UCLA and Duke are facing off in the Elite Eight. The No. 1-seed Bruins (34-1) will play No. 3-seed Duke (27-8) for a chance to go back to the Final Four.
Bruins Look to Avoid Repeat of Last Year
A year ago, UCLA beat Louisiana State to reach the Final Four. They then suffered a blowout loss to eventual national champion UConn.
This year, the Bruins expect something different, due in large part to an upgraded starting lineup. A tangible difference is the addition of Charlisse Leger-Walker and Gianna Kneepkens.
Each was the top scorer on their former squads. They’ve taken on drastically different roles as arguably the fourth and fifth pieces of this Bruins team.
Early Game Action
The game is underway. Duke leads early.
No. 3 Duke 10, No. 1 UCLA 5, 6:17 left in the first quarter.
UCLA forward Gabriela Jaquez scored a layup. Duke then picked up the pressure and poked holes in the Bruins’ defense.
Close Reflects on Coaching Challenges
Cori Close’s candid remarks about the growing challenges of coaching in modern college athletics sparked a reaction nationwide among her peers.
On Thursday, the UCLA women’s basketball coach was asked about the rapid changes shaping college sports ahead of her Bruins’ Sweet 16 matchup against Minnesota on Friday night. The No. 1-seeded Bruins (33-1) entered the Sweet 16 round considered a strong Final Four contender, powered by one of the deepest starting lineups in the nation.
“I’ve never been as tired as I’ve been in the last two years, and it’s made me think how much longer I can do this,” Close said. “And I’m just being transparent with you about that. There are so many things that are harder, and we keep losing incredible people on the men’s and the women’s side.”
WNBA Opportunities for UCLA Stars
In less than two months, six UCLA women’s basketball players might be working out with WNBA teams. The draft is April 13, a week after the NCAA national championship game, and the season starts less than a month later.
One of the most consequential pieces of the new WNBA collective bargaining agreement for current college players, including the UCLA super senior class, is expanded rosters.
- Two new teams — Portland and Toronto — are entering the WNBA this season.
- They are adding 24 roster spots.
- The new CBA will allow each team to have 12 tradit.
Betts’ Journey to UCLA
Lauren Betts arrived at UCLA unsure she could continue playing college basketball.
After a turbulent freshman season at Stanford almost took her out of the game entirely, she joined rising stars Gabriela Jaquez and Kiki Rice in Westwood.
The Bruins are looking to secure their place in the Final Four after their Elite Eight matchup.