They have to find the sweet spot between intensity and anxiety at the start of the game. Last few games 1st Qtr shooting % was awful and defense looked unprepared. Midrange and long range shots were open for the opponents. Love how CC makes half-time adjustments.
I love the quote by Coach Close you included above. It sounds very much like Coach Wooden and how he defined success.
I have always thought that Coach Close struggled, compared to her peers, with the Xs and Os side of the game, particularly game planning, in-game adjustments, and substitution patterns. She has improved quite a lot in these areas (having great players helps that), but the thing I never worried about with her was how she supported her players and was building a culture that brought a team together. I think that particular aspect was on full display against Duke. Five years ago, I don't know if we would have come back in that game. Prior teams got rattled and tight and didn't seem to have the confidence in their game. But this year's team didn't blink or panic. They knew what they had in themselves and in each other and they knew the team would get the job done. And seeing the joy on their faces for their accomplishments was priceless.
As we get deeper in the tourney and our roster advantages get slimmer and the opposing tacticians are better prepared and responsive, it is this beautiful culture and joy of team that can buoy them through shooting slumps and deficits and bad calls and other adversity. Whether it will be enough to post a W is a basically a tossup among these Final Four teams, but this program has come so far, and I am extremely proud of Coach Close and all the women on this quintessential TEAM.
They’re a team of winners whatever the results this weekend. I think any of the final four teams can win the tourney, with maybe a slight edge to UConn. We’ll see what happens, but one thing that may have a big impact tomorrow is how the game is called. In November Texas got away with so much against Betts. Regardless, we’ll have to keep our heads and play our game. I think it may come down to our 3 pt shooting, as Betts will get points, but if we’re cold from outside they can add a double, and I’m not sure of our ability to attack off the dribble. If we’re hitting our shots the whole floor opens up. The other keys are rebounding and turnovers - we’ve been inconsistent in the tourney in these areas, but can’t let a quarter or 2 go by before we get it together. Lastly, when our D is working I think we’re close to unbeatable, so it would be good to see 4Q of effort on D.
I’ll miss this team and the joy they’ve brought this year once it’s all done - let’s hope that’s after a parade!
Back 11/26/2025, Texas was up 20 points against the Bruins at halftime (slow starts sound familiar?). We can’t afford to have this happen tonight. Tough assignment considering Texas generally rotates nine players. Fatigue maybe a problem for the Bruins.
I agree. The starting 5 and Angela are going to give you everything so that's why Sienna more than ever needs to have a great game. Having a 2 person bench is huge if we want to play Sunday.
This team is an embodiment of Coach Wooden's teachings & his Pyramid of Success, and one of his finest students, Coach Close.
So here's to our beloved Coach from above, and our beloved Coach on earth, and the beautiful Lady Bruins who represent the 4 Letters with grace, gratitude, poise and competitive greatness 💙💛💙💛
In stark contrast, please watch this video of a TX player being interviewed and admitting to how dirty they play. Honestly, unreal...
Not only would I cry to the ref if my defender is pinching me, I'm going play extra physical and if the refs want to give me a flagrant so be it but my aggression will make her think twice about pinching again.
Coach Close and UCLA Women's Basketball follow The Might Bruins account. So I feel confident that they have seen this post.
My concern is that there is a lot of corruption behind the scenes that influences these refs... They allowed our team to be mauled by TX when they played the first time, and Lauren was injured.
It's 💯 disgusting behavior from this TX team and I have lost all respect for them. The fact that the TX coach allows it is even worse.
Kyla Oldacre is always talking smack. Our team knows her well. Not concerned about her smack as much as I am her playing ability. Last game played against Michigan she came off the bench and scored 12 points with 11 rebounds.
They have to find the sweet spot between intensity and anxiety at the start of the game. Last few games 1st Qtr shooting % was awful and defense looked unprepared. Midrange and long range shots were open for the opponents. Love how CC makes half-time adjustments.
I love the quote by Coach Close you included above. It sounds very much like Coach Wooden and how he defined success.
I have always thought that Coach Close struggled, compared to her peers, with the Xs and Os side of the game, particularly game planning, in-game adjustments, and substitution patterns. She has improved quite a lot in these areas (having great players helps that), but the thing I never worried about with her was how she supported her players and was building a culture that brought a team together. I think that particular aspect was on full display against Duke. Five years ago, I don't know if we would have come back in that game. Prior teams got rattled and tight and didn't seem to have the confidence in their game. But this year's team didn't blink or panic. They knew what they had in themselves and in each other and they knew the team would get the job done. And seeing the joy on their faces for their accomplishments was priceless.
As we get deeper in the tourney and our roster advantages get slimmer and the opposing tacticians are better prepared and responsive, it is this beautiful culture and joy of team that can buoy them through shooting slumps and deficits and bad calls and other adversity. Whether it will be enough to post a W is a basically a tossup among these Final Four teams, but this program has come so far, and I am extremely proud of Coach Close and all the women on this quintessential TEAM.
GO BRUINS!! 💙🏀💛
They’re a team of winners whatever the results this weekend. I think any of the final four teams can win the tourney, with maybe a slight edge to UConn. We’ll see what happens, but one thing that may have a big impact tomorrow is how the game is called. In November Texas got away with so much against Betts. Regardless, we’ll have to keep our heads and play our game. I think it may come down to our 3 pt shooting, as Betts will get points, but if we’re cold from outside they can add a double, and I’m not sure of our ability to attack off the dribble. If we’re hitting our shots the whole floor opens up. The other keys are rebounding and turnovers - we’ve been inconsistent in the tourney in these areas, but can’t let a quarter or 2 go by before we get it together. Lastly, when our D is working I think we’re close to unbeatable, so it would be good to see 4Q of effort on D.
I’ll miss this team and the joy they’ve brought this year once it’s all done - let’s hope that’s after a parade!
Back 11/26/2025, Texas was up 20 points against the Bruins at halftime (slow starts sound familiar?). We can’t afford to have this happen tonight. Tough assignment considering Texas generally rotates nine players. Fatigue maybe a problem for the Bruins.
I agree. The starting 5 and Angela are going to give you everything so that's why Sienna more than ever needs to have a great game. Having a 2 person bench is huge if we want to play Sunday.
Wonderful post, Joe 💙💛💙💛
This team is an embodiment of Coach Wooden's teachings & his Pyramid of Success, and one of his finest students, Coach Close.
So here's to our beloved Coach from above, and our beloved Coach on earth, and the beautiful Lady Bruins who represent the 4 Letters with grace, gratitude, poise and competitive greatness 💙💛💙💛
In stark contrast, please watch this video of a TX player being interviewed and admitting to how dirty they play. Honestly, unreal...
https://x.com/themightybruins/status/2039952985665810833?s=12
Not only would I cry to the ref if my defender is pinching me, I'm going play extra physical and if the refs want to give me a flagrant so be it but my aggression will make her think twice about pinching again.
Coach Close and UCLA Women's Basketball follow The Might Bruins account. So I feel confident that they have seen this post.
My concern is that there is a lot of corruption behind the scenes that influences these refs... They allowed our team to be mauled by TX when they played the first time, and Lauren was injured.
It's 💯 disgusting behavior from this TX team and I have lost all respect for them. The fact that the TX coach allows it is even worse.
Kyla Oldacre is always talking smack. Our team knows her well. Not concerned about her smack as much as I am her playing ability. Last game played against Michigan she came off the bench and scored 12 points with 11 rebounds.
Pinching is what a bully in school does. Yes, TX has talent, but KO is not very smart, and 💯 classless.
Our Lady Bruins know what a classless bunch of thugs the TX players are... I will never refer to them as 'Lady' Longhorns.
Good for Lauren Betts as she is standing up for what's right...
https://x.com/espnw/status/2040109538225824032?s=12