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UCLA Bruins celebrates Sunday, March 8, 2026, after the Big Ten Tournament Championship game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. UCLA Bruins defeated the Iowa Hawkeyes, 96-45, for back to back Big Ten championships.

How the Bruins are avoiding distractions as they await their NCAA Tournament draw.

UCLA Bruins celebrates Sunday, March 8, 2026, after the Big Ten Tournament Championship game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. UCLA Bruins defeated the Iowa Hawkeyes, 96-45, for back to back Big Ten championships.

How the Bruins are avoiding distractions as they await their NCAA Tournament draw.

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Mar 8, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Gianna Kneepkens (8) reacts after a play against the Iowa Hawkeyes during the first half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-Imagn Images

Here is what UCLA must accomplish during its trek to the Final Four.

UCLA Bruins celebrates Sunday, March 8, 2026, after the Big Ten Tournament Championship game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. UCLA Bruins defeated the Iowa Hawkeyes, 96-45, for back to back Big Ten championships.

Biggest observations following UCLA's win over Iowa

UCLA Bruins head coach Cori Close points up the court Sunday, March 8, 2026, during the Big Ten Tournament Championship game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. UCLA Bruins defeated the Iowa Hawkeyes, 96-45, for back to back Big Ten championships.

Top 3 takeaways from Cori Close's postgame brief

UCLA Bruins guard Charlisse Leger-Walker (5) rushes up the court Sunday, March 8, 2026, during the Big Ten Tournament Championship game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

The Bruins annihilated Iowa in the Big Ten championship, and they shocked the online world in the process.

UCLA Bruins guard Charlisse Leger-Walker (5) and UCLA Bruins guard Kiki Rice (1) smile during player introductions Saturday, March 7, 2026, during a Big Ten women's basketball tournament semifinals game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

The Bruins rely on unique aspects that some teams don't have.

Mar 7, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Kiki Rice (1) dribbles the ball against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the first half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-Imagn Images

The Bruins faced the Buckeyes in the Big Ten tournament and scared social media with how unusually close the game was.

Dec 16, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Gianna Kneepkens (8) and center Lauren Betts (51) react on the bench after a basket during the second half against the Cal Poly Mustangs at Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescom Financial. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Breaking down UCLA's quarterfinal matchup vs Washington

Dec 20, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Gabriela Jaquez (11), forward Sienna Betts (16) and center Lauren Betts (51) look on from the bench during the second half against Long Beach State Beach at Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescom Financial. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

UCLA needs to do more than just win vs Washington

Dec 20, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Gabriela Jaquez (11) reacts after a 3-point basket during the second half against Long Beach State Beach at Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescom Financial. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Here are three Bruins who need to takeover in the Big Ten quarterfinal

Feb 1, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; UCLA Bruins head coach Cori Close in the first half against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescom Financial. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

After strong performances in the first meeting UCLA will need to limit these three players

Feb 1, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; UCLA Bruins center Lauren Betts (51) reacts after a foul call in the second half against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescom Financial. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

The women's team looks poised to make a deep run in March

Feb 1, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; UCLA Bruins head coach Cori Close in the first half against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescom Financial. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

The Bruins are getting rewarded for an impressive season.

Feb 1, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; UCLA Bruins forward Sienna Betts (16) beats Iowa Hawkeyes center Layla Hays (12) to a rebound in the second half at Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescom Financial. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

UCLA closed out their near perfect season with a nice win against USC, and social media is ready for the post season.

Apr 3, 2025; Tampa, FL, USA; UCLA Bruins coach Cori Close poses with the AP Coach of the Year trophy during press conference at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Cori Close and the Bruins are trending for one of the top overall prospects in the 2027 class.

Feb 1, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; UCLA Bruins forward Angela Dugalic (32) reacts after a three-point basket in the second half against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescom Financial. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

The Bruins played against Wisconsin and gave social media another win in their magical season.

Dec 20, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Gabriela Jaquez (11) reacts after a 3-point basket during the second half against Long Beach State Beach at Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescom Financial. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

UCLA would make huge strides in its win vs Washington

Jan 21, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; UCLA Bruins head coach Cori Close reacts on the sidelines in the second half against the Purdue Boilermakers at Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescom Financial. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Here is what Cori Close said following victory over Washington.

Michigan State's Jalyn Brown, left, is blocked by UCLA's Lauren Betts during the third quarter on Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing.

Grading each starter's performance against Huskies

Feb 1, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; UCLA Bruins forward Amanda Muse (33) and guard Gianna Kneepkens (8) box out Iowa Hawkeyes center Layla Hays (12) in the second half at Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescom Financial. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

The Bruins faced the Huskies, and gave social media yet another win to follow.

UCLA's Lauren Betts, center, shoots between Michigan State's Ines Sotelo, left, and Grace VanSlooten during the first quarter on Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing.

The Bruins have been red-hot and do not appear to be slowing down

UCLA's Lauren Betts, left, celebrates with Kiki Rice after Rice's 3-pointer against Michigan State during the third quarter on Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing.

Taking a deep dive into every performance in the 92-48 win

Oct 8, 2025; Rosemont, Illinois, USA; UCLA Head Coach Cori Close speaks during Big Ten Women’s Basketball Media Days at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Talia Sprague-Imagn Images

Here are three very important things Cori Close said following UCLA's win vs Indiana

Feb 1, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; UCLA Bruins center Lauren Betts (51) reacts after a foul call in the second half against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescom Financial. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Here are three Bruins who performed well vs Michigan State

Jan 21, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; UCLA Bruins head coach Cori Close talks with guard Kiki Rice (1), guard Charlisse Leger-Walker (5) and guard Gianna Kneepkens (8) in the second half against the Purdue Boilermakers at Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescom Financial. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Here is what Cori Close had to say following the win