Can UCLA Get Back to the Final Four? | Lisa Leslie & Cori Close

UCLA head coach Cori Close joins Lisa Leslie on Between the Lines as the Bruins surge into March as one of the nation’s top teams. Coach drops dimes all episode long about what fuels UCLA’s culture, why the USC–UCLA rivalry brings out the best in both programs, and how the Big Ten grind has prepared her team for the tournament. She also dives into Lauren Betts’ “unicorn” impact, Kiki Rice’s underrated brilliance, the realities of the transfer portal, and the mindset it takes to stay steady under March Madness pressure. Plus, with as many as six UCLA players projected to be drafted this year, Coach reflects on the pride of helping players chase their pro dreams while building a championship-caliber team. This episode is presented by Intuit TurboTax. 0:00–1:16 - Intro 1:16–2:56 - Coach Cori Was a Hooper! 2:56–4:48 - UCLA vs USC: The Crosstown Rivalry 4:48–7:10 - UCLA vs LSU: A New Rivalry? 7:10–9:20 - Coach Cori’s Holistic Approach to Coaching 9:20–11:09 - Landing Lauren Betts & the Players Who Bet on UCLA 11:09–12:10 - Bonding with Lauren Betts & Azzi Fudd at USA Basketball 12:10–15:15 - You See LA Documentary 15:15–18:10 - Losing Six Players to the Transfer Portal After a Final Four Run 18:10–22:20 - Overcoming Adversity in College Basketball 22:20–28:15 - All Things Big Ten 28:15–35:29 - March Madness Expert Presented by Intuit TurboTax 35:29–39:15 - The Continued Lack of Coverage for Women’s Sports 39:15–42:11 - Lauren Betts: Big Ten Player of the Year & Lottery Pick 42:11–43:37 - Is Kiki Rice Being Overlooked? 43:37–44:55 - UCLA Could Make History with Six Draft Picks 44:55–50:03 - Hot Takes, No Breaks 50:03–51:16 - Thank You, Coach #wnba #womenssports #womensbasketball #ncaa There’s a gap between how people talk about the W and how fans actually experience it. Between the Lines is here to close it. Hosted by the legendary Lisa Leslie, this weekly podcast serves up unfiltered takes, expert insight, and candid interviews for the true fans of the game. Made by people who love the W, for those who can't live without it. Just Women’s Sports is the largest digital media platform dedicated to 100% women's sports, 100% of the time. Through original programming, social media, and editorial coverage, JWS makes it both easy and fun to be a women’s sports fan. Subscribe to get the latest from Between the Lines with Lisa Leslie, Time Wasting with Kelley O'Hara & Ali Riley, Court Vision with Angel McCoughtry & Ros Gold-Onwude, The Late Sub with Claire Watkins, and more. Find us at: https://www.justwomenssports.com/ Add us on: Instagram:   / justwomenssports   Twitter:   / justwsports   Tik Tok:   / justwomenssports