UCLA hits the road this weekend to take on Pac-12 foes Utah and Colorado on Friday and Sunday respectively.
The Bruins (5-9, 1-2 Pac-12) are coming off one of their biggest second-half collapses of the season, as they allowed the Oregon Ducks to turn a seven-point halftime deficit into a 16-point victory. While UCLA has played the nation’s toughest schedule this season, Utah (6-7, 0-2) has faced No. 19 Nebraska and opened its Pac-12 season at Cal, which was ranked earlier in the season, and No. 15 Stanford. Both teams fell to Nebraska, but UCLA only lost by five points whereas Utah lost by 23.
Coach Cori Close said that the key to success this weekend comes down to how her team can bounce back from its loss against Oregon. She expects her team “to respond, and to grow, and to fight with everything we’ve got to be the best basketball team we can be.”
Rebounding has been one of the team’s main focuses recently. Redshirt junior forward Kacy Swain said that the Bruins are reiterating the importance of rebounding every practice and watching film on when they do it right and when they do it wrong. They were out-rebounded 50-42 against Oregon and allowed the Ducks to grab 16 offensive rebounds.
“We have the will for it, so now we just need to put it into practice,” Swain said.
Aggressive rebounding, especially on the offensive end will be important when the Bruins face the Utes’ Taryn Wicijowski who is third in the Pac-12 and No. 20 in the NCAA in defensive rebounds with 7 per game.
Redshirt sophomore guard Kari Korver said she expects to see her team improve its rebounding and is confident that her team can win the battle on the glass.
“We take a lot of pride in our rebounding,” Korver said. “We have a really deep bench and we have really athletic girls so we should be able to out-rebound the other team.”
The rebound battle won’t get any easier for UCLA when it travels to Boulder, Colo. on Sunday. The Buffaloes have averaged 46.8 rebounds per game, while the Bruins are behind with an average of 41.4.
However, Korver is not phased by the competition. The Bruins have faced the most difficult competition compared to any other team, facing six ranked teams including three of the top four teams in the nation.
“We always expect to see great teams but I know we can be a great team too. We had a rough game this past weekend but I know we can pick it up,” she said.
While rebounding is crucial, UCLA will also have to shoot better. It is coming off back-to-back games of recording a season low 25 percent shooting.
With regular starters junior guard Nirra Fields hampered by a sprained ankle and freshman guard Jordin Canada out with a concussion, the Bruins will have to utilize their deep bench. Former bench player freshman guard Recee’ Caldwell has stepped up in Canada’s absence and sophomore guard Dominque Williams has seen more playing time.
The Bruins also have numerous worthy options at center and forward including senior center/forward Corinne Costa, senior center Luiana Livulo, freshman forwards Monique Billings and Lajahna Drummer, and redshirt junior forward Kacy Swain. They make up the top-five shooters in terms of shooting percentage with at least 40 attempts. While the guard depth is a bit short at the moment, the options at forward have the ability to make up for it.
Close says the team must move past the injuries and focus on what it can control – such as the effort on the boards and focus on the court
“Rebounding is under our control, mental discipline is under our control, hustle and fight is under our control,” Close said. “We have to have more consistency and focus on the things under our control and not worry about the things that aren’t under our control.”