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UCLA women take balanced approach into NCAA Tournament's Elite Eight
The top-seeded Bruins, with viral videos and dance choreography amid a 28-game winning streak, face third-seeded Duke on Sunday for a return to the Final Four.
Mar. 28, 2026 at 9:20pm
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The UCLA women's basketball team has found a way to balance their fun-loving side, including TikTok dances and social media content, with their serious, focused approach to the game. This duality will be put to the test as the top-seeded Bruins take on third-seeded Duke in the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament, with a return to the Final Four on the line.
Why it matters
The Bruins' ability to compartmentalize their fun and serious sides has been a key part of their success this season, as they've won 28 games in a row. This approach has allowed them to stay loose and enjoy the experience, while still maintaining the intense focus required to compete at the highest level. As they face a tough Duke team, the Bruins' duality will be crucial in helping them advance to the Final Four.
The details
The Bruins have embraced their fun-loving side, with players like Gabriela Jaquez and Charlisse Leger-Walker creating viral TikTok dances and social media content. However, they've also shown the ability to lock in and play with intense focus when needed, as evidenced by Jaquez's second-half effort in a recent game. This duality has been cultivated by head coach Cori Close, who has emphasized the importance of treating each player the same in terms of expectations, while allowing them to express themselves in their own unique ways.
- The Bruins have won 28 games in a row heading into the Elite Eight matchup with Duke.
- The game will take place on Sunday, March 30, 2026 at noon.
The players
Gabriela Jaquez
A senior guard for the UCLA Bruins who is known for her TikTok dances and social media presence, as well as her ability to lock in and play with intense focus on the court.
Cori Close
The head coach of the UCLA Bruins, who has emphasized the importance of treating each player the same in terms of expectations while allowing them to express themselves in their own unique ways.
Michaela Onyenwere
A current WNBA player and UCLA assistant coach who was the first player to prove to Coach Close that work and play can coexist.
Charlisse Leger-Walker
A graduate guard for the UCLA Bruins who has a wide-reaching social media presence, including a YouTube channel with nearly 3,000 subscribers.
Gianna Kneepkens
A teammate of Charlisse Leger-Walker on the UCLA Bruins, who has appeared in Leger-Walker's YouTube videos learning how to dance.
What they’re saying
“When we're having fun and we're light, we play our best.”
— Gabriela Jaquez, UCLA Senior Guard
“Coach Wooden taught me this. He said, 'The biggest form of partiality is to treat every player the same.' That doesn't mean the standard changes. The expectation of do your job, the expectation of preparing really, really well. But the style doesn't always have to be the same.”
— Cori Close, UCLA Head Coach
“If I could be free and not so stiff and so dialed in, I felt that I was better in the way that I played. It's a little bit different now, being a pro. I am more locked in – but I think as a college player, I felt the way I could alleviate pressure was to just be free. Be yourself, just understand that it is a game and enjoy it from that perspective.”
— Michaela Onyenwere, UCLA Assistant Coach and Former Player
“It was just kind of intentional focus when I came to UCLA. I wanted to take advantage of the resources that we have here. It's also been a way to have the fun and the balance of enjoying time with each other and doing different things outside of basketball, knowing that basketball is the main thing. But it's just been a fun way for me to connect, especially with my teammates, and make them do some fun, cool things along the way too.”
— Charlisse Leger-Walker, UCLA Graduate Guard
“When you're not enjoying what you do, it makes it really hard. But I can say, I really enjoy myself every single day because I get to be surrounded by my best friends. When you have that balance, it makes it a lot easier for you to show up and do your job and work really hard and give everything you have.”
— Lauren Betts, UCLA Player
What’s next
The winner of the UCLA vs. Duke matchup will advance to the Final Four of the NCAA Tournament.
The takeaway
The UCLA Bruins' ability to balance their fun-loving side with their intense focus and preparation has been a key factor in their success this season. As they face a tough Duke team in the Elite Eight, this duality will be crucial in helping them reach the Final Four and potentially win a national championship.
