The No. 10 UCLA Bruins are about to hit the court against the Arizona Wildcats, and it’s a completely different team from the squad that won it all last season. Head coach Cori Close watched a staggering 90 percent of her team’s scoring walk out the door after their national championship run, a fact that gives Arizona a golden opportunity to measure their own improvement early in the season.
The National Champs Look *Wildly* Different
Last year’s Bruins were an absolute powerhouse, going 37-1 and blowing out opponents by 27.4 points per game. They dominated 10 ranked teams by an average of 16.4 points and steamrolled through the NCAA Tournament, including a 28-point beatdown of South Carolina in the title game. But forget that team, because six of their eleven players from that championship squad are gone. We’re talking Lauren Betts, Kiki Rice, Charlisse Leger-Walker, Gianna Kneepkens, Angela Dugalić, and Gabriela Jaquez. These weren’t just bench warmers, either.
That group accounted for UCLA’s top six scorers and six of their top seven rebounders. They were the top six players in total assists and steals, and four of the top players in total blocked shots. Numbers don’t lie: 75.7 of their 83.9 points per game are gone, which is a whopping 90 percent of their scoring. It gets worse: 78 percent of their rebounds (32.9 of 42.4), 88 percent of their steals (281 of 318), 91 percent of their assists (763 of 834), and 82 percent of their blocks (140 of 170 total) all graduated. That’s a gut punch for any team, let alone a national champion.
Can the New Faces Catch Up?
Coach Close hit the transfer portal hard to try and fill those massive holes, bringing in KK Bransford from Notre Dame, Addy Brown from Iowa State, and Donovyn Hunter, who’s bounced from Oregon State to TCU. Sure, they bring experience, but this new roster is significantly younger. Last year’s team had five players who started their college careers elsewhere, but most of them had spent multiple years together in the UCLA program. This year’s squad simply hasn’t had that time to build the same chemistry and understanding on the court. It’s a tough ask to immediately replicate that kind of cohesion when you’ve lost so much.
What’s at Stake for Arizona Tonight
This game is a true test for the Arizona Wildcats, who currently sit at 2-0. They know UCLA is not the same beast they were last season, and this is a prime chance to see just how strong their own improved roster is. Facing a reeling, albeit still ranked, UCLA team in Los Angeles is an early season opportunity you just can’t pass up.
The Wildcats are on the road to take on the UCLA Bruins, also 2-0, tonight, Thursday, November 12, 2026, at 8:30 p.m. MST. Catch the action from Pauley Pavilion on the Big Ten Network, stream it on the FOX Sports app, or tune into KTUC 1400 AM. This isn’t just another game, folks. This is a chance for Arizona to make a serious statement against a program that used to be untouchable. Don’t miss it.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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