The UCLA women’s basketball team is no longer undefeated, having suffered its first loss of the season in a 71-60 rivalry matchup with USC.
Many of the Bruins’ biggest and grandest goals remain, though, with that larger journey continuing Thursday.
Watch UCLA women’s basketball vs. Illinois live with Fubo (free trial)
Having fallen from its perch as the No. 1 team in the country, No. 3 UCLA will take on Illinois Thursday at historic Pauley Pavilion in Los Angeles.
Coach Cori Close’s team won its first 23 games of the 2024-25 season, a run that included victories against ranked South Carolina, Maryland, Ohio State, Baylor, Michigan and Louisville teams, before it fell to then-No. 6 USC last Thursday, with Trojans phenom JuJu Watkins scoring 38 points and pulling down 11 rebounds. The Bruins, however, were able to respond in their next game, defeating then-No. 22 Michigan State behind 18 points and 12 rebounds from Janiah Barker.
REQUIRED READING: ‘Most unique player in college basketball’: Lauren Betts taking UCLA to new heights
UCLA played against the Spartans without star center Lauren Betts, who was sidelined with a right foot injury. The 6-foot-7 Betts leads the team in scoring (19.5 points per game), rebounding (9.9 per game) and blocks (2.8 per game).
Her team may very well need her against Illinois. The Fighting Illini are one of the hottest teams in the country, entering Thursday’s showdown with eight consecutive victories. Guard Adalia McKenzie has been integral in the past three of those wins, averaging 20 points and eight rebounds per game during that stretch.
This will be the first and only meeting of the regular season between the teams.
Here’s what you need to know to watch UCLA women’s basketball’s game against Illinois, including the TV channel, start time and streaming information:
REQUIRED READING: USC is more than just JuJu Watkins: Meet Trojans star Kiki Iriafen
What channel is UCLA women’s basketball vs Illinois on today?
The game between the Bruins and Fighting Illini will air on the Big Ten Network.
Streaming options for the game include the Fox Sports app and Fubo, the latter of which offers a free trial to potential subscribers.
UCLA women’s basketball vs Illinois start time today
- Date: Thursday, Feb. 20
- Time: 9:30 p.m. ET
- Location: Pauley Pavilion (Los Angeles)
UCLA and Illinois are scheduled to tip off at 9:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 20 from Pauley Pavilion in Los Angeles.
UCLA women’s basketball vs Illinois picks, predictions, odds
This section will be updated.
Prediction: UCLA 77, Illinois 61
A margin of victory like this depends on if Betts can play, but the Bruins showed against Michigan State that they can win against ranked opponents without her. Illinois has been on a nice run and has had a superb season, but UCLA’s a different kind of challenge.
UCLA women’s basketball schedule 2024-25
Here’s a look at UCLA’s past five results. See the Bruins’ full schedule here.
- Sunday, Feb. 16: UCLA 75, Michigan State 69
- Thursday, Feb. 13: USC 71, UCLA 60
- Sunday, Feb. 9: UCLA 62, Oregon 52
- Wednesday, Feb. 5: UCLA 65, Ohio State 52
- Sunday, Feb. 2: UCLA 79, Minnesota 53
Illinois women’s basketball schedule 2024-25
Here’s a look at Illinois’ past five results. See the Fighting Illini’s full schedule here.
- Sunday, Feb. 16: Illinois 77, Nebraska 68
- Thursday, Feb. 13: Illinois 67, Penn State 55
- Sunday, Feb. 9: Illinois 74, Wisconsin 51
- Thursday, Feb. 6: Illinois 73, Northwestern 60
- Sunday, Feb. 2: Illinois 66, No. 14 Maryland 65
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