Perhaps there might be something sweeter in the near future.
Another trip to the NCAA Tournament may finally allow the UCLA women’s basketball team to achieve the special ending it has been pursuing for years.
So, what sets this group of Bruins apart from the ones that made it to the Sweet 16 in earlier seasons?
There are six seniors on the team who could be potential first-round picks in the WNBA draft. Gianna Neepkens is a standout 3-point shooter, while Charlisse Ledger Walker brings depth as the second point guard. They also have another Betts sister on the roster and more seasoned versions of veterans like Kiki Rice, Lauren Betts, and Gabriella Jaquez.
“We have quite a few veterans and seniors on our squad,” Betts mentioned recently. “With that maturity and experience, I think we’re better prepared. When you find yourself in a high-pressure situation, it really helps to stay composed. That’s definitely what we need right now.”
This team seems equipped for March—and perhaps even more.
Making the Sweet 16 for the fourth consecutive time ties their previous record from 2016-19 under coach Cori Close, and it could pave the way for a championship chase.
Regarded as the finest team in the program’s history, they can take a significant step towards a title on Friday afternoon. The top-seeded Bruins (33-1) will clash with the fourth-seeded Minnesota (24-8) in a regional semifinal at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento—a rematch from the Big Ten.
“Every year, we aim to build a strong core group that develops together,” Close stated. “They not only enhance their individual skills but also understand what it takes to manage pressure and minimize distractions. We know what it means to focus, especially in a team setting where distractions can multiply.”
“I also have a responsibility to adjust every year based on what I’ve learned, and I believe they’ve collectively managed to adapt as well.”
Rice and Jaquez have played in all four of the recent Sweet 16 appearances, and Betts, after starting at Stanford, has participated in the last three.
They might be better prepared than ever.
The addition of Neepkens, a transfer from Utah State, gives them a shooting guard who hits nearly 44% of her 3-point attempts and has an equally potent mid-range shot.
Ledger Walker is often called “The Connector” because of her knack for bringing the team together, both during games and off the court. She’s a reliable presence, a good listener, and a talented passer, enhancing the team’s overall ball movement.
Freshman Sienna Betts, teaming up with her older sister, has become another reliable scorer. Each of them had a double-double in their first-round NCAA Tournament match against Cal Baptist. Sienna’s progress late in the season has offered UCLA another valuable asset off the bench alongside Angela Dugalic.
“Everyone who joined this team this offseason has contributed so much, both on and off the court,” Rice commented. “The connection we have and how we play together is really selfless at this stage.”
“We don’t focus on who scores or who gets attention from outsiders; we understand that each of us plays a vital role in our success.”
The Bruins have a solid track record with this core to reach this point.
In 2023, they made the Sweet 16 but were eliminated by South Carolina. They returned to the same round in 2024, losing to LSU.
Last year, UCLA triumphed over the Tigers in the Elite Eight but fell to UConn in the national semifinals.
This wealth of experience should be beneficial for the remaining games of the season.
“If you’ve played a few March Madness games, you’re already at a high level,” Rice said.
“With the confidence we’ve built, our veteran players will pass that on to the younger teammates, guiding them through the challenges.”
