Los Angeles Times

Ben Bolch: UCLA-LSU is America’s sweethearts vs. its basketball villains

The UCLA Bruins gather as Camryn Brown #35 gives a speech after a 67-63 win over the Creighton Bluejays during the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament- Second Round at UCLA Pauley Pavilion on March 25, 2024, in Los Angeles, California.

ALBANY, N.Y. — This isn’t just a basketball game, it’s a reckoning. Picking sides goes well beyond school allegiance.

Do you prefer America’s sweethearts or its dirty debutantes? Milk and cookies or Louisiana hot sauce?

The team that wants to grow women’s basketball or the one seemingly hellbent on dividing it?

The coach who embraces reporters or the one who attacks them?

The tender star player or the one who taunts?

When UCLA plays defending national champion Louisiana State

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