No. 1 UCLA expects to be examined when it opens Massive Ten play in Seattle in opposition to Washington on Sunday.
The Bruins (8-0) obtained a style of what it’s prefer to be essentially the most hunted crew in ladies’s basketball throughout the Rainbow Wahine Showdown in Hawaii.
“I was thankful to have a hostile crowd,” UCLA coach Cori Shut mentioned of the group in Hawaii. “It’s going to be more so that way at UW this weekend. … They’re a really good team. We have a huge target on our back now, so I was thankful for the adversity and what that forced us to face.”
The Bruins will face a crew that has overcome adversity. Coming off a 16-15 marketing campaign in 2023, revamped Washington (7-2) has hit the bottom operating.
“They’ve added a lot more dimension to their offense this year,” Shut mentioned. “That really good recruiting class last year is now a year older, and they’re all together, so they have really good chemistry.”
Washington’s solely hiccups had been an early 82-68 street loss to Montana and a 67-68 street loss to No. 5 Louisiana State, a sport which the Huskies led for nearly all 4 quarters earlier than falling within the closing seconds.
Washington is led by prime scorer Sayvia Sellers (14.8 ppg), a key member of the Huskies’ robust 2023 recruiting class. Shut famous that Sellers has proven vital enchancment, notably in her capability to drive and rating effectively in transition.
“They definitely have our respect and our attention,” Shut mentioned.
The street forward for the Bruins doesn’t get any simpler, with 9 Massive Ten groups ranked within the newest Related Press Prime 25 ballot.
UCLA is responding to that problem by pushing to enhance, transferring past its early upset of then-No. 1 South Carolina.
“The answer to every question is, get better,” Shut mentioned. “This week, we’re really trying to not be such ball watchers … too much standing around and watching the ball. We want to have much more efficiency and activity.”
Rice replace
UCLA coach Cori Shut talks with Bruins Kiki Rice, heart, and Lauren Betts, proper, throughout the crew’s win over South Carolina at Pauley Pavilion on Nov. 24.
(Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Occasions)
Junior level guard Kiki Rice returned from Hawaii along with her groove totally restored, Shut mentioned. Rice, who missed the primary few video games due to a lingering shoulder damage, has regained the shape that made her one of many Bruins’ prime three scorers the final two seasons.
“Obviously, I wanted to come back in time to play for the South Carolina game,” Rice mentioned. “It was tough for that to be my first full game back, but I think having those three games in Hawaii definitely got my feet under me.”
Rice’s efficiency was a spotlight of the three-game sequence for Shut. The coach mentioned it was clear Rice regained her swagger and now not seemed tentative, capturing with confidence.
Getting on the court docket was a battle for Rice, who needed to weigh her need to play in opposition to the potential hurt in returning too quickly.
“I’m feeling a lot better,” Rice mentioned. “As every game goes on and every week of practice, I just have more time getting involved in everything, [and] just feeling comfortable out there and back to myself.”
Rice’s return from damage, starting along with her first sport in opposition to Arkansas, has been a gradual course of. After enjoying restricted minutes in opposition to the Razorbacks, she has had extra freedom on the court docket, averaging 13.3 factors on 60.6% capturing, 3.5 assists and 1.8 steals per sport.
Regardless of the emergence of Finnish freshman guard Elina Aarnisalo, Rice has averaged 22.8 minutes since her return. Shut has emphasised the significance of restoration and taking time to chill out, however Rice nonetheless is attempting to work on capturing drills after apply.
“I just talked to her about it about five minutes ago and said, ‘Look, you need to take a complete day off,’” Shut mentioned. “I have to kick Kiki out every week. In fact, when she was trying to do her extra work, I was like, ‘Bye, Kiki.’ She doesn’t really listen very well.”
Charlisse Leger-Walker, proper dribbling in entrance of UCLA’s Gabriela Jaquez, suffered a torn ACL whereas enjoying in opposition to the Bruins final season. Leger-Walker transferred to UCLA, however she is redshirting this season to offer her extra time to recuperate from her damage.
(Ryan Solar / Related Press)
Two Bruins redshirt
Guard Charlisse Leger-Walker and ahead Amanda Muse will sit out for the rest of the season.
Leger-Walker, a graduate pupil, will take a medical redshirt, which permits the Bruins to retain the 23-year-old for the 2025-26 season. The switch from Washington State tore an anterior cruciate ligament in January whereas enjoying for the Cougars in opposition to the Bruins.
“Although we would prefer her to be fully healthy and playing with us right now, we are really excited to announce that Charlisse will be coming back for another year,” Shut mentioned.
Regardless of lacking the ultimate month and a half of the season, Leger-Walker earned a spot on the All-Pac-12 crew (each coaches and media) and was nominated for the Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports activities Scholar of the 12 months award.
Leger-Walker pushed to play this season, and the Bruins anticipated that includes the standout scorer, however she nonetheless is getting again to full power, and Shut is worked up to have Leger-Walker for yet another season.
“Her impact has been so great, even before she’s ever touched the floor,” Shut mentioned. “I can only imagine what it’s going to be like when she’s able to be on the floor on a consistent basis.”
Muse, a 6-foot-4 sophomore, will redshirt to proceed her growth. Muse appeared in 19 video games throughout her freshman season, averaging 7.7 minutes. In a restricted function, she made a powerful defensive influence within the put up, recording 12 blocks.
“I cannot say enough good things about how she is developing and the work she’s putting in,” Shut mentioned.
