Star freshmen have often taken center stage this season, but the biggest matchup of this pre-Christmas week puts a spotlight on sophomores. Monday, UCLA travels to Ohio State in what would be a very good win on either résumé.
Lauren Betts, a transfer from Stanford, is the leading scorer, rebounder and shot-blocker for the Bruins, who continue their hold on No. 2 in ESPN’s women’s college basketball Power Rankings. Fellow sophomore Kiki Rice leads the Bruins in assists and steals.
Gabriela Jaquez and Londynn Jones, two other Bruins sophomores, are averaging in double figures in scoring, along with Betts and Rice. They are all starting, along with fifth-year senior Charisma Osborne.
UCLA is averaging 92.7 points but now must face an Ohio State team that is holding opponents to 59.5 points and is forcing 22.7 turnovers per game. The Buckeyes have their own sophomore star in Cotie McMahon, who is second on the team in scoring and rebounding.
The Buckeyes’ only loss came in the season opener to UCLA’s cross-city rival, USC, on…
