Profitable UCLA, USC taking energy and momentum into Pac-12 play
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Faculty basketball in Los Angeles has been having fairly a renaissance to start the 2022-2023 season.
Each UCLA and USC are rebounding after robust years by leaps and bounds, and start Pac-12 play Friday as contenders, who’re able to shake issues up. These on every group’s re-tooled rosters have developed nice chemistry each on and off the courtroom, which has translated to game-by-game progress.
And although coaches and gamers of each groups know they must work onerous for wins in a troublesome convention, they continue to be optimistic.
“Each (different group within the Pac-12) is basically good at dwelling, so we’ve bought our work reduce out for us,” Trojan coach Lindsay Gottlieb mentioned. “However I do just like the development that’s bought us to the place we’re proper now. It’s actually enjoyable to see.”
The Bruins stepped into 2021-2022 with 4 grad transfers, a handful of others who had sat out the earlier COVID-impacted season, or who had been injured, they usually had lots of optimism. However the gifted group struggled to search out on-court cohesion, and went 1-2 of their Thanksgiving vacation event. One other loss to UConn two weeks later bounced them out of the AP prime 25 for the primary time for the reason that 2015-2016 season.
UCLA’s subsequent 5 video games had been canceled resulting from well being and security protocols in each opponent applications and their very own, leaving them to complete nonconference play 5-3. Their first Pac-12 sport wasn’t till Jan. 9, they usually completed seventh in convention, with an total 18-13 file. They weren’t chosen for the NCAA Event for the primary time in six years, and reached the semifinals of the WNIT.
On the opposite aspect of city, Gottlieb had inherited a talented squad when she took over as head coach. They ran out to a 7-3 nonconference begin, and confirmed nice promise. However within the Pac-12, USC stumbled, and gained simply 5 video games the remainder of the way in which, to complete in tenth place with a 12-16 file.
After the season the Bruins graduated seven gamers, whereas USC noticed eight enter the switch portal. Replacements got here within the type of the nation’s No. 1 recruiting class for UCLA, and a various group of expert veteran transfers for the Trojans.
To say that each groups discovered their courtroom chemistry early and have exceeded expectations is an understatement – particularly for the Bruins, who re-entered the highest 25 after simply two weeks of play, and have since ascended to the highest 10. Their file is 12-1, with their lone loss to No. 1 South Carolina, who didn’t make a surge to win the sport till late within the fourth quarter.
“I’m happy with our progress,” coach Cori Shut mentioned. “In case you’d advised me initially of the 12 months that with 9 new gamers we’d be 12-1, beating 4 groups within the prime 50, I’d say ‘I’ll take that’ with this younger group……I’m excited to maintain teaching this younger group.”
USC was undefeated till going through their crosstown rivals Dec. 15, for his or her first Pac-12 sport. Although UCLA managed to drag out a 59-56 win, the Trojans made an announcement. They misplaced as soon as extra, to Texas, a number of days later, and enter convention at 10-2.
Gottlieb, who missed a while teaching simply earlier than the season after giving delivery to her daughter, is having fun with placing the items collectively.
“To try to mix lots of completely different gamers who come from applications with completely different types, that’s a enjoyable problem,” Gottlieb mentioned. “The truth that our solely different loss got here on the heels of the UCLA sport made us really feel like hey, we’ve bought a bit soul-searching to do. I feel the problem is nice for us.”
Main the way in which for the Bruins is senior guard Charisma Osborne, who’s averaging 18.1 factors, 6.5 rebounds and a couple of.7 assists per sport, as she is the group’s coronary heart, and vocal chief. No. 2 recruit Kiki Rice, who has began all 13 video games, has lived as much as her billing, averaging 12.3 factors, 4.8 rebounds, 3 assists, and nearly one block per outing.
Redshirt sophomore ahead Emily Bessoir, who sat out final 12 months with an damage, has stepped again into the beginning lineup to common 8.9 factors and 5.1 rebounds. Graduate switch guard Gina Conti, who was additionally out final 12 months with damage, has began 11 video games, and averages 6.8 factors and three.6 rebounds, as she provides an skilled presence within the lineup. Freshman ahead Gabriela Jaquez has come on robust of late, and averages 7.2 factors and 4.3 rebounds.
Freshmen Londynn Jones, Christeen Iwuala and Lina Sontag have all been impressively dependable off the bench, displaying flashes of brilliance. Senior Camryn Brown – the one one who has been in Westwood for 4 years in addition to Osborne – has began all video games resulting from her on-court poise, and her potential to information the youthful gamers.
USC’s transfers got here from 5 completely different conferences and ranging teaching philosophies, however had been in a position to gel shortly due to their maturity and expertise. Ahead Kadi Sissoko, from the Minnesota Gophers, has averaged a stable 16.4 factors and 6.4 rebounds per sport, whereas working mate Rayah Marshall, a sophomore ahead returner, has put up 13 factors and 10.3 boards. Future Littleton, from defending champion South Carolina, scores 12.3 factors, grabs 4 rebounds and dishes 4.3 assists per outing.
Different starters embody TCU switch Okoko Adika (6.8 factors, 5.3 rebounds) and Irvine switch Kayla Williams (5 factors, 2.3 rebounds and three.8 assists). Taylor Bigby, a freshman switch from Oregon, and senior returner Alyson Miura have been dependable scorers off the bench, as have returner Bella Perkins and Arizona switch ahead Koi Love.
Although they’ve grown visibly extra assured with every sport, UCLA nonetheless has in-game lapses. Shut mentioned they’re engaged on it.
“It’s our energy to get the ball and go quick and make folks guard us one-on-one, however the actuality is after we’re taking pictures increased percentages, that’s after we’re taking part in (collectively),” she mentioned. “We’ve had lots of video games now to have the ability to earn belief. Psychological focus is every part if you’re in these tight video games – not simply with ability and expertise, however with coronary heart and thoughts.”
The Trojans are studying psychological toughness within the type of perseverance, reasonably than giving up when issues don’t go their manner.
“We’re sharing the ball extra, and after one factor breaks down, we proceed to play via it,” sophomore heart Clarice Akunwafo mentioned.
Gamers from each groups say their closeness off the courtroom contributes to their selflessness between the traces. And they’re already wanting ahead to what’s certain to be a fiery half II of their season sequence, on Jan. 8.
However for now – each groups say they take video games one by one – No. 17 Oregon and gritty Oregon State are on faucet, because the California faculties put together for Friday and Sunday’s away matchups.
“We’ll be taught loads after we make our journey to Oregon,” Shut mentioned final week. “We’ll be taught from our habits……you’ve bought to do it with self-discipline, and never fouling.”
Gottlieb mentioned she and Shut are hopeful that the top-level play of their groups will encourage extra followers to return to video games.
“Cori and I are each dedicated to girls’s basketball in LA,” Gottlieb mentioned. “We wish folks to assume that that is the place to be, and to return once more.”
No. 10 UCLA visits the Geese Friday, whereas USC faces the Beavers.
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