Vic Schaefer, Rori Harmon and the Longhorns have found their way back to the Final Four. This time, it’s the UCLA Bruins standing in their way of what would be the first trip to the National Championship under Schaefer. The good news for the Longhorns is they handed the Bruins their sole loss of the season, beating them 76-65 and controlling much of the game. If the Longhorns are going to repeat that performance, it’ll take another elite defensive performance.
UCLA By The Numbers
35-1 Overall, 18-0 in B1G Play
Points Per Game: 84.9 – 7th in the country
Points Allowed Per Game: 56.6 – 21st in the country
Three Point Percentage: 36.8 – 9th in the country
Bruins To Watch
C Lauren Betts: This is not only the Bruins best player but one of the best players in the country. Betts is averaging 17.2 points per game and 8.6 rebounds a game, while also racking up 2 blocks a game. She is a force on the interior, meaning Kyla Oldacre and Breya Cunningham will have to step up defensively. Betts only mustered 8 points against the Horns the first time around but you’d imagine she’ll be more aggressive this time around. That being said, the first fame is proof: you slow down #51 for the Bruins, you have a good shot to make it to the title game.
G Kiki Rice: The leader of the Bruins backcourt and the player that you’ll see on the floor more than any other is Kiki Rice. Rice is averaging a shade over 15 points per game and is the true offensive engine for the Bruins. She struggled from the field against Texas the first time around but finished with 17 points. Rice has only been held in single digits three times this year, once against Duke in the Elite Eight. Rori Harmon and Bryanna Preston will have to be up to the challenge and slow down the maestro of this offense.
G Gabriela Jaquez: This might be the toughest player to defend on the Bruins. Jaquez averages 13.4 points per game, but shoots over 54% from the field and nearly 40% from three point. She creates remarkable amounts of space for this offense and allows Betts to dominate down low. In the first matchup, Jaquez had just 4 points on 2-4 shooting from the field, finding herself in foul trouble throughout the game. She’s been solid as can be in the tournament, racking up at least 9 points and 5 rebounds in every game. She’s unlikely to score 30 points but she can make big time shots all around the floor.
G Gianna Kneepkens: As if this team needed more shooting, Kneepkens is the player that could become a UCLA legend on Friday. Kneepkens made her way to Los Angeles from Utah and has shot the lights out from day one. She’s averaging 12.8 points per game shooting 50% from the field, 93% from the free throw line and 43% from three point land. She is a true flamethrower that Texas can’t allow to get going. She found her groove in the first bout, scoring 17 points, hitting 7-11 from the field and 3-6 from three. Whoever gets this assignment better be ready to pick Kneepkens up at half court and not let up until they’re heading the other direction.
Overall
This UCLA team only has one loss for a reason. They have one of the most dominant forces on the interior in the game, Lauren Betts. Kiki Rice and Gabriela Jaquez are experienced, smart guards that run the offense very well. Gianna Kneepkens is a true flamethrower from outside that can turn this game upside down if Texas lets her. Finally, Angela Dugalic and Charlisse Leger-Walker both bring scoring ability to the bench and will be a factor in this one.
The Longhorns have to feel confident after their double-digit win over the Bruins earlier in the season. That being said, UCLA has that game on their mind and they’d love to get revenge on the biggest stage. Kyla Oldacre and Breya Cunningham need to avoid foul trouble against Betts, Rori Harmon and Madison Booker need to continue their elite play and Jordan Lee needs to find her rhythm from distance. If all of that happens, the Longhorns will have a chance to win their first national title in 40 years on Sunday.
This article originally appeared on Longhorns Wire: UCLA Preview: Can Lady Longhorns top Bruins a second time this season?
Reporting by Tommy Bresee, Longhorns Wire / Longhorns Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
