Baylor vs UCLA

[Plebe]

I don't have the PAC-12 so I'm following along through the ESPN app. But I can see Baylor is only 1-4 from 3, why hasn't UCLA gone to a zone to slow Brown down. Is Close that bad at in game adjustments??

She has adjusted their defense and it’s helped to prevent the pass from the perimeter to the low block. But a lot of Brown’s points in the second half have come from offensive boards.

 

[HuskyFan1125]

Bruins are gonna win. Other than rankings i personally don’t think this is an upset. Baylor was ranked too high IMO.

 

[Charliebball]

Oh, it's LA, and they always have far better things to do, unless Jack Nicholson is sitting in the front row and folks come to oogle at the glitterati.

UCLA will be a real challenge. It will be interesting how Geno tries to defend against Canada: whether primarily Crystal or Kia; heck, I'm thinking even Megan may get some minutes against her. But wondering whether Geno doesn't go to a zone because of Z, or some type of man-to-man zone. I have to believe that there's a Husky scout out there in the stands today.

Geno certainly has a lot of extra fouls to give if he wants to throw the freshmen into the fire against Canada.............

 

[JordyG]

Bruins are gonna win. Other than rankings i personally don’t think this is an upset. Baylor was ranked too high IMO.

This is a far better team with Cox, and although their weakness is speed and athleticism they'll be there come NCAA time. Trust me.

 

[Plebe]

Ha closing seconds here and the UCLA student section (what there is of it) started chanting “We want UConn.”

I dare say this is UCLA’s biggest win in recent program history.

 

[Charliebball]

I usually would root against Baylor but not under these circumstances............very tough for the players to deal with the tragic news.............I wouldn't make any judgments about the team based on this game

 

[HuskyFan1125]

Ha closing seconds here and the UCLA student section (what there is of it) started chanting “We want UConn.”

I dare say this is UCLA’s biggest win in recent program history.

Yes! I think a signature win for the Bruins.

 

[MilfordHusky]

Ha closing seconds here and the UCLA student section (what there is of it) started chanting “We want UConn.”

I dare say this is UCLA’s biggest win in recent program history.

Watch what you wish for!

 

[MilfordHusky]

I'm not sure that UCLA isn't the #2 or #3 team.

 

[Wbbfan1]

Great Win for UCLA. Baylor missed their fiery head coach; Kim Mulkey; as she would have had her sideline antics to get her players to play harder. Don't know if it would have helped today. Baylor needs to find some consistent outside shooters, so that Brown is not 60% of their offense. Baylor ball handlers had problems with UCLA's pressure defense. Didn't think Baylor played that well and IMO should have been a more dominating win for UCLA. This was a 4 point game with 6 minutes left to play.

The UCLA vs UConn game should be an interesting one on Tuesday night. I'll be surprised if its a blow out in UConn's favor. UCLA is a very talented team with enough players to keep the game interesting. Game is on ESPNU and I believe start time is 10:30 PM. I hope Katie-Lou is able to play.

 

[Charliebball]

I'm not sure that UCLA isn't the #2 or #3 team.

let's see if they can get past Oregon who's pretty good and going to be really stacked next year

 

[RockyMTblue2]

Ha closing seconds here and the UCLA student section (what there is of it) started chanting “We want UConn.”

I dare say this is UCLA’s biggest win in recent program history.

They'll be sky high come UConn game time. If only we had Katie Lou 100%. But also a wonderful opportunity for Z to explode.

 

[MilfordHusky]

let's see if they can get past Oregon who's pretty good and going to be really stacked next year

Stanford could finish 3rd or 4th in the conference. I remember when they dominated. Since Chiney left and the other teams got better, there's a lot of parity. Oregon and UCLA look tough.

 

[Plebe]

Yes! I think a signature win for the Bruins.

Repaid Baylor for last year’s loss in Waco.

 

[Husky fanatic]

Baylor seems to lack good guard play. Deny the entry pass to Kalani and you take away half their offense. Missing Cox and their coach didn’t help, but overall they just didn’t look like a top 10 team.

 

[bballnut90]

I'm not sure that UCLA isn't the #2 or #3 team.

Agreed. UCLA was one of the only teams in the country that didn't suffer major losses and it showed tonight against Baylor. Baylor was over ranked to start the season, and they need Cox back. More importantly, they need their perimeter players to improve otherwise they're a one trick pony with Brown.

UCLA should have a pretty cushy schedule after UCONN until conference play starts. Home and aways with Stanford, Oregon, Oregon State and Cal, plus the conference tournament will all be tough tests for UCLA.

 

[nwhoopfan]

At the game now. Kalani Brown is the Liz Cambage of women’s college basketball. She is HUGE. Billings is 6’4” but looks like an elf standing next to Brown. I wouldn’t be surprised if she gets 35 points in this game.

Well that was pretty prophetic. Only missed it by 2 points. Good win for UCLA.

 

[nwhoopfan]

let's see if they can get past Oregon who's pretty good and going to be really stacked next year

It's kind of now or never for UCLA, Canada and Billings are Seniors. Oregon looks good for the next 3 years at least. I keep saying though, don't forget about Oregon St. They might not win the conference this year but should still be tough and then get a big boost when Slocum is eligible next year.

 

[Canuck]

Agreed. UCLA was one of the only teams in the country that didn't suffer major losses and it showed tonight against Baylor. Baylor was over ranked to start the season, and they need Cox back. More importantly, they need their perimeter players to improve otherwise they're a one trick pony with Brown.

UCLA should have a pretty cushy schedule after UCONN until conference play starts. Home and aways with Stanford, Oregon, Oregon State and Cal, plus the conference tournament will all be tough tests for UCLA.

Agreed. I really like Brown but take her out of the equation and Baylor is, as my ole' southern grandma used to say, " fair to middlin".

 

[SCGamecock]

This is the 2nd Baylor game I’ve watched this season and it’s early still but I’ve noticed this team reaaaaaally struggles with teams that like to get up and down the court. If your team relishes in getting up and down the court and attacking the basket or hitting transition threes then you’ll give them fits because they DO NOT get back on defense. They seem like a half court offense kinda team (reminded me of our ‘15-‘16 team that was a half court team and struggled all season long with teams that like to play fast, eventually losing to one in the S16). Brown is very improved and this is her team but their talent is definitely in their youth, with Cox and the Freshman. Their young guards need to run a little bit. Speed up the tempo a bit and I could see Morris and Ursin THRIVING. I was surprised at how quick and uptempo UCLA is. Billings and Canada are lethal.. and Billings added a midrange jumper to her arsenal, making her more dangerous. I think she’s the most agile true post in the country.. I like UCLA a lot right now..

On another note.. This will be very good Baylor squad in a about two years with those young guards and that 2018 class that comes in.. they’re gonna get up and down the floor with ease.

 

[Plebe]

A few thoughts after getting back from the game and perusing the stats:

• Canada was a nothing short of dynamic, with 20 points and 13 (yes, thirteen) assists. Billings and Burke came up huge with 21 and 19 points, respectively. Billings had a lot of success with the 12- to 15-foot jumper in the high post. On the defensive side, Burke, Billings, and Drummer combined for 8 blocks.
  
  
• Baylor won the rebounding battle by a large margin (45 to 30, and 21 to 11 on O-boards) but UCLA won the turnover battle (17-10), and a couple of those were live turnovers that UCLA converted to points in the critical stretch of the 4th quarter.
  
  
• Billings was working her hiney off trying to guard Brown and did what she could to prevent her from catching the ball down low. But it looked like a molehill trying to guard a mountain. I can't overemphasize how imposing a presence Kalani Brown is in the paint, and she is only beginning to grow into her game. She has a massive upside and potential for professional and international competition.
  
  
• Dekeiya Cohen of Baylor is, I believe, quietly emerging as a major piece for Baylor. Her shot wasn't great today but she had 14 rebounds and 4 assists.
  
  
• The battle between Jordin Canada and Kristy Wallace was great to watch. Wallace is a Kia Nurse-type player who plays gritty defense and does many great things that don't show up in the box score. But she finished with 0 points, 1 assist, and 4 turnovers, and she was yanked early in the 4th quarter never to return.

 

[Plebe]

One more thing:

I was really puzzled by the timeout Baylor called with about 7:00 left in 4Q. They had just closed the lead from 11 to 4 points and had all the momentum. UCLA was looking out of sorts and Baylor had just gotten a stop and a defensive rebound. It ended up just killing all their momentum and they were then outscored 20-10 the rest of the way.

 

[Plebe]

Did they announce attendance? Looks like about 3K if that many.

ESPN site is showing official attendance figure at 3,912.

As a reference, last year UCLA averaged 2,263 in its home games.

 

[bballnut90]

It's kind of now or never for UCLA, Canada and Billings are Seniors. Oregon looks good for the next 3 years at least. I keep saying though, don't forget about Oregon St. They might not win the conference this year but should still be tough and then get a big boost when Slocum is eligible next year.

Agreed. This is their best shot with Billings/Canada....take those two out of the equation and they're likely a midrange PAC team.

 

[HGN]

Oh, it's LA, and they always have far better things to do, unless Jack Nicholson is sitting in the front row and folks come to oogle at the glitterati.

UCLA will be a real challenge. It will be interesting how Geno tries to defend against Canada: whether primarily Crystal or Kia; heck, I'm thinking even Megan may get some minutes against her. But wondering whether Geno doesn't go to a zone because of Z, or some type of man-to-man zone. I have to believe that there's a Husky scout out there in the stands today.

Bags , I'm thinking that Geno is going to leave guarding Canada up to Kia primarily. With some Crystal thrown in as a change up.

 

[HuskyFan1125]

Calling it now!!!

Baylor and UCLA will be in same bracket for NCAA!!

Committee likes to do ridiculous things like that. Ya know, play someone again after you already have in your season.

 

[donalddoowop]

Baylor's guards never seemed to realize that Billings is a great shot blocker.

 

[EricSD]

I was at the game today. Kudos to UCLA. Not overly well attended, but the fans got a treat. Honestly, I'm not sure Cox would have made much of a difference. Baylor's guard play leaves much to be desired. Brown was a beast, but the rest of the team was slow compared to UCLA's athleticism.

Canada is just terrific. Billings is like a pogo stick, and Burke has improved a lot. UCLA just had more weapons. We will see how they do against UCONN. I like our chances. But it will be a terrific test.

 

[Plebe]

This is from the ESPN recap:

"UCLA beat a top-three team for the first time since 2008, ending an 0-22 skid against such teams. That win came over then-No. 2 Stanford, 69-56, at Pauley Pavilion."

I can echo Eric's comment. It was a really exciting game to watch. The attendance wasn't huge, but the crowd reactions were intense in that 4th quarter when UCLA got some run-out buckets after blocks or steals on the defensive end.

 

[Plebe]

Well that was pretty prophetic. Only missed it by 2 points. Good win for UCLA.

I'm pretty sure Brown had 8 points in the first 5 minutes of the game. At that rate she was on pace to score over 60.