UCLA and Stanford were the only Pac 10 teams in the NCAA last season, as the Bruins finished 2nd in the Pac 10, 2nd in the Pac 10 tournament then beat North Carolina State in the NCAA tournament and lost to highly ranked Nebraska. Their record was 25-9 and 15-3 in conference play.
LOSSES:
Erica Tukianen was the top scorer among those who graduated, but 5th on the team. Erica averaged 8 points in 24 minutes per game. However she had more threes, 49 at 43% than the next two best on the Bruin team.
Moniquee Alexander averaged 3 points and 3 and a half rebounds in 11 minutes per game.
ADDITIONS:
Corinne Costa is a 6-4 Center from the East Bay.
Rhema Gardner is a 6-1 Forward who was all Southern Section CIF last year.
Thea Lemberger is a 5-6 Point Guard.
Atonye Nyingifa missed last season with a knee injury. She was a starter as a Frosh and was the # 19 player in the country out of High School. She will have 3 years left to play.
NON CONFERENCE SCHEDULE:
San Diego State, LSU and Notre Dame represent the only potential top 25 teams. The Bruins do play at St Mary’s on Dec 12th. The Bruins should have a fine pre-season record, but not a strong Strength of Schedule.
BY POSITION:
POSTS:
Will UCLA play often with a Center? There personal indicates more of a two forward, 2 wing and a Point Guard type of team, which they played more often than not last season.
Christina Nzekwe is a 6-4 Sr who averaged 2 and a half points and 4 rebounds in 17 minutes per game.
Corinne Costa is a 6-4 Frosh from the East Bay who was the # 32 Post last year in High School.
POWER FORWARDS:
UCLA has three short for the post players yet they are very strong rebounders. They will play here and make up what I believe will be the Bruin front court.
Jasmine Dixon is a 6-0 Jr who was both the leading scorer and the leading rebounder for the Bruins last season. Dixon averaged 15 point and 8 rebounds a game in only 26 minutes per game. At that Dixon was second on the team in minutes per game. She shot 55% from the floor and with her rebounding ability is a very strong post player. One of the top players in the Pac 10. A McDonalds High School All American.
Markel Walker is a 6-1 Soph who averaged 11 points and 7.5 rebounds per game. Great player around the hoop despite her lack of height. Walker shot 48% from the floor and was one of the top Frosh in the Pac 10 last season. Also a High School McDonalds All American.
Atonye Nyingifa is a 5-11 post/wing player who missed all of last season with a knee injury. Atonye was one of the top Frosh in the Pac 10 two years ago when she averaged 6 points and 5 rebounds per game.
A note on the type of play for Dixon, Walker and Nyingifa, they are classic 4’s who made a total of 7 threes in their last seasons of play.
Nina Earl is a 6-1 Sr who averaged 4.5 points and 2.5 rebounds in 13 minutes of play last season. Earl averaged 7.5 points per game her first two seasons at UCLA.
Rhema Gardner is a 6-1 Frosh who’s sister Rebekah is also on the team. Gardner was the # 22 wing in High School so could play several positions for the Bruins.
WINGS:
Dorenna Campbell is a 5-10 Sr who can play the Point in addition to the 2 Guard position. Campbell started every game last season and averaged 10 points per game and was the leader in minutes played. She was 2nd on the team and the top returning three point shooter, making 26 at 41%. For her career Campbell has made 75 threes at 41%, a nice shooting percentage. I mention her three point shooting as she will be the main three point treat for the Bruins. Campbell also had a plus assist to turnover ratio.
Rebekah Gardner is a 6-1 Jr who averaged 7 points in 20 minutes per game last season. The older Gardner sister started 7 games for the Bruins.
POINT GUARDS:
Darxia Morris started most of the games at the Point last season. Morris is a 5-8 Sr. She averaged 8.6 points per game and had a 1.2 :1 assist to turnover ratio. Morris also made 20 threes at 33% improving from not even attempting many threes her first two seasons.
Mariah Williams is a 5-3 Soph who averaged just 2 points a game but did start 6 games for the Bruins.
Thea Lemberger is a 5-6 Frosh who was the # 35 Point Guard last year in High School but highly thought of by several scouts.
FORECAST:
This year and the future are very bright for the Nikki Caldwell led Bruins. While they lack a solid post, they have very good rebounding and post scoring ability. Their weakness will be three point shooting and defending skilled 6-3, 6-4 Centers. However they will also create many defensive opportunities with their very quick and aggressive defense. The Bruins could well be a Sweet 16 or better team.
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