NCAAW: Is this the year for Lauren Betts and UCLA?

Last year, UCLA and USC joined the Big Ten—and dominated right away.

The Trojans won the conference outright, and the Bruins were right behind them. In the conference tournament, UCLA and USC faced each other, and the Bruins came out on top 72-67.

In the NCAA Tournament, USC lost in the Elite Eight to eventual-champions UConn. However, the bigger loss was that of JuJu Watkins. She tore her ACL in the second-round matchup against Mississippi State, ending not just her sophomore season but also sidelining her for all of the 2025-26 NCAA season. UCLA made it all the way to the Final Four, but they also fell to UConn.

Now a new season is upon us, and the Bruins, ranked No. 3 nationally, are considered the top team. No. 9 Maryland is right behind, and the order after that is a mix of No. 18 USC, No. 13 Michigan and Ohio State.

Before the games start this November, let’s go over some of the biggest questions we have entering this Big Ten season.

The Bruins are knocking on the door to greatness. They made the Final Four for the first time in the program’s history, and the AP preseason poll has them No. 3 in the nation to start the year. At this point, the goal for them is clear: It’s championship or bust.

The roster is absolutely stacked. They have Lauren Betts as the leader and best player on the team. Betts is an AP preseason All-American and one of the top prospects for next year’s WNBA Draft. She averaged 20.2 points and 9.5 rebounds per game, having improved in both statistical categories each season.

UCLA has kept most of their core intact, as Kiki Rice returns to the backcourt while Charlisse Leger-Walker, who sat out last season after transferring from Washington State, will make her Bruin debut. They’ve also added incoming freshmen and top-ranked prospect Sienna Betts, the younger sister of Lauren, and transfer Gianna Kneepkens from Utah, who is a certified bucket.

This is the last dance for Betts, so the pressure is on her and the Bruins to get it done and win their first national title. Let’s see if they can do it.

How good can USC be without JuJu?

While many will ignore USC now that Watkins is out, the Trojans have plenty to play for. They are still considered a top-25 team in the nation and are bringing in Jazzy Davidson, who was the No. 1 recruit in the country in the class of 2025.

Kennedy Smith will be joining Davidson in the backcourt. She averaged 9.5 points per game, and with USC needing to make up all the scoring they’ve lost with Watkins unavailable, she’ll have a very green light early on.

Sure, USC won’t be as good as they would’ve been if Watkins were available, but they’ll still be a force. If head coach Lindsay Gottlieb can optimize her roster, they’ll be really good.

And once single-elimination basketball starts in March, anything can happen.

Which teams could surprise?

With USC likely taking a step back, Maryland sits as the agreed upon No. 2 team in the conference, while Michigan and Ohio State will have a chance of contending for the regular-season or tournament titles.

Maryland could very well win this conference. Kaylene Smikle was the team’s top scorer last year with 17.9 points per game. With her back, along with Bri McDaniel and several top transfers, don’t just assume UCLA will cruise through the conference. The Terrapins will have something to say about who wins the Big Ten.

Michigan’s combo of Olivia Olson and Syla Swords will certainly be entertaining once again. Swords is a sophomore star that everyone should watch. She averaged 16 points and 6.2 rebounds per game, with Olson averaging 16.3 points and 5.3 rebounds, shooting 38 percent from 3-point range.

Ohio State has Jaloni Cambridge returning. Her guard play will be much appreciated, considering she averaged 15.4 points last year. Add T’yana Todd, who came from Boston College and scored 13.7 points per game last season, and the Buckeyes could be a fun and dangerous team.

The Big Ten is always changing, constantly chaotic and never boring. Buckle up for an exciting season.

2025-26 Big Ten preseason media rankings

2025-26 Big Ten preseason coaches rankings