Tyger Campbell was the hero on Thursday. Who will lead the Bruins this afternoon? (Photo Credit: Jan Kim Lim/uclabruins.com)
This afternoon, the UCLA Bruins will square off against the Saint Mary’s Gaels for the first time since I was a sophomore back in 1990. The Bruins won that game in Pauley by a score of 123-93. In those days, whenever UCLA scored 100 points, it meant free burgers from the Burger King location just off campus. Just how long ago was that last meeting? Thirmmafafm…Well, let’s just say Burger King closed years ago and now there is a Chik-Fil-A in its place. That long.
So, the Gaels don’t exactly have a score to settle with the Bruins this afternoon for that game so long ago. Saint Mary’s has certainly earned a reputation for playing excellent basketball since and Thursday’s game was no exception.
On Thursday, the Gaels crushed Indiana, 82-53. In fact, 29 points marks the largest margin of victory in an NCAA Tournament win for Saint Mary’s. It was also the largest margin of defeat in NCAA Tournament history for Indiana. Saint Mary’s made 10 shots from beyond the arc on Thursday, the most they’ve ever made in an NCAA Tournament game.
This puts the Bruins in a dangerous situation because, for most of their game against Akron on Thursday, UCLA was cold from beyond the arc. If the Gaels are hitting threes while the Bruins are not, the results could prove to be disastrous for UCLA.
Starting Five
Saint Mary’s is led by center Matthias Tass. The 6’ 10” senior from Estonia averages 12.6 points per game for the Gaels to go along with his 6.1 rebounds per game which also leads the team.
Guard Tommy Kuhse is in his fifth season with Saint Mary’s. The graduate student from Mesa, Arizona has played his entire career with the Gaels. This season, he is averaging 12.2 points per game, making him the second best scorer on the team. He also leads the team in assists with 3.6 per game.
The Gaels’ third best scorer is a guy that Bruin coach Mick Cronin should be familiar with. That’s because Logan Johnson played his freshman season for Cronin at Cincinnati. Rather than following Mick to Westwood, Johnson returned home to Northern California to play for Saint Mary’s. Not surprisingly, Johnson plays tough defense and had the second most steals in a season in Gaels’ history in addition to his 11.8 ppg average.
Saint Mary’s final player averaging in double figures is Australian Alex Ducas. The junior guard/forward is averaging 10.3 ppg for the Gaels. The final starter for Saint Mary’s is junior forward Kyle Bowen. Bowen averages just 5.6 ppg, but he is second on the team in rebounds with an average of 5.6 per game.
Outlook
Saint Mary’s is going to be a much tougher opponent than Akron. If UCLA plays like they did the other night, the Gaels will take advantage of the situation and probably bury the Bruins. UCLA will need to play much better today than they did the other night if the Bruins want to advance to this year’s Sweet 16.
Personally, I expect that Mick will make sure Thursday’s game serves as a wake-up call for the Bruins and I think UCLA will play a lot better than they did the other night. The Bruins are still an experienced team and experienced teams find ways to win, just like they did on Thursday. The question is: Which Bruin will step up to lead them today?
Listen to the Game With TMB!
TuneIn.com now has UCLA’s games listed as “premium” content. So, rather than using TuneIn, you can just listen through the official website like we have done with the small sports for a long time in order to listen to Josh Lewin and Tracy Murray call tonight’s game. Tonight’s game is on TBS with Andrew Catalon, Steve Lappas and Andy Katz calling the game. If you don’t want listen to them on TV and prefer to listen to Lewin and Murray, just be sure to right-click on it so that you can open up another tab and have it going while you chat in the comments below. Listen to today’s game online.
In the meantime, here’s how to watch tonight’s game:
This is your UCLA Bruins vs. Akron Zips 2022 NCAA Tournament First Round game thread.
2022 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Second Round
Teams: 5-seed St. Mary’s Gaels (26-7) vs. 4-seed UCLA Bruins (26-7)
Series Record: UCLA leads, 10-2
When: 4:10 pm PT, Saturday, March 19, 2022
Where: Moda Arena, Portland, OR
TV: TBS with Andrew Catalon, Steve Lappas, and Andy Katz
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.
Hey all...Quick moment to brag about my amazing daughter who got accepted to U.C.L.A. yesterday!!! We're out of state so those admission numbers are even a bit tougher, and I'm not just talking tuition ;-). She rules!
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I remember the big Mac chants, but I'll pay for a Chik-Fil-A.
Riley, that's how it's done!
Jaime!
Who else is ready to step up?
Looks like Mick likes Jaime in this game.
I think we need Tyger back in. Offense looks directionless
Or if St Mary's is just gonna make every one of they threes, it may not matter.
Can't give them open looks from 3. That is their game. Maybe time for Clark?
Bruins have struggled at the perimeter the last few games. We need it back desperately.
Need to step up the D.
It's the Jaime show!
Yeah!
Feels like they’re figuring it out. Sometimes I wonder if our deep bench means we’re not quite sure what mix works best at first.
Watson finding his legs!
DDD!
Hello, defense!!
Juze!
Tygers hair matches with his mom
Grrrr!
Smart finish by Tyger
Way to finish the half! So many good things happen when we work the ball into the lane in a possession.
Whew! The Bruins woke up!
Defense has been solid, both games.....need yo find a good rythm on offense to make this train roll
After a terrible start, ucla is up by 7 at the half! If ucla played this type of defense on Thursday the game would’ve been over at halftime
Hey all...Quick moment to brag about my amazing daughter who got accepted to U.C.L.A. yesterday!!! We're out of state so those admission numbers are even a bit tougher, and I'm not just talking tuition ;-). She rules!
Juzang is off
St Mary’s halftime adjustment - throwing double teams at Jaquez. That worked well for Akron.
Put in Clark and Myles. Need to ratchet up the D again.
UCLA need to adjust to the double team, meaning they have to find the open man. Jaime can’t try to do it all himself
Julez!
Our players are getting hacked on shots. Juzang made one, Tyger missed
Jules Bernard has entered the chat!
Big smile on Juzang!
Juze!
Heeere’s Johnny!
What was that?
Need to take care of the ball....can't get careless
Oh no!
Oh no....
Oh noes, Jaime down! Holding his right ankle.
That’s not good.
Looks like the run your guy to his grave strategy caught up to Cronin. Give him a breather sometime?
Cody is playing his best this season.
We need to drop the hammer now
Campbell putting the team on his back!!
If Cody Riley is making 3s the games over
Riley!!!!
Clutch 3!
Yay, Tyger!