UCLA aims to end 47‑year drought vs. South Carolina
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- Cori Close said the team now anticipates opponents rather than reacting, a strategic shift from last year’s Final Four loss.
- UCLA beat Texas 51‑44 to secure its championship game berth, adopting a “businesslike” approach and not celebrating in the locker room.
- Gabriela Jaquez described the squad as “calm and confident,” emphasizing preparation and focus for the title game.
- Kiki Rice stressed that the team’s preparation will keep the prestige of a title game from distracting them from execution.
- South Carolina has reached six straight Final Fours and is playing its fourth national title game, presenting a veteran opponent for UCLA.
Why it matters: UCLA’s strategic, calm approach and experience from last year’s Final Four could help it break a 47‑year title drought, while South Carolina’s veteran pedigree makes the matchup a high‑stakes test for both programs. A win would give UCLA its first national championship since 1978, shifting the balance of power in women’s college basketball and altering recruiting dynamics for both schools.
