Basketball
Previous topic | Next topic Return to Forum
cypressbruin
Joined: 1/13/14 Posts: 456
This explains why WBB lost some transfers
Posted Mon, Apr 14 6:38 pm
https://247sports.com/college/ucla/article/ucla-womens-basketball-bruins-angela-dugalic-will-return-2025-26-season-248763407/
Woochifer
Joined: 12/15/11 Posts: 9,201
Dugalic's return is huge
Posted Tue, Apr 15 11:01 am
In response to This explains why WBB lost some transfers (cypressbruin)
It means that 4 out of the 5 Bruin starters return. Dugalic starts at PF but can play the 5 and as a stretch 4. She's versatile though not particularly athletic.

And if the Bruins can nail down one of the top SGs in the portal, then they are potentially a more dangerous team next season. The lack of depth though could well come back to bite them if the Bruins have another one of those seasons where they lost multiple key players to injury. Last season was an anomaly under Close with hardly any games lost to injury for the key players that were available at the start of the year.
cypressbruin
Joined: 1/13/14 Posts: 456
With the addition of Sienna and Bilic
Posted Tue, Apr 15 1:02 pm
In response to Dugalic's return is huge (Woochifer)
This explains why we lost Socka, Dudley, and Barker. Socka was buried behind Lauren, Dugalic, and Barker. Dudley was playing behind Dugalic, Barker, and Jaquez. Barker most likely left to be a full time starter.

Sienna is most likely going to take Barkers minutes and Bilic is 6'2" guard who can replace Dudley. Bilic is also tall and skilled as an above average passer who will be able to make the entry pass to the post without turning the ball over.

Losing Aarnisalo and Jones was due to CLW coming off a RS year.

Bilic is a 3 level scorer and Sienna adds to our post play. This team definitely needs another guard and wing player.
Woochifer
Joined: 12/15/11 Posts: 9,201
With Dugalic back, the urgent need is at SG
Posted Tue, Apr 15 1:16 pm
In response to With the addition of Sienna and Bilic (cypressbruin)
Someone who can reliably score from around the perimeter. If the Bruins can sign Kneepkens to take Jones' spot at the 2, that would be a big upgrade. That would leave Jaquez, Gardiner, and Dugalic as the other 3-point threats. And if Leger-Walker can mesh well with Rice, then Kiki would also be a great option from behind the arc.

In every game, the Bruins need 2 shooters who can hit their shots from distance to keep the defenses from collapsing on Betts. Kneepkens is more reliable than the streaky Jones, so that means finding just one more shooter finding the range on any given night.

The era of recruiting a highly touted freshman and asking them to wait their turn is over. If a school like UO's waving $300+k to someone like Cain who barely got any playing time this season, then no school will be able to stockpile the kind of talent that UCLA had this past season. UCLA's a victim of its own success and fortune with staying healthy.