UCLA Women’s Basketball: From Top of the Polls to a Crossroads in March

The UCLA Bruins women’s basketball team, once the undisputed queens of the college basketball landscape, find themselves at a pivotal juncture as they navigate the treacherous waters of March Madness. For three glorious months, they reigned supreme atop the national polls, a testament to their dominant performances and unwavering consistency. Their impressive run included an unblemished record stretching deep into February, leading many to believe that they were destined for the coveted overall No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament – a projection that materialized not once, but twice.

However, as the saying goes, what goes up must come down, and the Bruins experienced a jarring descent from their lofty perch. The catalyst for this shift was a stinging defeat at the hands of their crosstown rivals, the USC Trojans, a loss that sent shockwaves through the UCLA program and forced them to confront their vulnerabilities. The aura of invincibility that once surrounded the Bruins had dissipated, replaced by a sense of urgency and a need for introspection.

In the aftermath of the USC debacle, the Bruins embarked on a journey of self-discovery, a players-only film session held early Monday morning. This wasn’t a time for finger-pointing or scapegoating; it was an opportunity for raw honesty, a space where players could hold themselves and each other accountable for the shortcomings that had plagued them against USC. They dissected the game, frame by frame, acknowledging their mistakes and vowing to prevent a repeat performance. The message was clear: such a lackluster showing was simply unacceptable, especially with the unforgiving nature of March looming large.

"It was tough," admitted Lauren Betts, a key contributor to the Bruins’ success. "There were a lot of things that we don’t want to hear, but they have to be said for the better of the team." She emphasized the importance of confronting their issues head-on, using the film session as a cathartic release to exorcise the demons of the USC loss. "It was a good experience for all of us to say, OK, let’s just have this moment, let’s get it all out now and then we can move on from this and get better.’ Because we don’t have time to focus on that game. We have bigger things coming up. It’s March. You don’t have time for feelings," Betts added with a steely resolve. "We have to win games."

The Bruins’ immediate challenge was the Big Ten tournament, where they were slated to face Nebraska in the quarterfinals. Despite UCLA’s dominant 91-54 victory over the Cornhuskers earlier in the season, the Bruins knew that they couldn’t afford to take any opponent lightly, especially with the stakes so high.

For a significant portion of the season, UCLA embodied the very definition of a juggernaut. Their 23-game winning streak, punctuated by a decisive victory over defending national champion South Carolina, showcased their dominance and left opponents scrambling for answers. Betts emerged as an unstoppable force, both offensively and defensively, while Kiki Rice provided a steady hand and a knack for delivering crucial plays when the pressure mounted.

However, the loss to USC triggered a noticeable shift in the Bruins’ trajectory. Close wins against Michigan State and Iowa exposed cracks in their armor, signaling that their previously unshakeable confidence had begun to wane. The swagger that had defined their early-season success had given way to a sense of vulnerability, and opponents began to sense an opportunity to exploit their newfound weaknesses.

The rematch against USC served as a stark reminder of the challenges that lay ahead. While JuJu Watkins, USC’s sensational freshman, undoubtedly played a role in disrupting the Bruins’ rhythm, the issues ran deeper than just one player. UCLA’s sluggish start and uncharacteristic turnovers highlighted a lack of cohesion and a disconnect between individual talent and team performance. The Trojans capitalized on these vulnerabilities, building a commanding lead that silenced the Pauley Pavilion crowd and left the Bruins reeling.

The defeat not only cost UCLA the regular-season Big Ten title but also jeopardized their chances of securing a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. The Bruins were forced to confront the reality that their past accomplishments meant little in the face of their current struggles.

"Obviously we didn’t get done what we wanted to get done in the Big Ten championship game," Rice acknowledged, recognizing the need for a renewed sense of purpose.

As history has shown, teams facing adversity often respond in one of two ways: they either crumble under the pressure or they use it as motivation to elevate their game. The Bruins, led by Rice and Gabriela Jaquez, chose the latter path. They initiated the players-only film session, creating a forum for honest dialogue and a recommitment to their shared goals.

The session, lasting for more than an hour, proved to be a turning point for the Bruins. The players left feeling refreshed and energized, ready to tackle the challenges that lay ahead with a renewed sense of unity.

"That was probably one of our best practices in a while," Rice said, emphasizing the immediate impact of the film session. "We felt really refreshed, got after it and competed. I think we had a new energy and a new commitment to everything we want to get done."

UCLA coach Cori Close echoed this sentiment, highlighting the importance of selflessness and sacrifice in achieving team success. "Our big thing right now is we over me," she explained. "I don’t think we ever totally lost sight of it, but I think we lost the power of it. If everybody doesn’t sacrifice for winning, winning suffers. Every single person."

Close acknowledged that the concept of "team over self" might seem cliché, but she firmly believed that it was the key ingredient that had been missing from the Bruins’ recent performances. By prioritizing the collective good over individual accolades, the Bruins could rediscover the magic that had propelled them to the top of the polls.

The road to redemption wouldn’t be easy, with a potential rematch against USC looming in the Big Ten tournament championship game. The Bruins relished the opportunity to prove themselves against their rivals, viewing it as a chance to erase the memory of their previous defeat and reclaim their status as the team to beat.

"We still have a lot to prove," Rice said, her voice filled with determination. "I’d definitely love to see them again. Whether it’s in the Big Ten tournament or the NCAA Tournament, I definitely want another shot at them."

UCLA had tasted the sweetness of success, and they weren’t ready to let it slip away. The loss to USC had served as a wake-up call, reminding them of the importance of teamwork, sacrifice, and unwavering commitment. As they embarked on their March Madness journey, the Bruins were determined to prove that they were still the best team in the nation, ready to overcome any obstacle in their path.