I’m class of’95, and remember how no one thought we could win the final without Tyus. I definitely feel a similarity with that team - it’s not about the individual talent, but the team spirit and everyone playing their role. I think the media is always looking for the superstar player that’s going to the draft, and forget that basketball is a team sport.
I like your take too. I also remember well the 1995 championship game. You did not mention the incredible run by Edney, who penetrated the Missouri defense and scored the basket, from coast to coast, that put UCLA ahead for good. That win paved the way for the rest of the games in the tournament.
On Jim Hill's post selection show, Cronin stated that UCLA told the committee that they do not expect Jaylen back but they did expect Adema to be back for the tournament.
Cronin kept any news of the Clark injury to a minimum for a reason. When he was an assistant at Cincinnati, its #1 player Kenyan Martin became injured at the eve of the tournament. Selection committee downgraded Cincinnati's seeding to another region and they exited early. So he learned. The less said at this critical juncture the better.
Don't think this has to do with seeding, but is gamesmanship to keep the UNC Asheville coach guessing who our starting 5 will be. Sounds like bona will be back though: "it'll take a lot to keep him off the floor"
So funny how they are touting Lunardi as getting 67 of 68 correct. Like 64 of those were baked in. He basically had to choose 4 out of 10 bubble teams to get in and he picked 3. Big Deal. A lot of his seedlings (also not that hard) are way off. They acting like he picked an entire bracket perfectly.
One more statement on how Lunardi compares to his peers. Ranking above based on previous 5 seasons. For 2023, Lunardi ranked 120 out of 292 bracketologists.
Yeah he sucks. But who are these “peers.” It’s actually a science with not much subjectivity to predict what the committee will do, at least with who gets in. There’s always like 4-6 teams competing for 2-3 spots.
Get your fact straight. How was it embarrassing when we actually played in it and won, beating an Indiana team coached by Bobby Knight. Steve Alford was on that team too. Those were the lean years for UCLA until Jim Harrick took over. Something is better than nothing.
Noooooo, UCLA did not decline. In fact, they won it in 1985 with a Walt Hazzard coached team beating, what do you know, an Indiana team with Steve Alford on it. I don't believe they hang the banner.
Gotta have some pride. UNC is abode the NIT? I don’t think so. They didn’t make the NCAA tourney. Nobody is above the NIT if they have a mediocre season. Sour grapes. Low class. Let your seniors have another game.
If you are willing to schedule bs cupcake games in November, you should be willing to play meaningless games in March.
(NIT = Not In the Tournament) UNC became the first preseason AP #1-ranked team to not even make the NCAA tournament. Quite an epic underachievement and monumental disappointment for them and their fans. Of course, after eliminating the Bruins in last year's tournament, I don't feel any sympathy for UNC. So long chief! Go Bruins!
I am probably in the minority here, but I think our seeding is very generous and favorable--especially with the injury which will keep Clark out and the question if Bona can return and/or be effective (his arm did not move and was stationary on his side last night). If we get to the sweet sixteen with these obstacles, I think our guys did a great job.
Well consider that we took a two seed to a narrow two point loss without two starters and another two bigs fouled out. Houston lost by ten points to an unranked Memphis. Kansas lost by TWENTY POINTS. Their second straight (15+ point) loss to Texas. How do you explain the logic to them ahead of us?
I don’t know if what I’m going to say it’s just me that thinks this way or not; but I don’t understand why a player injury should “penalize” a team’s right to the tournament, or it’s seeding. If a team earned its right then let it be, if then it doesn’t work out for that team than so be it. It also seems to me, that this only applies to some teams, and not all. I don’t have a huge problem with UCLA’s seeding, but a team whose on a 13 or 14 (can’t remember exactly) game win streak, down two important contributors, and only loses by two, against a team like Arizona whose a top 10 team, and they don’t get the recognition it’s definitely frustrating. I guess I should be used it by now. I think even if UCLA would have won last night, the fact that Purdue won they would have bumped UCLA down to the 2 seed anyways. Either way, I guess they just need to win 6 games.
The NCAA selection committee head said on the selection Sunday reveal and the ESPN bracketology show that the committee does take current injuries into account when seeding teams. This is not a new position with them--it has been their policy in the past. Not saying it is correct or not but it is their rules so we must live by them. In any event, the fact that UCLA was seed #5 and second in the West is very impressive.
It's not just you, Hugo. I've though about this a lot and I've come to think of it like this. It's kind of like a relay team competing for the final. The team advances but the runners can change as needed. When you get to final heat/selection Sunday, the lanes are set and this is when the committee assigns your lane. You might get a less favorable lane based on who the committee thinks you are going to run in the finals. Maybe a strange track comparison, but it accounts for some subjectivity (always a bit dangerous LOL) and has kept me a bit saner this past week or so. If it were me, it would be strictly metrics and whoever has the best record/highest percentage would be #1 and down the line, but that would eliminate all the talking heads and selection shows...
I am not disagreeing with the reasoning. UCLA is definitely not the same team without Clark. I was just trying to explain the subjective adjustments at the end of the process. Nothing else.
I get that this is the way it's been done, but IMO seeding should be determined by what the team has done and earned up to this point, not prognosticating how they will fare in the future because of injuries. There is already too much subjectivity/bias that factors in to the seedings.
That is what I think too, but there is so much subjectivity surrounding NCAA basketball and football. I know it’s been mentioned here on the comments in previous post, but east coast teams, teams that come on ESPN often seem to get the benefit or the doubt when it comes to these subjective determination/s.
I also agree with your comment about not being as good without Clark. I have an issue, as to why an injured player should determine (penalize) a team once selection Sunday comes. If a team earned on the court the right to a be in tournament team, to be a 1 seed, or whatever it is, then put them there. It’s unfair to that team to be “demoted” of a seed just because of an injured player. As a team, you have to go through the challenge of losing a player (an important one) and added on top of that you loose a potential seed, which may have been a favorable draw, or better location. It just seems, that this happens to some teams…
The loss to AZ turned out to be a "good" loss, as it didn't penalize UCLA harshly in terms of the final seeding for the NCAA tournament. The Bruins still competed well without Clark and Bona, then without any bigs after both Etienne and Nwuba fouled out. I think Coach Cronin is doing a magnificent job in putting his team in the best possible position to succeed, not only on the court, but also in dealing with that crazy NCAA tournament selection committee and the ubiquitous East Coast bias. His calling the initial seeding "comical" and withholding player injury information seemed to have worked to UCLA's advantage. Hope Cronin can also help bring back some of that magical March Madness euphoria we experienced during the Bruins unexpected First Four-to-Final Four tournament run in 2021. Go Bruins!
I don't take joy in the misfortune of others (except for SC), but I'm not displeased that preseason #1 UNC missed the cut, as did Juwan's Michigan squad.
Apparently, the successor to coach K at Duke is faring better than the successor to Roy Williams at North Carolina. Juwan Howard is a bully. Never like him and never will.
Imagine how annoying it was to be living in Michigan when the only topic was Michigan's Fab Five freshmen. I still chuckle whenever they show Chris Webber getting a technical foul for calling a TO when they had none left.
The link above clearly showed Bona raising his right arm over his head but keeping his left arm pressed against his lower abdomen. That is what I saw when he was sitting on the bench against Arizona. At the end of the tweet, he did bring his right arm down to mid abdomen and raised his left arm to that level to clap.
We do not know the extent of his injury but I doubt he will play in the first round UNC Asheville has Pember, a 6' 11" Center, who led their conference in all three categories of scoring, rebounding and blocks and is up for several national awards. Mac and Kenneth hopefully can slow this guy down. UNC Asheville's schedule did not include any power five conference teams except Arkansas who beat them for over 30 points.
Buckle up, it’s gonna be wild! I don’t think there’s any dominant teams this year, so it will come down to matchups and mental preparedness I think.
For the Bruins, Bona’s status might be key, but it was good to see both Nwuba and Mac step up, so I’m much more comfortable. I’m guessing they’ll limit Bona’s minutes in the first couple of games as long as we’re in control. [As an aside, we desperately need to recruit a big or 2, probably from the portal. If Bona leaves, we only have Mac, and even if he stays we need the depth]
It will be interesting to see how Jaime goes, I was really scared when he rolled his ankle the other day, but he seems ok. I don’t know that he needs to go on a massive scoring run for us to do well, but I think it’s the senior leadership that is key - showing the Freshman how to handle the tournament.
Secondl weekend could be interesting, but I don’t want to look too far ahead, just want to take it a game at a time.
I agree we could use one if not two more bigs. I have wondered more than once this year if Mac hit the portal. He is getting a lot of minutes now though. As long as Bona is healthy he will continue to be the backup.
Mac and Kenneth are going to need to step up their defense and keep out of foul trouble against UN C Asheville's center, Pember, who is 6' 11" and is his conference leader in points, rebounds and blocked shots. He has had several 40 point games.
I often watch the game on mute and use Josh and Tracy for audio. Those two are the best! I have watched the Matthew Loves Ball while traveling. Always well done.
The guy is amazing. There was an article written about his life and his dedication to the Bruins, often flying from an away football game to return to campus just in time for a basketball tipoff. He talked about his early years and how all he wanted to do was become a sports broadcaster. As a kid, he would get the sports page and then practice announcing "games", the players' names, the plays, etc. It was really incredible. His one liners are indeed great. I'll have to try to remember the bagel one. During COVID when things were pretty bleak, he started doing these funny YouTube videos announcing every day things like they were sporting events. There are a bunch but here is one of my faves: https://youtu.be/vLs_UlUhkvI
Email me Tamara I’ll share my logins with you… no need to suffer like that. I’ve set my stuff at work so I can watch Thursday. I also booked a Zoom meeting for the second half so I don’t have much to do and I can watch the game. I’m hoping to pick up a car I have in Sacramento Saturday and watching the game too!
The narrow loss to the Mildcats in the Pac-12 tournament final once again showed how tough and resilient UCLA is under Coach Cronin. Even without starters Clark and Bona, the Pac-12 referees blowing calls as usual, and Etienne and Nwuba fouling out during the game, the Bruins still hung in there and had multiple chances at the end to win it. Glad they're the 2-seed in the West Region (5th-seed overall) and that AZ (8th-seed overall) got placed in the South Region, forcing their disgusting fans to travel to Louisville should their team make it that far. The road to the Final Four through Sacramento, Las Vegas, and Houston is set for the Bruins if their elite defense holds up, Bona is OK, and they avoid any additional injuries. They'll have to overcome their poor shooting and tendency to play well for only 1 half. I expect a blowout victory, but won't be surprised if they experience some first-game jitters and UNC Asheville playing over their heads with nothing to lose, sort of like the scare that Akron gave the Bruins in their first game during last year's NCAA tournament. Since his veterans are departing after this season is over, Coach Cronin will have to reload his team, so this may be his best shot at a championship for a while. Good luck and Go Bruins!!!
If no official word about Bona's availability has been released yet, it certainly won't hurt to keep UNC Asheville guessing, or just have Bona sit out this one if he's not 100%. UNC Asheville may be the best team in their conference, but they have yet to face the type of elite defense that UCLA is capable of playing. Only UCLA should be able to beat UCLA in the opening round.
Our first NCAA tournament game is approaching. Our opponents are waiting, perhaps even chomping at the bit, getting impatient to play us. They want to know if we are indeed as good as the advance billing. UCLA was last crowned champions in 1995, way before the current generation was even born, let alone old enough to be fans of basketball. May be they have since heard from their parents or elders about it and wonder if the four initials name brand in college hoops remains by now as good as its stellar image projects. As an alum, I am telling them yes, we are. We are indeed that good or perhaps even better than advertised. I know we are short of one crucial player. Another one may or may not be at his best even if he plays. In light of the daunting tasks with such risky odds, I want to tell our team, our coaching staff you'll never walk alone.
This is the title of an iconic British hit song sung by the group Gerry & The Pacemakers. British soccer fans love its stirring lyrics, soulful melody so much so that the Liverpool Football Club has adopted it as their team song. Before every game, Liverpool fans young and old would stand shoulder to shoulder, hold up their team banners and sing, out of their hearts, out of their undying support of their soccer team to an emotional, adrenaline driven rendition of the song. Maniacal is actually the word to describe their relentless spirits. With a packed stadium of close to a hundred thousand fans, their voices could be heard soaring throughout the vicinity even.
I experienced it first hand while in Australia attending a soccer match between a local team and the visiting Liverpool team. sometime ago. Sitting in the midst of it, I want you to imagine the feverish pitch aroused by the song among the fans It beats our Super Bowl enthusiasm ten times over easily. No kidding.
" When you walk, through the storm, hold your head up high, and don't be afraid of the dark ...... At the end of the storm is a golden sky ....... Walk on through the wind, walk on through the rain ....walk on with your hope in your heart .... " And this is what I would sing to our team too !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Crossing my fingers. Go Bruins!
Great analysis Tamara. I agree. Our great defense can stop anyone. Just need consistent offense.
I’m class of’95, and remember how no one thought we could win the final without Tyus. I definitely feel a similarity with that team - it’s not about the individual talent, but the team spirit and everyone playing their role. I think the media is always looking for the superstar player that’s going to the draft, and forget that basketball is a team sport.
I like your take too. I also remember well the 1995 championship game. You did not mention the incredible run by Edney, who penetrated the Missouri defense and scored the basket, from coast to coast, that put UCLA ahead for good. That win paved the way for the rest of the games in the tournament.
Thank you for the fine update. One game at a time. Go Bruins.
On Jim Hill's post selection show, Cronin stated that UCLA told the committee that they do not expect Jaylen back but they did expect Adema to be back for the tournament.
I thought I heard him say jaylen is “out for now.” Was there more? I mean, it’s pretty obvious he’s out for a few months, but no real word.
Cronin kept any news of the Clark injury to a minimum for a reason. When he was an assistant at Cincinnati, its #1 player Kenyan Martin became injured at the eve of the tournament. Selection committee downgraded Cincinnati's seeding to another region and they exited early. So he learned. The less said at this critical juncture the better.
Don't think this has to do with seeding, but is gamesmanship to keep the UNC Asheville coach guessing who our starting 5 will be. Sounds like bona will be back though: "it'll take a lot to keep him off the floor"
The Clark stuff was 100% a seeding thing.
So funny how they are touting Lunardi as getting 67 of 68 correct. Like 64 of those were baked in. He basically had to choose 4 out of 10 bubble teams to get in and he picked 3. Big Deal. A lot of his seedlings (also not that hard) are way off. They acting like he picked an entire bracket perfectly.
He's ranked 88 out of 148 bracketologists.
I'm far more stunned that there are 148 bracketologists to be ranked!
I’m stunned that there are even 5
That doesn't include another 64 newbies that are ranked separately.
One more statement on how Lunardi compares to his peers. Ranking above based on previous 5 seasons. For 2023, Lunardi ranked 120 out of 292 bracketologists.
Yeah he sucks. But who are these “peers.” It’s actually a science with not much subjectivity to predict what the committee will do, at least with who gets in. There’s always like 4-6 teams competing for 2-3 spots.
UNC declined the NIT. Bitches.
From a financial perspective, it probably makes sense. I think it’s better to get more practice and play time for the returning players
It’s just a low class move. You sewed an NIT year, go try to win the tournament.
Ucla always decline the nit too though.
Also embarrassing.
Get your fact straight. How was it embarrassing when we actually played in it and won, beating an Indiana team coached by Bobby Knight. Steve Alford was on that team too. Those were the lean years for UCLA until Jim Harrick took over. Something is better than nothing.
Huh?
Now you know. This is why I said GET YOUR FACT STRAIGHT !!!!!!!!
And which of my facts were wrong?
Noooooo, UCLA did not decline. In fact, they won it in 1985 with a Walt Hazzard coached team beating, what do you know, an Indiana team with Steve Alford on it. I don't believe they hang the banner.
Who cares about the NIT? If I were UNC I would decline it too. If you win it, so what? You're not hanging an NIT banner
Gotta have some pride. UNC is abode the NIT? I don’t think so. They didn’t make the NCAA tourney. Nobody is above the NIT if they have a mediocre season. Sour grapes. Low class. Let your seniors have another game.
If you are willing to schedule bs cupcake games in November, you should be willing to play meaningless games in March.
(NIT = Not In the Tournament) UNC became the first preseason AP #1-ranked team to not even make the NCAA tournament. Quite an epic underachievement and monumental disappointment for them and their fans. Of course, after eliminating the Bruins in last year's tournament, I don't feel any sympathy for UNC. So long chief! Go Bruins!
The refs sucked and we were cheated on the seeding, but it’d be nice if Cronin and the team finally learned to feed the hot hand.
I am probably in the minority here, but I think our seeding is very generous and favorable--especially with the injury which will keep Clark out and the question if Bona can return and/or be effective (his arm did not move and was stationary on his side last night). If we get to the sweet sixteen with these obstacles, I think our guys did a great job.
Agreed. We could have easily been 2 in the East. And I think we got a favorable draw as far as Gonzaga goes (no so much Kansas).
How does Gonzaga get a West placement, when they’re not the best western team? Garbage committee.
Well, there’s only 4 regions. All the 3 seeds got sent close.
Well consider that we took a two seed to a narrow two point loss without two starters and another two bigs fouled out. Houston lost by ten points to an unranked Memphis. Kansas lost by TWENTY POINTS. Their second straight (15+ point) loss to Texas. How do you explain the logic to them ahead of us?
Would be pretty stupid if the committee did seeds solely based on conference title games.
I don’t know if what I’m going to say it’s just me that thinks this way or not; but I don’t understand why a player injury should “penalize” a team’s right to the tournament, or it’s seeding. If a team earned its right then let it be, if then it doesn’t work out for that team than so be it. It also seems to me, that this only applies to some teams, and not all. I don’t have a huge problem with UCLA’s seeding, but a team whose on a 13 or 14 (can’t remember exactly) game win streak, down two important contributors, and only loses by two, against a team like Arizona whose a top 10 team, and they don’t get the recognition it’s definitely frustrating. I guess I should be used it by now. I think even if UCLA would have won last night, the fact that Purdue won they would have bumped UCLA down to the 2 seed anyways. Either way, I guess they just need to win 6 games.
The NCAA selection committee head said on the selection Sunday reveal and the ESPN bracketology show that the committee does take current injuries into account when seeding teams. This is not a new position with them--it has been their policy in the past. Not saying it is correct or not but it is their rules so we must live by them. In any event, the fact that UCLA was seed #5 and second in the West is very impressive.
It's not just you, Hugo. I've though about this a lot and I've come to think of it like this. It's kind of like a relay team competing for the final. The team advances but the runners can change as needed. When you get to final heat/selection Sunday, the lanes are set and this is when the committee assigns your lane. You might get a less favorable lane based on who the committee thinks you are going to run in the finals. Maybe a strange track comparison, but it accounts for some subjectivity (always a bit dangerous LOL) and has kept me a bit saner this past week or so. If it were me, it would be strictly metrics and whoever has the best record/highest percentage would be #1 and down the line, but that would eliminate all the talking heads and selection shows...
Why would they not? I don’t understand the reasoning in not. UCLA is objectively not as good without Clark.
I am not disagreeing with the reasoning. UCLA is definitely not the same team without Clark. I was just trying to explain the subjective adjustments at the end of the process. Nothing else.
I get that this is the way it's been done, but IMO seeding should be determined by what the team has done and earned up to this point, not prognosticating how they will fare in the future because of injuries. There is already too much subjectivity/bias that factors in to the seedings.
That is what I think too, but there is so much subjectivity surrounding NCAA basketball and football. I know it’s been mentioned here on the comments in previous post, but east coast teams, teams that come on ESPN often seem to get the benefit or the doubt when it comes to these subjective determination/s.
I also agree with your comment about not being as good without Clark. I have an issue, as to why an injured player should determine (penalize) a team once selection Sunday comes. If a team earned on the court the right to a be in tournament team, to be a 1 seed, or whatever it is, then put them there. It’s unfair to that team to be “demoted” of a seed just because of an injured player. As a team, you have to go through the challenge of losing a player (an important one) and added on top of that you loose a potential seed, which may have been a favorable draw, or better location. It just seems, that this happens to some teams…
The loss to AZ turned out to be a "good" loss, as it didn't penalize UCLA harshly in terms of the final seeding for the NCAA tournament. The Bruins still competed well without Clark and Bona, then without any bigs after both Etienne and Nwuba fouled out. I think Coach Cronin is doing a magnificent job in putting his team in the best possible position to succeed, not only on the court, but also in dealing with that crazy NCAA tournament selection committee and the ubiquitous East Coast bias. His calling the initial seeding "comical" and withholding player injury information seemed to have worked to UCLA's advantage. Hope Cronin can also help bring back some of that magical March Madness euphoria we experienced during the Bruins unexpected First Four-to-Final Four tournament run in 2021. Go Bruins!
I don't take joy in the misfortune of others (except for SC), but I'm not displeased that preseason #1 UNC missed the cut, as did Juwan's Michigan squad.
Apparently, the successor to coach K at Duke is faring better than the successor to Roy Williams at North Carolina. Juwan Howard is a bully. Never like him and never will.
Imagine how annoying it was to be living in Michigan when the only topic was Michigan's Fab Five freshmen. I still chuckle whenever they show Chris Webber getting a technical foul for calling a TO when they had none left.
This is just not correct. North Carolina’s success post Williams is objectively vastly superior to Duke’s success post coach K.
CBS did not show the team’s reaction to their seed but here’s the tweet: https://twitter.com/BruinReport/status/1635045213927542784?s=20
Bona looks fine
It looks to me like Bona was very careful with his left arm.
He was flailing around during the celebration
The link above clearly showed Bona raising his right arm over his head but keeping his left arm pressed against his lower abdomen. That is what I saw when he was sitting on the bench against Arizona. At the end of the tweet, he did bring his right arm down to mid abdomen and raised his left arm to that level to clap.
We do not know the extent of his injury but I doubt he will play in the first round UNC Asheville has Pember, a 6' 11" Center, who led their conference in all three categories of scoring, rebounding and blocks and is up for several national awards. Mac and Kenneth hopefully can slow this guy down. UNC Asheville's schedule did not include any power five conference teams except Arkansas who beat them for over 30 points.
Should put Bailey on him.
Buckle up, it’s gonna be wild! I don’t think there’s any dominant teams this year, so it will come down to matchups and mental preparedness I think.
For the Bruins, Bona’s status might be key, but it was good to see both Nwuba and Mac step up, so I’m much more comfortable. I’m guessing they’ll limit Bona’s minutes in the first couple of games as long as we’re in control. [As an aside, we desperately need to recruit a big or 2, probably from the portal. If Bona leaves, we only have Mac, and even if he stays we need the depth]
It will be interesting to see how Jaime goes, I was really scared when he rolled his ankle the other day, but he seems ok. I don’t know that he needs to go on a massive scoring run for us to do well, but I think it’s the senior leadership that is key - showing the Freshman how to handle the tournament.
Secondl weekend could be interesting, but I don’t want to look too far ahead, just want to take it a game at a time.
I agree we could use one if not two more bigs. I have wondered more than once this year if Mac hit the portal. He is getting a lot of minutes now though. As long as Bona is healthy he will continue to be the backup.
Mac and Kenneth are going to need to step up their defense and keep out of foul trouble against UN C Asheville's center, Pember, who is 6' 11" and is his conference leader in points, rebounds and blocked shots. He has had several 40 point games.
I saw Pember's stats on BRO this morning. Draws a lot of fouls and is near perfect from the line. Cannot underestimate the guy.
Does Pemberton have eligibility left and is looking to transfer? Asking for a friend.
Can Mac and Kenny provide more than 10 fouls and 3 points combined going forward?
Ugh, once again we have bad scheduling luck. Our game is on truTV (whatever that is)
I often watch the game on mute and use Josh and Tracy for audio. Those two are the best! I have watched the Matthew Loves Ball while traveling. Always well done.
The guy is amazing. There was an article written about his life and his dedication to the Bruins, often flying from an away football game to return to campus just in time for a basketball tipoff. He talked about his early years and how all he wanted to do was become a sports broadcaster. As a kid, he would get the sports page and then practice announcing "games", the players' names, the plays, etc. It was really incredible. His one liners are indeed great. I'll have to try to remember the bagel one. During COVID when things were pretty bleak, he started doing these funny YouTube videos announcing every day things like they were sporting events. There are a bunch but here is one of my faves: https://youtu.be/vLs_UlUhkvI
UCLA has climbed the mountain - Gus Johnson! It rings in my head all the time…
Josh Lewin is terrific.
We got lucky with him. He’s no Chris Roberts, but he’s pretty damn good.
Email me Tamara I’ll share my logins with you… no need to suffer like that. I’ve set my stuff at work so I can watch Thursday. I also booked a Zoom meeting for the second half so I don’t have much to do and I can watch the game. I’m hoping to pick up a car I have in Sacramento Saturday and watching the game too!
The narrow loss to the Mildcats in the Pac-12 tournament final once again showed how tough and resilient UCLA is under Coach Cronin. Even without starters Clark and Bona, the Pac-12 referees blowing calls as usual, and Etienne and Nwuba fouling out during the game, the Bruins still hung in there and had multiple chances at the end to win it. Glad they're the 2-seed in the West Region (5th-seed overall) and that AZ (8th-seed overall) got placed in the South Region, forcing their disgusting fans to travel to Louisville should their team make it that far. The road to the Final Four through Sacramento, Las Vegas, and Houston is set for the Bruins if their elite defense holds up, Bona is OK, and they avoid any additional injuries. They'll have to overcome their poor shooting and tendency to play well for only 1 half. I expect a blowout victory, but won't be surprised if they experience some first-game jitters and UNC Asheville playing over their heads with nothing to lose, sort of like the scare that Akron gave the Bruins in their first game during last year's NCAA tournament. Since his veterans are departing after this season is over, Coach Cronin will have to reload his team, so this may be his best shot at a championship for a while. Good luck and Go Bruins!!!
Sounds like Bona may be ready to play?
If no official word about Bona's availability has been released yet, it certainly won't hurt to keep UNC Asheville guessing, or just have Bona sit out this one if he's not 100%. UNC Asheville may be the best team in their conference, but they have yet to face the type of elite defense that UCLA is capable of playing. Only UCLA should be able to beat UCLA in the opening round.
Our first NCAA tournament game is approaching. Our opponents are waiting, perhaps even chomping at the bit, getting impatient to play us. They want to know if we are indeed as good as the advance billing. UCLA was last crowned champions in 1995, way before the current generation was even born, let alone old enough to be fans of basketball. May be they have since heard from their parents or elders about it and wonder if the four initials name brand in college hoops remains by now as good as its stellar image projects. As an alum, I am telling them yes, we are. We are indeed that good or perhaps even better than advertised. I know we are short of one crucial player. Another one may or may not be at his best even if he plays. In light of the daunting tasks with such risky odds, I want to tell our team, our coaching staff you'll never walk alone.
This is the title of an iconic British hit song sung by the group Gerry & The Pacemakers. British soccer fans love its stirring lyrics, soulful melody so much so that the Liverpool Football Club has adopted it as their team song. Before every game, Liverpool fans young and old would stand shoulder to shoulder, hold up their team banners and sing, out of their hearts, out of their undying support of their soccer team to an emotional, adrenaline driven rendition of the song. Maniacal is actually the word to describe their relentless spirits. With a packed stadium of close to a hundred thousand fans, their voices could be heard soaring throughout the vicinity even.
I experienced it first hand while in Australia attending a soccer match between a local team and the visiting Liverpool team. sometime ago. Sitting in the midst of it, I want you to imagine the feverish pitch aroused by the song among the fans It beats our Super Bowl enthusiasm ten times over easily. No kidding.
" When you walk, through the storm, hold your head up high, and don't be afraid of the dark ...... At the end of the storm is a golden sky ....... Walk on through the wind, walk on through the rain ....walk on with your hope in your heart .... " And this is what I would sing to our team too !!!!!!!!!!!!!!