Paige Bueckers (+550) and Aaliyah Edwards (+600) have the shortest odds, favored to win the tournament (FanDuel)
Unrivaled's second annual 1v1 tournament is underway, and it hasn't disappointed. Let's look at the second round and quarterfinal matchups, betting odds, and my best predictions.
Photo by Unrivaled
27 players were split into four pods (A-D) throughout the first round matchups. That said, the second round will feature 16 players and eight matchups. It's important to note that four players automatically advanced to the second round because others were forced to withdraw from the event.
Unrivaled, a three-on-three women's professional league, was co-founded by Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier. Designed for players, by players, Unrivaled comprises eight teams and a development pool. Additionally, the league announced that its semifinals will take place at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. Primarily based in Miami, the league will run through Mar. 4.
With money and high stakes on the line, the winner will be awarded $200,000. The runner-up will receive $50,000, and two semifinalists will receive $25,000 each.
Tonight's second round and quarterfinals are headlined by Breeze BC guard Paige Bueckers, Rose BC guard Chelsea Gray, and several other prominent names. Currently, Bueckers is the favorite to win the tournament (+550 odds on FanDuel).
Following tonight's matchups, the semifinals and championship round will take place on Feb. 14. If you're betting on Unrivaled, tonight's second round will begin at 7:30 p.m. ET on truTV/TNT/HBO Max. Each matchup has a target score of 11 points and/or is timed by seven minutes.
Let's take a look at the top candidates and betting odds for the Unrivaled Tournament. I will break down each matchup and share my best bets, picks, and predictions for Friday, Feb. 13.
Unrivaled 1v1 Tournament Best Bets & Matchups: Second Round (February 13)
No. 1 Kelsey Mitchell vs. No. 2 Veronica Burton
Kelsey Mitchell: -172
Veronica Burton: +128
The first matchup tonight will feature two dominant guards in Mitchell and Burton. Favored -172 on the moneyline, Mitchell is considered one of the craftiest guards in the game. With an explosive first step and a left-handed fast release, Mitchell took care of Rachel Banham in the first round without hesitation.
Defeating Banham 11-3, Mitchell shot a perfect 4-4 from the field, including two key 3-pointers. Commanding an early 7-3 lead, Mitchell was efficient in driving downhill and incorporating her deadly step-back three. Finishing on a 10-0 run, Mitchell was outstanding in exploiting defensive weaknesses.
Burton, on the other hand, blanked Breeze BC guard Courtney Williams 11-0. Considered an underdog upset in the sports betting world, don't sleep on Burton. Shooting 4-5 from the field with one 3-pointer made in the first round, she defeated Williams in 1:15.
Named the 2025 WNBA's Most Improved Player of the Year award, Burton defeated her opponent faster than anyone. Burton has the handles, patience, and strength to defeat anyone in this tournament. Whether it was a step-back three or driving downhill, she never let Williams have possession of the basketball.
Final Unrivaled 1v1 Betting Prediction: Veronica Burton (+128 FanDuel)
This matchup features one of the most explosive guards, Kelsey Mitchell, against a defensive juggernaut, Veronica Burton. Both are two of the smallest guards in the league (under six feet), and this should be a fairly competitive matchup. Given that Burton defeated one of the better defenders in Courtney Williams, I'm taking the upset tonight.
I'm taking Veronica Burton to pull off the upset and defeat Kelsey Mitchell. She may be a role player on a loaded Mist BC team, but she's proven herself lethal in the 1v1 setting. I do believe Burton has the strength and defensive edge here, but this should be a barn burner. If you wager $10, the total payout would equate to $12.80
No. 2 Kelsey Plum vs. No. 7 Natisha Hiedeman
Kelsey Plum: -320
Natisha Hiedeman: +225
The second matchup of the night was automatically moved due to player withdrawals. While neither has yet to face off in the first round, both Plum and Hiedeman will make their 1v1 debuts.
Similar to the first matchup, Plum and Hiedeman are two of the quickest guards in the league. Unrivaled's fourth-leading scorer, Plum, leads Phantom BC with 22.4 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 5.5 assists. Shooting 37.2% from beyond the arc and 49.2% from the field, Plum boasts a 95.7% free-throw completion.
In her first Unrivaled season, Plum's 3x3 Olympic experience has translated well to the league. A high-volume shooter, Plum has one of the quickest jump shots in the league and will beat any opponent downhill or with her lethal step-back three. A true three-level scorer, she often has opponents dancing in circles attempting to guard her.
Hiedeman saw her counterpart—and other half of Stud Budz–Courtney Williams get crushed in the first round. We've seen Hiedeman's impact on the game, especially in transition. Given this is featured in the halfcourt, it will be interesting if Hiedeman can keep up with Plum.
Final Unrivaled 1v1 Betting Prediction: Kelsey Plum (-320 FanDuel)
Overall, I think Plum has the strength, craftiness, and speed to breeze through this round. Hiedeman is shooting just 50% from the charity stripe and is shooting more efficiently from the 3-point line (35.7%) than from the floor (34.4%). While both are talented guards, it's hard to stop Plum once she's on a roll.
I'm taking Kelsey Plum to take this matchup, and she has the fourth-best odds (+900) to win the tournament. I'm passing on the moneyline (-320) given that the risk doesn't outweigh the potential winnings. If you wager $10 on Plum to win, the payout would be $3.13. All of these picks can be parlayed, if you're interested in that route.
No. 1 Paige Bueckers vs. No. 4 Arike Ogunbowale
Paige Bueckers: -166
Arike Ogunbowale: +120
Perhaps the biggest matchup of the night will include Dallas Wings and WNBA teammates Paige Bueckers and Arike Ogunbowale. Hang onto your hats, we are in for a good one!
Bueckers is favored to win the tournament (+550), and Ogunbowale has the eighth-best odds to win it (+1300). Given they were teammates for one season in Dallas, both are extremely familiar with each other's games.
Unrivaled's third-leading scorer, Bueckers, took care of business, defeating her fellow Breeze teammate, Kate Martin, in the first round, 12-5. Shooting 6-10 from the field, Bueckers didn't make one 3-point shot, but brought out all the tools in her arsenal. Off to a 10-0 run, Bueckers did what she does best: attacked downhill, utilized her speed, and footwork. She even brought out the step-through and euro step moves.
It's easy to see why Bueckers is the favorite, especially given the fact that she can score in a variety of ways. Unrivaled's third leading scorer (20.6 PPG), Bueckers, was already crowned winner of the free-throw challenge. Making her 1v1 debut on Wednesday, her toughest opponent lies ahead.
Ogunbowale was one of the favorites to win last year and even reached the semifinals. While shorter than Bueckers, Arike has the strength and skill to advance to the next round.
Final Unrivaled 1v1 Betting Prediction: Paige Bueckers (-166 FanDuel)
Personally, I thought her first-round matchup against Brittney Sykes would've been closer, but she blew her out of the water, 11-2. In the dominant win, Ogunbowale finished 5-6 from the field, which is typical, given she's a high-volume scorer. Starting on a 9-0 run, her footwork, strength, patience, and ability to hit the mid-range were on full display.
This should be a close battle, but I'm rolling with Paige Bueckers to move on to the next round. There's still value, and I believe her size and defense alone make her a tough opponent. Plus, she's shooting over 55% from the field this season. I do believe Arike will pull some threes, so it's up to Bueckers to defend and match that.
No. 2 Chelsea Gray vs. No. 3 Jackie Young
Chelsea Gray: +112
Jackie Young: -148
This next matchup features two of the most elite guards in the game. Once teammates for five seasons, Gray and Young won three WNBA Championships as teammates on the Las Vegas Aces.
Featuring one of the most clutch players (Gray) vs. one of the most dominant scoring guards (Young), this should be a matchup for the ages. Gray is the underdog and defeated Natasha Cloud 11-10 in the first round. Down 10-5, Gray did allow Cloud to hit some tough buckets, including an above-the-break three.
Known as the "Point Gawd" and considered one of the most clutch players in Unrivaled, Gray declared victory after two back-to-back 3-pointers sealed the deal. Although shooting 4-9 from the field, Gray's ability to hit clutch deep shots and rebound proved all the difference.
Final Unrivaled 1v1 Betting Prediction: Jackie Young (-148 FanDuel)
Young defeated Aziaha James, 12-4, in the first round. Totaling 10 rebounds and shooting just 2-9, Young has to come back stronger tonight. Jackie is one of the more premier two-way 3-level scorers in the league, and her size and defense can come into play tonight.
It's truly hard to pick one player over the other, but I'm going with Jackie Young tonight. I believe she is the slim favorite, with a slight athletic edge over Gray. Gray has a deadly mid-range fade and can beat you with the three. On the other hand, Young is a true 3-level scorer.
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No. 1 Breanna Stewart vs. No. 4 Aliyah Boston
Breanna Stewart: -158
Aliyah Boston: +118
A battle of the bigs, Stewart and Boston will square off in the second round. We all remember how Stewart lost to Aaliyah Edwards in the first round last year and will look to advance. The favorite to win this matchup, Stewart, defeated Mist BC teammate Li Yueru 11-6.
Shooting 5-8 with one 3-pointer, it wasn't a perfect game for Stewie, but again, it's difficult to guard an opponent who's 6-foot-7. Stewart's biggest strengths are her ability to step through and her lethal mid-range shot. Her footwork alone makes her a threat. While she can shoot beyond the arc, the question remains: how effective will she be from beyond the arc tonight? Shooting just 25% from three, her 3-point shot didn't seem to be a problem in the first round.
Boston has had ample rest time, given that she received a first-round bye after Laeticia Amhere was ruled out.
Tonight marks Boston's 1v1 debut, and it's hard to ignore her strength and 6-foot-5 frame. This season, it's also hard to ignore Boston's two-player game with Kelsey Plum. Just one of four players averaging a double-double this season, we've not only seen Boston emerge as a top defender, but as a 3-point threat (32.5%). Leading Unrivaled with two blocks per game, this will be a tough matchup.
Final Unrivaled 1v1 Betting Prediction: Breanna Stewart (-158 FanDuel)
I'm taking Breanna Stewart to come out on top tonight. She's been a problem on both ends of the court throughout her career against Boston, and has the speed. Both players will be a problem defensively, and could really go either way.
No. 2 Aaliyah Edwards vs. No. 6 Shakira Austin
Aaliyah Edwards: -205
Shakira Austin: +152
Another battle of the bigs, Edwards and Austin will meet in the second round. The runner-up last year was Edwards, who lost to Collier in the final round. In the first round, she defeated French sensation Dominique Malonga, 11-8.
Neither Edwards nor Malonga shot efficiently; Edwards went 4-for-12 from the field, including a 3-pointer. Although Edwards lost the battle on the glass, and quickly found herself in a 6-0 hole.
Edwards finally found her way using crafty ways to score inside, along with her ability to hit deep from the logo. In a chaotic sequence of events, Edwards eventually won by a turnaround mid-range, but it was too close for comfort!
Final Unrivaled 1v1 Betting Prediction: Aaliyah Edwards (-205 FanDuel)
Austin shocked fans after defeating Dearica Hamby 12-10 in the first round. An underdog, Austin went 6-13 from the field, winning the battle on the boards. In addition, she benefited from scoring inside and offensive boards. Don't sleep on Austin, she's averaging a double-double, including a 20-point, 18-rebound outing.
Edwards is the heavy favorite, but Austin does have the size advantage. I'm taking Edwards here, given that she can stretch the floor. Austin will take it to the rim, but AE will be waiting. While this will be a battle in the paint, I'm taking Edwards to advance. The moneyline is juiced at -205, so I'm passing on this as a straight bet.
No. 1 Allisha Gray vs. No. 8 Saniya Rivers
Allisha Gray: -205
Saniya Rivers: +152
Gray and Rivers' first-round matchup was moved to the second round after several players dropped out. A classic No.1 vs. No. 8 seed, this is going to be an interesting matchup.
Gray defeated both Jordin Canada and Kahleah Copper before losing to Edwards in the quarterfinals last year. Averaging 20 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and one steal, she's been the leader of a loaded Mist BC squad.
It's Rivers' first-ever 1v1 tournament, and she has been a defensive juggernaut in her first Unrivaled season. Making her way from Hive BC to Vinyl BC via trade, Rivers has shown bursts of offensive brilliance.
Final Unrivaled 1v1 Betting Prediction: Allisha Gray (-205 FanDuel)
If Rivers wants to win this, her hustle, length, versatility, and defense will be the key factors. I'm not fading the books here, as Gray is one of the best 3x3 players in the world, and was a member of the Olympic team. Her ability to defend and score at all three levels makes her my top choice. Again, the moneyline is not worth the risk to place a single bet on.
No. 6 Sonia Citron vs. No. 7 Rae Burrell
Sonia Citron: -148
Rae Burrell: +112
The last matchup of the night is most intriguing. Both Citron and Burrell advance to the second round as upsets, and oddsmakers view Citron as the slight favorite.
Citron pulled out all her moves to defeat Marina Mabrey, 12-10. Not only did she set the tone with a 3-point shot, but her ability to separate and create shots was most impressive. Another 3-level scorer, she shot 4-for-8 from the field, including a pair of 3-pointers. Although the offense was stagnant at times, she defeated one of the coldest shooters in Mabrey.
Final Unrivaled 1v1 Betting Prediction: Rae Burrell (+112 FanDuel)
Similarly, Burrell defeated Rhyne Howard 12-9 as the underdog. Down 7-0, Howard had the advantage. That was until Burrell used her ability to hit from deep and drive to pull herself back. Mind you, Howard is one of the best defenders in the game, and going on a 12-0 run by herself is impressive.
This is a tough matchup, but I'm taking Rae Burrell with the upset tonight. She's an underrated player who brings athleticism and energy. Last year, she knocked off Jewell Loyd before conceding to Azurà Stevens in the quarterfinals. Both can win, but I believe Citron's defense may not hold up against Burrell's versatility.
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