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  • Huskers Open Big Ten Road Trip at No. 1 UCLA – University of Nebraska

    Huskers Open Big Ten Road Trip at No. 1 UCLA – University of Nebraska


    The Nebraska women’s basketball team embarks on its first Big Ten Conference road trip of 2024-25 by battling unbeaten and No. 1 UCLA in Los Angeles on Sunday, Dec. 29.

    Tip-off between the Huskers (10-2, 1-0 Big Ten) and the Bruins (12-0, 1-0 Big Ten) at historic Pauley Pavilion is set for 4 p.m. (CT).

    A live video stream of the game will be available to B1G+ subscribers.

    Nebraska fans can listen across the Huskers Radio Network, including 107.3 FM in Lincoln and 590 AM in Omaha, the Huskers App and Huskers.com. Matt Coatney and Jeff Griesch will be on the radio call with pregame beginning at 3:30 p.m. (CT).

    Nebraska’s Big Ten road opener at No. 1 UCLA will be its second straight road game against an unbeaten opponent, after suffering a 72-61 setback at then-No. 17 Georgia Tech (Dec. 21) before heading home for the holiday break. The Yellow Jackets improved to 13-0 and jumped to No. 13 in the AP rankings after beating the Big Red.

    All-America candidate Alexis Markowski led the Huskers at Georgia Tech with 20 points and 10 rebounds for her fifth double-double of the season and school-record 45th of her career. She also pushed her career totals to 1,543 points and 1,055 rebounds. The Naismith, Wooden and Lisa Leslie Award candidate is one of just four Huskers in history to achieve the combined career milestones of 1,500 points and 1,000 rebounds – joining only first-team All-Americans Karen Jennings (1993), Kelsey Griffin (2010) and Jordan Hooper (2014). All three of those Huskers have their jerseys retired and are in Nebraska’s Athletic Hall of Fame. Markowski, a three-time All-Big Ten choice, is averaging team bests of 15.0 points and 8.3 rebounds this season.

    Big Ten Freshman of the Year candidate Britt Prince is off to a strong start, ranking second among the Huskers in scoring (13.1 ppg), assists (3.1 apg) and steals (1.5 spg) while adding 3.9 rebounds. The two-time Nebraska High School Player of the Year has put up double figures in eight of her 11 games and has scored no fewer than six points in any contest.

    Fellow freshman Amiah Hargrove made her first career start in the win over Chattanooga (Dec. 15) before getting her second start at Georgia Tech. She has produced double figures three times and is averaging 4.4 points and 3.3 rebounds while trying to help the Huskers overcome the loss of 2024 Big Ten Freshman of the Year Natalie Potts to a season-ending knee injury against North Alabama (Nov. 19). Potts was Nebraska’s leading scorer (17.5 ppg) and rebounder (8.0 rpg) through four games. She underwent surgery on Dec. 4 and is expected to regain the season of eligibility.

    Nebraska Cornhuskers (10-2, 1-0 Big Ten)
    at 1/1 UCLA Bruins (12-0, 1-0 Big Ten)
    Sunday, December 29, 2024, 4 p.m. (CT)
    Pauley Pavilion – Los Angeles, California
    Live Video: B1G+
    Live Radio: Huskers Radio Network (3:30 p.m.)
    Matt Coatney (PBP), Jeff Griesch (Analyst)
    Lincoln (107.3 FM), Omaha (590 AM), Huskers.com, Huskers App
    Live Stats: Huskers.com (StatBroadcast – Public)

    Nebraska Cornhuskers (10-2, 1-0 Big Ten)
    33 – Amiah Hargrove – 6-2 – Fr. – F – 4.4 ppg, 3.3 rpg
    40 – Alexis Markowski – 6-3 – Sr. – C/F – 15.0 ppg, 8.3 rpg
    5 – Alberte Rimdal – 5-9 – Sr. – G – 7.4 ppg, 2.5 rpg
    14 – Callin Hake – 5-8 – Jr. – G – 7.6 ppg, 3.4 rpg
    23 – Britt Prince – 5-11 – Fr. – G – 13.1 ppg, 3.9 rpg
    Off the Bench
    2 – Logan Nissley – 6-0 – So. – G – 7.2 ppg, 1.5 rpg
    44 – Petra Bozan – 6-3 – Fr. – F/C – 5.5 ppg, 3.7 rpg
    15 – Kendall Moriarty – 6-1 – Sr. – G – 4.4 ppg, 1.9 rpg
    12 – Jessica Petrie – 6-2 – So. – F – 3.8 ppg, 3.1 rpg
    3 – Allison Weidner – 5-10 – RJr. – G – 3.5 ppg, 3.3 rpg
    32 – Kendall Coley – 6-2 – Gr. – F/G – 3.1 ppg, 1.5 rpg
    22 – Natalie Potts [Out] – 6-2 – So. – F – 14.4 ppg, 7.4 rpg
    4 – Kennadi Williams – 5-4 – Fr. – G – Redshirt
    Head Coach: Amy Williams (Nebraska, 1998)
    Ninth Season at Nebraska (147-113); 18th Season Overall (340-222)

     

    1/1 UCLA Bruins (12-0, 1-0 Big Ten)
    0 – Janiah Barker – 6-4 – Jr. – F – 10.2 ppg, 8.1 rpg
    32 – Angela Dugalic – 6-4 – Gr. – F – 9.3 ppg, 7.2 rpg
    1 – Kiki Rice – 5-11 – Jr. – G – 12.4 ppg, 2.6 rpg
    7 – Elina Aarnisalo – 5-10 – Fr. – G – 8.2 ppg, 3.4 rpg
    11 – Gabriela Jacquez – 6-0 – Jr. – G – 10.9 ppg, 5.3 rpg
    Off the Bench
    51 – Lauren Betts – 6-7 – Jr. – C – 19.8 ppg, 10.0 rpg
    30 – Timea Gardiner – 6-3 – Jr. – F – 8.9 ppg, 4.2 rpg
    3 – Londynn Jones – 5-4 – Jr. – G – 7.3 ppg, 1.2 rpg
    35 – Tianna Thompson – 5-10 – Fr. – G – 3.4 ppg, 1.0 rpg
    22 – Kendall Dudley – 6-2 – Fr. – F – 2.8 ppg, 3.6 rpg
    2 – Avary Cain – 6-1 – Fr. – G – 2.7 ppg, 1.2 rpg
    6 – Zania Socka-Nguemen – 6-3 – Fr. – F – 2.7 ppg, 3.0 rpg
    Head Coach: Cory Close (UC Santa Barbara, 1993)
    14th Season at UCLA (299-140); 14th Season Overall (299-140)

     

    Scouting the No. 1 UCLA Bruins

    • No. 1 UCLA closes 2024 at home in Pauley Pavilion against the Huskers. It will be the unbeaten Bruins’ second straight game against an opponent from the Cornhusker state after heading to the holiday break with a 70-41 pounding of Creighton in San Francisco (Dec. 20). UCLA also eliminated Creighton in the second round of the 2024 NCAA Tournament (67-63) in Los Angeles, before falling to LSU (78-69) in the 2024 NCAA Sweet Sixteen in Albany, N.Y.

    • Nebraska suffered an 80-74 setback at Creighton (Nov. 22), the first game the Huskers played without 2024 Big Ten Freshman of the Year Natalie Potts, who suffered a season-ending knee injury in the second quarter of Nebraska’s win over North Alabama (Nov. 19).

    • Kiki Rice led UCLA with 20 points, five rebounds and four assists against Creighton, while 6-4 forward Angela Dugalic was the only other Bruin in double figures against the Jays with 13 points and 14 rebounds. Rice is averaging 12.4 points and 3.6 assists, while Dugalic is averaging 9.3 points and 7.2 rebounds on the season.

    • UCLA center Lauren Betts, who leads the Bruins with 19.8 points and 10.0 rebounds per game, sat out for the second straight contest in the win over Creighton. The 6-7 Betts suffered a leg injury in a win over Long Beach State (Dec. 14). She was replaced in the starting five by 6-4 junior Janiah Barker, who managed four points and 11 rebounds against CU. Barker is averaging 10.2 points and 8.1 boards on the year, after transferring from Texas A&M. Barker had 11 points and five rebounds in a 61-59 loss to Nebraska in the second round of the 2024 NCAA Tournament in Corvallis, Ore. (March 22).

    • Junior guard Gabriela Jacquez contributes 10.9 points and 5.3 rebounds, while Elina Aarnisalo has rounded out the UCLA starting five with 8.2 points, 3.4 boards and a team-best 5.3 assists per game.

    • The Bruins have shown their quality and depth despite playing without Charlisse Leger-Walker, who will miss the 2024-25 season with an injury. A transfer from Washington State, Leger-Walker was a three-time midseason finalist for the Ann Meyers Drysdale Award and a three-time honorable-mention All-American. She averaged 13.2 points, 6.5 rebounds and 5.1 assists for the Cougars last season.

    • Timea Gardiner, a 6-3 junior has produced 8.9 points and 4.2 rebounds for the Bruins after transferring from Oregon State. Gardiner had 17 points, seven rebounds and a career-high four blocks as a starter for the Beavers in a 61-51 second-round NCAA Tournament win over Nebraska in Corvallis (March 24, 2024). The 2024 Pac-12 Sixth Player of the Year, Gardiner leads the Bruins with 23 three-pointers on 45.1 percent shooting this season.

    • Londynn Jones, a 5-4 junior who set UCLA’s single-season school record with 87 threes last season, has added 7.3 points per game. Jones has hit 20 threes this season. Jones stands out as the only undersized player on a tall and lengthy UCLA roster that features seven players 6-2 or taller.

    • UCLA’s size and athleticism has translated into a massive plus-19.3 team rebounding margin while going head-to-head against quality opponents such as defending national champion South Carolina, Louisville, Arkansas, Creighton and Washington to open Big Ten play.

    • The Bruins also own a plus-2.6 turnover margin. They have attempted 99 more field goals than their opponents and 37 more free throws than the opposition. UCLA is shooting a strong 49.1 percent from the field, including 33.1 percent from three-point range and 70.6 percent from the free throw line. The Bruins are holding opponents to just 31 percent shooting from the floor. UCLA has outscored opponents by an average of 32.2 points per game (82.8-50.7).

    Nebraska vs. UCLA Series History
    • Although Sunday’s game between Nebraska and UCLA will be their first as Big Ten foes, the Huskers and Bruins have met seven times. UCLA leads the all-time series, 4-3, but the Bruins have not beaten the Big Red since the turn of the century.

    • The Huskers have earned three straight wins against UCLA, including a 71-66 win at Pauley Pavilion on Nov. 28, 2014.

    • The previous season, Nebraska beat the Bruins 77-49 in the opening game of Pinnacle Bank Arena on Nov. 8, 2013 in Lincoln.

    • Nebraska’s current winning streak against the Bruins began with an 83-70 victory in the second round of the 2010 NCAA Tournament at Williams Arena in Minneapolis. The Huskers were the No. 1 seed and ranked No. 4 in the country, while the Bruins were ranked No. 22 nationally.

    • The Huskers were ranked in the AP Top 25 in each of the last four meetings in the series, including No. 24 Nebraska’s 85-67 loss to No. 12 UCLA at the Rainbow Wahine Classic in Hawaii, Nov. 27, 1998.

    • Nebraska’s series with UCLA dates back to a 68-53 loss to the No. 11 Bruins in Los Angeles on Jan. 11, 1977, in a game that featured four-time All-American and 1976 Olympian Ann Meyers.

    • The Huskers lost to No. 14 UCLA, 72-63, at the Devaney Center on Feb. 3, 1979 before dropping an 84-54 decision in Los Angeles on Jan. 10, 1984, in the only game that featured two unranked teams.

    Markowski In NU’s 1,500-Point/1,000-Rebound Club
    • With 20 points and 10 rebounds at No. 17 Georgia Tech, Alexis Markowski increased her career totals to 1,543 points and 1,055 rebounds. She is just the fourth Nebraska player to achieve the combined career milestones of 1,500 points and 1,000 rebounds.

    • The quality of that short list is undeniable. Karen Jennings (2,405 points/1,000 rebounds, 1990-93) won the 1993 Wade Trophy, was a first-team All-American and the 1993 Big Eight Player of the Year.

    • Kelsey Griffin (2,033 points/1,019 rebounds, 2006-10) won the 2010 Senior CLASS Award, was a first-round WNBA Draft pick, a first-team All-American and the 2010 Big 12 Player of the Year.

    • Jordan Hooper (2,357 points/1,110 rebounds, 2011-14) was a first-team All-American, the 2014 Big Ten Player of the Year and the first pick of the second round in the 2014 WNBA Draft.

    Markowski Joins Elite Rebounders in NU History

    • Nebraska All-America candidate Alexis Markowski joined one of the most elite groups in Husker history by pulling down her 1,000th career rebound in the fourth quarter at Creighton (Nov. 22).

    • The 6-3 center from Lincoln became just the sixth Husker women’s basketball player and just the eighth Nebraska men’s or women’s player to reach the 1,000 milestone on the boards.

    • Markowski finished the game with 1,001 career boards to push past 1993 Wade Trophy winner Karen Jennings into the No. 5 spot on the Husker women’s basketball career chart.

    • Markowski has added 54 rebounds over the past six games to push her career rebound total to 1,055, passing first-team All-American Kelsey Griffin at No. 4 on Nebraska’s career rebound list. Markowski enters the UCLA game 65 rebounds behind first-team All-American and 2014 Big Ten Player of the Year Jordan Hooper (1,110) at No. 3 on the Nebraska all-time rebound list. Hooper grabbed her rebounds in 4,030 career minutes (11.0 rp40), while Markowski’s boards have come in just 2,907 minutes (14.5 rp40).

    • On the men’s side of Nebraska basketball, Venson Hamilton (1996-99) owns the all-time record with 1,080 rebounds while Aleks Maric (1,015, 2005-08) is the only other player with 1,000 boards.

     

    Prince Battling for Big Ten All-Freshman Honors

    • Britt Prince is off to one of the best starts by a freshman in the Big Ten Conference in 2024-25. The 5-11 point guard from Omaha ranks second among the Huskers with 13.1 points, while adding 3.9 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.5 steals over her first 11 games.

    • The two-time Gatorade and MaxPreps Player of the Year has produced double-figure points eight times, including a career-high 23 points on 10-of-13 shooting in Nebraska’s record-setting 113-70 win over South Dakota (Nov. 16). She added four assists and two steals in front of a sellout crowd at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls.

    • She added the second 20-point effort of her career with 20 points and six rebounds in a career-high 37 minutes in the loss at Creighton (Nov. 22).

    • Prince produced a game-high 19 points to go with five rebounds in a low-scoring win over Tarleton State (Dec. 11). She hit a career-high three threes against the Texans while also going a career-best 6-for-6 at the free throw line.

    • Prince contributed 13 points on 4-of-5 shooting in a win over Kansas City (Nov. 26), before notching her fifth straight double-digit performance with a game-high 14 points in a win over Lindenwood (Dec. 3). She also had 13 points and a career-high six assists against North Alabama (Nov. 19) during the five-game stretch. Prince added a career-high two blocks against the Lions.

    • She became the first Husker freshman point guard in history to reach 100 points through her first eight games, when she put up seven points and a career-high seven rebounds in a win over Minnesota (Dec. 8). The only other Husker point guard to score 100 points in 10 or fewer games was Nicole Kubik (10 games, 1996-97).

    • One of Nebraska’s most efficient players, Prince is shooting 52.5 percent from the field, including 44.1 percent (15-34) from three-point range, and 88.5 percent (23-26) at the free throw line.

    • Prince, who won four consecutive Nebraska Class B state high school championships at PBA while playing for her mother, Ann Prince at Elkhorn North (2021-22-23-24), was the No. 16 recruit in the country according to Prospects Nation and No. 28 according to ESPN.

    • An honorable-mention high school All-American last year by the Naismith award and MaxPreps, Prince produced one of the best senior seasons in Nebraska high school history in 2023-24. She averaged 27.0 points, 10.3 rebounds, 6.3 assists and 2.9 steals. She led the state in both scoring and assists as a senior on her way to finishing with a Class B record 2,491 points, surpassing Husker All-American Jordan Hooper’s previous mark of 2,078.

    • Prince also matched Hooper for No. 2 in state tournament history with 271 career points.

    • In addition to being a four-time Super-State selection in basketball, Prince was a six-time gold medalist and two-time silver medalist at the Nebraska State Track & Field Championships.

    • She was the 2024 Nebraska Girls Athlete of the Year across all sports.

    • Prince missed Nebraska’s win over Southeastern Louisiana (Nov. 9) with a lower leg injury, but returned for six points, four assists and three steals as a starter in a win over Southern (Nov. 12).

    Husker Freshmen Featuring Efficiency

    • Britt Prince is the leader of a talented freshman trio for Nebraska. While Prince has earned headlines by starting at point guard and putting up some of the best numbers in history by a Big Red rookie, fellow freshmen Amiah Hargrove and Petra Bozan have been dynamic inside.

    • Hargrove erupted for a career-high 13-point effort in a career-high 21 minutes in the win over Tarleton State (Dec. 11). Hargrove hit 5-of-6 shots from the floor, including a three-pointer, while adding three rebounds and a steal. It was Hargrove’s third double-digit scoring effort in four games, including a 10-point performance that included a career-high eight rebounds in a Big Ten-opening win over previously unbeaten Minnesota (Dec. 8). The 6-1 forward from Christopher, Ill., added 10 points and seven rebounds in a win over Kansas City (Nov. 26). She made back-to-back starts against Chattanooga (Dec. 15) and No. 17 Georgia Tech (Dec. 21).

    • Bozan, a 6-5 center from Croatia, also owns three-double digit scoring efforts early this season, including 12 in an opening-day win over Omaha and 11 against Southeastern Louisiana (Nov. 9). She went a combined 9-for-11 from the field, including 4-for-4 from three-point range in those two games. Bozan added 10 points on 5-of-7 shooting in a win over Lindenwood (Dec. 3), before getting nine points and five rebounds in her Big Ten debut against Minnesota (Dec. 8).

    • On the season, Bozan has produced per 40 minute averages of 17.7 points and 11.8 rebounds while hitting 54 percent of her shots from the field, including 45.5 percent (5-11) of her threes.

    Big Red Spread Scoring

    • Nebraska has shown a consistent, efficient and explosive offense through 12 games, averaging 79.1 points per game on 46.6 percent shooting, including 38.7 percent from long range.

    • The Huskers have put at least five players in double figures in four of the first 12 contests. In three other games, Nebraska has put four players in double figures with the fifth-highest scorer adding nine points.

    • Perhaps the most amazing part of the double-figure scoring performances for the Big Red through 12 games, is that all four games have featured a different group of scorers that have ultimately included all 12 players on the active roster at the start of the season.

    • In the opener with Omaha (Nov. 4), six Huskers produced double-digit points, including Alexis Markowski-14, Natalie Potts-14, Petra Bozan-12, Logan Nissley-12, Allison Weidner-11 and Britt Prince-10.

    • In a win over South Dakota in Sioux Falls (Nov. 16), five Huskers finished in double figures, including Britt Prince-23, Natalie Potts-22, Alexis Markowski-14, Kendall Moriarty-13 and Kendall Coley-12.

    • In a victory over North Alabama (Nov. 19), five Huskers scored in double figures, including Callin Hake-17, Jessica Petrie-14, Britt Prince-13, Alberte Rimdal-13 and Alexis Markowski-10.

    • Nebraska put five players in double figures in its second straight home game in a win over Kansas City (Nov. 22), including Callin Hake-16, Alberte Rimdal-15, Britt Prince-13, Alexis Markowski-10 and Amiah Hargrove-10.

    • The only Huskers to score in double figures in each of the four games with at least five players in double figures were Alexis Markowski and Britt Prince.

    Markowski Named to Naismith, Wooden Watch Lists

    • Nebraska’s Alexis Markowski was among the 50 women’s college basketball players named to the Jersey Mike’s Naismith Trophy Watch List, announced by the Atlanta Tipoff Club (Oct. 28) and the Wooden Award Watch List by the Los Angeles Athletic Club (Nov. 7).

    • Markowski, a 6-3 center out of Lincoln Pius X High School, earned her third consecutive appearance on the Naismith Trophy preseason list.

    • A three-time preseason first-team All-Big Ten selection, Markowski earned first-team All-Big Ten honors a year ago after averaging 15.7 points and 10.5 rebounds in 2023-24. She also earned a spot on the Big Ten All-Tournament Team after powering the Big Red to the Big Ten Championship Game.

    • A three-time Lisa Leslie Center-of-the-Year Award candidate, Markowski was a second-team All-Big Ten choice as a freshman and sophomore. She was also the 2022 Big Ten Freshman of the Year.

    Markowski Earns Preseason All-Big Ten Honors

    • Nebraska’s Alexis Markowski captured Preseason All-Big Ten honors for the third consecutive season when the conference announced its annual awards on Sept. 26.

    • The 6-3 center from Lincoln, Neb., was one of 10 players across the conference’s 18 teams to earn preseason recognition from both the Big Ten coaches and media. She also earned preseason All-Big Ten honors as a junior in 2023-24 and as a sophomore in 2022-23, after being named the Big Ten Freshman of the Year following the 2021-22 season.

    • A three-time Lisa Leslie Award candidate, Markowski claimed first-team All-Big Ten honors at the conclusion of a 2023-24 season when she led Nebraska to an appearance in the Big Ten Championship Game and a trip to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

    • Markowski, who led Nebraska with team-best averages of 15.7 points and 10.5 rebounds while starting all 35 games for the 23-12 Huskers in 2023-24, produced 19 double-doubles a year ago.

    • She earned a spot on the 2024 Big Ten All-Tournament Team by averaging 16.5 points, 11.3 rebounds and 3.8 assists over four games, including 23 points, 13 rebounds and five assists in the Big Ten Championship Game.

    • Markowski enters the UCLA game with 1,055 career rebounds. She is 225 rebounds away from Janet Smith’s more than 40-year-old Nebraska career rebound record (1,280). Markowski, who had 369 rebounds last season, is also within striking distance of one of the top-five rebounding totals in Big Ten Conference history.

    • Markowski, who earned second-team All-Big Ten honors as a sophomore in 2022-23, owns 1,543 career points to rank 13th all-time in scoring at Nebraska.

    • USC’s JuJu Watkins was the only unanimous choice of the coaches and media to earn preseason All-Big Ten honors. The sophomore was the preseason Big Ten Player of the Year by both.

    • The coaches and media were also in agreement on the top five teams in preseason voting, beginning with No. 1 USC, No. 2 UCLA, No. 3 Ohio State, No. 4 Maryland and No. 5 Indiana.

     



    The University of Nebraska Huskers are gearing up for a tough battle as they open their Big Ten road trip against the No. 1 ranked UCLA Bruins. This highly anticipated matchup is sure to be a test of skill and determination for both teams.

    The Huskers will need to bring their A-game as they face off against the top-ranked team in the nation. With a talented roster and a strong coaching staff, Nebraska is poised to give UCLA a run for their money.

    Fans can expect an exciting and intense game as the Huskers look to make a statement early in their Big Ten conference play. Be sure to tune in and cheer on the Huskers as they take on the Bruins in what is sure to be a thrilling matchup. Go Big Red! #Huskers #GBR #BigTenBasketball

    Tags:

    1. Huskers basketball
    2. Big Ten road trip
    3. No. 1 UCLA
    4. University of Nebraska
    5. College basketball
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    7. NCAA basketball
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    9. UCLA Bruins
    10. Huskers vs UCLA

    #Huskers #Open #Big #Ten #Road #Trip #UCLA #University #Nebraska

  • Huskers Open Big Ten Holiday Road Trip at No. 1 UCLA – University of Nebraska

    Huskers Open Big Ten Holiday Road Trip at No. 1 UCLA – University of Nebraska


    The Nebraska women’s basketball team embarks on its first Big Ten Conference road trip of 2024-25 by battling unbeaten and No. 1 UCLA in Los Angeles on Sunday, Dec. 29.

    Tip-off between the Huskers (10-2, 1-0 Big Ten) and the Bruins (12-0, 1-0 Big Ten) at historic Pauley Pavilion is set for 4 p.m. (CT).

    A live video stream of the game will be available to B1G+ subscribers.

    Nebraska fans can listen across the Huskers Radio Network, including 107.3 FM in Lincoln and 590 AM in Omaha, the Huskers App and Huskers.com. Matt Coatney and Jeff Griesch will be on the radio call with pregame beginning at 3:30 p.m. (CT).

    Nebraska’s Big Ten road opener at No. 1 UCLA will be its second straight road game against an unbeaten opponent, after suffering a 72-61 setback at then-No. 17 Georgia Tech (Dec. 21) before heading home for the holiday break. The Yellow Jackets improved to 13-0 and jumped to No. 13 in the AP rankings after beating the Big Red.

    All-America candidate Alexis Markowski led the Huskers at Georgia Tech with 20 points and 10 rebounds for her fifth double-double of the season and school-record 45th of her career. She also pushed her career totals to 1,543 points and 1,055 rebounds. The Naismith, Wooden and Lisa Leslie Award candidate is one of just four Huskers in history to achieve the combined career milestones of 1,500 points and 1,000 rebounds – joining only first-team All-Americans Karen Jennings (1993), Kelsey Griffin (2010) and Jordan Hooper (2014). All three of those Huskers have their jerseys retired and are in Nebraska’s Athletic Hall of Fame. Markowski, a three-time All-Big Ten choice, is averaging team bests of 15.0 points and 8.3 rebounds this season.

    Big Ten Freshman of the Year candidate Britt Prince is off to a strong start, ranking second among the Huskers in scoring (13.1 ppg), assists (3.1 apg) and steals (1.5 spg) while adding 3.9 rebounds. The two-time Nebraska High School Player of the Year has put up double figures in eight of her 11 games and has scored no fewer than six points in any contest.

    Fellow freshman Amiah Hargrove made her first career start in the win over Chattanooga (Dec. 15) before getting her second start at Georgia Tech. She has produced double figures three times and is averaging 4.4 points and 3.3 rebounds while trying to help the Huskers overcome the loss of 2024 Big Ten Freshman of the Year Natalie Potts to a season-ending knee injury against North Alabama (Nov. 19). Potts was Nebraska’s leading scorer (17.5 ppg) and rebounder (8.0 rpg) through four games. She underwent surgery on Dec. 4 and is expected to regain the season of eligibility.

    Nebraska Cornhuskers (10-2, 1-0 Big Ten)
    at 1/1 UCLA Bruins (12-0, 1-0 Big Ten)
    Sunday, December 29, 2024, 4 p.m. (CT)
    Pauley Pavilion – Los Angeles, California
    Live Video: B1G+
    Live Radio: Huskers Radio Network (3:30 p.m.)
    Matt Coatney (PBP), Jeff Griesch (Analyst)
    Lincoln (107.3 FM), Omaha (590 AM), Huskers.com, Huskers App
    Live Stats: Huskers.com (StatBroadcast – Public)

    Nebraska Cornhuskers (10-2, 1-0 Big Ten)
    33 – Amiah Hargrove – 6-2 – Fr. – F – 4.4 ppg, 3.3 rpg
    40 – Alexis Markowski – 6-3 – Sr. – C/F – 15.0 ppg, 8.3 rpg
    5 – Alberte Rimdal – 5-9 – Sr. – G – 7.4 ppg, 2.5 rpg
    14 – Callin Hake – 5-8 – Jr. – G – 7.6 ppg, 3.4 rpg
    23 – Britt Prince – 5-11 – Fr. – G – 13.1 ppg, 3.9 rpg
    Off the Bench
    2 – Logan Nissley – 6-0 – So. – G – 7.2 ppg, 1.5 rpg
    44 – Petra Bozan – 6-3 – Fr. – F/C – 5.5 ppg, 3.7 rpg
    15 – Kendall Moriarty – 6-1 – Sr. – G – 4.4 ppg, 1.9 rpg
    12 – Jessica Petrie – 6-2 – So. – F – 3.8 ppg, 3.1 rpg
    3 – Allison Weidner – 5-10 – RJr. – G – 3.5 ppg, 3.3 rpg
    32 – Kendall Coley – 6-2 – Gr. – F/G – 3.1 ppg, 1.5 rpg
    22 – Natalie Potts [Out] – 6-2 – So. – F – 14.4 ppg, 7.4 rpg
    4 – Kennadi Williams – 5-4 – Fr. – G – Redshirt
    Head Coach: Amy Williams (Nebraska, 1998)
    Ninth Season at Nebraska (147-113); 18th Season Overall (340-222)

     

    1/1 UCLA Bruins (12-0, 1-0 Big Ten)
    0 – Janiah Barker – 6-4 – Jr. – F – 10.2 ppg, 8.1 rpg
    32 – Angela Dugalic – 6-4 – Gr. – F – 9.3 ppg, 7.2 rpg
    1 – Kiki Rice – 5-11 – Jr. – G – 12.4 ppg, 2.6 rpg
    7 – Elina Aarnisalo – 5-10 – Fr. – G – 8.2 ppg, 3.4 rpg
    11 – Gabriela Jacquez – 6-0 – Jr. – G – 10.9 ppg, 5.3 rpg
    Off the Bench
    51 – Lauren Betts – 6-7 – Jr. – C – 19.8 ppg, 10.0 rpg
    30 – Timea Gardiner – 6-3 – Jr. – F – 8.9 ppg, 4.2 rpg
    3 – Londynn Jones – 5-4 – Jr. – G – 7.3 ppg, 1.2 rpg
    35 – Tianna Thompson – 5-10 – Fr. – G – 3.4 ppg, 1.0 rpg
    22 – Kendall Dudley – 6-2 – Fr. – F – 2.8 ppg, 3.6 rpg
    2 – Avary Cain – 6-1 – Fr. – G – 2.7 ppg, 1.2 rpg
    6 – Zania Socka-Nguemen – 6-3 – Fr. – F – 2.7 ppg, 3.0 rpg
    Head Coach: Cory Close (UC Santa Barbara, 1993)
    14th Season at UCLA (299-140); 14th Season Overall (299-140)

     

    Scouting the No. 1 UCLA Bruins

    • No. 1 UCLA closes 2024 at home in Pauley Pavilion against the Huskers. It will be the unbeaten Bruins’ second straight game against an opponent from the Cornhusker state after heading to the holiday break with a 70-41 pounding of Creighton in San Francisco (Dec. 20). UCLA also eliminated Creighton in the second round of the 2024 NCAA Tournament (67-63) in Los Angeles, before falling to LSU (78-69) in the 2024 NCAA Sweet Sixteen in Albany, N.Y.

    • Nebraska suffered an 80-74 setback at Creighton (Nov. 22), the first game the Huskers played without 2024 Big Ten Freshman of the Year Natalie Potts, who suffered a season-ending knee injury in the second quarter of Nebraska’s win over North Alabama (Nov. 19).

    • Kiki Rice led UCLA with 20 points, five rebounds and four assists against Creighton, while 6-4 forward Angela Dugalic was the only other Bruin in double figures against the Jays with 13 points and 14 rebounds. Rice is averaging 12.4 points and 3.6 assists, while Dugalic is averaging 9.3 points and 7.2 rebounds on the season.

    • UCLA center Lauren Betts, who leads the Bruins with 19.8 points and 10.0 rebounds per game, sat out for the second straight contest in the win over Creighton. The 6-7 Betts suffered a leg injury in a win over Long Beach State (Dec. 14). She was replaced in the starting five by 6-4 junior Janiah Barker, who managed four points and 11 rebounds against CU. Barker is averaging 10.2 points and 8.1 boards on the year, after transferring from Texas A&M. Barker had 11 points and five rebounds in a 61-59 loss to Nebraska in the second round of the 2024 NCAA Tournament in Corvallis, Ore. (March 22).

    • Junior guard Gabriela Jacquez contributes 10.9 points and 5.3 rebounds, while Elina Aarnisalo has rounded out the UCLA starting five with 8.2 points, 3.4 boards and a team-best 5.3 assists per game.

    • The Bruins have shown their quality and depth despite playing without Charlisse Leger-Walker, who will miss the 2024-25 season with an injury. A transfer from Washington State, Leger-Walker was a three-time midseason finalist for the Ann Meyers Drysdale Award and a three-time honorable-mention All-American. She averaged 13.2 points, 6.5 rebounds and 5.1 assists for the Cougars last season.

    • Timea Gardiner, a 6-3 junior has produced 8.9 points and 4.2 rebounds for the Bruins after transferring from Oregon State. Gardiner had 17 points, seven rebounds and a career-high four blocks as a starter for the Beavers in a 61-51 second-round NCAA Tournament win over Nebraska in Corvallis (March 24, 2024). The 2024 Pac-12 Sixth Player of the Year, Gardiner leads the Bruins with 23 three-pointers on 45.1 percent shooting this season.

    • Londynn Jones, a 5-4 junior who set UCLA’s single-season school record with 87 threes last season, has added 7.3 points per game. Jones has hit 20 threes this season. Jones stands out as the only undersized player on a tall and lengthy UCLA roster that features seven players 6-2 or taller.

    • UCLA’s size and athleticism has translated into a massive plus-19.3 team rebounding margin while going head-to-head against quality opponents such as defending national champion South Carolina, Louisville, Arkansas, Creighton and Washington to open Big Ten play.

    • The Bruins also own a plus-2.6 turnover margin. They have attempted 99 more field goals than their opponents and 37 more free throws than the opposition. UCLA is shooting a strong 49.1 percent from the field, including 33.1 percent from three-point range and 70.6 percent from the free throw line. The Bruins are holding opponents to just 31 percent shooting from the floor. UCLA has outscored opponents by an average of 32.2 points per game (82.8-50.7).

    Nebraska vs. UCLA Series History
    • Although Sunday’s game between Nebraska and UCLA will be their first as Big Ten foes, the Huskers and Bruins have met seven times. UCLA leads the all-time series, 4-3, but the Bruins have not beaten the Big Red since the turn of the century.

    • The Huskers have earned three straight wins against UCLA, including a 71-66 win at Pauley Pavilion on Nov. 28, 2014.

    • The previous season, Nebraska beat the Bruins 77-49 in the opening game of Pinnacle Bank Arena on Nov. 8, 2013 in Lincoln.

    • Nebraska’s current winning streak against the Bruins began with an 83-70 victory in the second round of the 2010 NCAA Tournament at Williams Arena in Minneapolis. The Huskers were the No. 1 seed and ranked No. 4 in the country, while the Bruins were ranked No. 22 nationally.

    • The Huskers were ranked in the AP Top 25 in each of the last four meetings in the series, including No. 24 Nebraska’s 85-67 loss to No. 12 UCLA at the Rainbow Wahine Classic in Hawaii, Nov. 27, 1998.

    • Nebraska’s series with UCLA dates back to a 68-53 loss to the No. 11 Bruins in Los Angeles on Jan. 11, 1977, in a game that featured four-time All-American and 1976 Olympian Ann Meyers.

    • The Huskers lost to No. 14 UCLA, 72-63, at the Devaney Center on Feb. 3, 1979 before dropping an 84-54 decision in Los Angeles on Jan. 10, 1984, in the only game that featured two unranked teams.

    Markowski In NU’s 1,500-Point/1,000-Rebound Club
    • With 20 points and 10 rebounds at No. 17 Georgia Tech, Alexis Markowski increased her career totals to 1,543 points and 1,055 rebounds. She is just the fourth Nebraska player to achieve the combined career milestones of 1,500 points and 1,000 rebounds.

    • The quality of that short list is undeniable. Karen Jennings (2,405 points/1,000 rebounds, 1990-93) won the 1993 Wade Trophy, was a first-team All-American and the 1993 Big Eight Player of the Year.

    • Kelsey Griffin (2,033 points/1,019 rebounds, 2006-10) won the 2010 Senior CLASS Award, was a first-round WNBA Draft pick, a first-team All-American and the 2010 Big 12 Player of the Year.

    • Jordan Hooper (2,357 points/1,110 rebounds, 2011-14) was a first-team All-American, the 2014 Big Ten Player of the Year and the first pick of the second round in the 2014 WNBA Draft.

    Markowski Joins Elite Rebounders in NU History

    • Nebraska All-America candidate Alexis Markowski joined one of the most elite groups in Husker history by pulling down her 1,000th career rebound in the fourth quarter at Creighton (Nov. 22).

    • The 6-3 center from Lincoln became just the sixth Husker women’s basketball player and just the eighth Nebraska men’s or women’s player to reach the 1,000 milestone on the boards.

    • Markowski finished the game with 1,001 career boards to push past 1993 Wade Trophy winner Karen Jennings into the No. 5 spot on the Husker women’s basketball career chart.

    • Markowski has added 54 rebounds over the past six games to push her career rebound total to 1,055, passing first-team All-American Kelsey Griffin at No. 4 on Nebraska’s career rebound list. Markowski enters the UCLA game 65 rebounds behind first-team All-American and 2014 Big Ten Player of the Year Jordan Hooper (1,110) at No. 3 on the Nebraska all-time rebound list. Hooper grabbed her rebounds in 4,030 career minutes (11.0 rp40), while Markowski’s boards have come in just 2,907 minutes (14.5 rp40).

    • On the men’s side of Nebraska basketball, Venson Hamilton (1996-99) owns the all-time record with 1,080 rebounds while Aleks Maric (1,015, 2005-08) is the only other player with 1,000 boards.

     

    Prince Battling for Big Ten All-Freshman Honors

    • Britt Prince is off to one of the best starts by a freshman in the Big Ten Conference in 2024-25. The 5-11 point guard from Omaha ranks second among the Huskers with 13.1 points, while adding 3.9 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.5 steals over her first 11 games.

    • The two-time Gatorade and MaxPreps Player of the Year has produced double-figure points eight times, including a career-high 23 points on 10-of-13 shooting in Nebraska’s record-setting 113-70 win over South Dakota (Nov. 16). She added four assists and two steals in front of a sellout crowd at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls.

    • She added the second 20-point effort of her career with 20 points and six rebounds in a career-high 37 minutes in the loss at Creighton (Nov. 22).

    • Prince produced a game-high 19 points to go with five rebounds in a low-scoring win over Tarleton State (Dec. 11). She hit a career-high three threes against the Texans while also going a career-best 6-for-6 at the free throw line.

    • Prince contributed 13 points on 4-of-5 shooting in a win over Kansas City (Nov. 26), before notching her fifth straight double-digit performance with a game-high 14 points in a win over Lindenwood (Dec. 3). She also had 13 points and a career-high six assists against North Alabama (Nov. 19) during the five-game stretch. Prince added a career-high two blocks against the Lions.

    • She became the first Husker freshman point guard in history to reach 100 points through her first eight games, when she put up seven points and a career-high seven rebounds in a win over Minnesota (Dec. 8). The only other Husker point guard to score 100 points in 10 or fewer games was Nicole Kubik (10 games, 1996-97).

    • One of Nebraska’s most efficient players, Prince is shooting 52.5 percent from the field, including 44.1 percent (15-34) from three-point range, and 88.5 percent (23-26) at the free throw line.

    • Prince, who won four consecutive Nebraska Class B state high school championships at PBA while playing for her mother, Ann Prince at Elkhorn North (2021-22-23-24), was the No. 16 recruit in the country according to Prospects Nation and No. 28 according to ESPN.

    • An honorable-mention high school All-American last year by the Naismith award and MaxPreps, Prince produced one of the best senior seasons in Nebraska high school history in 2023-24. She averaged 27.0 points, 10.3 rebounds, 6.3 assists and 2.9 steals. She led the state in both scoring and assists as a senior on her way to finishing with a Class B record 2,491 points, surpassing Husker All-American Jordan Hooper’s previous mark of 2,078.

    • Prince also matched Hooper for No. 2 in state tournament history with 271 career points.

    • In addition to being a four-time Super-State selection in basketball, Prince was a six-time gold medalist and two-time silver medalist at the Nebraska State Track & Field Championships.

    • She was the 2024 Nebraska Girls Athlete of the Year across all sports.

    • Prince missed Nebraska’s win over Southeastern Louisiana (Nov. 9) with a lower leg injury, but returned for six points, four assists and three steals as a starter in a win over Southern (Nov. 12).

    Husker Freshmen Featuring Efficiency

    • Britt Prince is the leader of a talented freshman trio for Nebraska. While Prince has earned headlines by starting at point guard and putting up some of the best numbers in history by a Big Red rookie, fellow freshmen Amiah Hargrove and Petra Bozan have been dynamic inside.

    • Hargrove erupted for a career-high 13-point effort in a career-high 21 minutes in the win over Tarleton State (Dec. 11). Hargrove hit 5-of-6 shots from the floor, including a three-pointer, while adding three rebounds and a steal. It was Hargrove’s third double-digit scoring effort in four games, including a 10-point performance that included a career-high eight rebounds in a Big Ten-opening win over previously unbeaten Minnesota (Dec. 8). The 6-1 forward from Christopher, Ill., added 10 points and seven rebounds in a win over Kansas City (Nov. 26). She made back-to-back starts against Chattanooga (Dec. 15) and No. 17 Georgia Tech (Dec. 21).

    • Bozan, a 6-5 center from Croatia, also owns three-double digit scoring efforts early this season, including 12 in an opening-day win over Omaha and 11 against Southeastern Louisiana (Nov. 9). She went a combined 9-for-11 from the field, including 4-for-4 from three-point range in those two games. Bozan added 10 points on 5-of-7 shooting in a win over Lindenwood (Dec. 3), before getting nine points and five rebounds in her Big Ten debut against Minnesota (Dec. 8).

    • On the season, Bozan has produced per 40 minute averages of 17.7 points and 11.8 rebounds while hitting 54 percent of her shots from the field, including 45.5 percent (5-11) of her threes.

    Big Red Spread Scoring

    • Nebraska has shown a consistent, efficient and explosive offense through 12 games, averaging 79.1 points per game on 46.6 percent shooting, including 38.7 percent from long range.

    • The Huskers have put at least five players in double figures in four of the first 12 contests. In three other games, Nebraska has put four players in double figures with the fifth-highest scorer adding nine points.

    • Perhaps the most amazing part of the double-figure scoring performances for the Big Red through 12 games, is that all four games have featured a different group of scorers that have ultimately included all 12 players on the active roster at the start of the season.

    • In the opener with Omaha (Nov. 4), six Huskers produced double-digit points, including Alexis Markowski-14, Natalie Potts-14, Petra Bozan-12, Logan Nissley-12, Allison Weidner-11 and Britt Prince-10.

    • In a win over South Dakota in Sioux Falls (Nov. 16), five Huskers finished in double figures, including Britt Prince-23, Natalie Potts-22, Alexis Markowski-14, Kendall Moriarty-13 and Kendall Coley-12.

    • In a victory over North Alabama (Nov. 19), five Huskers scored in double figures, including Callin Hake-17, Jessica Petrie-14, Britt Prince-13, Alberte Rimdal-13 and Alexis Markowski-10.

    • Nebraska put five players in double figures in its second straight home game in a win over Kansas City (Nov. 22), including Callin Hake-16, Alberte Rimdal-15, Britt Prince-13, Alexis Markowski-10 and Amiah Hargrove-10.

    • The only Huskers to score in double figures in each of the four games with at least five players in double figures were Alexis Markowski and Britt Prince.

    Markowski Named to Naismith, Wooden Watch Lists

    • Nebraska’s Alexis Markowski was among the 50 women’s college basketball players named to the Jersey Mike’s Naismith Trophy Watch List, announced by the Atlanta Tipoff Club (Oct. 28) and the Wooden Award Watch List by the Los Angeles Athletic Club (Nov. 7).

    • Markowski, a 6-3 center out of Lincoln Pius X High School, earned her third consecutive appearance on the Naismith Trophy preseason list.

    • A three-time preseason first-team All-Big Ten selection, Markowski earned first-team All-Big Ten honors a year ago after averaging 15.7 points and 10.5 rebounds in 2023-24. She also earned a spot on the Big Ten All-Tournament Team after powering the Big Red to the Big Ten Championship Game.

    • A three-time Lisa Leslie Center-of-the-Year Award candidate, Markowski was a second-team All-Big Ten choice as a freshman and sophomore. She was also the 2022 Big Ten Freshman of the Year.

    Markowski Earns Preseason All-Big Ten Honors

    • Nebraska’s Alexis Markowski captured Preseason All-Big Ten honors for the third consecutive season when the conference announced its annual awards on Sept. 26.

    • The 6-3 center from Lincoln, Neb., was one of 10 players across the conference’s 18 teams to earn preseason recognition from both the Big Ten coaches and media. She also earned preseason All-Big Ten honors as a junior in 2023-24 and as a sophomore in 2022-23, after being named the Big Ten Freshman of the Year following the 2021-22 season.

    • A three-time Lisa Leslie Award candidate, Markowski claimed first-team All-Big Ten honors at the conclusion of a 2023-24 season when she led Nebraska to an appearance in the Big Ten Championship Game and a trip to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

    • Markowski, who led Nebraska with team-best averages of 15.7 points and 10.5 rebounds while starting all 35 games for the 23-12 Huskers in 2023-24, produced 19 double-doubles a year ago.

    • She earned a spot on the 2024 Big Ten All-Tournament Team by averaging 16.5 points, 11.3 rebounds and 3.8 assists over four games, including 23 points, 13 rebounds and five assists in the Big Ten Championship Game.

    • Markowski enters the UCLA game with 1,055 career rebounds. She is 225 rebounds away from Janet Smith’s more than 40-year-old Nebraska career rebound record (1,280). Markowski, who had 369 rebounds last season, is also within striking distance of one of the top-five rebounding totals in Big Ten Conference history.

    • Markowski, who earned second-team All-Big Ten honors as a sophomore in 2022-23, owns 1,543 career points to rank 13th all-time in scoring at Nebraska.

    • USC’s JuJu Watkins was the only unanimous choice of the coaches and media to earn preseason All-Big Ten honors. The sophomore was the preseason Big Ten Player of the Year by both.

    • The coaches and media were also in agreement on the top five teams in preseason voting, beginning with No. 1 USC, No. 2 UCLA, No. 3 Ohio State, No. 4 Maryland and No. 5 Indiana.

     



    The University of Nebraska Huskers are gearing up to kick off their Big Ten holiday road trip with a tough matchup against the No. 1 ranked UCLA Bruins. The Huskers will be facing their biggest challenge yet as they take on the top team in the country on their home court.

    This game will be a test of the Huskers’ skills and resilience as they go up against a powerhouse team like UCLA. The Bruins have been dominant this season, boasting a perfect record and an impressive lineup of talented players.

    The Huskers will need to bring their A-game and work together as a team to have a chance at pulling off an upset against UCLA. With their determination and competitive spirit, the Huskers have the potential to give the Bruins a run for their money.

    Fans can expect an exciting and intense game as the Huskers look to make a statement on the road. Be sure to tune in and cheer on the Huskers as they take on the No. 1 ranked team in the country. Go Big Red! #Huskers #GBR #BigTenBasketball #UCLAvsNEB.

    Tags:

    1. Huskers basketball
    2. Big Ten conference
    3. Holiday road trip
    4. No. 1 UCLA
    5. University of Nebraska
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    10. UCLA Bruins

    #Huskers #Open #Big #Ten #Holiday #Road #Trip #UCLA #University #Nebraska

  • No. 1 UCLA women’s basketball will put preparation to the test – Orange County Register

    No. 1 UCLA women’s basketball will put preparation to the test – Orange County Register


    The No. 1 UCLA women’s basketball team digs deeper into its first season of Big Ten Conference play Sunday against Nebraska and continues Wednesday with No. 23 Michigan. The preparation, however, has been underway for much longer.

    “The work done in the dark always gets revealed in the light,” head coach Cori Close told reporters. “And we’re about to step into a lot of bright lights. It will be truly the things that will be behind the scenes that lead to us doing really, really well when the bright lights come on.”

    Close disclosed after Dec. 20’s 70-41 win over Creighton that the coaching staff and players are now watching film from up to 11 games on Big Ten opponents as opposed to the six or seven games that they watched for Pac-12 opponents prior to changing conferences.

    Playing each conference opponent once has doubled the workload for scouting, which has garnered heightened emphasis for the No. 1 Bruins (12-0 overall, 1-0 Big Ten)

    “We have a video team that’s not only double the people looking at analytics and we have multiple people doing video breakdown before it ever gets to an assistant coach,” Close said. “The toughest, more together team wins. But you can’t execute that unless you’re extremely prepared.”

    It’s unclear if 6-foot-7 center Lauren Betts will be a part of UCLA’s preparation this week. Betts, who is averaging a double-double this season, hasn’t played in a game since defeating Long Beach State 102-51 on Dec. 14 and is day to day with a leg injury sustained in that game.

    “Teams that are smaller than us – I get it, we have a huge advantage,” she told reporters after a 69-37 victory over Cal Poly. “What cannot be allowed is taking our players out at the legs. That’s the reason that Lauren Betts is out today is because of a play that was like that.”

    Sunday will mark the Bruins’ first game since Dec. 20 and the Cornhuskers (10-2, 1-0), who are receiving votes in the AP Top 25 poll, will feature a more competitive size matchup with eight players who are over 6 feet tall.

    It’ll be Nebraska’s second straight game against an unbeaten opponent after the Huskers lost to then-No. 17 Georgia Tech on Dec. 21. Forward/center Alexis Markowski recorded her fifth double-double of the season and 45th of her career by logging 20 points and 10 rebounds in the game.

    Michigan heads to No. 4 USC on Sunday before Wednesday’s game at UCLA. The Wolverines had their first conference game Dec. 8 when they beat Northwestern and have three freshmen averaging double figures in scoring in Syla Swords (15.3 ppg), Olivia Olson (15.7 ppg) and Mila Holloway (10.8 ppg).

    The Bruins have a deep, versatile roster to rely on even if Betts isn’t healthy enough to play Sunday. Freshman Elina Aarnisalo leads the team in total minutes played with 310 and in assists with 5.3 per game.

    UCLA shares the ball well, with seven players averaging eight points or better per game. The Bruins are the top team in the Big Ten in assists with 20.6 per game.



    As the No. 1 ranked UCLA women’s basketball team prepares to face off against tough competition, their dedication and hard work will be put to the test. The Orange County Register takes a closer look at how the Bruins are gearing up for their upcoming games and the challenges they may face along the way. Stay tuned for updates on how UCLA’s preparation pays off on the court.

    Tags:

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    2. No. 1 ranked team
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    7. UCLA Bruins
    8. Game preparation
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    10. Basketball rankings

    #UCLA #womens #basketball #put #preparation #test #Orange #County #Register

  • How to Watch Nebraska WBB vs. No. 1 UCLA: Preview, Breakdown, TV Channel

    How to Watch Nebraska WBB vs. No. 1 UCLA: Preview, Breakdown, TV Channel


    The Nebraska women’s basketball team suffered its second loss of the season with a 72-61 defeat to No. 17 Georgia Tech on the road right before the holiday break.

    The litmus test proved to be too much for the Huskers who stayed competitive, but couldn’t keep up with the Yellow Jackets after they built a double-digit lead at halftime. All-America candidate Alexis Markowski recorded her fifth double-double of the season with 20 points and 10 rebounds while five-star freshman Britt Prince added 11 points, a career-high eight rebounds and three assists. Sophomore Logan Nissley also chipped in 11 points off a trio of three pointers. 

    The holiday break has provided a perfect opportunity for Nebraska to reset as they travel to the west coast to take on No. 1 UCLA in Los Angeles for its second contest of a three-game stretch of top-20 opponents. 

    Here’s all you need to know as NU takes on the Bruins.  

    How to Follow Along 

    UCLA Scout

    Head Coach: Cori Close | 14th Season | 299-140 (.681) UCLA & Career HC Record | 8x NCAA Tournament Appearances, 1x Elite Eight, 5x Sweet Sixteens, WNIT Champions (2015), 7x WNBA Draft Picks | Winningest head coach in UCLA WBB history.  

    2023-24 Record: 27-7 (13-5 Pac-12, T-2nd) | 3x Honorable Mention All-Americans, 3x All-Pac 12, 2x All-Defensive | L, 78-69 to LSU in Sweet 16.   

    All-Time Series: UCLA leads 4-3 (Nov. 28, 2014 last meeting, 71-66 Nebraska).

    Key Returners: Lauren Betts, C, Jr. | Kiki Rice, G, Jr. | Londynn Jones, G, Jr. | Gabriela Jaquez, G, Jr. | Angela Dugalić, F, Gr. | Lina Sontag, F, Soph. | Camryn Brown, G, Gr.

    Key Additions: Janiah Barker, F, Jr. (Texas A&M) | Timea Gardiner, F, Jr. (Oregon State) | Elina Aarnisalo, G, Fr. (Recruit). 

    Key Departures: Charisma Osborne, G (WNBA) | Christeen Iwuala, F, Jr. (Ole Miss). 

    UCLA head coach Cori Close and Janiah Barker

    UCLA head coach Cori Close talks with forward Janiah Barker during the Bruins’ game against Creighton on Dec 20, 2024. / Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

    Outlook: UCLA received 30 of the 32 first-place votes in the latest Women’s Basketball AP Poll and for good reason. Head coach Cori Close likely has her best team in her 14th season at UCLA, returning seven of the nine key playmakers in last season’s squad that fell to LSU in the Sweet 16. 

    The Bruins return two of their three AP Honorable Mention All-Americans from last season. 6-foot-7 junior center Lauren Betts leads that trio. She’s improved in her third season of college basketball averaging a double-double on the season with 19.8 points per game with over 10 rebounds per contest. Kiki Rice was dynamic as a sophomore with 12.8 points, 5.7 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game including the tenth triple-double in program history when she put up 14 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists in a game against CSUN. In fact, four of the five Bruins who averaged double figures last season returns for 2024-2025 which also includes Londynn Jones and Gabriela Jaquez. 

    Credit to Close who identified this season as her best chance in chasing a national title, bringing in even more talent and not standing pat with all the returners. Forward Janiah Barker was the only sophomore to be named to the preseason All-SEC at Texas A&M. She backed that up with 12.2 points and 7.6 rebounds in 30 games with the Aggies. She’s now at UCLA and is one of four Bruins averaging double-digits with 10.2 points and 8.1 rebounds. 6-foot-3 Timea Gardner was named Pac-12 Sixth Player of the Year with Oregon State last season and transferred to UCLA to stay in the Power Four. Even Finnish true freshman Elina Aarnisalo is making an impact with 8.2 points and 3.4 rebounds per game 

    UCLA star center Lauren Bett

    UCLA center Lauren Betts holds the ball during the Bruins’ game against South Carolina on Nov 24, 2024. / Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images

    With eight players averaging at least seven points per game, this is a team with serious depth who are built for a deep tournament run. The Bruins are averaging 82.8 points per game on a 49.1 field goal percentage. A 47.7 to 28.3 average rebounding margin over its opponent highlights how dominant UCLA has been on the boards, plus the 17.8 average opponent turnovers per contest. 

    UCLA already has a 77-62 win over No. 2 South Carolina under its belt to further strengthen its grip on the No. 1 ranking. Its survival mode for Nebraska entering Saturday as a result similar to Georgia Tech would be a positive outcome.

    MORE: Football Availability Report: Nebraska vs. Boston College in the Pinstripe Bowl

    MORE: Nebraska Wide Receiver Isaiah Neyor Enters Transfer Portal

    MORE: Nebraska Defensive Back Koby Bretz Reverses Course, Exits Transfer Portal to Stay a Husker

    MORE: The Huskers and the Curse of the Bambino Will Rock the Boston College Eagles at Yankee Stadium

    MORE: Huskers Visit 9-11 Memorial, Ring New York Stock Exchange Opening Bell Ahead of Pinstripe Bowl

    Stay up to date on all things Huskers by bookmarking Nebraska Cornhuskers On SI, subscribing to HuskerMax on YouTube, and visiting HuskerMax.com daily.



    Nebraska Women’s Basketball is set to take on the No. 1 ranked UCLA Bruins in what promises to be an exciting matchup. If you’re looking to catch all the action, here’s a preview, breakdown, and information on how to watch the game.

    The Nebraska Cornhuskers come into this game with a 6-2 record, looking to make a statement against the top-ranked UCLA Bruins. Led by head coach Amy Williams, the team will rely on their strong defense and balanced scoring attack to try and pull off the upset.

    On the other side, the UCLA Bruins are undefeated with a 7-0 record and are led by standout players Charisma Osborne and Michaela Onyenwere. They are known for their high-powered offense and suffocating defense, making them a tough challenge for any opponent.

    When it comes to watching the game, it will be broadcasted on the Pac-12 Network. If you don’t have access to that channel, you can also stream the game live on the Pac-12 Network website or app with a cable provider login.

    So mark your calendars and get ready for an exciting showdown between the Nebraska Cornhuskers and the No. 1 ranked UCLA Bruins. It’s sure to be a game you won’t want to miss!

    Tags:

    Nebraska WBB, UCLA, women’s basketball, college basketball, game preview, matchup breakdown, TV channel, live stream, watch online, top-ranked team, NCAA, sports, game analysis, Nebraska Cornhuskers, UCLA Bruins, game day, schedule, predictions

    #Watch #Nebraska #WBB #UCLA #Preview #Breakdown #Channel

  • Can UCLA coach Mick Cronin finally get first win against Gonzaga?

    Can UCLA coach Mick Cronin finally get first win against Gonzaga?


    When Mick Cronin rewatched what might have been the most excruciating loss of his career, doing so only because he needed to scout the same opponent for a rematch the following season, the final sequence was pleasing.

    UCLA’s Johnny Juzang extended his right arm to snag a rebound and rose toward the basket for a putback that tied the score against Gonzaga with 3.3 seconds remaining in the overtime of their 2021 Final Four classic.

    Around that moment, Cronin pressed pause.

    That meant Jalen Suggs never took the inbounds pass, never frantically dribbled just a few steps past halfcourt and never launched the shot that bounced off the backboard and through the net, breaking the heart of every Bruin.

    “That shot?” Cronin told The Times this month. “No, I’ve never seen it.”

    Two years later, in the NCAA tournament’s Sweet 16, the Bulldogs gave the UCLA coach another reason to selectively watch the replay. Only a few moments after Amari Bailey’s three-pointer gave the Bruin a late lead, Gonzaga’s Julian Strawther got it back with another game-winning heave on the edge of the March Madness logo at center court.

    What are the chances the same opponent crushes your soul twice in essentially the same way?

    “Yeah, I know,” Cronin said when reminded. “I mean, it is what it is. Hopefully, the ball bounces your way sometimes.”

    Saturday would be a good place to start against the team that has tormented Cronin the most. He’s 0-4 against Gonzaga with the Bruins — and suffered another bitter overtime defeat against coach Mark Few’s team in 2009 while coaching Cincinnati — heading into a nationally broadcast clash between No. 22 UCLA (10-2) and the No. 14 Bulldogs (9-3) at the Intuit Dome.

    By nature, coaches tend to hold on to losses more than wins; it’s what drives them to keep pushing, trying to be the team on the other side of the ledger. Invariably, the toughest losses are the ones that end their season.

    “At UCLA,” Cronin said, “I’m 9-3 in the NCAA tournament and all three of our losses were brutal.”

    Over a career spanning three schools and 22 seasons, Cronin has won 490 games. Possibly his three most painful losses — two against Gonzaga and one against North Carolina — came within the last five seasons. All were in the NCAA tournament.

    Gonzaga guard Jalen Suggs celebrates after making the winning basket to eliminate UCLA in the NCAA Final Four on April 3, 2021.

    (Michael Conroy / Associated Press)

    Cronin said the 2021 Gonzaga loss was harder to stomach than the 2023 Gonzaga loss because the latter setback came with top defender Jaylen Clark and starting big man Adem Bona sidelined because of injuries.

    “It would have been an unbelievable win without those two guys,” Cronin said. “To me, we were a massive underdog and I don’t know how much gas we had left in the tank playing without those two guys. So I don’t know how much further we’d have gone.”

    The Bruins might as well have been shorthanded in the 2021 Final Four matchup given that starting guard Jules Bernard woke up that morning with a bad case of food poisoning. Severely weakened, he took just three shots and finished with five points in 18 minutes.

    “Those are the things that bother me more than crazy shots or anything like that because the injuries, it’s like, you know, you can’t prepare for it, you can’t plan for it, there’s nothing you can do about it,” Cronin said. “It just happens.”

    A year later, against North Carolina in the Sweet 16, forward Jaime Jaquez Jr. missed his final nine shots while playing on a badly sprained ankle that he had injured only days earlier in the final minutes of a victory over Saint Mary’s.

    “I was just about to get him out” of the game, Cronin said with a dark laugh.

    UCLA remained in excellent position to beat the Tar Heels even with Jaquez basically playing on one leg. The Bruins led by three points with less than two minutes to play, then everything that could go wrong for them did.

    UCLA’s Tyger Campbell, left, and Jaime Jaquez Jr. react during the final seconds of the Bruins’ 73-66 loss to North Carolina in the Sweet 16 of the 2022 NCAA tournament.

    (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times)

    A Caleb Love three-pointer was off the mark, the ball bouncing off the rim and within an inch of going out of bounds before North Carolina teammate Armando Bacot made a wild, over-the-shoulder save directly to Love, whose next three-pointer went in. Love added another three-pointer, Jaquez’s cold streak deepened with three more misses, and the Tar Heels went on to win by five points.

    It was a sequence reminiscent of last weekend’s game between the teams, when the Bruins lost a 16-point lead during a 76-74 setback against the Tar Heels in the CBS Sports Classic. Of course, a December defeat never hurts as much as one in March.

    “I just think that that team,” Cronin said of the 2022 version that lost to North Carolina, “we were deep enough that we could have won the title.”

    Cronin acknowledged the difficulty in processing the repeated heartbreak, saying “you’ve got to grow up and be mature.”

    “Yeah, it’s not easy to deal with, but look, I’ve got pretty decent perspective in life,” Cronin said. “I’m the son of a high school coach who rose to be the coach at UCLA. So if I start complaining, I don’t think many people are going to listen, nor should they. Like, nobody’s feeling sorry for me.

    “So, I mean, I just think sometimes it’s not in the cards; hopefully, one day it’s in the cards for you. All you can do is keep working at it.”

    Besides, one of Cronin’s biggest failures led to perhaps his greatest success. What might have happened if his Cincinnati team didn’t blow a 22-point lead against Nevada in the second round of the 2018 NCAA tournament?

    “That one, I kind of put in the can,” Cronin said. “Yeah, it was brutal, but if that didn’t happen I’d probably still be there. They’d probably have given me a lifetime contract or something crazy like that and I’m not here. I probably wouldn’t be the coach at UCLA.”



    As the UCLA Bruins prepare to face off against the Gonzaga Bulldogs in their upcoming matchup, all eyes are on head coach Mick Cronin. Despite his impressive coaching record and success with the Bruins, one glaring blemish remains on his resume: he has yet to secure a victory against Gonzaga.

    Cronin, known for his intense coaching style and ability to rally his team in high-pressure situations, has come close to defeating the powerhouse Bulldogs in the past. However, Gonzaga’s consistently strong performance and deep roster have proven to be a formidable challenge for Cronin and the Bruins.

    As the two teams gear up to face off once again, many are wondering if this will finally be the game where Cronin breaks through and secures his first win against Gonzaga. With a talented roster and a hunger for redemption, the Bruins are poised to give it their all and put up a fight against their long-standing rival.

    Will Mick Cronin finally get the elusive win against Gonzaga, or will the Bulldogs continue their dominance over the Bruins? Only time will tell, but one thing is for certain: this matchup is sure to be an intense and exciting showdown between two powerhouse programs.

    Tags:

    1. UCLA vs Gonzaga
    2. Mick Cronin
    3. UCLA basketball
    4. Gonzaga basketball
    5. NCAA basketball
    6. Mick Cronin UCLA coach
    7. Gonzaga rivalry
    8. Mick Cronin vs Gonzaga
    9. UCLA basketball coach
    10. NCAA basketball matchup

    #UCLA #coach #Mick #Cronin #finally #win #Gonzaga

  • No. 14 Gonzaga, No. 22 UCLA take rivalry into lap of luxury

    No. 14 Gonzaga, No. 22 UCLA take rivalry into lap of luxury


    In a rivalry that has delivered some memorable games, No. 14 Gonzaga is set to face No. 22 UCLA on a brand-new stage Saturday when they become the first college teams to play at the Intuit Dome, the new $2 billion home of the NBA’s Los Angeles Clippers in Inglewood, Calif.

    Saturday’s matchup is the fifth in as many seasons between the programs. Gonzaga (9-3) has won each of the last four, although last season’s 69-65 decision in the Maui Invitational was the third of the four decided by four points or fewer.

    Close games have been vexing for Gonzaga early this season. With back-to-back losses to Kentucky on Dec. 7 (90-89 in overtime) and UConn on Dec. 14 (77-71), the Bulldogs fell to 0-3 in contests decided by fewer than eight points.

    After Gonzaga’s two most recent contests — home routs of Nicholls and Bucknell — the Bulldogs’ average margin of victory sits at 28.1 points per game. Their most competitive win was an 88-80 victory over Arizona State on Nov. 10, which was also the Bulldogs’ only win decided by a single-digit-point margin.

    Gonzaga coach Mark Few expects Saturday’s affair to mirror the close contests his team has faced through the opening weeks of this season.

    “It’s going to be a really, really, really physical game,” Few said. “UCLA’s playing really hard-nosed defense, keeping the scores down. … That’s going to be a real physical challenge, much like the UConn game.”

    UCLA (10-2) returns to action after its own close defeat, blowing a large second-half lead to fall 76-74 against North Carolina last Saturday in New York. Tyler Bilodeau and Sebastian Mack each provided season-highs with 26 and 22 points, respectively.

    The Bruins led by as many as 16 points after halftime, but could not overcome a field-goal drought of more than five minutes.

    UCLA coach Mick Cronin said the Bruins’ late-game execution is an area of emphasis as they prepare for the second half of the regular season. While the team’s defense is at an elite level, the offense is suspect at times.

    “I’m still fighting to get this group … to where we were a couple years ago,” said Cronin, referring to UCLA lineups that advanced to at least the Sweet 16 in three straight NCAA Tournaments from 2021-23. “It’s hard to find guys as smart as Tyger (Campbell) and Dave Singleton.”

    Two of those three postseasons ended with narrow losses to Gonzaga.

    After their most recent setback, UCLA is 1-2 when allowing more than 71 points. Opponents are scoring 58.4 points per game against the Bruins this season, seventh-best in the nation and third-best among power-conference teams.

    Gonzaga comes into Saturday’s contest scoring 89.3 points per game, most in the nation.

    Six Bulldogs players average in double-figure scoring, led by big man Graham Ike’s 15.5 points per game. Point guard Ryan Nembhard (11.8 points) leads the country with 10.2 assists per game.

    Bilodeau leads UCLA with 15.1 points per game, followed by Eric Dailey Jr. (10.8) and Mack (10.3). The Bruins boast two of the most effective turnover-creating perimeter defenders, with Kobe Johnson and Skyy Clark averaging 2.3 and 1.8 steals per game.

    Dailey played less than a minute in the second half vs. North Carolina after getting hit in the face in the first half.

    –Field Level Media

    Copyright 2024 STATS LLC and Field Level Media. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC and Field Level Media is strictly prohibited.





    The highly anticipated matchup between No. 14 Gonzaga and No. 22 UCLA is set to take place in the lap of luxury as both teams face off in the luxurious surroundings of the Gonzaga Bulldogs’ home court.

    This rivalry game has a long history of excitement and intensity, and this year’s matchup promises to be no different. With both teams boasting talented rosters and passionate fan bases, the stakes are high as they battle it out on the court.

    Gonzaga, known for their high-flying offense and stifling defense, will look to defend their home court against the UCLA Bruins, who are known for their gritty play and never-say-die attitude.

    Fans can expect a thrilling game filled with highlight-reel plays, intense competition, and a raucous atmosphere as these two powerhouse programs go head-to-head.

    So grab your tickets, settle in to your seat, and get ready for a showdown between two of college basketball’s most storied programs as they take their rivalry into the lap of luxury.

    Tags:

    • No. 14 Gonzaga
    • No. 22 UCLA
    • college basketball rivalry
    • luxury matchup
    • NCAA basketball
    • top ranked teams
    • Gonzaga vs UCLA
    • college sports rivalry
    • March Madness contenders
    • basketball showdown

    #Gonzaga #UCLA #rivalry #lap #luxury

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