Even though the No.1 ranked UCLA Bruins began Big Ten conference play with a win last week over Washington 73-62 on the road, you wouldn’t have guessed that during head coach’s Cori Close media availability on Friday.
“We did not play as well as we needed to and everything is just excuses if you can’t show up with your attitude, your effort and your concentration,” Close said. “Your feelings can’t dictate behaviors.”
UCLA was outrebounded for the first time all year and allowed 24 points to the Huskies during the third quarter of Sunday’s game.
Despite leaving Seattle with the win, it’s clear that Close wants the Bruins to sharpen their game during their three weeks between Big Ten games, with the Bruins not returning to conference action until Sunday, December 29th at home against Nebraska.
“Credit to Washington, they’re a really good team. We have a lot of respect for them but we did not give our best effort,” Close said. “We’ve got to turn that around immediately.”
UCLA remains undefeated at 10-0 entering Sunday’s road game against Long Beach State.