With Jaylen Clark out, UCLA will need guys like David Singleton to step up in the Pac-12 Tournament. (Photo Credit: Scott Chandler/uclabruins.com)
Before discussing today’s game, let’s quickly recap yesterday’s Pac-12 Tournament First Round action.
The tournament began with #9 seed Colorado upsetting Washington, 74-68, behind Julian Hammond III’s career-high 21 points. Hammond started in place of KJ Simpson, who was out due to an illness.
The early exit could prove fatal for Washington head coach as the Seattle Times has an article saying that a costly buyout may be the only thing which saves Hopkins’ job.
Speaking of coaches on the hot seat, Mark Fox looks to be a goner after UC Berkeley won just three games this season. Yesterday, the Golden Bears fell to Washington State, 69-52, for the program’s 29th loss of the year. The Cougars will now play Oregon this afternoon after UCLA plays Colorado.
The Stanford Cardinal beat Utah yesterday, 73-62, in an upset. The 10th-seeded Cardinal struggled a little but after losing to UCLA, but the win over the Runnin’ Utes may help Jerod Haase keep his job. Can Haase lead the Cardinal to another upset tonight against Arizona? Never say never. Stanford has already beaten the Wildcats once this season.
In the final first round game, Bobby Hurley’s Sun Devils topped Oregon State, 63-57, to keep ASU’s NCAA hope alive while setting up a quarterfinal game against Southern Cal tonight.
When the UCLA Bruins defeated Colorado in Boulder a few weeks ago, Jaylen Clark scored eight points in 32 minutes before fouling out. That was significant because UCLA ended up winning the game 60-56.
This means that Coach Mick Cronin will need to find a way to make up for the production the Bruins will lose as a result of Clark’s injury.
The most obvious guy UCLA will need to step up is David Singleton.
Singleton played 22 minutes against the Buffaloes, but he didn’t score a single point in the game. The good news is that he didn’t have a horrible game. In fact, Singleton only took one shot, a three-point attempt, over the course of that game. So, the fact that he missed it wasn’t that big a deal. Regardless, that will need to change this afternoon when the Bruins face the Buffs in the Pac-12 Tournament Quarterfinals.
Even if Singleton doesn’t make up all eight points that Clark had, and UCLA probably doesn’t need him to step up quite that much if they can also get some additional production from Amari Bailey or even Adem Bona.
Of course, the Bruins can also make up for the loss of Clark by playing even tougher defense. UCLA’s defense has been outstanding down the stretch and they will need more of that today.
Now, the other thing we’ve seen all year has been that Jaime Jaquez, Jr. has stepped up whenever the Bruins needed him to. Against the Buffs a few weeks ago, he scored just 17 points. So, it’s certainly possible that Jacquez could make up for the loss of Clark’s production.
The bottom line here, though, is pretty simple.
Great teams rise to meet adversity. This UCLA team has the chance to be great. And, now is the time to prove it. It is March, after all.
Listen to the Game With TMB
Today’s game will be on Pac-12 Networks with Roxy Bernstein and Don MacLean. 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. Colorado Buffaloes Pac-12 Tournament game thread. Here’s how to watch today’s game:
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We are here at Henderson, Nevada, not far away from the Las Vegas strip. Looking forward to a good game at noon time. I heard they will let us in around 11 am.
I have an out of town appointment this afternoon. Will listen while driving to root our Bruins on. Go Bruins!!
And - the very best to Jaylen - what a fine young man and leader. Hope they take him to the NCAA tournament. His leadership on the bench can be invaluable.
I also hope that Jaylen Clark travels to the NCAA tournament if he isn't able to play. After suffering a season ending injury, Chris Smith was there with the team. I still remember the locker room videos of him putting the stickers on the bracket board for every Bruin win in the tournament.
They are shooting on fire and there hasn’t been a lot of good defense so far. The refs got involved to flex their whistles and took the two freshmen out of the ucla lineup. If ucla can play some defense they could go on a run… they’re going to have to play a tough game though as CU isn’t going to back down
Lots of whistles are bad for us. We’re not they deep. I can’t tell if defense is poor because we’re adjusting to missing Clark and trying new things or maybe we’re not as excited to play this tournament after emotional Arizona game and the NCAA tournament coming up.
This is the first barometer of what ucla can do without Clark this season. While their offense is doing ok, they need a strong second half to prove to all the experts that they are still a strong defensive team. If they can’t do that against a CU team missing two key players, it won’t be good for their chances in the big tourney
Bona gotta stop switching his man! He’s hanging his guards out to dry on a center.
Also, stop the press! It’s not lead to any steals. UCLA isn’t built to run a press without Clark… even with Clark they’ve been awful at the press.
Finally, Mclendon is awful. He shouldn’t be playing ahead of Andrews or even canka at this point. He shoots less than 20%, sucks at defense, and is always in the wrong spot
Yeah… agreed with all. He doesn’t suck at defense. Just comparing to Clark which isn’t a fair comparison. He has made one shot in the last 10 games I think? Andrews is a better option in my opinion
We are here at Henderson, Nevada, not far away from the Las Vegas strip. Looking forward to a good game at noon time. I heard they will let us in around 11 am.
UCLA Fight! Fight! Fight!
I have an out of town appointment this afternoon. Will listen while driving to root our Bruins on. Go Bruins!!
And - the very best to Jaylen - what a fine young man and leader. Hope they take him to the NCAA tournament. His leadership on the bench can be invaluable.
I also hope that Jaylen Clark travels to the NCAA tournament if he isn't able to play. After suffering a season ending injury, Chris Smith was there with the team. I still remember the locker room videos of him putting the stickers on the bracket board for every Bruin win in the tournament.
Good afternoon, Bruin Mama!
Hi Doctor!
Somehow fitting that Carvana is the pregame sponsor on the Pac-12 network.
Excited for the start of tournament season! Sad I have to jump to a meeting at 1pm, but maybe I can have the game on mute in the background lol
U clap clap!
C clap clap!
L clap clap!
L clap clap!
A clap clap!
U C L A fight fight fight!
Who's gonna step up?
Tyger with the first points on the board
JJ to Bona for an inside deuce!
Singleton came up grimacing and shaking his arm after taking a charge. hopefully nothing seriously.
Travel! Not called!
Yup
Looks like this crew does know how to call double dribbles.
Tyger + Andrews playing together is a lineup I wanted to see get extended time.
Bona D made that happen!
Amari stepping up!
Three from Bailey and Bruins lead for the first time!
Wow, Bailey!
Bailey with 3, played good defense when caught on mismatch, and now going to line for and-1 opportunity!
Love to see this!
Bailey with 9 points
Now with 11. Just hit a 3!
UC Berkeley has fired Mark Fox.
Thank you for the update.
SUrprised it wasnt a midseason firing
Holy K-rap, They're shooting the lights out!
Good thing so are we!
Both teams about 60%
UCLA's press is taking them out of their half court D, which is our strength.
Ooh Canka in for Bailey
Time to hit our Free throws!
Tripleton! Nice to see.
Brief Canka sighting. Looked lost on D.
Jaime moves in and scores!
Beauty, Adem!
Whistle happy
Campbell with the floater!
Tygrrrr!
I'm sure running over DaSilva felt good
At least it was the right truck.
38-37 buffalo chips at the half.
Colorado is on fire
Our team is basically either freshman and seniors without Clark. We’re pretty much relying on 5+ freshman the rest of the way.
They are shooting on fire and there hasn’t been a lot of good defense so far. The refs got involved to flex their whistles and took the two freshmen out of the ucla lineup. If ucla can play some defense they could go on a run… they’re going to have to play a tough game though as CU isn’t going to back down
The refs flexing their whistles...facts.
Buffs have gotten away with at least two travels to my eyes.
Lots of whistles are bad for us. We’re not they deep. I can’t tell if defense is poor because we’re adjusting to missing Clark and trying new things or maybe we’re not as excited to play this tournament after emotional Arizona game and the NCAA tournament coming up.
Gotta pick up the D.
Early on it looked like Singleton and Bona had turned on their D.
This is the first barometer of what ucla can do without Clark this season. While their offense is doing ok, they need a strong second half to prove to all the experts that they are still a strong defensive team. If they can’t do that against a CU team missing two key players, it won’t be good for their chances in the big tourney
Looking sloppy early on.
Tyger with the 3!
3 Tygrrr!
Jaquez a bit too casual with the ball this half.
And the refs continue to love calling Bona's number
Amari's got 18 and 3 fouls. Who else wants to play?
Haven’t seen McClendon show any offensive game all season
Bona gotta stop switching his man! He’s hanging his guards out to dry on a center.
Also, stop the press! It’s not lead to any steals. UCLA isn’t built to run a press without Clark… even with Clark they’ve been awful at the press.
Finally, Mclendon is awful. He shouldn’t be playing ahead of Andrews or even canka at this point. He shoots less than 20%, sucks at defense, and is always in the wrong spot
Disagree on his defense. Shooting is woeful. Unfortunately, Canka came in in the 1st half and looked lost on D.
Yeah… agreed with all. He doesn’t suck at defense. Just comparing to Clark which isn’t a fair comparison. He has made one shot in the last 10 games I think? Andrews is a better option in my opinion
A very brief appearance for sure. Didn't look ready.
Great block by Bona!
Bailey puts us up 3.
C'mon, Amari, get up!
Tripleton!
Trippleton and we're up 6!
Not sure I love Bona's jumper. Missing it a lot when wide open.
David Singleton gets clobbered by Wright
And no call