UCLA coach Cori Close doesn't want to talk about it.
Forward Gabriela Jacks is “furious” considering what happened to the Bruins in the past two NCAA tournaments.
But after back-to-back Sweet 16 losses, No. 1 UCLA appears well-positioned to bounce back from what happened in the past.
UCLA is currently spending a program-record nine consecutive weeks as the top team in the Associated Press Top 25.
The Bruins defeated No. 25 Baylor 72-57 on Monday in the inaugural Coretta Scott King Classic at the Prudential Center, joining No. 5 LSU as one of two remaining undefeated teams in the nation. remained. UCLA sits atop the Big Ten with an 18-0 overall and 6-0 conference record.
The Bruins have the nation's best post player in Lauren Betts, returning versatile two-way guard Kiki Rice and the team's driving force in Jaquez (Jaquez's older brother, Jaime Jaquez Jr., is a former UCLA men's basketball player). Celebrity and currently a member of the NBA) Heat). UCLA also added depth with transfers Jania Barker (Texas A&M) and Timea Gardiner (Oregon State).
This Bruins team could take UCLA women's basketball to a place it hasn't been before: the Final Four.
But why stop there?
The only team in the last 661 days to beat defending champion South Carolina in the regular season, UCLA has the talent and drive to possibly be the last team to do so on April 6th.
That may be true, but unless prompted by a reporter, you won't be able to catch Close and the rest of the team discussing their past NCAA woes or the possibility of a future March Madness appearance.
“All we really want to talk about is how our character is growing, because our talents speak only of inferiority, and our character and habits Because we know that we're going to set a cap on that,” Close said. “So what's important to us is that we're just focused on giving to each other, growing and stepping up our game.”
Close said he only gave his team a chance to speak publicly once early in the season about last year's unscrupulous loss to LSU in the Sweet 16, calling it “the toughest loss” of his coaching career. “It's in the top five.”
During a preseason meeting, Close asked the group: Where do you want to go in March? And how do you want to change? ”
That conversation set the tone for a UCLA team that has been unstoppable so far this season.
Since then, Close has stressed to his team to keep working hard every day. A big focus for the Bruins this season has been concentrating on what she calls “passion plays” — hustle moves that don't show up on the stat sheet, like deflections, screen assists and 50-50 balls.
“I value the habits we agreed to to get there,” Close said. “I strongly believe that how much we live in the present – our fears, doubts, and anxieties – are based on regrets from the past and fears about the future. So, stay firmly in the present and be determined to get better that day. If you stay focused and give it your all,” when you communicate that to your team, really good things happen. ”
UCLA has appeared in the Sweet 16 five times and the Elite Eight once under Close since taking over the program in 2011.
But this season's Bruins appear to have what it takes to help UCLA earn a Final Four berth that has eluded the program for years.
Close believes the team still has room to grow. Next week will be a good test for the Bruins. The Bruins will remain on the East Coast, playing Rutgers on Thursday and traveling to No. 8 Maryland on Sunday.
“When we planned this, we knew this was going to force us to increase our level of toughness and focus,” Close said. “It’s going to force that level.” [up] Among us. ”
