This year's UCLA Bruins women's team is finally poised to win it all
The Sporting Tribune's W.G. Ramirez explains why the UCLA Bruins women's basketball team is poised to win the program's first NCAA national championship.
UCLA Bruins head coach Cori Close during a Sweet Sixteen game of the Sacramento Regional 2 of the women's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Golden 1 Center. Before Cori Close arrived in Westwood, UCLA Bruins women's basketball teams danced in 11 NCAA Tournaments in 30 years. Under Close, they've been to nine in 15 seasons, including the last four, inching closer to a national title every year.
If there were ever a year Close and her Bruins could cut down the nets, it's this season, with one of the greatest rosters assembled. With four potential first-round draft picks, UCLA is looking for its second straight trip to the Final Four, as it'll face Duke in the regional final on Sunday. When the two met in November, the Bruins won by 30.
Granted, Duke has gotten much better and learned how to execute as a team, but sheesh, the Bruins have improved dramatically as well, strengthening what was already a dangerous lineup. "All season, our goal is to get better to put four quarters together, to put 40 minutes together, and I think we're still continuing to get better with that," senior guard Kiki Rice said after Friday's 80-56 demolition of Minnesota. If the Bruins are still getting better, their potential three opponents down the stretch are in big trouble.
Through Friday's win, four players are averaging double digits in scoring, led by All-American Lauren Betts, who is pouring in 17. 1 points and grabbing 8. 6 rebounds per contest.