UCLA Women's Basketball: Cori Close Breaks Down the Importance of Bruins and Trojans Rivalry

The UCLA Bruins are currently ranked #2 in the nation, and they are set to take on their crosstown rivals next, the #9 ranked USC Trojans. Though both teams are some of the best in the NCAAW, the excitement behind them cannot be ignored.

The Bruins have Lauren Betts, Kiki Rice, and Gabriela Jaquez. The Trojans have JuJu Watkins, McKenzie Forbes, and Rayah Marshall. The entirety of both teams have players who are bringing unbridled excitement to Southern California basketball.

The emergence of the national attention is not lost on Coach Close.

"What a privilege to be part of it. What a privilege to grow Southern California basketball, not only for our two teams, and where we want to go. For USC and UCLA, but to inspire young kids to grow the game together. Little girls all over the place, you see Kiki Rice jerseys, Gabriela Jaquez jerseys, and JuJu Watkins jerseys. That's good for everybody. On one side on the global perspective, just really excited to be a part of that. It's important to know that we are doing something bigger than ourselves."

Via Cori Close, Sports Central LA

Sunday brings another showdown between @UCLAWBB and @USCWBB. #Bruins @CoachCoriClose with a look back at the impact of their first meeting a couple weeks ago, plus her thoughts on the next game between the rivals! #UCLA #USC @chrishayre pic.twitter.com/OviNMxNOdj
— Sports Central LA (@SportsCentralLA) January 11, 2024

Coach Close understands the value of having the kind of media attention that both teams have currently. College women's basketball is becoming massive, and it is fantastic to see how inspirational it can be for the young minds of the world who want to give it their all for the sport as well.

Despite the excitement that both UCLA and USC are providing, Coach Close also switched gears to explain what kind of showdown fans can expect from the second rivalry game.

"From a competitive side, for those two hours, there's no love lost. It's gonna be a physical game. There's gonna be adjustments on both sides. I think its really about which team can stay steady and learn the most from the first matchup."

Via Cori Close, Sports Central LA

UCLA and USC had a first matchup that was full of fireworks, but the Bruins ultimately came away with the win.

Coach Close knows that despite the Bruins remaining undefeated, they need to ensure they learn from their past games. She indicated that the first matchup saw the Bruins miss a lot of "warzone shots" which are shots around the basket.

We will see if the Bruins can continue their undefeated streak when they take on the Trojans on January 14.