Swanson: Becoming the next South Carolina was always UCLA’s goal. Now it must beat its inspiration
PHOENIX — I must confess, I didn’t believe them.
Four years ago, I listened to then-freshman Kiki Rice and coach Cori Close tell me that their UCLA women’s basketball program would someday be like South Carolina’s.
I didn’t buy it, but I admired their aspirational attitude like I admired someone who dreamed of visiting the moon.
At the time, the Gamecocks were two-time national champions. Now, of course, coach Dawn Staley’s teams have won three NCAA titles — with a shot at four, if she can get her team past Rice, Close and their Bruins in the NCAA women’s basketball championship game on Sunday.
