UCLA Women’s Basketball: A House of Cards Built on Last Season’s Glory, Ready to Collapse Under Pressure
ANAHEIM, Calif. – The UCLA women’s basketball team, ranked third in the nation, has entered the current season with high expectations, fueled by a remarkable 34-3 record from the previous year. Under the guidance of head coach Cori Close, the Bruins have set their sights on reclaiming the dominance they enjoyed throughout last season. Their journey commenced on November 3, 2025, at the Honda Center during the Orange County Hoops Classic, where they faced off against the San Diego State Aztecs.
The Aztecs, however, were not there to simply roll over. They came out with tenacity, showcasing a defensive strategy that kept the Bruins on their toes. By the end of the first quarter, the score stood at a close 12-9 in favor of UCLA, a stark contrast to the expectations set for a team that had previously dominated the court. This early struggle raised questions about whether UCLA could maintain the high level of performance that had characterized their previous season.
Coach Close expressed her belief in the team’s potential, acknowledging their hard work in the offseason. Yet, she was quick to point out that the effort displayed in practice did not translate to the game. “We did not carry that over with the level of excellence and focus and effort… was not there,” she stated. Close emphasized the need for humility and a return to the standards they had set for themselves, indicating that the team must learn from this experience to avoid complacency.
Despite the final score of 77-53 in favor of UCLA, the game revealed underlying issues that could impact their season. The score might suggest a comfortable win, but Close’s comments highlighted a disconnect between the team’s preparation and their performance on the court. The commitment to the “little things” that had been instrumental in their success last season was noticeably absent. These “passion plays,” as graduate guard Charlisse Leger-Walker referred to them, are critical for the Bruins’ success. The team tracks statistics beyond the conventional metrics, focusing on communication and hustle plays, which are essential for maintaining their competitive edge.
Leger-Walker’s return to the court was a significant moment, marking her first game as a Bruin after a lengthy recovery from an ACL injury. After transferring to UCLA in December 2024, she had to sit out last season. In her debut, she contributed 12 points and achieved a remarkable +31 rating, showcasing her potential impact on the team. Her experience and determination could be vital as the Bruins navigate the challenges of the season.
Another standout performance came from senior guard Gabriela Jaquez, who recorded a double-double with 15 points and a team-leading 11 rebounds. Jaquez’s ability to contribute both offensively and defensively adds a layer of versatility to the Bruins’ game plan. Her focus on hustle plays and rebounding reflects the team’s philosophy of hard work and dedication, which has been a hallmark of their success.
As UCLA progresses through the season, they must address the shortcomings highlighted in their opener. The Bruins have the talent and experience necessary to compete at the highest level, but the pressure to perform consistently will be immense. The expectations are not just about winning games; they are about living up to the legacy of excellence that has been established.
The challenges facing UCLA are not unique to them. Many teams entering a new season after a successful previous year often grapple with the weight of expectations. The pressure to replicate past success can lead to complacency, and the Bruins must guard against this pitfall. The journey ahead is long, and the lessons learned from their opener will be crucial as they aim to solidify their position as a national powerhouse.
The Bruins’ performance will be closely watched, not just by their fans but by the entire college basketball community. The narrative surrounding their season will evolve based on how they respond to this initial challenge. Will they rise to the occasion and prove their critics wrong, or will they falter under the weight of their own expectations?
As the season unfolds, UCLA women’s basketball will need to find a balance between embracing their past success and forging their own identity in the present. The road to redemption and continued excellence is fraught with obstacles, but the Bruins have the talent and determination to navigate the challenges ahead. The true test of their character and resolve will come in the weeks and months to follow, as they strive to uphold the standards that have defined their program.
ANAHEIM, Calif. – Expectations are high for no. 3 UCLA women’s basketball and head coach Cori Close this season, and they have good reason to be.
The Bruins dominated the college basketball world for most of last season, fighting their way to 34-3 overall record. Their final loss of the season was to the eventual national champion UConn Huskies, but now, with a rejuvenated roster headlined by senior center Lauren Betts, UCLA is back to striving for the dominance they enjoyed for so much of last season.
That quest began Monday night at the Honda Center, the usual ice of the Anaheim Ducks nowhere to be seen, and in it’s place, the hardwood court of the Orange County Hoops Classic featuring the Bruins facing off against the San Diego State Aztecs in the season opener.
The Aztecs proved they were no pushovers in the first quarter, batting hard on the defensive end, determined to not become the first victim of the Bruins’ reign of terror. When the first buzzer rang and SDSU trailed just 12-9, it looked like the Bruins could be facing a very different season than last year’s brilliance.
"I love this team. I believe in this team. They have prepared exceptionally well and have worked as hard as any team I’ve ever coached in the offseason," Close said of her team. "That being said, we did not carry that over to the game tonight. We did not carry that over with the level of excellence and focus and effort… was not there. We need to have a sense of humility coming back on Wednesday… that is not the standard in which we have set for ourselves."
The scorecard may not show that lack of effort that Close touched on with UCLA’s ultimate 77-53 win, but it’s the commitment to the little things that made UCLA so successful last season and propelled Close to Coach of the Year status.
Her players take note of those little things too, and and notice when they’re lacking.
"It’s the little things that we talk about everyday; the communication, the hustle plays; we have statistics that we track outside of the normal stats and we call them ‘passion plays," graduate guard Charlisse Leger-Walker said. "We didn’t hit those goals that we set for ourselves and when we don’t do that you can really tell that it transfers over into the game and what we’re seeing."
It was an extra special moment for Leger-Walker, who appeared in her first game as a UCLA Bruin after 600+ days of waiting. She transferred to UCLA in December of 2024, but sat out last season as a redshirt to recover from an ACL injury. In her first game as a Bruin she showed out for 12 points and a +31 rating.
Other standouts were senior guard Gabriela Jaquez with her team-leading 11 rebounds as part of a double-double with 15 points. Jaquez’s contributions inside the paint when it comes to scoring and boards offers key versatility to the UCLA offensive scheme and comes as an intrinsic part of her game.
John Panganiban-The Sporting Tribune
UCLA guard Gabriela Jaquez (11) driving into the lane during a Big 10 basketball game against SDSU, Monday, November 3rd, 2025 in Anaheim, California
"Putting in the work, shoutout to all the coaches that helped me through the offseason. Now, I’ve just been really focused on getting better and improving, but continuing to maintain what has gotten me here which is the hustle plays, the out-of-area rebounds, offensive rebounds. So, just continuing to do both," Jaquez said.
UCLA netted their first win of the season and showed glimpses of what’s made them so elite in the past. But, as Close indicated, there is still a lot of room for improvement and a long season of work ahead.