LOS ANGELES — Lauren Betts has not just changed how she’s played – the elements of being Lauren Betts have forced her to.

Often triple-teamed and surrounded in the paint, the 6-foot-7 center’s shots might not be dropping at as high a rate to begin her senior season – averaging 13.3 points on 57.9% shooting compared to 20.2 points while converting 64.8% from the field a year ago – but the reigning Naismith Defensive Player of the Year’s intangibles are growing.

Coach Cori Close is seeing Betts’ efforts firsthand before No. 4 UCLA begins Big Ten play – with a one-off game against Oregon – in the middle of its nonconference slate at noon Sunday at Pauley Pavilion.

After UCLA defeated then-No. 14 Tennessee 99-77 last Sunday, Close waxed on how the struggle that may be apparent on Betts’ f

See Full Page