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

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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WESTWOOD, CA – DECEMBER 7: General view of the scoreboard and arena before the game between the Cal State Northridge Matadors and the UCLA Bruins on December 7, 2008 at Pauley Pavilion in Westwood, California. UCLA defeated Northridge 85-67. (Photo by Jeff Golden/Getty Images)
WESTWOOD, CA – DECEMBER 7: General view of the scoreboard and arena before the game between the Cal State Northridge Matadors and the UCLA Bruins on December 7, 2008 at Pauley Pavilion in Westwood, California. UCLA defeated Northridge 85-67. (Photo by Jeff Golden/Getty Images) /

5. 2016-17 Results

Overall: 25-9

Pac-12: 13-5

Home: 16-0

Away: 6-7

Neutral: 3-2

The UCLA Women’s Basketball team got off to a strong start last season by going 10-2 in the non-conference portion of the schedule. The only losses came in road games at traditional powers Baylor and South Carolina, who were ranked second and sixth respectively.

UCLA finished the season with a respectable 13-5 conference record, which was good for a fourth place finish behind Oregon State, Stanford, and Washington. After beating Arizona State in their opening game of the Pac-12 Tournament, the team was bounced in the second round by Oregon State.

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With an overall record of 25-9 and a Sweet Sixteen finish, it was a positive season for the Bruins, though expectations should be ramped up for next season with the return of potential All-Americans Jordin Canada and Monique Billings.

The Bruins were unbeatable at Pauley (literally) as they finished the season with a 16-0 record in Westwood including wins against Washington and Arizona State. There is room to improve on the road, where UCLA finished with a 6-7 record, though they did pick up a big win against Stanford at Maples Pavilion.

In the NCAA Tournament, UCLA earned a 3 seed but had the misfortune of being placed in the same bracket as UCONN. UCLA put up a good fight on the almighty huskies but ultimately fell to the Huskies who went all the way to the National Championship game and have won four of the last five championships.

It should be noted that the Bruins played three of the final four teams last season, (Stanford, UCONN, South Carolina) including the eventual national champion Gamecocks. UCLA went 1-2 in those games, which isn’t bad, and is good experience for the team as they try to take the next step this season.