The Case for UCLA: Why Their November Victory Should Secure the Overall No. 1 Seed

The air crackles with anticipation. The women’s NCAA basketball tournament is on the horizon, and the debate rages: who deserves the coveted title of overall No. 1 seed? Two titans stand above the rest: the UCLA Bruins and the South Carolina Gamecocks. Both boast impressive resumes, conference championships, and top rankings in national polls. But beneath the surface of statistics and accolades lies a crucial piece of evidence, a defining moment that tips the scales in favor of UCLA: their decisive victory over South Carolina back in November.

As the selection committee prepares to unveil the 68-team bracket on Sunday night, the arguments for both teams are being fiercely debated. South Carolina, guided by the astute Dawn Staley, flaunts a schedule forged in the crucible of the SEC, widely considered one of the nation’s toughest conferences. Their impressive collection of 16 Quad 1 wins, a metric reflecting victories against top-tier opponents, serves as a powerful testament to their strength and resilience. Staley herself emphasized the weight of their schedule and SEC tournament triumph, boldly declaring, "When you win this tournament, and you play the schedule that we played, I do think we’re the No. 1 overall seed.”

Indeed, South Carolina’s journey has been a gauntlet, facing formidable foes like UCLA, UConn, N.C. State, Duke, and TCU, in addition to navigating the treacherous waters of their conference. Their strength of schedule is undeniable, a badge of honor earned through battles fought and won.

However, UCLA’s narrative carries equal weight, if not more. The Bruins navigated the equally challenging Big Ten conference, a league that boasted the top RPI and strength of schedule this season. Their only blemishes were two hard-fought losses to their crosstown rivals, the USC Trojans. Furthermore, UCLA avenged those defeats in spectacular fashion, overcoming a significant deficit to conquer USC in the Big Ten tournament championship game.

Lindsay Gottlieb, the Trojans’ head coach, recognized the significance of that victory, acknowledging that the winner of the game should likely secure the overall No. 1 seed. She emphasized the depth of talent within the Big Ten, stating, “With the depth of talent in the league, … we’ve faced NCAA tournament-caliber teams night in and night out, all of whom have different styles.”

While conference strength and overall records paint a compelling picture, the head-to-head matchup between UCLA and South Carolina serves as the ultimate tiebreaker. And in that contest, UCLA reigned supreme.

On a November day, the Bruins delivered a resounding statement, dismantling the then-No. 1 South Carolina Gamecocks by a score of 77-62. The victory was comprehensive, a wire-to-wire domination that left no room for doubt. UCLA’s offense flowed with precision, shooting nearly 50% from the field and featuring five players scoring in double figures. Lauren Betts, a force to be reckoned with, showcased her versatility with 11 points, 14 rebounds, four blocks, and four assists.

Defensively, UCLA suffocated South Carolina’s offense, holding them to their second-lowest point total and shooting percentage of the season. The Bruins also dominated the boards, outrebounding the Gamecocks 41-34 and disrupting their rhythm with eight steals.

"They had it going on on both sides of the basketball," Staley conceded after the game. "Our kids fought, but we ran into a buzzsaw today.”

While South Carolina has undoubtedly evolved since that early-season encounter, with players like MiLaysia Fulwiley and Chloe Kitts emerging as key contributors, the outcome of that game cannot be dismissed. There were no extenuating circumstances, no missing players or significant foul trouble that could diminish the validity of UCLA’s victory.

The loss ended South Carolina’s impressive 43-game winning streak and resulted in them relinquishing their No. 1 ranking. It should serve as a clear indicator of the superior team on that day, a factor that should carry significant weight in the selection committee’s deliberations.

The argument that South Carolina’s tougher schedule outweighs the head-to-head loss is tenuous. While the Gamecocks faced a demanding slate of opponents, UCLA proved their mettle against top teams in the Big Ten and, most importantly, against South Carolina themselves.

Ultimately, the decision rests with the selection committee. But when two teams are so evenly matched, a head-to-head victory becomes paramount. UCLA’s dominant performance against South Carolina in November provides the definitive edge, solidifying their claim to the overall No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament. They earned it on the court, and their victory should be rightfully acknowledged. The Bruins demonstrated their ability to not only compete with the best but to decisively conquer them. That’s a compelling argument that the selection committee can not ignore.

The stage is set, the brackets are waiting to be filled, and the basketball world holds its breath. But for UCLA, the message is clear: their victory in November should be the deciding factor, crowning them as the undisputed No. 1 seed.