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No. 5 UCLA has spent two years developing depth to keep pace with No. 1 South Carolina

After UCLA was eliminated by South Carolina during the 2023 Sweet Sixteen, Bruins coach Cori Close sat at the podium for her postgame news conference. As the questions poured in, she recalls thinking just one thing over and over again.

“I have to grow in some areas,” Close said ahead of the No. 5 Bruins’ soldout game against No. 1 South Carolina Sunday at Pauley Pavilion. “I have to be able to put this team in different and better situations, given what I’ve learned about them.”

UCLA forward Janiah Barker grabs a rebound during the Bruins' win over Arkansas on Nov. 17.
UCLA forward Janiah Barker grabs a rebound during the Bruins’ win over Arkansas on Nov.