While Bruin football fans may not yet have the chance to chant that, Bruin basketball fans will get that wish this afternoon when Coach Mick Cronin leads the team in a Sweet 16 game against the Crimson Tide.
Today’s game is scheduled to tip-off at 4:15 pm PT and it will be broadcast on TBS.
Alabama earned the 2 seed in the East bracket and got to today’s game by winning the SEC regular season and tournament titles and by defeating Rick Pitino’s Iona Gaels, 68-55, and the 10 seed Maryland Terrapins, 96-77, so far in the NCAA Tournament.
Alabama’s head coach is Nate Oats. Oats was coaching at Romulus High School near Detroit when Bobby Hurley was impressed by Oats’ coaching while Hurley was recruiting Romulus guard for Rhode Island. Soon thereafter, Hurley was hired to be the head coach at Buffalo and hired Oats as an assistant. When Hurley departed for Arizona State, Oats became Buffalo’s head coach. After four seasons at Buffalo, Oats was hired to take over the Crimson Tide.
So, expect that Hurley will have briefed his protege on the Bruins.
Let’s look at the Alabama Starting Five.
Starting Five
Bama is led by sophomore guard Jaden Shackelford. Shackelford is from Hesperia, California and is averaging 14.3 ppg this season. Herbert Jones and John Petty, Jr. are the other two guys on Alabama averaging in double figures with 11.3 ppg and 12.5 ppg, respectively. Jones and Petty also lead Bama in rebound with 6.5 rpg and 5.2 rpg, respectively.
It looks like the Crimson Tide will be without their fourth player averaging in double figures. That’s Jahvon Quinerly who did play against Maryland in the Second Round.
The final two players who appear to be the Tide’s remaining starters are Keon Ellis and Juwan Gary. Neither seems to contribute much offensively or defensively. So, don’t be surprised to see these guys get the fewest minutes.
Petty and Shackelford have hit the most three-pointers for the Tide but neither is the highest percent three-point shooter on the team. Petty shoots 37.3% from three while Shackelford hits just 34.6%. Joshua Primo looks to be their best available three-point shooter with Jahvon Quinerly out. Primo shoots 39.4% from three.
Listen to the Game Here on TMB!
The TuneIn player won’t embed here on Substack, but you can open another tab to listen. Today’s game is on TBS with Ian Eagle, Jim Spanarkel and Jamie Erdahl calling the game. If you would prefer to listen to Josh Lewin and Tracy Murray call today’s game instead you can listen to today’s game online.
Join your fellow Bruin fans discussing today’s game below.
This is your UCLA Bruins vs. Alabama Crimson Tide NCAA Sweet 16 game thread.
2021 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Second Round
Teams: UCLA Bruins (20-9) vs. Alabama Crimson Tide (26-6)
Series Record: UCLA leads, 3-2
When: 4:15 pm PT, Sunday, March 28, 2021
Where: Hinkle Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN
TV: TBS with Ian Eagle, Jim Spanarkel and Jamie Erdahl
Radio/Audio: AM 1150 in Los Angeles with Josh Lewin and Tracy Murray Satellite Radio: Sirius Ch. 138 and XM Ch. 210 (National feed) And, of course, here in The Mighty Bruin Game Thread!
Thanks again for supporting The Mighty Bruin. Your paid subscriptions make this site possible. Questions, comments, story ideas, angry missives and more can be sent to to @TheMightyBruin on Twitter.
This is a game where we really miss Smith and Hill. Hill was our rim protector and beat defender. Cronin has done a great job with what we have left and we can win this game, but that last uncontested drive to the hoop was telling.
2021 NCAA Tournament: How to Watch UCLA vs. Alabama, Game Preview and Game Thread
U!!
Great defensive start so far
Jones should’ve been given a flagrant foul throwing an elbow on the first play of the game
And, yes, I’m watching today. I hope TX and every Bruin everywhere is, too.
Huge that Bama sat one of their best in first minute of game with 2 quick fouls!
I imagine it wasn’t academically difficult to transfer from Yale to Alabama.
We need to stay down on their 3 pt attempts; less fouls and less popcorn machines
Tyger is on fire on D!!
Do you think Coach C scouted their out of control dribbling? 3 charges all drawn by Tyger. Plus 2 uncalled travels.
I like Jaime's post matchup-- gotta exploit that!
Dammit gotta make those layups
Lid on the basket.
Shit! 2 on Riley
Well we’re gonna need to make a basket again today sometime.
need to make every basket we can!!!
Need to make some shots.
Get hot, Johnny!!
Too many substitutions nobody on the floor can get into a rhythm
We're shooting 21% 4-15
Juze!
We are at a clear athletic disadvantage. We need to play as hard and tough as we can muster.
Juzang asserting himself. Good move.
This is a game where we really miss Smith and Hill. Hill was our rim protector and beat defender. Cronin has done a great job with what we have left and we can win this game, but that last uncontested drive to the hoop was telling.
Can we get a rebound??
YO!
Bruins making a run now!!
Oh, sheet!
Johnny's last shot LOL insane!
YO^2!
Our small lineup is giving up lots of rebs. Where’s Etienne??
about to have a basketball heart attack and its not even the second half
Playing with no bigs. Interesting lineup.
Worth a try with Etienne.
Singleton!!
Defense!!!!
Bruins up by 2!!
2 turnovers on Jules in the last minute or so
Bernard has what, like 3 turnovers now? Not taking care of the ball
Clark playing great
Yay, a rebound!
Nice 3 by Jules!!
Julez!
Our men are reaching in and grabbing it.
Quinerly is a player. Wow.
Can't believe they called that foul -_-
Not good.
Singleton!!!
All of a sudden we are a 3 pt shooting team.
Clark has to have 6 or 7 boards
Bama thought Kyman a weak defender-- guess not!