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UCLA Basketball: Women’s team releases their non-conference schedule

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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The women’s UCLA basketball team released their non-conference schedule for the 2018-19 season and it comes with some marquee names.

It may be football season, but basketball season will be here before you know it. With that in mind, the UCLA basketball women’s team are getting ready for the 2018-19 season.

RELATED: UCLA Women’s Basketball Moves Into the Future

Head coach Cori Close can now properly prepare as her Bruins as they now know who they will be taking on during the non-conference portion of their upcoming season.

UCLA Women’s Basketball Non-Conference Schedule

  • Sat, Nov 3 vs Westmont (Exhibition)
  • Tue, Nov 6 at Loyola Marymount
  • Sun, Nov 11 vs Rice
  • Wed, Nov 14 vs Georgia
  • Sun, Nov 18 vs Seton Hall
  • Thu, Nov 22 vs North Carolina*
  • Fri, Nov 23 vs Kentucky*
  • Sat, Nov 24 vs USF*
  • Sun, Dec 2 vs Indiana
  • Fri, Dec 7 vs Fresno State
  • Sun, Dec 16 vs Oklahoma State
  • Wed, Dec 19 at UIC
  • Fri, Dec 28 vs Cal Poly

*Paradise Jam in the Bahamas

Last year, the Bruins went up against some big names in their non-conference schedule and it looks like they are going to be repeating that strategy in 2018.

UCLA has 12 non-conference games with one exhibition against Westmont. Seven of their games will be played at home in the world famous Pauley Pavilion. The Bruins only have two true road games at Loyola Marymount to start the season and at the University of Illinois, Chicago.

Close and her team will also travel to the Bahamas over the Thanksgiving weekend to take part in the Paradise Jam against North Carolina, Kentucky and South Florida.

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South Florida, along with Georgia, will be two of their tougher games as both teams finished last season ranked in the AP Top 25.

The Bruins also finish up a home-and-home series with Seton Hall and Oklahoma State, both of which will be played at Pauley.

The Bruins are looking to move forward after a strong 2017-18 season where they finished 27-8 and made the deepest postseason run (Elite Eight) since 1999. Unfortunately, they will have to do it without two of their superstars from last season, Jordin Canada and Monique Billings. Both are currently helping their respective pro squads in the WNBA Playoffs.

But the cupboard isn’t bare as the Bruins have a lot of talent returning which includes Japreece Dean, Lajahna Drummer, Kennedy Burke, Chantel Horvat and Michaela Onyenwere, just to name a few. UCLA also brings in 5-star guard Ahlana Smith who will help with backcourt depth. Overall, the Bruins should continue to be competitive and once again compete for the Pac-12 title. Go Bruins!