Bruins Crowned Champs! UCLA Dominates Tourney

Bruins Crowned Champs! UCLA Dominates Tourney

The UCLA Bruins are bringing home the championship trophy! Coach Cori Close joined the “Women’s Sports Now” crew to celebrate their incredible victory, and it sounds like the celebration has been non-stop.

Coach Close joked that if they didn’t win the championship, she wouldn’t be invited back to the show. “You know, if you don’t bring home the crown, I don’t get invited back,” she said with a laugh.

Championship Moments and WNBA Success

The excitement wasn’t just on the court; it spilled over into the WNBA Draft. The Bruins saw multiple players get selected, creating a unique atmosphere for Coach Close and the team.

“Every time a UCLA player was announced, um all the parents and all the dads and brothers were doing a mosh pit and going, ‘Oh, oh my gosh,’ for everyone,” Coach Close described. The team even performed an “eight clap” chant, a signature move that got the whole room energized.

The Secret to Team Chemistry

What makes the Bruins so strong, year after year? Coach Close believes it’s about building genuine connections and avoiding shortcuts. “There are no shortcuts,” she explained.

“You have to work really hard at it. You got to deal with hard things. You got to have genuine relationships.

You got to spend connecting time.” She shared a powerful moment before the national championship game where she had everyone in the room, from players to staff, hold hands. “Strands that are woven together cannot easily be broken,” she told them, emphasizing that their unity was their greatest strength.

Putting the Game Away

When did Coach Close know the championship was theirs? It was after halftime of the final game. “We just kept rolling,” she said.

The team’s preparation and matchup proved to be too much for their opponent. “It was our night,” Coach Close stated simply, acknowledging the hard work that went into that moment.

Learning from Last Year’s Loss

The Bruins’ championship run was fueled by lessons learned from a tough loss in the Final Four the previous year. “We got spanked the year before,” Coach Close admitted. That experience led to a detailed review of their tournament routine, from media obligations to sleep schedules.

This proactive approach made a huge difference this season. “We had a much more proactive, anticipatory plan going into this Final Four, and that made all the difference,” she said.

Keeping the Team Loose

A key to their success was keeping the players relaxed and joyful, even amidst the high pressure of the NCAA Tournament. While other teams looked tight, the Bruins were seen smiling, signing autographs, and dancing.

Coach Close even called other coaches, like Muffet McGraw and Holly Rowe, for advice on managing the open practice sessions. “I thought we needed to play light and we needed to play with joy,” she said, noting that their work ethic was never in question.

Post-Championship Whirlwind

The celebration continued long after the final buzzer. Coach Close barely got two hours of sleep after returning home, facing early morning interviews with major news outlets like the Today Show and Good Morning America.

Despite the exhaustion, she embraced the moment, showing her gratitude for the journey. The most meaningful message came from the athletic director who hired her, reminding her of his belief in her from the start.

Looking Ahead: The Transfer Portal

With six players heading to the WNBA, Coach Close and the Bruins are already focused on building the roster for next season. They’ve been planning for this, talking to WNBA general managers to understand the evolving player landscape.

“We’re trying to sign between five and six transfers,” she mentioned, having just said goodbye to four potential new players before the interview. The team is ready for the next challenge, embracing the realities of modern college athletics.

Source: UCLA women's HC Cori Close on tourney title & the Bruins' WNBA draft success 🎉 | Women's Sports Now (YouTube)