The UCLA women's basketball team struggled at times on Friday night against No. 16 seed Southern University. While the final score was lopsided, the performance itself left something to be desired for coach Cori Close and the Bruins.
There was already turmoil surrounding the program after UCLA was announced as the top overall seed in the NCAA Tournament, and Friday's performance did nothing to silence the notions that they were undeserving.
Fans on social media responded brutally to the Bruins' lackluster performance against Southern in the first round, indicating that the team's long-term outlook is bleak.
Fans sour on UCLA after poor performance against Southern
The comments about UCLA's performance started rolling in early as fans pointed out the Bruins' inability to deal with Southern's ball pressure early in the game.
Southern applying that pressure 😂 UCLA look so caught off guard!!!
— Carmen Alex (@CarmenAlex25) March 22, 2025
The No. 16 seed was not afraid from the opening tip, and despite starting slow, they managed to bounce back in the second quarter. After punching UCLA in the mouth a bit, the Bruins clung to a mere 12-point advantage at halftime, much to the dismay of one UCLA fan.
This is what pisses me off about ucla, the slow start https://t.co/4UX9KxDGig
— Mo’ 💕 (@AceTolulope) March 22, 2025
Other fans pointed out the general dysfunction that the team displayed tonight and commented on how much closer the game could have been if Southern just made a few more shots.
UCLA doesn't look that great against Southern. If Southern would have had a few more shots fall, UCLA would be fighting for their lives..
— Derrick (@ChicagoMadeMe) March 22, 2025
One fan also pointed out the free throw disparity between the two teams. While the foul count was not exactly even, fouling is generally a product of being beaten to a spot or being out of position, which Southern was frequently against a superior UCLA team on Friday night.
UCLA is winning comfortably but Southern has really taken it to them tonight
— Matt Dowell (@MattDowellTV) March 22, 2025
Free throws have really been the biggest difference. From the floor it’s been pretty even
Some fans called into question UCLA's viability as a contender by pointing out that the team struggled against such a low-seeded opponent.
I will say that Southern being able to hang in there with UCLA kinda telling pic.twitter.com/3KnwXsXcZ2
— m. (@_ctrlmj) March 22, 2025
Lastly, a fan pointed out some of the concrete issues that plagued the Bruins on Friday and emphasized how much they have to work on ahead of their second-round matchup.
If Southern had a little bit more on offense, they’d be winning this game. UCLA cannot create offense off the dribble against this SWAC school. Lack of foot speed, athleticism, and dribble creativity is keeping Southern in it. Oh and Southern is playing a hell of a defensive game
— Carter2x (@TulaneTiger) March 22, 2025
UCLA will have the chance to silence all of these doubters when they take on Richmond in the Round of 32 on Sunday. It will be a long road to the Final Four filled with many obstacles, and tonight was just one of them.
If I know anything about the Bruins and head coach Cori Close, this team will be back with a vengeance.