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UCLA Basketball: The women’s team 2017-18 season preview

By Mike Regalado

LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 12: General view of the exterior of Pauley Pavilion is seen prior to the start of the game between the Oakland Golden Grizzlies and the UCLA Bruins on November 12, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 12: General view of the exterior of Pauley Pavilion is seen prior to the start of the game between the Oakland Golden Grizzlies and the UCLA Bruins on November 12, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images) /
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2. Coaches, Roster and Projected Lineups

UCLA Women’s Basketball 2017-18 Coaching Staff

Head Coach – Cori Close

Assistant Coaches – Shannon Perry, Jenny Huth, Tony Newman

Director of Scouting/Player Development – Kory Barnett

Director of Operations – Pam Walker

Staff Associate – Debbie Haliday

Athletic Performance Coach – David Wood

Video Coordinator – Christian Blanks

UCLA Women’s Basketball 2017-18 Roster

Number Name Position Ht. Year
 0 Chantel Horvat G 6’1″ Fr.
1 Kayla Owens G 6’1″ Fr.
3 Jordin Canada G 5’6″ Sr.
 4 Ashley Hearn F 6’4″ Jr.
5 Lindsey Corsaro  G 6’1″ R-Fr.
10 Ally Rosenblum F 6’4″ So.
11 Lajahna Drummer F 6’1″  R-Jr.
21 Michaela Onyenwere F 5’11” Fr.
22 Kennedy Burke G 6’1″ Jr.
23 Kelli Hayes G 6’0″ Sr.
24 Japreece Dean G 5’6″ Jr.
25 Monique Billings F 6’4″ Sr.
32 Chrissy Baird G 6’1″ R-Jr.
32 Lauryn Miller F 6’1″ R-Jr.

Related Story: Kennedy Burke named to two Award watch lists

Projected Starting Lineup

  • G Jordin Canada
  • G Kelli Hayes
  • G Kennedy Burke
  • G Lindsey Corsaro
  • F Monique Billings

We are going to see a team that pushes the ball up and down the floor. With Canada at the helm, the Bruins will go, go, go.

Last season, UCLA put up 74.1 points per game which was 28th best in the nation. That number should stay the same, but I imagine it could increase with the core that the Bruins are returning this season. Canada and Billings are going to continue to be the primary scorers and until a team figures out a way to slow them down, they should once again be two of the top scorers in the Pac-12.

Getting points is not going to be a problem for the Bruins. Last year they were second in the Pac-12 behind Washington (85.0 ppg) who were led by Kelsey Plum who averaged a nation-leading 31.7 ppg. With Plum and Washington out of the way, UCLA will most likely be the new #1 in scoring offense.

But let us not forget scoring defense. The Bruins only allowed allowed 63.8 ppg (4th in the Pac-12). Under Close, the Bruins have run a very tight defensive ship. They have the ability to shut team down, but the Bruins strength is in their own scoring. This should (continue to) make for some fun basketball.