The 2026 NCAA women’s tournament is just days away. Here’s everything you need to know about the Sacramento Region 2.
More region breakdowns: Fort Worth 1 | Fort Worth 3 | Sacramento 4
Who are the favorites?
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The Bruins had a pretty decent argument for the No. 1 overall seed in the tournament, but they still trail UConn as the favorite. The Huskies have opened the tournament as -275 favorites to win the whole thing, which makes a lot of sense after their undefeated season in which they won games by an average margin of more than 38 points.
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When will the No. 1 seed go down?
If the Bruins are going to go down at all, it’ll likely be in the Elite Eight.
UCLA was so dominant in the Big Ten this season and looks ready to make a real run at a title. The Bruins are second in NET rankings, behind only UConn, and a near-perfect 19-1 in Quad 1 wins, which is easily the highest win total in that category in the country. Lauren Betts averaged 16.4 points while shooting better than 56% from the field and grabbing 8.6 rebounds per game, which was the second-best output in the Big Ten behind only Oregon’s Ehis Etute. Betts, along with Kiki Rice, has built a nearly unstoppable duo in Los Angeles.
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If the Bruins are going to fall, it’ll almost certainly be at the hands of LSU. The Tigers are the No. 2 seed in the region after a 27-5 season in which they nearly beat South Carolina twice and hung with Texas. The Tigers are fifth in the NET rankings, too, with Flau’jae Johnson and MiLaysia Fulwiley leading the way. This Elite Eight matchup would be incredibly fun, even if UCLA would still have the advantage on paper.
Who is the Cinderella of the region?
Don’t count Gonzaga out so quickly. The Bulldogs are the most accurate 3-point shooting team in the country, save for UConn, and Lauren Whittaker is a dominant force inside. Gonzaga, after winning the WCC tournament, is capable of picking up an early upset win over Ole Miss in the first round.
That would then set them up with either Minnesota or Green Bay, which is a very solid path to the Sweet 16.
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Biggest upset of the region?
It’d be easy to assume Minnesota can handle Green Bay in the first round, but the Phoenix are a tough team. This is a slow-moving team that won the Horizon League, and they hung in with Wisconsin, NC State and Washington all in their non-conference slate. If the Phoenix can control the tempo and catch the Gophers slipping, this upset isn’t out of the question.
Lauren Betts’ numbers are down from last year, but the Bruins appear to be in a much better position. (Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
(Michael Hickey via Getty Images)Players to watch
Lauren Betts is the best player in this region, and a massive reason why the Bruins were as dominant as they were all season. Betts averaged 16.4 points and 8.6 rebounds per game this season while shooting better than 56% from the field. Those are all down significantly from last season, but UCLA looks like it’s in a much better position as a team this time around.
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Flau’jae Johnson didn’t lead LSU in scoring this season (that was Fulwiley with her 14.6 points per game), but Johnson is going to be key for the Tigers if they are going to make a run. The senior put up 13.8 points and 4.2 rebounds per game this season and is undoubtedly the team’s leader. She can make a big improvement in her WNBA Draft stock over the next few weeks, too.
Gonzaga F Lauren Whittaker
Lauren Whitaker is one of the better mid-major post players in the entire country. The freshman out of New Zealand averaged a double-double with 19.4 points and 10.2 rebounds per game this season to lead the Bulldogs, and she had six double-doubles in her last eight games of the regular season. If teams can’t slow her down, the Bulldogs are going to be tough to get past.
Sacramento Region 2 game schedule, tip times
All times ET
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No. 1 UCLA vs. No. 16 Cal Baptist
Where: Los Angeles
When: Saturday | 10 p.m.
TV: ESPN
No. 8 Oklahoma State vs. No. 9 Princeton
Where: Los Angeles
When: Saturday | 7:30 p.m.
TV: ESPN2
No. 5 Ole Miss vs. No. 12 Gonzaga
Where: Minneapolis
When: Friday | 3:30 p.m.
TV: ESPN2
No. 4 Minnesota vs. No. 13 Green Bay
Where: Minneapolis
When: Friday | 6 p.m.
TV: ESPNU
No. 6 Baylor vs. No. 11 Nebraska/No. 11 Richmond
Where: Durham, NC
When: Friday | 2 p.m.
TV: ESPN
No. 3 Duke vs. No. 14 Charleston
Where: Durham, NC
When: Friday | 11:30 a.m.
TV: ESPN2
No. 7 Texas Tech vs. No. 10 Villanova
Where: Baton Rouge, LA
When: Friday | 8:30 p.m.
TV: ESPNU
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No. 2 LSU vs. No. 15 Jacksonville
Where: Baton Rouge, LA
When: Friday | 6 p.m.
TV: ESPN
Who makes it to Phoenix?
Don’t overthink this one. UCLA should be able to run this region without much issue and get past LSU if need be in the Elite Eight. The Bruins are headed to the Final Four for a second straight year, and will be in a position to reach their first national championship game ever.