After being picked to win the Pac-12 title, UCLA opens conference play against Stanford tonight.

Tonight’s game will mark the fourth straight road game the Bruins have played since the beginning of the month. They are 2-1 so far, having lost to Oklahoma State in their road trip opener before defeating Seton Hall and Fordham. The loss to the Cowgirls put on full display just how much work the team needs. If they can’t defeat an unranked opponent, then the rest of the season will not be any easier.

The last time these two teams met, UCLA traveled to Maples Pavilion to upset the Cardinal 85-76. In the process, the Bruins ended a 15-game road losing streak to ranked teams and picked up their first win at Stanford since 1999.

The Stanford team that UCLA is facing is one which is under construction. Even though the Cardinal returned 10 players, only two of them are starters. That’s a big hit to take for any team. So far, they are 6-6 and they fell out of the AP Poll this past Monday.

While Stanford is a different team this year, UCLA isn’t. They have the rocking duo of Jordin Canada and Monique Billings who have put up performances so far this season. The offense is still the same offensive power they have always been, while the defense continues to roll on through. Well, that is if the team plays like the top caliber team they are.

Consistency. It had plagued this team time and time again. Coach Close and her staff need to find a way to help this Bruin team perform at their highest caliber game in and game out. Because so far, that has yet to happen.

This is your UCLA Women’s Basketball vs Stanford game thread!


Go Bruins!