It’s tournament time for one UCLA basketball team at least, which means we can now fully turn our attention to the women’s team, which mostly did what it was supposed to this year. I say mostly because Coach Cori Close’s best team yet still managed to come up short in winning the Pac-12 regular season title and the Pac-12 Tournament, which isn’t a great look especially considering Southern Cal under their new head coach was able to do at least one of those this year. I’ve mentioned multiple times here that I have my doubts when it comes to Coach Close’s ability to get a victory when she doesn’t have a talent advantage, and the last few months have done little to disabuse me of that notion (that said, to her credit, there is no shame in finishing as high as the Bruins did considering how absolutely stacked the Pac-12 was at the top).
But those questions will likely be put off until next week, because this week the Bruins host the first and second round of the NCAA Tournament against a group of teams that they do have an advantage over, starting with the Cal Baptist Lancers. On paper, the Lancers seem like a solid team, having won the WAC regular season by a few games and then holding on in the WAC Championship game over Stephen F. Austin to claim their first NCAA Tournament bid (the Lancers moved up to Division I in 2020 I believe, as they won the WAC Tournament in 2021 but were ineligible for postseason play still). Cal Baptist finished the season 28-3, which is really good, but the best team they played this season was maybe San Diego State, which was fine but hardly a juggernaut team.
Cal Baptist will be led by the WAC Player of the Year Chloe Webb, who averaged 21.1 points per game to go with 8.1 rebounds and 2.8 assists. The transfer from UC Irvine has improved her game this past year, with a jump in volume leading to a massive 10-point increase in her PPG from last year. She can beat you in a variety of ways as well, shooting well from three at a decent clip while also doing a good job of drawing fouls close to the basket. Webb will be helped out by a plethora of guard options, from Filipa Barros (12.3 PPG) to Anaiyah Tu’ua (22 points in the WAC Final).
If there is an exploitable weakness for Cal Baptist, it is that they are a very small team; the Lancers only have three players on their roster listed as a forward and no one listed above 6’3”. Compared to UCLA, which has height and length in abundance, and there is a pretty clear mismatch in talent here. If you’re UCLA, the gameplan seems pretty simple: feed Lauryn Betts inside early and often, and use your size to your advantage. Cal Baptist will likely give a good fight - their comeback in the WAC Tournament Finals speaks to a team that will not quit - but this should be a game UCLA cruises through.
This is your UCLA women’s basketball vs. Cal Baptist Lancers game thread. Here’s how to watch, listen and stream today’s game:
2024 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament #2 Seed UCLA Women’s Basketball (25-6) vs #15 Seed Cal Baptist Lancers (28-3)
Teams: #2 Seed UCLA Bruins (25-6) vs. #15 Seed Cal Baptist Lancers (28-3)
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It’s hard to talk about other players than Osborne, Betts, and Jaquez when their names aren’t engraved in my brain. But oh well imaging airballing a three
I was really mad when Creighton beat UNLV because I’m from Vegas area and now also cheer for them. It would have been awesome for UNLV-UCLA head to head matchup. Don’t worry I would be cheering for the Bruins
Ugh. I know Betts is crucial but Londyn Jones who is solid 3 point shooter needs to get out of this 2nd half season shooting slump if we have any chance of going deep in the tourney
U!!! Clap! Clap! Clap!
C!!! Clap! Clap! Clap!
Bruins going small with Betts not starting
Is she hurt? Or just don’t need her?
Looks like she’s not in uniform. Might be related to her undisclosed injury that kept her out for several games.
Yeah I was thinking the same thing
Hi Bruin Fam!!! Great to be here, but worried about Betts 😞
They said she should be good to go for next game
Wonderful news! 💙💛
Good
Hi y’all! I’m here, and we are playing well so far and no Chip Kelly in sight!
Hi Ry!!!
Hi Tamara!
Gabbie J is playing great!
Yeah rest of team not so much
Truth.
Yes she is. Like brother like sister.
💯💙💛
We need to stop Chloe Webb - she's a great player.
Dug for 3!!!
Threee!
It’s hard to talk about other players than Osborne, Betts, and Jaquez when their names aren’t engraved in my brain. But oh well imaging airballing a three
Even without Betts, Bruins still have a height advantage but seem unwilling to use it. Only Gabbie is attacking the rim.
Jinx, lol
They are not using their size to their advantage. Also need to be more aggressive than CBU
Neither Rice or Osborne are attacking the rim
Announcer just said it's day to day for Betts 😞
We are not the same team without Betts. I am not sure if it's an injury or an illness. 🙏 she is going to be ok 💙💛
Hopefully she is ready for the Jays
🙏💙💛
I was really mad when Creighton beat UNLV because I’m from Vegas area and now also cheer for them. It would have been awesome for UNLV-UCLA head to head matchup. Don’t worry I would be cheering for the Bruins
Kiki!!!
Better than the men at free throws
🤣💯
Ugh. I know Betts is crucial but Londyn Jones who is solid 3 point shooter needs to get out of this 2nd half season shooting slump if we have any chance of going deep in the tourney
The team tends to have quarter long slumps. They are very streaky in their shooting.
Only shooting 28%
They shoot like the men when they are slumping.
We are fouling like crazy 😞
Drought city.
Close finally calls a time out. Part of the reason why they have quarters like this.
Yeah. Not really happy how she has coached the team 2nd half of season
Kiki!!!!
Nice. Showing some fight now!
Kiki for 2 Throws!
SPTRs have snuck into the game
Yep. Can't break their tradition, smdh.
Charisma!
Let’s keep that last 3 min of intensity into second half
Wish granted!
Gabby!!!
Ris!
Kiki!!!
On fire!
ET UN!!!!!!!
Love it 💙💛!
Sorry, forgot this wasn't my Duolingo lesson lol!
That’s how you start a half! Let’s go!
💯💙💛!!!
Gabby!
Boom Gabby
Air Ball
🍃🏀
Gabby is a star!!!
💯
AND 1 JAIME'S SISTER!
Ris!!!!
GET THAT WEAK STUFF OUT OF HERE!
Jones for 3!!!!
Kiki!!!
Oh no Jones is hurt 😢
She appears to OK
Please be Ok, we don't want another 2-seeded UCLA team to lose in the Sweet 16 due to injurys
🙏
Wholey ankles
Ris!
Urkel is in the house
The bank is open
Dug for 3!!!
Crazy, 3 pointer was logo range
Ok, come on Bruins smdh
Iwuala!
Iwuala again!
Kiki for 2 Throws!
Ris!