Were my eyes deceiving me in the UCLA - Oklahoma game? Betts takes (and makes) the first shot of the game from the top of the key? And brings the ball up the length of the court later in the game? And has an excellent contest against a perimeter shot, maybe more than once? It’s like Lauren has taken seriously the idea that she needs to expand her game beyond the paint for the next level. And she really did look a bit quicker than last season.
Apparently Coach Close has been telling her players that with their current skills none of them would be the first option on any team in the W. That may have motivated something in them. Kneepkens, too, who showed off some serious skills off the dribble, breaking a few ankles and getting to the rim.
It was a really competitive game, close most of the way with UCLA opening a lead whenever Beers was off the floor. Cori played her starters + Dugalic for 30 or more mins. This was apparently not a moment to develop her bench. I guess both teams, but especially UCLA, were coming off very public spankings from UConn in the tournament and had something to prove to themselves. And the fact is UCLA’s game looked more open, more aggressive than last season. I’d say hats off to both coaches for reimagining and reinvigorating their squads for the new season. Cori even started 4 guards plus Betts.
One last note: still no little Betts for this game, and no Gardner. And Kiki looked a bit slower than usual — is she coming back from offseason surgery? Leger-Walker was able to pick up the slack, though even she seemed a little slower than her peak seasons. The good news for UCLA is that Kneepkens and Dugalic looked better than they ever have. Once everyone is fully healthy this is looking to be a formidable and fired up roster.
