LOS ANGELES — Before UCLA’s game against Long Beach State last week, Cori Close was fit in a blue-striped suit talking to America as an analyst in the studio on Fox’s women’s college basketball coverage. Playing double-duty on television before returning to call X’s and O’s on the Pauley Pavilion hardwood, Close heard her colleagues list national championship contenders. Of course, the fourth-ranked Bruins were on that list. But so were Connecticut, South Carolina, LSU and Texas, which rounded out the Associated Press Top 25 poll top five. The Bruins’ coach thought about UCLA’s foes – the obstacles on the way to a return trip to the Final Four – and asked herself a question: What do the Bruins need to do to separate themselves from the pack? Close had the answer. It’s all about defense. “We’re at a really good place offensively,” she said. “I think we’re in a really good place with our IQ, our commitment to the process. But we still have to get better at (defense) if we expect to be competing for a national championship.” Unlike Long Beach State and Cal Poly, which lined up for end-to-end dominant defeats against UCLA at Pauley Pavilion, the return to Big Ten play could threaten the Bruins defensively. UCLA (11-1 overall, 1-0 Big Ten) will officially resume conference play on the road at No. 19 Ohio State (11-1, 1-0) on Sunday at 11 a.m. PT before turning to Penn State (7-5, 0-1) in Happy Valley on Wednesday at 11 a.m. Whereas the Lady Lions might resemble some of the Bruins’ more recent nonconference opponents – recently losing to Richmond by 16 points – the Buckeyes provide a serious threat in Columbus, averaging 87.2 points per game (14th best in the nation). Ohio State sophomore guard Jaloni Cambridge is just 5-foot-7 – shorter than UCLA’s entire roster by three inches – but is leading the Buckeyes with 19.3 points per game while shooting 51.7% from the field. Freshman forward Kylie Kitts has also had a bright start to her OSU career, starting and averaging 10 points and 7.5 rebounds per game. For the Bruins, however, they just integrated their freshman who appeared on the Naismith National Player of the Year Award watchlist to begin the season. Sienna Betts, who returned against Cal Poly following a lower-left leg injury suffered during the preseason, appeared comfortable against LBSU when she shot 6 for 9 from the field on her way to 14 points. Close emphasized Betts’ passing skills following the game against Cal Poly, where she struggled shooting-wise. Against Long Beach, the younger sister of UCLA senior center Lauren Betts showcased her mid-range ability and post-up shots. “I’m still only two games in,” said Sienna Betts, who according to ESPNw, was the second-ranked player in the class of 2026. “I just hope to continue to be able to go farther and farther out, but also just maintain my post skills as well because that’s just as important.” Senior guard Gabriela Jaquez, who will likely adjust to more of a ball-handling role with Sienna Betts’ return, knows the road ahead is bumpy. But she says the Bruins are ready for the battle. “(We) have some tough matchups ahead,” Jaquez said, “but we’re going to continue to take in the hard coaching because we know that’s what we need.” INJURY UPDATE Close said UCLA is going to vie to get an extra year of eligibility from senior forward Timea Gardiner (knee), who has been out since the preseason, and added that the former Oregon State transfer could return during the first week of January. No. 4 UCLA AT No. 19 OHIO STATE When: 11 a.m. PT Sunday Where: Schottenstein Center, Columbus, Ohio TV/Radio: Big Ten Network/UCLA Digital Radio No. 4 UCLA AT PENN STATE When: 11 a.m. PT Wednesday Where: Bryce Jordan Center, University Park, Pa. TV/Radio: Peacock/UCLA Digital Radio Related Articles UCLA women’s basketball: 4 questions for the Big Ten Conference season No. 4 UCLA women rout Long Beach State to cap nonconference slate No. 4 UCLA women host Long Beach State striving for more Sienna Betts makes her UCLA debut in rout of Cal Poly UCLA’s Sienna Betts could return against Cal Poly ...read more read less