Lauren Betts looks to keep No. 2 UCLA (21-1, 11-0 Big Ten) at the top of the Big Ten Conference women’s basketball standings when they take on a struggling Rutgers (9-13, 1-10 Big Ten) team on Wednesday night at the Pauley Pavilion.
The Bruins are coming off an 88-65 win over the Iowa Hawkeyes on Sunday, while USC demolished the Scarlet Knights in their last game. Our Rutgers vs. UCLA prediction includes projected starting lineups, a full score forecast, and pregame analysis for this Big Ten Conference clash.
Rutgers vs. UCLA Projected Lineups and Key Matchups
Rutgers Scarlet Knights Starting Lineup
- Imani Lester (11.1 PPG)
- Zachara Perkins (10.2 PPG)
- Lauryn Swann (8.6 PPG)
- Kaylah Ivey (8.5 PPG)
- Antonia Bates (2.1 PPG)
UCLA Bruins Starting Lineup
- Lauren Betts (16.4 PPG)
- Kiki Rice (15.0 PPG)
- Gabriela Jaquez (14.4 PPG)
- Gianna Kneepkens (13.5 PPG)
- Charlisse Leger-Walker (8.9 PPG)
Rutgers vs UCLA Prediction and Preview
UCLA has been on a tear since losing to Texas on November 26, 2025, winning 15 straight games, including victories over current and former AP Poll Top 25 teams, Tennessee, USC, Nebraska, Maryland, and Iowa.
The Bruins are the third hottest team in the nation behind North Dakota State (18-straight wins) and UConn (39-0 dating back to last season), and the streak is ongoing thanks to their balanced offensive approach.
The addition of former Utah guard Kneepkens and freshman Sienna Betts, plus the return of Leger-Walker from a knee injury, has given an enormous lift to the already formidable Bruins lineup. The new additions have helped preserve the team’s primary weapon, Betts. They were given equal opportunities to contribute to UCLA’s offense.
In its 88-65 win over No. 8 Iowa, Cori Close’s team had five players in double figures, led by bench spark Angela Dugalic, who scored 22 points on 9-of-13 shots from the field, including 3-of-4 from the 3-point line. She also had one rebound, two assists, and five steals for UCLA.
Rice contributed 17, making six out of 11 attempts from the field, while Betts finished with 16 on 8-of-11 shooting. Leger-Walker and Kneepkens also scored in double figures for the Bruins, who built on an 11-point lead to beat the Hawkeyes.
MORE: UCLA’s Lauren Betts Reveals Aliyah Boston’s Words of Wisdom During Team USA Camp
Meanwhile, Rutgers has struggled since the Scarlet Knights shifted into conference regular-season play. Health issues from their key players and offensive ineptness have relegated the Coquese Washington-coached team to a 1-10 record in the Big Ten and 9-13 overall.
In its 71-39 loss to USC on Sunday, Rutgers played without leading scorer Nene Ndiaye (14.1 ppg), and this proved costly, as the Scarlet Knights made only 24% of their field goal attempts, including 16% from the 3-point line. Worse, they committed 20 turnovers and allowed the Trojans to score 21 points off turnovers.
In the last four games, Rutgers managed only 50 ppg, while their opponents scored 78.8 ppg. Zachara Perkins and Imani Lester hope to have Ndiaye back to give the Scarlet Knights an additional offensive option and help mend the team’s offensive woes.
UCLA is heavily favored in this encounter and is expected to win by a mile against Rutgers. The Bruins have the size advantage and shooting skills to pull away early and notch their 22nd win of the season and move a step closer to the Big Ten regular season title.
Prediction: Rutgers 51, UCLA 85
How To Watch Rutgers vs UCLA
- Date: Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026
- Time: 10:00 p.m. ET
- Location: Los Angeles, California
- Arena: Pauley Pavilion
- TV Channel: B1G+
- TV Talent: Bryan Fenley, Victoria Dennis
- Live Stream: Fubo
- Radio: UCLA Digital Radio; SiriusXM 106 or 195, and SiriusXM App
- Radio Talent: Dave Marcus (UCLA)
