Texas vs. UCLA prediction: Women’s Final Four picks, odds, best bets

While UConn commands the spotlight as it strives for yet another undefeated season and national championship, the Women’s Final Four has another school that is certainly capable of cutting down the nets.

Texas is also a No. 1 seed and has looked more dominant than any other team.

This recent run started with the Longhorns ripping through the SEC tournament, including a 17-point victory over powerhouse South Carolina in the championship game. 

The Longhorns next face fellow No. 1 seed UCLA on Friday as a 1.5-point favorite with a total of 132.5 points.

Texas defeated the Bruins, 76-65, on Thanksgiving in a Las Vegas tournament. That was a long time ago, but it was also UCLA’s only loss this season.

This matchup figures to once again be a clash of strengths.

UCLA is known for its offense, led by 6-foot-7 center Lauren Betts, who could be the top draft pick this year.

However, Texas’ calling card is defense and it has 6-6 Kyla Oldacre, who can sufficiently defend Betts without a double-team.

Texas center Kyla Oldacre (00) shoots against Missouri State during a first round game of the 2026 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament held at the Moody Center on March 20, 2026 in Austin, Texas. NCAA Photos via Getty Images

Overall, the Longhorns bring a great deal of toughness on defense and that proved to be a difference-maker in their first meeting and also currently during the big dance.

Texas just held Michigan to 41 points and has not allowed more than 58 points in its first four games. 

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My lone concern is a UT offense that does not utilize the 3-pointer much, but coach Vic Schaefer is optimizing his team’s skills in multiple ways.

I like the Bruins, but I just feel the Longhorns are in an excellent groove.

I have a 110-88-2 record in this Post sports section and my next play is Texas -1.5 points against UCLA (-110, FanDuel Sportsbook).

Why Trust New York Post Betting

Doug Kezirian is a New York Post contributor who has over two decades of experience in the betting space, including spending 11 years at ESPN as a host, columnist and betting analyst. He’s also the rare personality who has documented success – 14th place in 2023 Circa Million and Las Vegas SuperContest ($37K), two top-10 finishes in 2022 William Hill College Football Challenge ($58K) and also grabbed headlines with a $297K win on the 2021 NFL Draft.