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UCLA Basketball: 10 Reasons to #PackPauley This Season

By Mike Regalado

Jan 13, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; General view of an NCAA basketball game between the Southern California Trojans and the UCLA Bruins at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 13, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; General view of an NCAA basketball game between the Southern California Trojans and the UCLA Bruins at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 14, 2016; Waco, TX, USA; UCLA Bruins head coach Cori Close on the sidelines during a game against the Baylor Bears at Ferrell Center. Baylor won 84-70. Mandatory Credit: Ray Carlin-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 14, 2016; Waco, TX, USA; UCLA Bruins head coach Cori Close on the sidelines during a game against the Baylor Bears at Ferrell Center. Baylor won 84-70. Mandatory Credit: Ray Carlin-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Cori Close Rising

It was a rocky start to Head Coach Cori Close’s tenure, but the Bruin coach has turned around her program in a big way.

In her first three seasons, Close had gone 14-16, 26-8 and 13-18. That roller coaster ride solidified in her fourth season when the Bruins had a strong finish to a season where expectations were not met.

UCLA did not make the NCAA Tournament but did accept a bid to play in the WNIT. The Bruins rolled in six straight games to capture the tournament championship behind a 31-point performance by freshman Jordin Canada. But that was just the beginning.

The Bruins are currently 9-2 and are looking do more damage going forward, especially when they get into Pac-12 play. At the beginning of the season, the Bruins were predicted to win their conference, which looks like a legimate projection. If Close has her team play all-out, we could be seeing even more success into the NCAA Tournament.