new players and freshmen, and the absence of Kennedy Smith, who is out indefinitely after surgery, has been a significant blow. JuJu Watkins, the reigning freshman of the year, struggled to find her rhythm, finishing with 10-for-25 shooting. The Trojans will need to improve their offensive flow and spacing if they hope to contend for a title.
South Carolina’s Vulnerabilities
For South Carolina, Sunday’s loss exposed some glaring weaknesses. The Gamecocks struggled to dominate in the paint or on the glass, and their half-court offense was stifled by UCLA’s defense. While not every opponent will have UCLA’s combination of length and shooting, South Carolina’s offensive issues are a concern. Against power conference teams this season, their best assist-to-turnover margin is 12-10, and they’ve averaged just six 3-pointers per game.
One big question for the Gamecocks is the development of MiLaysia Fulwiley. The SEC tournament MVP played just three minutes on Sunday and went scoreless. If South Carolina hopes to bounce back, they’ll need Fulwiley to become a more consistent contributor.
With UCLA and Notre Dame now ranked No. 1 and No. 3 in the latest AP Top 25, the women’s college basketball title race is more unpredictable than ever. Buckle up, because this season is just getting started.
Originally Written by: Alexa Philippou
