By Jeffery Green | @Jeffery_AGreen
Sports Capital Journalism Program
TAMPA – It was a year of firsts for UCLA and its women’s basketball team: first year in the Big Ten, first Big Ten Championship Title and now the program’s first time in the Final Four.
Yet with all these “firsts,” someone listening to UCLA players and their head coach, consensus national coach of the year Cori Close, might think this team has been here as many times as their opponent tomorrow night, the UConn Huskies.
“This is not a surprise to be here,” said Close during the press conference Thursday leading into the Final Four matchup. “We expected and believed that we would be in Tampa.”
There are major expectations for UCLA (34-2) to win. Being the No. 1 overall seed in the tournament, one may expect the Bruins to be favored in the semifinal. When asked if the team feels like an underdog going into the game, though, Coach Close said they do. “It sort of has all year, and I think we benefited from that.”
The Bruins have been battle-tested this season, which helped prepare them for the Final Four. This is a big thanks to what the team had to go through in its first year in the Big Ten. “The Big Ten women’s basketball conference is one of the best,” guard Gabriela Jaquez said. “You saw the whole season with how many ranked teams that we had throughout the season… Every game is tough.”
Guard Kiki Rice added, “The Big Ten really challenged us in a lot of ways because of the different styles they play, because of just the variety of players.”
The Big Ten Conference has prepared them for this moment. With 12 Big Ten teams in the NCAA tournament, this shows the depth UCLA had to compete against all season to make it this far. “Going into every single game we have to be ready to compete and we have to prepare to our best every single time,” All-American center Lauren Betts said. “So, I think it just taught us a lot about just showing up, ready to go and being ready to be the aggressors.”
But it was more than just the games that helped mold this team and its path through the Big Ten. Being in a conference with schools primarily in the Midwest and East, travel became a big part of it, too.
“Playing in the Big Ten has really prepared us, not only from [a playing] standpoint, but also from a travel standpoint,” Rice remarked. “Look we run cross country flights just about every other weekend, and you deal with the time change… But I think just getting used to that traveling and all the kind of different variations that you have to make in this schedule has certainly helped us when it’s come tournament time.”
During the Big Ten tournament, something clicked for the Bruins. “I think we really stepped up big time in the Big Ten tournament,” Betts recalled. “I think I just saw a different level of confidence and a different level of aggression coming out every single day. I think it’s the best that we played in a really long time. And so, I think it’s really cool to see everyone kind of step up in their roles.”
But it is more than a game for this team. “I think those off the court moments I really prioritize,” Betts said. “Like let’s hang out… And like I love my teammates so much. They’re my best friends outside of basketball as well.”
They have formed deep bonds with one other, which has helped them reach this far. From their trials and tribulations, they have discussed pain and adversity including mental health, a process that Betts has grown from.
“I just think Lauren’s willingness to be open about a topic that’s not easy is inspiring to all of us,” said Rice. “I think we’ve seen her grow in her confidence over these past few months. I think I’ve even seen another step in that over the past few weeks toward the end of the season. Just really proud of her for that.”
These experiences have made them better teammates and friends and will be a key factor in completing this historic season and giving them bonds that will last a lifetime.
This team is confident in its abilities and have been all season long. With a player like Betts leading the way, the possibilities are endless on how far UCLA can go. “We’re here to win, this is a business trip,” she said. Next up in trying to stop the Bruins from continuing their historic business trip? All-American Paige Bueckers and the 11-time NCAA champion UConn Huskies who are in the Final Four for a record 24th time.
