UCLA standout Lauren Betts light-heartedly echoes Mick Cronin's sentiment while discussing team’s focus on defense

UCLA women's basketball standout Lauren Betts made some light-hearted comments about the Bruins' travel schedules in their undefeated season. In an interview on ESPN during halftime in the South Carolina vs. LSU game on Friday, Betts revealed the biggest adjustments she had to make and also shed light on the team's defense in their stellar 2024-25 campaign.

“Besides the travel,” Betts said, with a laugh. “I think just making sure that perimeter-wise, I think every single team that we play, they have so many amazing shooters. and I think for taller players, like me and the other forwards, I think just making sure that defensively, we can switch out any guard, no matter who they are throughout the game."

“It’s made us elevate our game a lot. And I think just defensively, having to communicate through that a little bit more has definitely made our team a lot better.”

Betts' comments about the team's travel schedules echoed UCLA men's basketball head coach Mick Cronin's concerns in the Big Ten. Cronin recently called out a reporter who asked him about the impact of travel on Big Ten teams in the eastern part of the country.

“We have to go back four times. ‘Oh, the Big Ten teams get to come to Los Angeles where it’s 70 degrees one time a year.’ They don’t even have to switch hotels. We’re 12 miles apart. Are you kidding me? Please tell me you’re kidding me. I mean is this a plant? Is this a planted question? I mean you cannot be serious with that,” he said.

Meanwhile, Betts has continued to show her evolvement in college basketball, averaging career-highs of 20.3 points, 10.1 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 2.9 blocks per game while shooting 62.3% from the field. UCLA are 19-0 this season and ranked No. 1 in the nation. The Bruins remain the only team that have beaten Dawn Staley's high-flying South Carolina this season.

Lauren Betts leads UCLA to win vs Rutgers

No. 1 UCLA extended their undefeated streak after a dominant 84-66 win over Rutgers on Thursday. Lauren Betts was the star of the game, leading the Bruins with 25 points, 13 rebounds and five blocks. The junior center scored eight points in UCLA's 20-6 run in the second quarter.

UCLA have been on the road for nearly a week and remain the only team to stay unbeaten this season, following LSU's 66-56 loss to South Carolina on Friday. The Bruins are on the road again to No. 8 Maryland on Sunday to hopefully end their East Coast campaign with another victory.