Going into Sunday’s game against #1 South Carolina, UCLA head coach Cori Close doesn’t know if junior guard Kiki Rice will be under a minutes restriction.
Close spoke with reporters on Friday, saying that she’s “hoping” there won’t be any restrictions on the preseason Wooden Award watchlist entry, Rice.
“I haven’t asked,” Close told reporters in the press conference about a potential minutes restriction. “I’m hoping there’s not one but I actually don’t know for sure but I’m hoping she’s going to have the reins off but I have not been told yet by our medical staff.”
Rice played 11 minutes against Arkansas last Sunday, going scoreless as she missed all four of her shots while collecting two rebounds and dishing out one assist.
Outside of the potential limitation for Rice, the Bruins will be heading into the game against the Gamecocks with no injuries, which will be needed against the defending champion South Carolina team. UCLA announced on Friday that Sunday’s game at Pauley Pavilion had been sold out for the 1:00 p.m. game.
“It’s a new era of women’s basketball and women’s sports and for someone who’s been in it a long time, I just could pinch myself,” Close said. “I actually think we’re just scratching the surface.”