Women’s basketball: Gophers to meet UCLA in Sweet 16. Here’s the time, channel and more
The 2025-26 Gophers have already secured their spot in program lore, having earned the program’s first Sweet 16 berth in more than two decades. Anything further will require a whale of an upset. Because Minnesota’s regional semifinal opponent is none other than UCLA — the Big Ten regular season champion, the Big Ten Tournament champion, the only team held in a similar light as UConn this season.
The two teams will square off at 6:30 p. m. CT Friday in Sacramento, a site that’s less than a six hour drive from the Bruins’ campus.
The game will air on ESPN UCLA dispatched Oklahoma State with ease in its Round of 32 matchup on Monday. It’s 33-1 for good reason. In ESPN’s WNBA mock draft published in mid-February, four of the top 15 picks were Bruins.
The leader of that pack is all-world center Lauren Betts, who’s seemingly a lock to be a top five selection. The Bruins’ loss came to Texas, a fellow No. 1 seed.
Only two of their wins have come by single digits. Perhaps familiarity will play in the Gophers’ favor. It is a Big Ten foe.