Preview: Illinois Women's Basketball vs. No. 2 UCLA

Here’s more information on Illinois' potentially pivotal matchup against UCLA:

How to watch Illinois Fighting Illini vs. UCLA Bruins

• Who: Illinois Fighting Illini (15-5, 5-4 Big Ten) vs. UCLA Bruins (19-1, 9-0 Big Ten)
• What: Big Ten conference matchup
• When: Wednesday, Jan. 28 at 6 p.m. CT
• Where: State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois
• Promotion: Hail to the Orange Out | Giveaway of 500 Orange Illinois Script Shirts
• TV/streaming: B1G+ (Annual pass: $89.99; Monthly pass: $12.99/month. Use code "BESTDEAL50" for 50 percent off an annual pass. To purchase a subscription, click here. For more information, visit bigtenplus.com.)
• Radio/audio: Busey Bank Illini Sports Network (Champaign: WDWS 93.9 FM or 1400 AM); Fighting Illini Productions; Varsity Network App
• Last week: Illinois went 0-1 last week, dropping a road contest to a ranked Nebraska squad. UCLA went 2-0 last week, taking down Purdue and Northwestern in blowout fashion.
• Series history: Illinois is 3-2 all time against UCLA, losing the previous battle 70-55 last season in Los Angeles.

What to know about UCLA

The Bruins were picked to win the Big Ten in the preseason for good reason, and they have largely looked the part all season. UCLA is anchored by preseason conference Player of the Year Lauren Betts, a dominant senior big who controls the game on both ends of the floor. Betts is averaging 16.1 points and 8.3 rebounds and presents a massive challenge with her size, touch around the rim and defensive presence.

But UCLA is far from a one-player team. The Bruins surround Betts with multiple perimeter weapons, including guards Kiki Rice, Gabriela Jaquez – the sister of Bruins legend Jaime Jaquez Jr. – and Gianna Kneepkens, all of whom are averaging double figures. That balance makes UCLA difficult to scheme against, and Illinois will need a near-perfect performance to slow down a Bruins team that can hurt opponents in a variety of ways.