UCLA IS A GREAT SCHOOL. CORI CLOSE IS A GREAT COACH. I THINK THEY'LL BECOME A CHALLENGER BY MARCH OF '22

UCLA, like Oregon, is a seething stew of recruits, transfers, opt-ins and opt-outs for last season and the coming season.

Michaela Onyenwere is gone to the WNBA. That's simple and clear.

Some of their players from last season will return: Charisma Osborne will be back, as will Emily Bessoir, Kiara Jefferson, Kayla Owens, Camryn Brown, and Chantel Horvat.

Dominique Darius will return, but use her married name Dominique Onu.

Izzy Anstey was unable to join the team from Australia last season because of Covid19. Apparently she'll play next season.

Gemma Potter was also unable to come from Australia last season, but has since decided to turn pro and won't be coming next season.

Natalie Chou graduated, but will take the extra season offered by the NCAA and play next season.

Jaden Owens has transferred to Baylor and won't be a Bruin (at least not a UCLA Bruin) next season.

Brynn Masikewich opted out of last season and stayed home in Canada rehabbing an injury. It appears she'll play in Westwood next season.

Angela Dugalic transferred from Oregon and will play for UCLA next season.

Iimar'i Thomas, Jaelynn Penn, and Gina Conti are all planning to play for the Bruins next season as Grad Transfers. 

Thomas was a star at Cincinnati as a senior and averaged 23.7                     points and 7.5 rebounds per game. She scored a total of 1900 points and pulled down 800 rebounds in her four year career. She's going to do a lot of damage next season.

Penn was injured much of last season, but was a significant player for an Indiana Hoosier team that was climbing out of the cellar of the Big Ten and ended last season making a deep run in the NCAA Tournament. Jaelynn will help the team from Westwood.

Conti was Wake Forest's starting point guard who averaged 14 points and 5 assists last season. That's the position UCLA most needed last season and most sorely lacked. Gina Conti will make a big difference in Bruinland next season.    

So, I come out of all that kind of scrambled - but, definitely leaning toward UCLA becoming a challenger for Stanford's regular season and conference tournament championships.

I predict we'll see a starting lineup that looks something like this:

Charisma Osborne        Shooting Guard

Gina Conti                    Point Guard

Iimar'i Thomas             Guard

Emily Bessoir               6'-4' Forward

Angela Dugalic.           6'-4" Forward

I'm anxious to see what Cori can put together - or rather cook up - out of this seething stew. I think she's got the makings of a PAC12 challenger. Beware of the Bruins in 2022.