Adem Bona opened the Pac-12 Tournament by putting up a double-double yesterday. (Photo Credit: Scott Chandler/uclabruins.com)
Let’s start off today by recapping yesterday’s Pac-12 Tournament quarterfinal action.
After the Bruins beat Colorado, the Oregon Ducks went on a 7-0 run in the final 3:35 to defeat Washington State, 75-70. Sophomore center N'Faly Dante had his fifth double-doublein six games for the Ducks while Keeshawn Barthelemy and Jermaine Couisnard each scored 17 points.
Oumar Ballo scored 24 points and Cedric Henderson, Jr. added 23 as Arizona cruised past Stanford, 95-84, to advance to the second semifinal.
Arizona State’s Desmond Cambridge, Jr hit a three-pointer for the first basket of the game and Southern Cal was unable to even tie the game from there as the Sun Devils beat the Trojans, 77-72, to set up the second semifinal game tonight.
Let’s look at tonight’s game between the Bruins and the Ducks.
The big question going into tonight’s game against Oregon is the same question that UCLA will be facing throughout March: How are the Bruins going to win without Jaylen Clark?
Yesterday, they did it on the back of Amari Bailey, who scored a career-high 26 points. Of course, Adem Bona also had a big game with a double-double consisting of 11 points and 10 rebounds. Tyger Campbell put up 18 points while “Triple J” added 16 points.
The fact that Jaime Jaquez, Jr. didn’t have to carry the team yesterday cannot be understated.
If all the Bruins did to adjust to the loss of Clark was get the ball to Jaquez more, teams would eventually figure that out and play to shut him down. But with Bailey, Bona and Campbell all stepping up, it demonstrates that UCLA hasn’t been reduced to a one-dimensional team. That’s huge, and it will pay big dividends in the NCAA Tournament.
And, if UCLA can manage to win the Pac-12 Tournament without Clark, it should go a long way to holding on to a #1 seed when the brackets are announced on Sunday.
As far as the Ducks go, look for Dana Altman to start the same five guys he started when the Bruins visited Eugene a month ago. That makes it sound like tonight’s game could be easy, but it won’t be.
After all, Altman is a crafty coach who will try to scheme his way past the Bruins tonight. Will it be enough? I don’t think so, but it’s tough to beat a team three times in one season. So, look for tonight’s game to be a knock down, drag out fight.
In the end, though, I expect the Bruins to survive and advance.
Listen to the Game With TMB
Tonight’s game will be on Pac-12 Networks with Ted Robinson, Bill Walton and Jordan Kent. If you prefer, you can listen to Josh Lewin and Tracy 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.
This is your UCLA men’s basketball vs. Oregon Ducks Pac-12 Tournament Semifinals game thread. Here’s how to watch tonight’s game:
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Can't say I disagree. The other night Bill was waxing poetic about some random topic during a really close game. His counterpart kept trying to regain control without much success.
Both teams shooting 38%. It does feel even, but I'm surprised the number is that low right now. Bruins need to be a bit more aggressive and confident in the lane. We look a bit intimidated and are rushing the floaters a bit.
U Clap! Clap!
C Clap! Clap! Clap!
L Clap! Clap! Clap!
A clap! clap!
U C L A! Fight fight fight!
Good evening Bruin friends, go Bruins!
Good evening, Bruin Mama, I could do with a calm win.
Me too! I think I'm going to buckle up with a glass or wine (or two) just in case!
Go get them, boys. You guys are all champions to be !
Let’s go Bruins!
Hey Bruin friends! It's almost time...Lets go!!
Hey Greg. Go Bruins, here’s to a great win.
Hello!
Good evening Mom 17
Hi Terry!
Hi, Terry! Go Bruins!
Hi, Gregg!
Don MacLean just picked Oregon? What the he..., Don?!
Yeah I know. But I think UCLA is going to be underestimated and disrespected the rest of the way.
He often gets on my nerves. Apparently Donny Mac started early tonight.
My thoughts exactly.
Those Oregon warmup unis are burning my retinas
All Oregon uniforms, court art , etc are gregarious.
The white football one with the black flecks look like birds pooped on them. Dreadful
Oregon is tall.
Indeed. At least one player 7'.
And one 6’11”
Nice execution
Jaime gets our first two!
Holy cow what a great pass by Bailey
We have to box out on boards.
And control Richardson
Nice Bona and Tyger!
Tygrrr for three!
Energy is up.
Don’t like Jaime taking on three by himself
Didn’t see trailer.
Nice D by Jaime to force the travel
Turn over!!! Need those.
No foul?
https://www.youtube.com/live/gNsCnDpBGOo?feature=share
YouTube streaming it free
Like our D
Looked like a foul against Tyger but Jaime cleaned up
I prefer Donny Mac over Bill’s hyperboles honestly
Honestly.
Can't say I disagree. The other night Bill was waxing poetic about some random topic during a really close game. His counterpart kept trying to regain control without much success.
That's vintage Bill Walton. I had heard even worse from him - UCLA played Arizona and his own kid was on the latter team. Oh my god, oh my god .....
Tripleton!
Tripleton!
Tripleton!
Singleton smooth
Need some offensive boards
They're camping their big guys under our basket.
Come on Tyger. Need to make those.
Tyger seems off - offense not looking great
Neither team is shooting well. Both teams are contesting shots.
Bruins finding it hard to penetrate - too many mid-long range shots.
There size on D makes it hard in the lane.
Yeah, but I’d like to see Bailey on the drive rather than Tyger
Here is the correct StatBroadcast link:
http://stats.statbroadcast.com/broadcast/index.html?id=459208&_gl=1*5mmpbh*_ga*MjA5OTQ1MjM5MC4xNjc4NTAxNDI2*_ga_2ZWVK1X7BJ*MTY3ODUwMTQyNS4xLjEuMTY3ODUwMTg5My4wLjAuMA..
Seems like there should be a shortcut for that link lol
I found the link but didn't know how to post it. LOL
Nice move by Dylan
Instant offense from Andrews!
Andrews!,,
Andrew spells Tygrr and hits his first two shots.
Andrews to Bona!
Andrews looking good!
Andrews is working it.
Dylan, Alley oop-boop to Bona!
A thing of beauty!
Big Mac with the rebound
Tyger from the corner with the 3!
Great effort o D
Nice 3 by Tyger
Ducks have some serious size.
Yes they do. Our energy on that last D against them with rebound underneath was hard do to their size but we got ball.
Tyger’s 10 ft jumper inlane has been inconsistent all year.
Both teams shooting 38%. Bruins are 50% from the arc.
Refs are opposite of yesterday. Letting them play a lot compared to all the whistles yesterday.
I was thinking the same but was afraid to say it for fear of jinxing it!
I always hesitate to compliment the officials as they inevitably make me look dumb for doing so, but it's a good game so far.
I don’t like this play where Tyger uses the screen to half-penetrate and the take an off balance mid range shot
Agree but last two years he made a lot of those. Last shot was under control. He just missed it.
Both teams shooting 38%. It does feel even, but I'm surprised the number is that low right now. Bruins need to be a bit more aggressive and confident in the lane. We look a bit intimidated and are rushing the floaters a bit.
Tygrr is forcing too many.
I’d like to see Jamie get more involved - he’s been very quiet
I don’t get why McClendon gets minutes. He’s a total offensive liability.