Last week the Preseason Coaches Poll was released and UCLA ranked ninth on the list. This week the lists continue to roll in with the release of the Pac-12 Coaches Poll and the MAC Hermann Trophy Watch List.
In the Pac-12 Coaches Poll, UCLA came in at No. 2 right behind rivals and reigning conference champions Stanford. The Cardinal are going to be going after their third consecutive Pac-12 Championship. The last year the Bruins won the conference was three years ago in 2014.
While it would feel great to dethrone Stanford, a conference title should not be the number one goal. The number one goal should always be to bring home a national title. UCLA and Stanford both have 113 NCAA titles. Now, I wouldn’t mind losing the Pac-12 Conference title if it meant UCLA gets NCAA title #114.
Along with the Preseason Pac-12 Coaches Poll, the MAC Hermann Trophy Watch List was announced and Sophomore Jessie Fleming has been selected to the watch list for 2017. Considering how her freshman season went, it’s not surprising to see her name on the list. Fleming was one of UCLA’s biggest assets in 2013. She has great vision when it comes to the ball at her feet. This upcoming season should be even better than last year as she will have the No. 2 recruit in the nation, Ashley Sanchez, on the pitch with her. It’s a pairing I’m really looking forward to this season.
Go Bruins!