Not the most aesthetically pleasing game, but a gritty win that shows our Lady Bruins are locked in mentally. I think SC will be the darlings of the press and pundits, but I have confidence we have what it takes to add a banner to Pauley. The work has been done, so it’s really just a case of finishing the journey. I’ll be sad to see this special season end, but this group will always have a special place in my heart. See you all for the final - Fours up!
I’m watching the game on repeat, and I have to say Betts is soooo dominant! We take her for granted, but she does a much n both ends. Also, Dugalic off the bench is like a cheat code - hope these seniors can finish strong
Great to see the Lady Bruins playing real tough against quick and aggressive opponents while avoiding foul trouble. I thought the game would've been the usual blowout victory (or at least winning it by a comfortable margin) were it not for the ridiculous number of turnovers they committed. If they can continue their stellar defensive performance against SC and avoid turning the ball over so much, I think they have an excellent chance of winning the national championship.
Happy Easter and Go Lady Bruins!
[ Shout out also to the Bruins #1-ranked men's baseball team for beating #12 U$C and extending their current winning streak to 21 games! ]
I thought both games were poorly officiated. The reason for the sloppy play, excessive turnovers and poor shooting was overly physical play. It is very difficult to control the basketball on the dribble and there will be no flow and no rhythm which affects shooting. It isn’t a very entertaining game when it becomes a wrestling match. I’ve watched many women’s games at Pauley Pavilion this year close to the floor. It seems to be a trend and not a positive one for the game.
You expressed my thoughts. Coach echoed my thought that this was rugby match with a basketball. Watching that foul that took Lauren to the floor was so scary I thought it looked flagrant to me—goal take Lauren out of the game.
As I was reading through the live comments to the game and all were noting the “no calls’ from the refs and the “rugby scrum” physicality of the play in the paint, it finally struck me that this group’s versatility is exactly why this UCLA team feels different from years past. Most "finesse" teams—the ones that rely on beautiful ball movement and high-percentage shooting—fold the moment a game turns into a "rock fight." UCLA’s ability to win both ways is their greatest strength heading into the final.
This team has two faces: First, in the Conference Tournament Championship game
they looked like a machine. The entry passes were crisp, Betts was catching everything in rhythm, and Kiki and Kneeps were hitting "rhythm" shots because the spacing was perfect. It was elite, high-level basketball. Second, in the last two NCAA “Rock Fights,” that beauty disappeared. Instead of folding under the "rugby scrum" pressure or the 23 turnovers, they leaned into the unrelenting "dirty work" performed by Jaquez and others, diving, rebounding, defending, screening, and the defensive rim protection of Betts. They proved they can win a couple of games (the last two) where they shoot poorly and play "ugly" as long as they out-tough the opponent.
South Carolina is going to be the ultimate test of this versatility. They will add a different dimension…….they believe they have the best athletes and if I had to bet on something in this game, I would bet that they will come out sprinting in kind of a “shock and awe” fashion to see if they can knock our Lady Bruins off balance and build a lead; that is exactly what South Carolina used to dismantle UConn, racing out to an early lead that the Huskies never fully recovered from. Given their "human track meet" roster, Dawn Staley will likely test UCLA’s transition defense immediately to see if the Bruins' perimeter players can handle their high-velocity decision-making. Then later, if the refs allow it, it will disseminate into a “rugby scrum” defensive struggle and South Carolina will try to hold off UCLA while it scores transition points off long rebounds or off of turnovers due to their suffocating defense. So, what do we do?
IMHO, to prevent a double-digit deficit in the first five minutes, UCLA must execute three defensive mandates: First, We need to control the pace. We cannot afford to trade baskets in a track meet. We should use the full 30-second shot clock on our first few possessions—even if we don't get a perfect look—simply to prevent South Carolina from getting 10+ transition opportunities in the first quarter like they did against UConn. Second, we need to have one of our perimeter players as a safety. Kiki, Gabs and Kneeps need to be disciplined. They can’t all crash the boards. One of them must stay back near the logo on every UCLA shot to prevent South Carolina’s guards or wings from leaking out for easy transition layups. Third, I think we have to embrace the "Rock Fight" early. Most likely, this game will be called like the last two. If we engage in their “track meet” we may find ourselves down by 8 or 10 before we know it……IMHO, we need to bring that "Rugby Match" physicality from the opening tip, bumping and grinding South Carolina and making every catch, dribble, shot and rebound difficult. If the refs decide to call the game close, we have the personnel to play that game, to play defense without fouling and great free throw shooters if the fouls start to pile up……Above all else, we need our team to keep its poise late in the game as we did against Texas…….Go Lady Bruins……bring home that Natty!!
I posted this in the game thread very late last night, an hour after Dimitri posted this article, so it probably wasn't read by the majority of the subscribers. So I reposted it here to go on the record for Sunday's game. Let's go, Bruins!
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On the womens basketball floor, South Carolina has a blue blood pedigree, UCLA doesn't. But IMO, that is meaningless in the title game. Nor it is about the talent level of both teams. They're both talented, Each team is projected to have 3 first round WNBA picks in this year's draft.
It's going to be about who can dictate the terms of the game.
We know UCLA is at its best when the game slows down and runs through Betts, who changes everything on both ends simply by being on the floor. Offensively, she’s the hub. Defensively, she’s a deterrent. When UCLA is disciplined—low turnovers, controlled tempo, clean entry passes—the Bruins can make the best teams play uncomfortable, grinding possessions deep into the shot clock as they did with Texas
The Gamecocks presents a very different kind of problem. Their edge isn’t just physicality; UCLA is fully capable of matching up with them. With the Gamecocks, it’s sustainability. They can apply pressure for 40 minutes because they trust their depth, and that shows up most clearly on defense. They don’t just contest shots—they disrupt rhythm, passing lanes, decision-making. If UCLA turns the ball over an staggering 23 times as they did against Texas, South Carolina will turn those turnovers into points, something Texas could not capitalize on.
Against a team like UCLA that relies on strict play execution, that kind of disruption can be decisive. It’s not about forcing 23 turnovers—it’s about forcing just enough to tilt the math in their favor.
So the game hinges on a few controllable margins. The Bruins must keep their turnover count down and consistently get the ball to Betts in the paint. They have to control the boards and keep South Carolina out of transition. If they do this, it becomes a half-court game where every possession is deliberate, and the control of the game tilts in UCLA's favor. If they can’t—if the game opens up, even slightly—that’s where South Carolina’s depth and defensive pressure start to compound.
Ultimately, this is a contrast in control versus pressure. In a game like this, the outcome usually follows whichever team is able to impose its will for longer stretches.
Let's not forget November 24, 2024, when #1 South Carolina, fresh off an NCAA title with 4 of their 5 championship starters returning, came into Pauley to play #5 UCLA. Against all odds, UCLA mopped the floor with South Carolina, building a 21 point lead by halftime. That was UCLA's most complete game of last season and they won the game by executing their game plan to perfection.
If every woman in the UCLA rotation plays to their best ability, the recipe to win is there. If Betts, Rice, Jaquez, Kneepkens, Dugalic, and Leger-Walker do what they're capable of doing, they can take down South Carolina and bring home the championship. They need to play with the same desire and discipline
Not the most aesthetically pleasing game, but a gritty win that shows our Lady Bruins are locked in mentally. I think SC will be the darlings of the press and pundits, but I have confidence we have what it takes to add a banner to Pauley. The work has been done, so it’s really just a case of finishing the journey. I’ll be sad to see this special season end, but this group will always have a special place in my heart. See you all for the final - Fours up!
I’m watching the game on repeat, and I have to say Betts is soooo dominant! We take her for granted, but she does a much n both ends. Also, Dugalic off the bench is like a cheat code - hope these seniors can finish strong
Great to see the Lady Bruins playing real tough against quick and aggressive opponents while avoiding foul trouble. I thought the game would've been the usual blowout victory (or at least winning it by a comfortable margin) were it not for the ridiculous number of turnovers they committed. If they can continue their stellar defensive performance against SC and avoid turning the ball over so much, I think they have an excellent chance of winning the national championship.
Happy Easter and Go Lady Bruins!
[ Shout out also to the Bruins #1-ranked men's baseball team for beating #12 U$C and extending their current winning streak to 21 games! ]
I thought both games were poorly officiated. The reason for the sloppy play, excessive turnovers and poor shooting was overly physical play. It is very difficult to control the basketball on the dribble and there will be no flow and no rhythm which affects shooting. It isn’t a very entertaining game when it becomes a wrestling match. I’ve watched many women’s games at Pauley Pavilion this year close to the floor. It seems to be a trend and not a positive one for the game.
You expressed my thoughts. Coach echoed my thought that this was rugby match with a basketball. Watching that foul that took Lauren to the floor was so scary I thought it looked flagrant to me—goal take Lauren out of the game.
As I was reading through the live comments to the game and all were noting the “no calls’ from the refs and the “rugby scrum” physicality of the play in the paint, it finally struck me that this group’s versatility is exactly why this UCLA team feels different from years past. Most "finesse" teams—the ones that rely on beautiful ball movement and high-percentage shooting—fold the moment a game turns into a "rock fight." UCLA’s ability to win both ways is their greatest strength heading into the final.
This team has two faces: First, in the Conference Tournament Championship game
they looked like a machine. The entry passes were crisp, Betts was catching everything in rhythm, and Kiki and Kneeps were hitting "rhythm" shots because the spacing was perfect. It was elite, high-level basketball. Second, in the last two NCAA “Rock Fights,” that beauty disappeared. Instead of folding under the "rugby scrum" pressure or the 23 turnovers, they leaned into the unrelenting "dirty work" performed by Jaquez and others, diving, rebounding, defending, screening, and the defensive rim protection of Betts. They proved they can win a couple of games (the last two) where they shoot poorly and play "ugly" as long as they out-tough the opponent.
South Carolina is going to be the ultimate test of this versatility. They will add a different dimension…….they believe they have the best athletes and if I had to bet on something in this game, I would bet that they will come out sprinting in kind of a “shock and awe” fashion to see if they can knock our Lady Bruins off balance and build a lead; that is exactly what South Carolina used to dismantle UConn, racing out to an early lead that the Huskies never fully recovered from. Given their "human track meet" roster, Dawn Staley will likely test UCLA’s transition defense immediately to see if the Bruins' perimeter players can handle their high-velocity decision-making. Then later, if the refs allow it, it will disseminate into a “rugby scrum” defensive struggle and South Carolina will try to hold off UCLA while it scores transition points off long rebounds or off of turnovers due to their suffocating defense. So, what do we do?
IMHO, to prevent a double-digit deficit in the first five minutes, UCLA must execute three defensive mandates: First, We need to control the pace. We cannot afford to trade baskets in a track meet. We should use the full 30-second shot clock on our first few possessions—even if we don't get a perfect look—simply to prevent South Carolina from getting 10+ transition opportunities in the first quarter like they did against UConn. Second, we need to have one of our perimeter players as a safety. Kiki, Gabs and Kneeps need to be disciplined. They can’t all crash the boards. One of them must stay back near the logo on every UCLA shot to prevent South Carolina’s guards or wings from leaking out for easy transition layups. Third, I think we have to embrace the "Rock Fight" early. Most likely, this game will be called like the last two. If we engage in their “track meet” we may find ourselves down by 8 or 10 before we know it……IMHO, we need to bring that "Rugby Match" physicality from the opening tip, bumping and grinding South Carolina and making every catch, dribble, shot and rebound difficult. If the refs decide to call the game close, we have the personnel to play that game, to play defense without fouling and great free throw shooters if the fouls start to pile up……Above all else, we need our team to keep its poise late in the game as we did against Texas…….Go Lady Bruins……bring home that Natty!!
I posted this in the game thread very late last night, an hour after Dimitri posted this article, so it probably wasn't read by the majority of the subscribers. So I reposted it here to go on the record for Sunday's game. Let's go, Bruins!
----------------------------------------------
On the womens basketball floor, South Carolina has a blue blood pedigree, UCLA doesn't. But IMO, that is meaningless in the title game. Nor it is about the talent level of both teams. They're both talented, Each team is projected to have 3 first round WNBA picks in this year's draft.
It's going to be about who can dictate the terms of the game.
We know UCLA is at its best when the game slows down and runs through Betts, who changes everything on both ends simply by being on the floor. Offensively, she’s the hub. Defensively, she’s a deterrent. When UCLA is disciplined—low turnovers, controlled tempo, clean entry passes—the Bruins can make the best teams play uncomfortable, grinding possessions deep into the shot clock as they did with Texas
The Gamecocks presents a very different kind of problem. Their edge isn’t just physicality; UCLA is fully capable of matching up with them. With the Gamecocks, it’s sustainability. They can apply pressure for 40 minutes because they trust their depth, and that shows up most clearly on defense. They don’t just contest shots—they disrupt rhythm, passing lanes, decision-making. If UCLA turns the ball over an staggering 23 times as they did against Texas, South Carolina will turn those turnovers into points, something Texas could not capitalize on.
Against a team like UCLA that relies on strict play execution, that kind of disruption can be decisive. It’s not about forcing 23 turnovers—it’s about forcing just enough to tilt the math in their favor.
So the game hinges on a few controllable margins. The Bruins must keep their turnover count down and consistently get the ball to Betts in the paint. They have to control the boards and keep South Carolina out of transition. If they do this, it becomes a half-court game where every possession is deliberate, and the control of the game tilts in UCLA's favor. If they can’t—if the game opens up, even slightly—that’s where South Carolina’s depth and defensive pressure start to compound.
Ultimately, this is a contrast in control versus pressure. In a game like this, the outcome usually follows whichever team is able to impose its will for longer stretches.
Let's not forget November 24, 2024, when #1 South Carolina, fresh off an NCAA title with 4 of their 5 championship starters returning, came into Pauley to play #5 UCLA. Against all odds, UCLA mopped the floor with South Carolina, building a 21 point lead by halftime. That was UCLA's most complete game of last season and they won the game by executing their game plan to perfection.
If every woman in the UCLA rotation plays to their best ability, the recipe to win is there. If Betts, Rice, Jaquez, Kneepkens, Dugalic, and Leger-Walker do what they're capable of doing, they can take down South Carolina and bring home the championship. They need to play with the same desire and discipline
I believe in them. Go Bruins!
Michigan up 16 at half. Hope they keep it up and oust the mildcats.
That guy leading the Wolverines in scoring, rebounding, and blocks sure looks familiar...