UCLA has never surmounted Connecticut in the history of the program.

The two teams have faced one another seven times, and on each occasion, the Huskies have come out on top.

But come Friday, they will converge for the eighth time – and this time, the Bruins will hold the initial advantage.

In its biggest test yet, No. 2 UCLA women’s basketball (4-0) will look to reveal its strength against No. 6 University of Connecticut (3-1) in the Cayman Islands Classic. Across the Huskies’ 7-0 all-time advantage, five of the Bruins’ losses have come within the Cori Close era.

Amidst a slew of top-five upsets within the first few weeks of college women’s basketball play, then-No. 2 Connecticut suffered one of its own at the hands of unranked NC State by a score of 92-81 – the most points the Huskies have allowed since 2001. UCLA narrowly avoided seeing its own upset after a scare from unranked Princeton last week.

Close said the upsets show the breadth of talented teams that extends well beyond the country’s top 25.

“How awesome would it be get to be tested like that every single night. And you’ve been seeing that on the men’s side for a long time,” Close said. “And then in the last couple of years, you’re really seeing that on the women’s side, and I just think it makes us all better.”

The Huskies – who are led by coach Geno Auriemma, one of the most renowned coaches in women’s basketball – have been plagued by injuries in recent years. Last season, guards Paige Bueckers and Azzi Fudd, two top recruits in their respective classes, both faced season-ending injuries.

On Wednesday, it was announced that Fudd would be out for the entirety of the 2023-24 campaign after sustaining a torn ACL and medial meniscus during practice.

In addition to Friday being the look at UCLA’s strength against a fellow top-10 ranked squad, it’ll also present Connecticut’s capabilities in Fudd’s absence – potentially sending hints to the respective programs’ success in March.

Close said the Huskies boast a well-rounded roster, and will be a formidable opponent to face.

“Coach Auriemma is a great coach,” Close said. “They have excellent players. Paige Bueckers is back playing at a really high level. They have great versatility. They’re playing fast, small and aggressive.”

UCLA, on the other hand, is a team that looks entirely different than last season. With the addition of sophomore transfer Lauren Betts – a 6-foot-7 center who’s averaging a double-double – the Bruins have been nearly unstoppable on the boards, averaging 46.5 per game and limiting their opponents to just 23.8.

Graduate student guard Charisma Osborne said Betts’ height and power in the paint spreads the floor, allowing for more shot opportunities for the guards.

“Obviously, Lauren’s been really good for us. And I think clearly she’s really efficient in the paint.” Osborne said. “I’m sure everybody on the team knows that she’s really effective, and we really try to get into the ball as much as we can.”

Betts said she still has a long way to go and that her success is attributed to the guards finding her inside the paint.

“I mean, obviously I have a lot of work to do. There’s a lot of things that I could be better at,” Betts said. “They did a really good job finding me. I wouldn’t be scoring if it wasn’t for them working hard to get the ball.”

In addition to Betts, a new star emerges each game as a myriad of other Bruins have seen 20-plus point performances this season.

So after seven straight losses to one of the best programs in college women’s basketball, UCLA will have the opportunity to avenge its defeats all while showing where its ceiling truly lies.

“This is what we came here to do,” Close said. “Be tested and have a barometer of where we are and to compete at the very highest levels.”