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Woochifer
Joined: 12/15/11 Posts: 9,118
WBB: #1 UCLA vs #5 Ole Miss 7pm PT ESPN
Posted Fri, Mar 28 8:36 am (Edited Fri, Mar 28 8:44 am)
The #1-ranked Bruin women play in the Sweet 16 tonight against #5 seed Ole Miss. Game tips off at 7pm PT with ESPN on the coverage (I'll be out tonight, so I'll just be checking the scores).

The format is a bit weird in how the women's tournament has gone to having two regionals hosted at the same site. In this case, both UCLA and Southern Cal are #1 seeds in their respective brackets and will play the regionals in Spokane. Fan bases for 8 teams will be in Spokane this weekend.

Here's the official release for tonight's matchup against Ole Miss. The Bruins will be facing off against at least one familiar face -- former Bruin Christeen Iwuala, who was a backup center before transferring after last season. She's now the starter at the 5 for Ole Miss. At 6'3", she's also their tallest active player. With Betts, Barker, and Dugalic each at least 6'4" and playing the 5 at various times, UCLA will have a size advantage in the paint.

https://uclabruins.com/news/2025/3/27/no-1-bruins-return-to-sweet-sixteen-against-no-5-ole-miss-friday
Westlake Bruin
Joined: 7/25/12 Posts: 4,284
Lets Go Bruins...
Posted Fri, Mar 28 9:50 am
In response to WBB: #1 UCLA vs #5 Ole Miss 7pm PT ESPN (Woochifer)
very excited for the Women's Sweet 16 this weekend.
Really was a shame what happened with JuJu..hoping her recovery goes well.
uclanman
Joined: 9/23/12 Posts: 1,845
Nice win with missing players
Posted Fri, Mar 28 8:31 pm
In response to Lets Go Bruins... (Westlake Bruin)
Gardiner didn't show tonight, Gaby seems off the past 2 games, Dugalic doesn't ever leave feet for boards, Dudley brings nothing....

and probably close to 20 turnovers....

and I'm in here bitching about a 14 point win in a Sweet 16 game....
A W Root Beer Bear
Joined: 9/22/06 Posts: 9,645
Christeen Iwuala
Posted Fri, Mar 28 2:17 pm (Edited Fri, Mar 28 2:19 pm)
In response to WBB: #1 UCLA vs #5 Ole Miss 7pm PT ESPN (Woochifer)
anybody have recollection of Christeen Iwuala, please post what you know.

looking forward to watching the game with some friends!!!

nice intro woochifer!!! thank you !!!

root beer!!!

let's go bruins!!!
Woochifer
Joined: 12/15/11 Posts: 9,118
Iwuala was part of that #1 recruiting class
Posted Fri, Mar 28 2:46 pm (Edited Fri, Mar 28 2:59 pm)
In response to Christeen Iwuala (A W Root Beer Bear)
Iwuala was the post player in that #1 rated recruiting class led by Rice, Jaquez, and Jones. (F Lina Sontag from Germany was the 5th player in that group) Rice and Jaquez were McD's All-Americans and top 10 rated. Jones and Iwuala were rated in the top 50. Since then, Betts and Barker have joined the Bruins and they were also top 10 recruits, while Gardiner is another top 50 recruit from that class.

Even though the Bruins lost projected starting center Angela Dugalic with an ACL injury her freshman year, Iwuala did not play a lot backing up Emily Bessoir. And after Betts' arrival and Dugalic's return, she played even less last year. I haven't seen her this year, but I recall that she was physical and tough in the post, but very raw. Betts is bigger and more skilled. Dugalic is more versatile and can shoot from 3-point range. Barker is more refined and athletic. If Ole Miss is going to pull off the upset, it won't happen in the paint.
MarkLA
Joined: 12/06/11 Posts: 2,850
She looked noticeably quicker in the 1st half
Posted Sat, Mar 29 6:52 am
In response to Christeen Iwuala (A W Root Beer Bear)
than she did last year. Good on her. Glad the Bruins are moving on.
A W Root Beer Bear
Joined: 9/22/06 Posts: 9,645
Lsu x North Carolina 4 30 pm
Posted Fri, Mar 28 2:21 pm (Edited Fri, Mar 28 2:22 pm)
In response to WBB: #1 UCLA vs #5 Ole Miss 7pm PT ESPN (Woochifer)
Lsu #3 Seed
North Carolina #2 Seed
4 30 pm

1 Ucla v 6 Ole Miss 7 pm
A W Root Beer Bear
Joined: 9/22/06 Posts: 9,645
which is better matchup for us??**
Posted Fri, Mar 28 5:20 pm (Edited Fri, Mar 28 5:28 pm)
In response to Lsu x North Carolina 4 30 pm (A W Root Beer Bear)
what a close game!!!
A W Root Beer Bear
Joined: 9/22/06 Posts: 9,645
well I think the wrong team won.**
Posted Fri, Mar 28 5:39 pm
In response to which is better matchup for us??** (A W Root Beer Bear)
**
Woochifer
Joined: 12/15/11 Posts: 9,118
BruWIN! Onto the Elite 8!
Posted Fri, Mar 28 9:02 pm
In response to WBB: #1 UCLA vs #5 Ole Miss 7pm PT ESPN (Woochifer)
I was only able to catch the 4th quarter. But, the Bruins pushed their advantages and overcame the turnovers and missing rebounds.

Betts had the 2nd 30-10 postseason game in program history. The first 30-10 was the previous game. Betts is the unstoppable force right now.
A W Root Beer Bear
Joined: 9/22/06 Posts: 9,645
YUP A GOOD WIN WOOCHIFER!!!
Posted Fri, Mar 28 11:11 pm
In response to BruWIN! Onto the Elite 8! (Woochifer)
THAT WAS FUN WATCHING CUZ EVERYTIME THEY MADE A RUN

WE REGAINED THE LEAD.
Big Bad Bruins
Joined: 10/01/21 Posts: 206
Elite 8!!! Betts w/ 31 pts (15/16 FG) 10 rebs 3 blks*
Posted Fri, Mar 28 9:03 pm
In response to WBB: #1 UCLA vs #5 Ole Miss 7pm PT ESPN (Woochifer)
Nm
Big Bad Bruins
Joined: 10/01/21 Posts: 206
Nice night for another Betts! Mookie with the walk-off HR
Posted Fri, Mar 28 9:30 pm
In response to Elite 8!! Betts w/ 31 pts (15/16 FG) 10 rebs 3 blks* (Big Bad Bruins)
https://x.com/Dodgers/status/1905848706156626398
IDBruin
Joined: 11/22/06 Posts: 202
Betts was mugged
Posted Fri, Mar 28 9:22 pm
In response to WBB: #1 UCLA vs #5 Ole Miss 7pm PT ESPN (Woochifer)
I was at both games tonight. Betts was mugged all night and the refs allowed it. On the other end, the slightest push was called on UCLA.

I am concerned about playing LSU on Sunday. #24 for the Tigers is a thug and #5 was warned by the refs about flopping when playing against NC States 6-6 freshman center.
Big Bad Bruins
Joined: 10/01/21 Posts: 206
Yup. Thought I was watching FB or wrestling not WBB LOL*
Posted Fri, Mar 28 9:55 pm
In response to Betts was mugged (IDBruin)
Nm
Woochifer
Joined: 12/15/11 Posts: 9,118
Rematch of last year’s Sweet 16
Posted Sat, Mar 29 1:51 pm
In response to Betts was mugged (IDBruin)
Everything was aligned against UCLA in that game because of the insane hype around a potential Iowa vs LSU/Clark vs Reese rematch. UCLA was all that would stop that rematch from happening, and it played out that way.

The Bruins have the better matchup this year because of the addition of Barker for the Bruins and the absence of Reese for the Tigers.

LSU can still gunk things up by playing physical and dirty. But I’m not sure that the refs will let them get away with that this year. Betts is one of the anointed ones that the networks want to see in the Final Four.

Will be a tough matchup for the Bruins but they have the depth and a lot of ways of countering whatever LSU tries to throw their way.
IDBruin
Joined: 11/22/06 Posts: 202
Perhaps someone
Posted Sat, Mar 29 4:00 pm
In response to Rematch of last year’s Sweet 16 (Woochifer)
Needs to tell the refs that Betts is one of the anointed ones that is supposed to get to the Final Four. That is not how it looked by the calls Friday night.

LSU seems to have their Angel Reese replacement. No. 24 has the hair, the fake eyelashes, the one legged leggings, and the same disposition.
Mero mero
Joined: 2/06/24 Posts: 203
look for LSU to flop everytime Betts turns to basket nm:
Posted Sat, Mar 29 4:34 pm
In response to Perhaps someone (IDBruin)
nm:
uclanman
Joined: 9/23/12 Posts: 1,845
Will UCLA give 100% from the tip
Posted Sun, Mar 30 7:20 am
In response to look for LSU to flop everytime Betts turns to basket nm: (Mero mero)
as opposed to going through the motions and saving their exertion for the 2nd half? The level of competition now and ahead requires it. Pointing at Kiki and Dugalich. Also hoping Gaby exits that 2 game funk.
UclanDoIt
Joined: 1/13/14 Posts: 3,917

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Agree and my concerns with UCLA-LSU
Posted Sun, Mar 30 9:04 am
In response to Will UCLA give 100% from the tip (uclanman)
I agree UCLA has not come out with full effort in the first halves of recent tournament games. They can't afford to continue this trend with the potential gauntlet in front of them - LSU, UConn (can't see SC winning without Juju), and a possible rematch with South Carolina (Duke shouldn't be counted out today).

First they need to focus on beating LSU. My concerns with this matchup.
1. UCLA's guards have to defend better. I don't see Rice, Jones, Aarnisalo, or Dudley being great one on one defenders. LSU's guards are quick and a key to their offense. If they blow by the Bruin guards and attack the basket, it sets up Betts to get into foul trouble. If the guards drop back too much, they can hit outside shots.
2. LSU's Morrow is their best inside player. Can Dugalic guard her effectively? Barker may be the better matchup if she can stay out of foul trouble. LSU again will try to work her inside in an attempt to get Betts into foul trouble.
3. LSU is confident having beaten UCLA last season. LSU apparently is taking some offense with some of UCLA's comments before the game.

The obvious key for UCLA is keeping Betts in the game. Betts creates problems for LSU inside. If she gets Del Rosario into foul trouble, that will hamper LSU. Del Rosario is 6'6" and they have another player at 6'5" but not sure how much she plays for them. UCLA is much more effective when teams have to compensate on defense to deal with Betts. When this happens today, UCLA needs Jones, Rice, Dugalic, and Gardiner to hit enough of their outside shots.

They play early today with the game at 12 noon on ABC. It should be another battle.