LOS ANGELES — The UCLA women’s basketball team is approaching its greatest pair of tests in Big Ten play with away games at Michigan on Sunday and Michigan State on Wednesday. The Bruins are preparing for these matchups, point guard Kiki Rice said, as if they were Elite Eight or Final Four games.
But UCLA (22-1, 12-0 Big Ten) has a distinct advantage.
“We have the advantage in the post and size-wise,” head coach Cori Close said. “Against both teams.”
The top four producers for the Wolverines (20-3, 11-1) are guards. Sophomore Mia Holloway is the table-setter. Sophomore Olivia Olson brings the scoring punch, and at 6-foot-1, leads Michigan in rebounding.
Michigan State (19-4, 8-4) packs a little more height with the nifty, 6-3 Grace van Slooten. But the Spartans’ next four highest scorers are all guards. Kennedy Blair grabs 7.1 rebounds per game despite being 5-9.
“We definitely need to win the paint battle,” Close said. “That can happen in a lot of different ways.”
Close expects both the Wolverines and Spartans to trap the ball and press to negate the size disparity. The Bruins focused on actions to counter that pressure.
Certainly center Lauren Betts will be the focal point of the game plan on both sides — scoring over shorter opponents on offense; offering backside help, and rim protection on defense. Her output is a given.
UCLA could further increase that advantage if the younger Betts continues to progress. Sienna Betts has played more than 20 minutes in each of the last three games, averaging 9.3 points and 5.7 rebounds.
At Friday’s practice, Close praised Sienna Betts’ post seals and soft hands when catching entry passes. She’s most impressed, however, with the freshman’s determination to continue developing.
“She doesn’t mind being challenged,” Close said. “I know how good she wants to be. And at the same time, she has a deep desire to be there for our team, and earn trust with our coaching staff. It’s a healthy tension. I’m trying to push her to the edge. I’m trying to help her find gears inside of her that even she doesn’t know she has yet. And sometimes, she has to experience some failure in order to find those gears.”
There was plenty of failure at Friday’s practice. During live action against the practice players, Rice targeted Betts in the post, but a weak seal allowed her defender to wrap an arm around and steal the pass. A few possessions later, she caught the ball down low, and had sloppy footwork, resulting in a travel.
Close stopped play, chastising her. Betts gazed back with angst, momentarily annoyed with her coach. But after practice, in the Bruins’ ritual circle, Close reminded Betts of why she’s constantly on her.
“I push you so hard because I believe in you so much,” Close said. “You are really improving.”
“Coach is hard on her because she’s super good and because she has high standards for herself,” Rice said.
Her continued improvement will be crucial against the Wolverines and Spartans.
UCLA’s size can also factor in on the glass. The Bruins rank first in the Big Ten in defensive rebounding, grabbing 42.7 per game, and third in offensive rebounding with 14. Close expressed displeasure with that latter category.
During an offensive play at Friday’s practice, Rice missed a jump shot, Betts had a chance for a tip-in, but a practice player beat her to the ball. Later on, a long rebound trickled to the right wing and a practice player beat Gianna Kneepkens to the ball.
“We should be a dominant offensive rebounding team,” Close said, pausing the drill. “We are so tentative.”
How can they improve in that facet ahead of these upcoming games?
“Tracking the ball, going up strong, not just tipping it out,” forward Angela Dugalic said. “When you’re grabbing the ball. Show that extra hustle, extra effort.”
To preserve their undefeated conference record through this road trip, that effort in every category is crucial. But knowing they have the advantage in size, the Bruins need to maximize that as much as possible.
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