Even in the final stretch of the season, UCLA women’s basketball will need to accomplish some firsts in order to keep its season alive.
It’s win or go home as UCLA begins its quest for a Pac-12 title and an NCAA Tournament berth against the University of Arizona on Thursday at 2 p.m. in the first round of the Pac-12 tournament.
The Bruins must win four games in a row – a streak they have not reached all season – to win the Pac-12 tournament and secure a spot in NCAAs. Should they make it past the unranked Wildcats, at least one – if not all three – of the subsequent games will be against ranked opponents. UCLA was 0-10 against ranked teams during the regular season.
However, the Bruins aren’t overlooking their first-round game against the Wildcats (10-19, 3-15 Pac-12).
“We are approaching it with the urgency that it deserves,” said coach Cori Close. “We think that Arizona is a much better team than they showed the first time.”
UCLA (12-17, 8-10) defeated Arizona 75-41 on Feb. 22 in its last home game of the season. During the blowout, the Bruins’ top three scorers – guards freshman Jordin Canada, redshirt sophomore Kari Korver and junior Nirra Fields – each did not surpass 20 minutes on the floor.
“We are ready to give everything we have and we are preparing as hard as we can for Arizona and will hopefully be ready for three more games after that,” Korver said.
While months of film sessions, drills, conditioning and game experience have brought UCLA to this point, mental focus is how the team plans to survive beyond tomorrow.
“What we are trying to do is get our minds focused on the right thing,” Close said. “At this time of year, you already know what your strengths are, you just have to play to your strengths.”
Close said the short turnaround following Saturday’s regular-season finale at Washington did not allow for her team to make major adjustments. The team only had one full practice between playing the Huskies and starting the Pac-12 tournament. Instead, she said if her team stays mentally sharp, she thinks its strengths will out-shine its weaknesses.
The players’ eagerness to extend their season and prove they are NCAA-tournament material spurs on that mental focus.
“Our energy is very upbeat and we are excited about the opportunity to go to the Pac-12 tournament and win four games,” said senior forward/center Corinne Costa. “We all just need to step up and get the job done.”
Last weekend, when the Bruins were in Alaska Airlines Arena facing the Huskies, they struggled with offensive consistency. Korver said the team has practiced getting the ball inside with its guards and posts, such as Costa. But that is just the first step.
“We have to do a better job of finishing and making those layups and other shots that we are capable of making,” Korver said.
Earlier in the season, Close focused on strengthening the team’s player-to-player defense because of the 3-point efficiency of its Pac-12 opponents. However, she did not specify which defensive setup the team will primarily use in Pac-12s, saying the team’s mental focus its more important than its defensive layout.
“It doesn’t matter what defense we play,” Close said. “It is about our collective mental focus that will allow us to take away the 3-point line.”
Even though Arizona ranks last in the conference in both 3-point percentage and 3-pointers made per game, UCLA’s potential opponent in the quarterfinal – No. 19 Stanford – ranks fourth and third in those respective categories.
“At this time of year, if you don’t take away your opponent’s first and second options, it is going to be a short postseason,” Close said.
In such a stacked field, there is little margin for error for the Bruins. Their ability to continue the defensive consistency they’ve found recently and find the offensive consistency they’ve been lacking will likely decide whether they’ll be in the field of 68 or not.