Simply the Best

[Gael]

Wow! There is no doubt who was the best team this season.

UCLA dominated the Big Ten, the SEC and the basketball world . . . with a prodigiously impressive NC finale. Offhand, I can't recall a better balanced rotation of seven players. They had scoring threats at every position, rebound power, unselfish assisting, hustle, and timely individual self-creativity. All season, I thought UCLA had the best rotation of offensive players, but they also demonstrated a stifling defense in the Final Four.

Cori Close, a very effective assistant to Sue Semrau at FSU for seven seasons, did a brilliant job as UCLA's head coach of recruiting high school talent and transfers to build this season's juggernaut. Congrats to her and her team. She'll have to rebuild next season, but this is her moment in the sun.

 

[EricSD]

Congratulations to UCLA. If it wasn't going to be UConn, I am glad it was UCLA. I'm guessing this will put to rest the drumbeat of "Close isn't a great coach, does less with more, etc.".

It was very satisfying seeing SC smacked down again in a NC game. Every UCLA senior played really well, especially Jaquez. It was a very entertaining game to watch.

 

[pacific 44]

Close can't coach? She was the best coach at the final four and it wasn't even close.

 

[nwhoopfan]

Every UCLA senior played really well, especially Jaquez.

I've been aware of her for years, but really grew to appreciate her more this season. I think she's pretty close to having maximized her capabilities. Not many players do that. Not even sure that she will carve out a spot in the WNBA, but I could see her being the ultimate hustle/glue player for somebody.

 

[bbsamjj]

I will say, I really thought each of the 4 teams in Phoenix could win the title. SC and UCLA both had to scrap out ugly wins in the semifinals. And then UCLA looked like the best version of themselves today.

Betts and Rice were the #1 and #2 players in their classes coming out of HS--now they have the title they've been striving for their entire careers.

 

[Floridaduck]

Of all the players that Oregon brought in with Fab Five class of 2020 losing Angel Dugalic broke my heart the most. She left after Freshman year. Parrish, Scherr, and Watson after two. And PaoPao after three.

So happy for Angela that she found a great fit and a National Championship. I think only Jacquez and Rice of the 6 seniors came into UCLA as recruits

 

[MSSportsGuy]

Close has her critics and rightfully so. One title won’t stop all the conversations but it’s clear they were the best team this season.

Their core 6 didn’t all start with UCLA but all of them seem selfless and appear to genuinely like each other. Congrats to them.

 

[willtalk]

As too which coach, in the final four, did the best job of preparing and coaching her team, the final score reveals the answer and it wasn't Close.

 

[WBBTakeover]

Imagine that! The team with the most Q1 wins won the title.

Congrats to UCLA! They were the best team all season long.

 

[sun]

I'm especially happy for Kiki. She never seemed to get any accolades despite consistemtly being one of the best scoring PG's in the nation.