Now in her 14th season with the UCLA women's basketball program, coach Cori Close is in the Elite 8 for the third time in the NCAA tournament. In an emotional game last year, the LSU team that prevented the Bruins from making it this far last year will now be the opponents on Sunday.
Making it to the latter stages of the tourney deserves a tremendous amount of credit. Falling out of March Madness now would be a loss to a good opponent at this stage and only shows how much quality there is in college basketball.
Case in point, the last time UCLA made it this far was in 2018. That year saw the likes of Jordin Canada and Monique Billings leading the charge. That roster ultimately fell to Mississippi State in the Elite 8. Their journey ended at the stage of March Madness.
Now nearly seven years removed, coach Close will seek to advance her group at least a step further. Winning on Sunday could see either UConn or USC in the Final Four. Most likely South Carolina or Texas would be meeting the eventual winner from there on the other side.
In a crowded field at the top, every matchup moving forward could see anyone going home. There is a reason, however, that the field selected this UCLA team as the overall No. 1 seed. Not only does Coach Close have a talented group, but the rotations appear able to adjust and take advantage of any matchup the opposing side throws at them.
Between being able to play a more guard-focused offense or feeding Lauren Betts down low, this year's tourney run has a lot of potential to go the distance. That will only be possible if everyone plays at the level that they are capable of. So far, through three games in the national postseason, this has been the case.
A seven-year absence from the Elite 8 will mean a hungry group that hasn't been at this stage before. They may not have immediate experience from this point of the tournament on, but they have paid their dues and are in a great position to keep advancing.
Journey only starting for UCLA women's basketball
With a good mixture of veterans who have played in big-time games and young supplementary talent, Coach Close will have her team ready to face the upcoming LSU challenge. These opportunities do not come along often, as can be seen by the latest drought of making it this far.
From last season's heartbreak to the amount of work these players have put in to be still playing, they'll look to ensure that they stay in the dance. With the amount of talent that Coach Close is annually bringing in to the program, it's doubtful that it will be another seven years, but this group will want to make the most of 2025.
The added chip on the shoulder of others attempting to diminish their top status can also serve as a minor point of motivation. In truth, however, the UCLA women's basketball team making it to the Final Four is enough of a driving factor.