Surging UCLA womens basketball feels like team of destiny

INDIANAPOLIS — They broke out a spontaneous dance routine on a confetti-strewn stage, a trio of UCLA women’s basketball stars busting some celebratory moves.Consider it a warmup for the Big Dance.If the Bruins can replicate the joy and dominance they flashed across three days here — not to mention an unbeaten run through the Big Ten’s regular season — then anyone who stands in their way in the NCAA Tournament might want to step aside.This has the feel of a team on the verge of a historic run.What other way is there to describe the Bruin buzzsaw of the last four months?Top-seeded UCLA’s 96-45 rout of second-seeded Iowa on Sunday in the Big Ten Tournament championship at Gainbridge Fieldhouse represented the most lopsided title game in conference history.It also gave the Bruins a second straight conference tournament title and three victories in as many days by a combined 79 points.“I’m not really surprised because of the amount of work we’ve done in practice,” UCLA center Lauren Betts said.

“We’ve been competing against ourselves all season and just constantly trying to get better every single day.When you have moments like these, you just feel really prepared for it.”The Bruins (31-1) are on an extended joyride, winning a program-record 25 consecutive games, last losing to Texas in late November.What should strike even more fear into anyone who might face this team in the coming weeks? Coach Cori Close said her players are capable of reaching another level than they did Sunday, noting they had zero offensive rebounds at halftime.“I think my biggest responsibility as the leader of this program,” Close said, “is to hold the standard.”UCLA’s beatdown of the Hawkeyes sparked an extended celebration.

The Bruins ran over to their band soon after the final buzzer, rhythmically thrusting their arms into the air while serenaded by the celebratory song “Rover,” smiles all around.As point guard Kiki Rice held the championship trophy, h...