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UCLA Women’s Basketball Could Serve Up Some Sweet, Sweet (16) Justice

By Mike Regalado

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 /
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The UCLA Women’s Basketball team has to climb a mountain in the Sweet 16 as they face #1 Connecticut, and if they succeed, they will have avenged Coach John Wooden.

There is no way around it. The UCLA Women’s Basketball team have a difficult task in front of them this Saturday, March 25 int he NCAA Tournament. There is a very good chance that everyone outside of Westwood (and even then, possibly half of those among the Bruin faithful) would choose the UCONN to defeat UCLA.

And why is that? It could have something to do with the fact that UCONN Head Coach Geno Auriema is the most dominant college basketball coach since John Wooden.

In 32 years, Auriemma has a career head coaching record of 989-134 (.881). He has matched UCLA’s number of National Championships with 11. On top of that he has UCONN on run of 109 straight victories… the most in college basketball history.

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And although it should always be recognized as one of the greatest achievements in sports, it is a bit of a thorn in the side of UCLA Basketball fans.

You see, before the Huskies’ epic run, the record for most consecutive wins was held by the UCLA Men’s Basketball team at 88. Between 1970 and 1974, UCLA was unstoppable behind Wooden, especially with 3 National Championships in that span. That record seemed unattainable… until Auriiema got to Connecticut.

The Husky coach dd not just break the record, he shattered it. 21 games later, he is navigating (again) one of the greatest college women’s basketball teams to ever to take the court.

The UCLA Women’s Basketball team already have a lot to focus on, but for those that can hope for the best, if the Bruins beat the Huskies, not only will they have ended the greatest win streak in college basketball, but they would have defended the honor of John Wooden, whose streak was broken by UCONN.

Next: UCLA Has Both Women's and Men's Teams in the Sweet 16

It would also end the Huskies’ four year championship streak and would be the first time the UCLA Women make the Elite 8 since the 1998-99 season. Sure the Bruins are playing against all odds, but in every game, there has to be a winner, why can’t it be the UCLA Women’s Basketball team? Go Bruins! #ItStopsAt109