UCLA’s Kiki Rice AP Diary: On to the Sweet 16!

GREENVILLE, S.C. (AP) — What a enjoyable environment that was!

Taking part in in my first NCAA Match was a blast and to get to play the primary two rounds at residence was particular. The gang was unbelievable and that was among the finest environments we’ve had all season.

I admit I used to be a bit nervous earlier than the primary recreation. Behind my head and that of my teammates, you all the time know that it could possibly be the final recreation of the season. I wished to go on the market and play as exhausting as I may and ensure that didn’t occur.

Getting a basket early calmed me down a bit bit and having a great begin to the primary quarter actually helped too.

It additionally all the time calms me down a bit that we had our pregame dance occasion. It retains us free and we have now enjoyable. It’s certainly one of my favourite issues about this crew.

No matter is on DJ Brynn (Masikewich’s) play record is what we dance to. She’ll all the time placed on good tunes for us to get us in the best mindset.

Whereas the primary recreation went very well, that second recreation was one thing. We knew Oklahoma was a great crew and although we have been up huge early, we knew they weren’t going to stop. They positive didn’t.

Thankfully Charisma (Osborne) had an unbelievable final residence recreation with 36 factors. It was so nice for her and the opposite seniors to win their last recreation at Pauley.

I really like being in shut video games. Don’t get me mistaken, I don’t wish to lose, however as a competitor it’s extra thrilling to play in a recreation that comes right down to the tip then one if you win by 30.

Now with two wins down, we’re on to South Carolina!

We’re excited for the problem of taking part in the Gamecocks. They’re undefeated this yr and the general No. 1 seed and we gained’t take them flippantly. Lots of people don’t assume we are able to do it, however we have now a ton of confidence in ourselves. It’s a enterprise journey and positively not going to be straightforward in any respect and we’re trying ahead to the problem.

We performed them early within the season and we didn’t win, nevertheless it was an in depth recreation within the fourth quarter and we have been proper there. We each have gotten quite a bit higher since that recreation.

We’ve gone on journeys earlier than and on the lengthy aircraft rides, individuals sleep and watch films. We even have an hour-long examine corridor. That’s necessary, particularly this time of yr. We’re nonetheless in finals proper now and I’ve a pair due earlier than Friday. My plan is to get them achieved earlier than the journey in order that I don’t should be fascinated with the work on the aircraft.

I attempt to be a planner and get forward of issues and never wait till the final minute,

A pair fast shoutouts earlier than we get on this aircraft: Because of the NCAA for the cool swag. They gave us some cool gear with the shorts, prime, jacket and bucket hat. Additionally some socks, too. I heard we’ll get extra stuff in Greenville.

Additionally because of Professor Lang, my English instructor. He stunned me by having my No. 1 jersey that he purchased from the bookstore. They don’t promote them with names on them, however he went out and put my title on the again of it. It was actually cool to signal it for him. It’s so nice that he and my classmates help us.

Time to go to work in South Carolina. Go Bruins!

___

UCLA freshman Kiki Rice is checking in periodically in the course of the NCAA Match. She helped the Bruins earn a four-seed and superior to the Candy 16.

___

AP March Insanity protection: https://apnews.com/hub/march-madness and https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-womens-college-basketball-poll and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25