UCLA's Lauren Betts Wanted Rematch With LSU Tigers

The two teams have faced each other in the NCAA tournament the past two seasons.

Mar. 17, 2026 at 2:33pm

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UCLA senior Lauren Betts revealed she was hoping to get paired with the No. 2 seed LSU Tigers in the NCAA tournament, as the two teams have faced each other the past two years. If the Bruins and Tigers meet again, it would be a highly anticipated Elite Eight matchup with both teams featuring star players expected to be top WNBA Draft picks.

Why it matters

The potential UCLA-LSU matchup would be a rubber match between the two programs, who have split the past two NCAA tournament meetings. With both teams featuring veteran rosters, the stakes would be incredibly high as the seniors look to cap their careers with a deep tournament run.

The details

UCLA head coach Cori Close said Betts told her she was hoping to get paired with LSU as a No. 2 seed. The two teams have faced each other in the NCAA tournament the past two seasons, with LSU winning in 2024 before UCLA got revenge last year. Both teams have to win three games before a potential Elite Eight showdown, but the prospect of a third straight meeting has the players and coaches excited.

  • The two teams have faced each other in the NCAA tournament the past two seasons.
  • Last year, UCLA picked up an Elite Eight win over LSU with Lauren Betts and Gabriela Jaquez combining for 35 points.

The players

Lauren Betts

A senior at UCLA who was hoping to get paired with the No. 2 seed LSU Tigers in the NCAA tournament.

Cori Close

The head coach of the UCLA Bruins women's basketball team.

Flau'Jae Johnson

An LSU player expected to be a top WNBA Draft pick, like some of the Bruin players.

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What they’re saying

“I was talking to Lauren this morning at breakfast and that was the No. 2 seed she was hoping for”

— Cori Close, UCLA Head Coach (UCLA Wire)

What’s next

Both UCLA and LSU have to win three games before a potential Elite Eight matchup. If the two teams do meet, LSU will have some added motivation after hearing Betts' hopes.

The takeaway

The prospect of a third straight NCAA tournament meeting between UCLA and LSU has the players and coaches excited, as the two veteran-laden teams look to cap their seasons with a deep tournament run and a chance at the national title.