UCLA Women's Basketball: Utah's Lynne Roberts Believes Bruins Can Win It All

Let's just not dwell on that double OT business last night, shall we?

Last night's 80-70 double overtime defeat in the Pac-12 Tournament Semifinals against the USC Trojans aside, your UCLA Bruins are looking like quite the formidable foe ahead of the Big Dance this month. Heck, that game shouldn't really be anything to be ashamed of, really, given UCLA's tenacious effort and resilience against another of the best teams in the nation, in a gritty grudge match where defense reigned supreme. 

Yes, JuJu Watkins' shotmaking ultimately helped her Cardinal and Gold advance to the championship game Sunday against Stanford, but the Bruins were right there for a generally very even bout. The club has size, depth, scoring and shooting to spare, with a uniquely sharing offense. 

According to Gavin Carlson of The Daily Bruin, Utah Utes head coach Lynne Roberts spoke glowingly of the Bruins' upside after UCLA beat her squad Thursday in the Pac-12 Quarterfinal round.

"They have the ability to win a national championship for sure," Roberts said, adding that the club was the "most physical she's been a part of," while raving that the Bruins were "the whole package."

It appears that Lauren Betts' transfer (from Stanford, speaking of) combined with the growth of incumbents Charisma Osborne (who surprisingly didn't declare for the WNBA draft, opting instead for a grad student season), Kiki Rice, Londynn Jones, Angela Dugalic, and Gabriela Jaquez has helped take UCLA to the next level. And this is a team that made the Sweet Sixteen last season!