UCLA women’s basketball coach Cori Close eyeing school history

Every win the UCLA women's basketball team has earned this season has been one that adds to the historical legacy of head coach Cori Close and her team. Eight games into the season, the Bruins have already accomplished historical firsts for the program. 

Last Sunday, the Bruins became the first team in the 51-year history of the program to defeat a No. 1 team with their 77-62 victory over South Carolina. The next day, they became the first women’s basketball team in UCLA history to be ranked No.1 in the Associated Press poll. 

The Bruins (8-0) have since added a 70-49 win over Hawaii on Sunday in the Rainbow Wahine Showdown in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Why it matters

The collegiate women's basketball game has changed so much over the years. UConn and Tennessee were the dominant programs for over two decades, but is no longer a two-team sport. 

In the past 20 years, we have seen South Carolina, Stanford, Notre Dame, Baylor, LSU and Iowa make their presence known on a national level. The more championship teams there are, the better it is for the sport. UCLA is ready to be the "next" power on the women's basketball landscape, and this season can be the one where it shows it.

Changing the conversation

When the casual fan mentions UCLA basketball, the men's program often comes to mind. Eleven national titles will give you that instant and deserved recognition. Close, who is in her 14^th year as head coach of the Bruins, wants to change that and have the women's program also earn the respect as a basketball power.

With each game this season, she is getting closer to that goal. In 51 years, the Bruins have only won one national title in 1978. Close wants to make it two for the program, and the team's early season success could be a preview of what is to come in March.

Shaping a new culture for the program

Close’s work hard, play hard mentality defined her as a player and has continued as a coach in her career at UC Santa Barbara, Florida State and UCLA. It has led to success in each chapter of her basketball life, culminating with her building a powerful team that has been a perennial NCAA Tournament qualifier eight times over the past 14 years.

Currently, the Bruins have two players who are making a name for themselves on the national level. Freshman point guard Elina Aarnisalo is tied for 14^th nationally in assists, averaging 6.3 per game. Junior center Lauren Betts is tied for 12th in the country in averaging 10.9 rebounds and is tied for 35th in the country in averaging 2.1 blocks per game.

They provide UCLA with a diversified attack inside and outside the lane, making them a team hard to defend and score against. The Bruins have size and speed and can attack and defend from all areas of the court.

More challenges on the way

The Bruins have a lot of challenges in front of them as they aim for their first national title since 1978. 

They are in their first year in the Big Ten conference, which is a highly competitive one. Last season, eight league schools made the NCAA Tournament, and six are currently nationally ranked. The Bruins will be playing a large number of teams with different styles of play than they are used to. 

It will be an experience that will only test them as they get prepared for the postseason in March.