INDIANAPOLIS – You could hear Lauren Betts and Kiki Rice long before they entered the press conference room at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, celebrating their victory over Iowa, 96-45, to clinch the Big Ten Women’s Basketball Tournament title.

The enthusiastic stars were playing Drake’s “Back to Back” from Rice’s portable speaker, with Betts handling the photos using her vintage digital camera. Even off the court, they showcase their dynamic teamwork.

Their choice of music was a playful reference to their latest Big Ten Tournament triumph, achieved without any stress. Their 51-point victory margin marks the largest ever recorded in the conference’s tournament history and represents the most significant win by a Division-I team against a top-10 opponent.

Undeniably, the Bruins are asserting their claim as one of the nation’s best teams and their quest for the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament. The outcome of the tournament title will be determined on the court in Phoenix next month, but the selection committee’s decision will be made within the week.

UCLA’s coach, Cori Close, emphasizes focusing on their play rather than the seedings. She stated, “I don’t really care. When you focus on things out of your control, it will adversely affect what you can control … How do we play our best basketball in March?”

As the selection committee approaches, many are eager to see how they’ll weigh UCLA’s record, which includes 18 Quad 1 wins compared to UConn’s potent campaign with 10 Quad 1 wins. UConn has a pristine record of 33-0, while UCLA maintains a solid 31-1.

With both teams looking to solidify their top seeding, the stage is set for an electrifying NCAA tournament ahead.