TAMPA, Fla. >> When Cori Close was starting out at UCLA 14 years ago, she called Geno Auriemma and asked if she could fly across the country to watch his UConn team practice during the NCAA Tournament because her team wasn’t playing in March Madness.

It was Close’s first head coaching job, the Bruins had finished the season with a losing record and she wanted to see what made Auriemma’s team so successful. Auriemma was happy to oblige and Close watched his team up close. She came back with her staff in the fall to try to learn more.

“He’s a master teacher. He’s done it in a style of play that I really enjoy, just personally, especially on the offensive end,” said Close, who was named AP Coach of the Year on Thursday. “Trying to think about as a young, first-year coach at that point what was that going to look like for me. It wasn’t just Coach Auriemma. (Chris Dailey) and their assistant coaches, their whole program, just letting someone in in the middle of the NCAA Tournament and learn, I think it’s a huge credit to them.”

Over the past four decades, the Huskies have won a record 11 national championships and are nearly a perennial Final Four participant.

The Bruins have been climbing steadily over the past few seasons, earning the school’s first No. 1 ranking earlier this season and now are appearing in the Final Four for the first time. Their opponent on Friday night will be UConn.

“If I had known, I wouldn’t have let her in,” Auriemma said, laughing.

But then he was reflective of the experience.

“Basketball is basketball, you know? And it’s our job to share it if we have anything that’s worth it, and if they think that we have something that’s worth it,” Auriemma said. “You can’t worry about anything else. Our relationship — and through USA Basketball, Cori and I got to know each other a little bit.

“We both share a passion for wines. And so her energy and all that she has, that she brings is just infectious, I think. And I’m glad when coaches have success. That’s what we’re here for.”

This isn’t the first time the teams have met in the NCAA Tournament. UConn beat UCLA in the Sweet 16 in 2017 and 2019. A lot more is at stake now with the Bruins on the biggest stage for the first time.

UConn is a veteran of the Final Four, reaching the national semifinals for the 16th time in the past 17 seasons.

“There’s four teams left out of hundreds in the NCAA, so we’re just so grateful,” Huskies star Paige Bueckers said. “But we know like the journey isn’t done. We want our story to continue as long as possible, and we have this to finish, so we want to enjoy this, soak it up, be proud of each other.”