That was a great test against - all due respect to Richmond, Ole Miss, and most of the rest of the NCAA women's basketball world - one of the 4 or 5 teams that are truly in the same peer group as UCLA. Grew a lot in the 2nd quarter and in holding off the surge. Great team win and on to Tampa!
I am reposting my comment I made in the postgame post by DD. Here it is...
I have so much belief in this team's character, selflessness, chemistry, passion and composure under pressure. They are so talented, but it is the intangles that make this team a championship caliber team.
They are great human beings and great players who have shown that they are at their best when their best is needed. They are prepared mentally and physically for what lies ahead in the Final Four 💙💛
I also want to say that I believe the coaching staff has done an outstanding job. The players always give credit to the amazing game plan and mindset preparation they receive from the coaches.
I am so proud of the Lady Bruins and will be cheering my heart out the rest of the way! 💙💛💙💛
Looks like they even used a matching blue-and-gold colored ladder for cutting down the net. It would be cool if UCLA were to advance and win the championship by beating both "USC" schools again. Hard to believe it's been 50 years since Coach Wooden retired after winning his final championship. His first one came after coaching UCLA for 16 years, so Coach Close is just about due for her first one (14 seasons now at UCLA).
I think Coach Close has really built a program as Coach Wooden would have built for the Lady Bruins. She spent a lot of time with Coach and she infuses all she learned from him into her coaching and teaching of her players. It is really wonderful to see the outcome for this team 💙💛💙💛
I noticed she often gives credit to Coach Wooden and has espoused some of his wisdom onto her team. Great to see his teachings and their positive influence still works after all these years.
Yep. They beat a suc team without JuJu who truly was the suc team. So suc wasn't close to being suc.
We need to stop Paige and Strong. Strong is a big time rebounder and can hit the 3, and she is 6'2" but really 'strong.' Paige pretty much does everything as a guard. She is 6' so Gabs and Janiah may need to guard her.
I knew BSPN wouldn't give us a chance. The so called experts there are truly something to behold. Now all
of a sudden Paige is the greatest in the world. Yep, let's completely discount the sheer dominence of Betts, all season long. So predictable from a bunch of talking heads who love to grab the spotlight. Uconn beat suc without JuJu.
Coach Close and her Lady Bruins received the #1 overall seed. and are in the Final Four. I think she has proven she can Coach. I would say Coach Kim Mulkey is one of the best - she has won 4 Titles. So there's that.
One of the things I truly can't understand is all the accolades that are given to a bully known as Cronin who is a super flawed coach and an absolute embarrassment to UCLA. And all of the criticism and lack of credit that is heaped on Coach Close.
I know one thing for certain, the Lady Bruins will be prepared to play this coming Friday, and it's 5 on 5, so we shall see. But I believe in our Bruins and their coaching staff.
Less external pressure on the #1 overall seed Lady Bruins if most folks regard them as the clear underdogs. But they're going up against an 11-time champion of women's basketball. I think this semifinal matchup would've been more appropriate for the national championship. Coach Close and her team will certainly have to earn this one by playing at their very best.
Yes, I too hope that Betts stays out of foul trouble, and also I hope that she is treated fairly by the refs. The refs can change the game and may favor UConn because of all the hype surrounding Bueckers...
The media handpicks their limelight darlings and this year it's Paige. It feels like she has become untouchable and it just shows you how powerful and biased the sports media is...
BSPN claims Paige is better than Betts which is complete garbage... she's a guard, not a center, and that's like comparing apples to oranges.
I hope our Lady Bruins play the game if their lives against UConn. I truly love our team 💙💛
Kiki just won an award for the highest GPA amongst the Final Four players Our Lady Bruins are sweeping the awards! Much love and gratitude for all of these amaxing human beings on our Lady Bruin team! 💙💛
Honestly, Cronin could learn a lot from Coach Close - she embraces and lives Coach Wooden's teachings and principles, and she was very close to him.
She exemplifies how to coach and teach, and build character and life skills. She's so articulate and classy - doesn't use foul language and truly has won me over!
But, as I've increased my attention towards this team, I've been nothing but impressed by Coach Close. Her Instagram is definitely worth a follow. He IG is @coachcoriclose.
She frequently discusses different teachings of Coach Wooden during those car rides. Search for #CarRideswithCori, but her other content on IG is great too and definitely worth a follow.
Great job Joe. Like no other news agency. This is awesome. Thank you.
Thank you Joe!
That was a great test against - all due respect to Richmond, Ole Miss, and most of the rest of the NCAA women's basketball world - one of the 4 or 5 teams that are truly in the same peer group as UCLA. Grew a lot in the 2nd quarter and in holding off the surge. Great team win and on to Tampa!
Fantastic post Joe! Love the videos and pics 💙💛💙💛
I am reposting my comment I made in the postgame post by DD. Here it is...
I have so much belief in this team's character, selflessness, chemistry, passion and composure under pressure. They are so talented, but it is the intangles that make this team a championship caliber team.
They are great human beings and great players who have shown that they are at their best when their best is needed. They are prepared mentally and physically for what lies ahead in the Final Four 💙💛
I also want to say that I believe the coaching staff has done an outstanding job. The players always give credit to the amazing game plan and mindset preparation they receive from the coaches.
I am so proud of the Lady Bruins and will be cheering my heart out the rest of the way! 💙💛💙💛
And I will add... Let's bring home 125!!! 💙💛
Looks like they even used a matching blue-and-gold colored ladder for cutting down the net. It would be cool if UCLA were to advance and win the championship by beating both "USC" schools again. Hard to believe it's been 50 years since Coach Wooden retired after winning his final championship. His first one came after coaching UCLA for 16 years, so Coach Close is just about due for her first one (14 seasons now at UCLA).
Go Lady Bruins!
I think Coach Close has really built a program as Coach Wooden would have built for the Lady Bruins. She spent a lot of time with Coach and she infuses all she learned from him into her coaching and teaching of her players. It is really wonderful to see the outcome for this team 💙💛💙💛
I noticed she often gives credit to Coach Wooden and has espoused some of his wisdom onto her team. Great to see his teachings and their positive influence still works after all these years.
So we face UConn next.
Yep. They beat a suc team without JuJu who truly was the suc team. So suc wasn't close to being suc.
We need to stop Paige and Strong. Strong is a big time rebounder and can hit the 3, and she is 6'2" but really 'strong.' Paige pretty much does everything as a guard. She is 6' so Gabs and Janiah may need to guard her.
Bruins are 8.5 point underdogs. This is Close's chance to show she can coach against the best.
If I was at my vacation home in Lake Tahoe, would take the 8.5 points and UCLA without any qualms.
I knew BSPN wouldn't give us a chance. The so called experts there are truly something to behold. Now all
of a sudden Paige is the greatest in the world. Yep, let's completely discount the sheer dominence of Betts, all season long. So predictable from a bunch of talking heads who love to grab the spotlight. Uconn beat suc without JuJu.
Coach Close and her Lady Bruins received the #1 overall seed. and are in the Final Four. I think she has proven she can Coach. I would say Coach Kim Mulkey is one of the best - she has won 4 Titles. So there's that.
One of the things I truly can't understand is all the accolades that are given to a bully known as Cronin who is a super flawed coach and an absolute embarrassment to UCLA. And all of the criticism and lack of credit that is heaped on Coach Close.
I know one thing for certain, the Lady Bruins will be prepared to play this coming Friday, and it's 5 on 5, so we shall see. But I believe in our Bruins and their coaching staff.
Less external pressure on the #1 overall seed Lady Bruins if most folks regard them as the clear underdogs. But they're going up against an 11-time champion of women's basketball. I think this semifinal matchup would've been more appropriate for the national championship. Coach Close and her team will certainly have to earn this one by playing at their very best.
Go Lady Bruins!
Aday Mara out.
https://dailybruin.com/2025/03/31/bye-aday-mens-basketball-centerpiece-mara-reportedly-not-returning-to-program
The list of uncommitted quality centers in the portal is quite thin.
But Aday Mara wasn't on the women's team. Lauren Betts is good enough (and coming back next season too!).
Yes! And she's the third best center in UCLA history, right after Kareem and Walton 💙💛💙💛
The men's team may have lost Mara, but TMB has TaMara! ;-)
Hope Betts can stay out of foul trouble and the rest of the team elevates their game on Friday. Go Lady Bruins!
You are so sweet 4ever 💙💛
Yes, I too hope that Betts stays out of foul trouble, and also I hope that she is treated fairly by the refs. The refs can change the game and may favor UConn because of all the hype surrounding Bueckers...
The media handpicks their limelight darlings and this year it's Paige. It feels like she has become untouchable and it just shows you how powerful and biased the sports media is...
BSPN claims Paige is better than Betts which is complete garbage... she's a guard, not a center, and that's like comparing apples to oranges.
I hope our Lady Bruins play the game if their lives against UConn. I truly love our team 💙💛
I haven't received a Letter of Intent from Tamara, or even an email of interest for that matter.
Though one would certainly be welcome as we are looking to rebuild the TMB team!
She's the only "Mara" remaining, so maybe try increasing your NIL offer and see if that helps? ;-)
Go TMB!
Coach Close just won the Naismith Coach of the Year! Congrats to Coach Close, and well deserved! 💙💛💙💛
And Lauren Betts just won the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year award! 💙💛💙💛
Congrats to all the National winners including Lauren and Coach Close!
Kiki just won an award for the highest GPA amongst the Final Four players Our Lady Bruins are sweeping the awards! Much love and gratitude for all of these amaxing human beings on our Lady Bruin team! 💙💛
Honestly, Cronin could learn a lot from Coach Close - she embraces and lives Coach Wooden's teachings and principles, and she was very close to him.
She exemplifies how to coach and teach, and build character and life skills. She's so articulate and classy - doesn't use foul language and truly has won me over!
Go Lady Bruins! 💙💛💙💛
I was...concerned...after the second loss to $c.
But, as I've increased my attention towards this team, I've been nothing but impressed by Coach Close. Her Instagram is definitely worth a follow. He IG is @coachcoriclose.
I especially recommend her car ride videos there.
She frequently discusses different teachings of Coach Wooden during those car rides. Search for #CarRideswithCori, but her other content on IG is great too and definitely worth a follow.
Thank you Joe! Yes, she really is a treasure 💙💛