TAMPA, Fla. — Cori Close had a unique opportunity after her first season leading UCLA women's basketball.
The Bruins didn't make the NCAA Tournament after that 2011-12 season, and she decided to make use of her extra offseason time. She called former Notre Dame coach Muffet McGraw and UConn coach Geno Auriemma, asking if she could come watch practice to learn from them.
Both McGraw and Auriemma obliged, and Close spent the first two rounds watching Notre Dame prepare for March Madness. Then she went to Storrs, Connecticut to watch Auriemma work.