UCLA coach Cori Close calls to her team from the bench during the first half of the team’s NCAA college basketball game against Arizona State in the Pac-12 tournament, Friday, March 3, 2017, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
UCLA women’s basketball head coach Cori Close roped in the nation’s No. 1 recruiting class in 2014 and those highly touted freshmen are now seniors. Coming off the school’s first back-to-back trips to the Sweet 16, those senior leaders are hoping to make their final ride the best one yet.
“It’s why I came here, is to create a legacy with these girls,” senior guard Jordin Canada said. “Hopefully we can continue that.”
The No. 8 Bruins are the favorite to win the Pac-12 with four returning starters, led by Canada and fellow senior Monique Billings. They start their season Friday at home against San Jose State at 7 p.m.
From our women’s basketball preview:
- If the Bruins can conquer vanguard, their taxing transition offense drill, they can conquer anything
- 5 games to watch, including two marquee matchups against top-3 teams at home
- Get to know the team at a glance