A few days after beating Stanford on the back of an excellent offensive outpouring, it was the UCLA defense that carried the day, putting up a solid performance in limiting a good Cal Berkeley attack en route to a 61-60 victory and Bay Area sweep.
The Bruin defense, which was notably lackluster on Wednesday, came back with a vengeance in this one, holding the Bears to 39.6% shooting on 21-53 shots. The Bruins forced 11 turnovers, including grabbing seven steals, and were able to hold Jaylon Tyson, who entered this game averaging 20 points a game, to only 16 points on 6-12 shooting, including stopping him on the final drive of the game, with Brandon Williams playing strong on-ball defense, Adem Bona flying in to alter the shot, and Lazar Stefanovic grabbing a key rebound that allowed the Bruins to put the game away.
That said, the Bruins would not have needed a late defensive stand had the offense not completely disappeared in the second half. The Bruins reverted back to the team from early January after halftime, shooting an abysmal 28.1% (9-32) in the second half, which was enough to allow Cal Berkeley to claw its way back into the game. Dylan Andrews (1-8), Adem Bona (2-7), and Lazar Stefanovic (1-5) were the major culprits for a UCLA offense that was creating good looks but could not get them to fall.
Ultimately the game came down to execution in the final minute, and it was here that the improvements of the last month showed through. UCLa got great offensive possessions from Bona and Andrews, then played excellent defense to seal the game. Cal Berkeley hit a three in the final seconds to make it a one-point game, but at that point there was 0.1 seconds on the clock so the game was effectively over.
Getting a Bay Area sweep was important for the Bruins, not just for their dwindling NCAA Tournament hopes but also just to establish order in the universe. Cal Berkeley was starting to feel itself a bit, so it was important to remind the Bears of their place. And now we never have to deal with them again.
Go Bruins!
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 @TheMightyBruin on Twitter.
I know what happened to the Bruin offense in the second half......I started watching the game. We had a 14pt lead, 18min to go, I plop down after a long day recover.....and the rest is history.
Pretty easy to imagine the signature Mick Cronin angry face and his loud screaming directed toward you right now. That means you have to stay seated, take off any BearWear, and not go anywhere the rest of the evening... :-)
I'm very sad to see this rivalry end. I remember a Cal game in Pauli. The band was to my left theirs to my right. One of our band guys stood up and yelled "Hey Cal, it may be your song, but this is how it goes!" Bump bump bump ah bumpa bump ah... Great times!
Once/if football breaks away to be governed (or self-governed) separately - remember, neither the Bowls nor the CFP are directly governed by the NCAA now - it's very possible that the other non-football sports, including basketball, will reestablish regionality in structure...
Actually, doesn't the Pac-12 still exist as the tiny "Pac-2" (Oregon St. & Washington St.)? If so, will they play each other for their conference championship?
Yeah, that 2nd half sure was U-G-L-Y for U-C-L-A. Same type of unevenly played game you'd expect the Bruins to lose earlier in the year, but fortunately they barely escaped with the victory. Bona can easily bully his way around the basket on offense, but wish he could develop a softer shooting touch close in like Mara. Can't wait for the latter big man to fully develop his game. Anyway, if the Bruins don't face Cal in the Pac-12 tourney, the rivalry ends on a winning note (unlike the football dumpster fire under Chip Alford). And although both schools share the same fight song, the Bruins have the better version. Go Bruins!
I think it was ugly! But needed. It would have been real easy to have them get the lead and a young team like this to just completely fall apart like the Arizona game. But the sptr's had a hand in that one. 29 Bruin fouls to Arizona's 15 I think. 25 -13 just looked.
We learned to win a game we maybe shouldn't have due to a 2nd half collapse.
But we pulled it out anyway.
I was just about to ask where's Berke when he hit that big 3, I saw him talking with Cronin early in the 1st half during a timeout where they bring out those chairs to get away from the crowd. Did he miss class, late to practice or under some kind of disciplinary 1st half suspension? Anybody hear anything on why he didn't play at all in the 1st half.
I love admitting I was wrong, even moreso i love saying I never gave up!
A lot of comments earlier this year, on YouTube even videos aren't aging well!
It's just games, entertainment. Some go as far as saying it's bread and circuses!
“The evil was not in bread and circuses, per se, but in the willingness of the people to sell their rights as free men for full bellies and the excitement of the games which would serve to distract them from the other human hungers which bread and circuses can never appease.” - Marcus Tullius Cicero.
I love sports! But I try not to let it be bigger or more important than reality.
I hate politics, divide and conquer!
We're all brothers and sisters yet
'Those who can make you believe absurdities, can make you commit atrocities.'
I hate msm even more than politics!
Not trying to cause arguments, just add a little perspective at least from my point of view.
I think we're going dancing
From the round of 68 to the final four again?
Probably not. But just to make it, would be a great accomplishment and a lesson to play every play, never give up, and the only time we truly fail is when we give up or don't try and give it our all. I tried to convey this message years ago when the ladies went to the NIT and was harshly rebuffed!
I personally hate/strongly dislike the era of everyone gets a trophy.
It undermines true competition and drive to improve.
I like meritocracy!
Go Bruins!
All bruins. Caught the last 2 innings of the women's softball game against Texas! We lost but those ladies didn't give up in the bottom of the 6th down 3-0.
I'll add one last thing.
You have to choose to be offended.
It's awfully easy these days to look for things to be offended by.
I think we are going dancing too! And I think we have a chance to make some noise - I know it's a long shot and one game at a time, but there is something about this team...
UCLA basketball holds so many treasured memories for me - the 1995 Championship with my mom was something else - I will never forget all the special moments of our time in Seattle...
My love for UCLA runs pretty darn deep as I spent many years there as an undergrad and grad student. And in many ways UCLA was my solace after I lost my dad during Spring quarter of my freshman year.
I do hear you on so many levels but I just can't help how many emotions I attach to the wins and losses 💙💛
Love the nostalgia--I think what makes this year's team special is the head coach. Very unfortunate that untimely injuries and a luck shot or two have prevented the Bruins from reaching the Finals or maybe winning it all. Would've also been interesting to see how far Coach Cronin would've taken his Year-1 team if the COVID pandemic hadn't prematurely terminated that season. The way this season is playing out is sort of like Year-1.
As a passionate fan, I truly innerstand where you are coming from. 95' oh my, the O'Bannon Brothers, Tyus Edney against Missouri; Cameron Dollar coming up huge in the Game against Arkansas, Corlis Williamson.
I've rewatched it on YouTube at least 4 times. In 95 I was 27-28 and sitting during 99% of that game was not possible. I was doing jumps, acting as though I was a cheerleader. I was lucky to have a girlfriend who embraced my psychotic behavior. I was a FANATIC that night. At that young age, if we'd lost, I'm not sure how I would have handled it.
Luckily I didn't have to experience what losing would have done to me, or rather how I wasn't mature enough to handle a loss. My girl and I met in 88-89 and I happen to mention Greg Koubek, a player from 20 minutes from where we lived.
He went to the final 4 each year. Details in the link above.
My girl became a Duke fan, she was a George Brett, KC Royals Fan, A Joe Montana SF 49ers fan so she liked sports to begin with. But the Duke obsession was as you can imagine, she became a huge Christian Laettner fan.
So I really lucked out. Having a partner who didn't mind my football baseball basketball being such a major part of my life. I worked nights 6 days a week, 3rd shift. But my job was easy, a union driving job. And I would go grocery shopping and spend parts (an hour or so) of those 6 nights at my apartment with my girl. I was the happiest man in the universe for 6 1/2 years. But all good things must come to and end . Oct of that year 95 we separated.
I was worried that me bringing up non related basketball/sports issues might start problems. I almost was afraid to look at the possible comments back to my comment. But hopefully we're all adults and can handle differing opinions and a little bit of off topic tangents.
Thanks for the comment back. I subbed to your substack. I'm actually starting one myself. It's actually thanks in part to this site. I wanted to comment on the first article about Chip K leaving, but it was for paying members only. I sort of innerstand. But it sparked a creative missive. Which goes off topic a bit, and would not be appropriate for this place. I have lots to say on a variety of subjects. Mostly pertaining to Philosophy, Enlightenment & Love. Mainly reality. Current events etc.
It's something I should have done a decade ago. But whoever decided to let only paying members comment helped in this process. So a big thanks to that person!
Thanks again and to anyone who reads my first comment.
I never EVER wish to offend, trigger or make someone feel I'm better or look down on their beliefs or views. Like that quote from Socrates
"I cannot teach anybody anything, I can only make them think."
I'm not in competition with anyone, except myself. And my goal is to be a better than I was yesterday.
Mr. Scott, you appear to be very high on "hopium", which is indeed very powerful and addicting! However, no question the Bruins are trending in the right direction, and reality could be inching closer toward your dreams of participating in March Madness. With a lot of new faces and the loss of so many veterans, I too thought this was a non-competitive, wait-till-next-year, season. Credit to Coach Cronin and his staff, great turnaround so far.
I see only the Arizona game at Pauley or the road game against Washington who we handled at home 73 -61 as the only possible losses. That was the start of this 7 of 8 streak to get this young teams confidence back.
20-11 going into the pac 12 tourney if we go undefeated. Or 19-12 I think gets us serious consideration. The UCLA name, Cronin's reputation and the run 4 years ago all bodes well for a spot by a committee that would love another Cinderella run. Of course winning or losing in the pac 12 championship game would leave us at 23 -11 22 -12 or 22 - 13.
Most teams do not have winning road records in their conferences.
Hopium, I've used that term on in the political way.
I'm not sure of my blood type but if I had to guess it would be
B positive
Like my "hopium" attitude has always been since meeting the people who have helped me become the person I am today.
Hopium seems to have been a political term in certain sects.
Reminds me of some of my favorite quotes
"It is no measure of health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society"
Krishnamurti
Or
"Insanity in individuals is very rare but in groups, parties, nations and epochs it is the rule."
Neitzsche
Or my favorite
"The most potent weapon of the oppressor is the mind of the oppressed."
And I assure you I'm not political or a fan of any politician.
In fact I think the WWE is akin to politics, staged and choreographed.
I really think we can take Utah, Colorado at home. Our next 2 games.
Just a hunch, but is this Bruinbaskets other burner account. I thought he used this term or maybe it was just you and I think I was thinking the same thing when I saw your comments. I'll have no problem saying I was wrong and maybe just being wat too pessimistic!
Sorry to disappoint, this is not BruinBaskets' alternate account, but I do acknowledge the use of his term "hopium" and will borrow it for use in a playful manner only. Hopium addiction seems to have spread quickly after UCLA hired Mick Cronin... :-)
Out of curiosity, I went back and looked at how the Bruins performed during the regular season during the first 2 years under Coach Cronin. In the pandemic-shortened 2019-20 season, he got his Year-1 Bruins to 19-12 (12-6 in Pac-12, 2nd-place), a NET ranking of 76, and a 6-6 record against Quad-1 opponents. The following season, when they made that miraculous FIrst Four to Final Four run, the Bruins went 17-9 (13-6 in Pac-12, 4th-place), with a NET ranking of 46, and a 3-7 record against Quad-1 opponents, but they were also on a 4-game losing streak (including a one-and-done loss to Oregon St. in the Pac-12 tourney) prior to receiving their at-large bid to the Big Dance. At the moment, the Bruins are 13-11 (8-5 in Pac-12, tied for 3rd-place), but have a dismal NET ranking of 117 and are 0-6 against Quad-1 opponents. Still too early to gauge how things will shake out for this team and the postseason, so I'll just take one game at a time and continue to look for signs of further improvement (especially on offense). Go Bruins!
It was amazing to see the team play. Will miss being able to see the Bruins when they play in the Bay Area. Glad we got the W today. Oh and I got to meet Josh Lewin after the game. The guy is a legend.
The kids found a way to win. I have no expectations with regards to the Big Dance. It could happen. However, after the loss to Utah, I didn’t know if Mick’s coaching would take hold with this group. I didn’t know if we’d get to 10 wins. So, I’m just enjoying the progress. Watching Andrews, Lazar, Mack, Bona and others improve is fun in itself. Now, we can see the growth in Mara. Fun stuff.
I have to post one more comment about the PAC 12. I'm 65 and I've been following it my entire life. I'm heartbroken over its demise and furious with the people that killed it.
I am furious too with the insanely self focused, greedy and inept Larry and George and company that destroyed the glorious traditions of the Pac-12. When I was in school the Rose Bowl was the Grand Daddy of them all with the Pac and Big every year!
I am still excited for the BIG 18 as the competition and rabid fans every week will be amazing!
But sad to say good bye to all the greatness that once was the Pac.
Think of the The old Big East, Syracuse Boheim, Georgetown John Thompson, Seton Hall Bill"the Kiss" Raftery, Uconn Jim Calhoun St John's Lou Carnesecca Boston College Bob Cousy Chuck Daly Tom Davis Jim O' Brien Villanova Rolly Massimino Jay Wright Pittsburgh Howland Providence Pitino, Gavitt, Rick Barnes, Pete Gillen
What an era, the coaches not to mention the players!
Being from that area I watched basketball every night. Saw Kenny Anderson in High school games in Glenn's Falls NY. I'm in Upstate. 160 mile north of NYC.
Looking forward to them! Today was a little hectic, got a little sleep and wanted to watch the Miami Boston game at 2:00, then saw the first half of the Bowl.
Can't comment on the current game thread. I'm not complaining but I was told that they opened comments to all. Recent articles have given me the same message that I have tobUpgrade to paid membership to comment. I commented in the beginning of the last game thread but had other things going on while I watched the game. If you see this. If you could briefly mention this to the chat. Maybe they've had a change of heart in letting all members comment regardless of whether the person is a paying member.
Where's the crowd that was talking about Mick being a bad coach about a month ago? I still think this is a bad roster, but what he's done with it is even more evidence that Mick is an elite college basketball coach. What he's done with Stefanovic and Andrews the last month is nothing short of remarkable.
"Good teams win when the ball doesn't go in the basket. That's who we were last year. That's the way we've always been."
[On BWill] "He needs a full off-season of strength and conditioning to develop his body."
Re those 2 points, an off season of 500 shots and 100 ft per day a la Steph are needed, too. Eventually, teams don't win when they can't put the ball in the basket. But remarkable improvement it's been. Who among us hasn't had Laz and Dylan in the doghouse earlier.
Had to watch most of it later (and managed to avoid the score!) - hated to see us back to ice cold shooting in the second half but glad to see another milepost of growth passed: being resilient on the road, withstanding the runs and losing the big lead to make the plays in the end game to win it. Also glad to see Mara looking more and more like he's finding his footing (and footwork).
I think our terrible NET still means we have to win the Pac12 tournament to get into the big dance, but let's see where we stand if we sweep the mountain schools at Pauley this week...
Tough game to watch. A win is a win!
This week shows that we can now win On the road with offense when our defense is lacking, and defense when shots aren’t falling.
Sad ending to the PAC 12...survive and advance I guess is the takeaway..at least the game was on FOX so I got to watch for once!
Streameast. A bunch of streaming services out there.
Similar to Flixtor.to
But for college and pro sports.
I used to pay for NFL package etc.
Best thing about the Fox broadcasts is that they are using the classic NBA on NBC theme songs!
I know what happened to the Bruin offense in the second half......I started watching the game. We had a 14pt lead, 18min to go, I plop down after a long day recover.....and the rest is history.
Sorry Mick, it was me.
Oh , thank God....I started watching about the same time and thought it was me! 😀
Pretty easy to imagine the signature Mick Cronin angry face and his loud screaming directed toward you right now. That means you have to stay seated, take off any BearWear, and not go anywhere the rest of the evening... :-)
I'm very sad to see this rivalry end. I remember a Cal game in Pauli. The band was to my left theirs to my right. One of our band guys stood up and yelled "Hey Cal, it may be your song, but this is how it goes!" Bump bump bump ah bumpa bump ah... Great times!
Give it a few years. The Pac12 will be back in some form or another.
You are right. Nobody is talking about this.
Once/if football breaks away to be governed (or self-governed) separately - remember, neither the Bowls nor the CFP are directly governed by the NCAA now - it's very possible that the other non-football sports, including basketball, will reestablish regionality in structure...
Actually, doesn't the Pac-12 still exist as the tiny "Pac-2" (Oregon St. & Washington St.)? If so, will they play each other for their conference championship?
Yeah, that 2nd half sure was U-G-L-Y for U-C-L-A. Same type of unevenly played game you'd expect the Bruins to lose earlier in the year, but fortunately they barely escaped with the victory. Bona can easily bully his way around the basket on offense, but wish he could develop a softer shooting touch close in like Mara. Can't wait for the latter big man to fully develop his game. Anyway, if the Bruins don't face Cal in the Pac-12 tourney, the rivalry ends on a winning note (unlike the football dumpster fire under Chip Alford). And although both schools share the same fight song, the Bruins have the better version. Go Bruins!
I think it was ugly! But needed. It would have been real easy to have them get the lead and a young team like this to just completely fall apart like the Arizona game. But the sptr's had a hand in that one. 29 Bruin fouls to Arizona's 15 I think. 25 -13 just looked.
We learned to win a game we maybe shouldn't have due to a 2nd half collapse.
But we pulled it out anyway.
I was just about to ask where's Berke when he hit that big 3, I saw him talking with Cronin early in the 1st half during a timeout where they bring out those chairs to get away from the crowd. Did he miss class, late to practice or under some kind of disciplinary 1st half suspension? Anybody hear anything on why he didn't play at all in the 1st half.
I love admitting I was wrong, even moreso i love saying I never gave up!
A lot of comments earlier this year, on YouTube even videos aren't aging well!
It's just games, entertainment. Some go as far as saying it's bread and circuses!
“The evil was not in bread and circuses, per se, but in the willingness of the people to sell their rights as free men for full bellies and the excitement of the games which would serve to distract them from the other human hungers which bread and circuses can never appease.” - Marcus Tullius Cicero.
I love sports! But I try not to let it be bigger or more important than reality.
I hate politics, divide and conquer!
We're all brothers and sisters yet
'Those who can make you believe absurdities, can make you commit atrocities.'
I hate msm even more than politics!
Not trying to cause arguments, just add a little perspective at least from my point of view.
I think we're going dancing
From the round of 68 to the final four again?
Probably not. But just to make it, would be a great accomplishment and a lesson to play every play, never give up, and the only time we truly fail is when we give up or don't try and give it our all. I tried to convey this message years ago when the ladies went to the NIT and was harshly rebuffed!
I personally hate/strongly dislike the era of everyone gets a trophy.
It undermines true competition and drive to improve.
I like meritocracy!
Go Bruins!
All bruins. Caught the last 2 innings of the women's softball game against Texas! We lost but those ladies didn't give up in the bottom of the 6th down 3-0.
I'll add one last thing.
You have to choose to be offended.
It's awfully easy these days to look for things to be offended by.
I think we are going dancing too! And I think we have a chance to make some noise - I know it's a long shot and one game at a time, but there is something about this team...
UCLA basketball holds so many treasured memories for me - the 1995 Championship with my mom was something else - I will never forget all the special moments of our time in Seattle...
My love for UCLA runs pretty darn deep as I spent many years there as an undergrad and grad student. And in many ways UCLA was my solace after I lost my dad during Spring quarter of my freshman year.
I do hear you on so many levels but I just can't help how many emotions I attach to the wins and losses 💙💛
Love the nostalgia--I think what makes this year's team special is the head coach. Very unfortunate that untimely injuries and a luck shot or two have prevented the Bruins from reaching the Finals or maybe winning it all. Would've also been interesting to see how far Coach Cronin would've taken his Year-1 team if the COVID pandemic hadn't prematurely terminated that season. The way this season is playing out is sort of like Year-1.
As a passionate fan, I truly innerstand where you are coming from. 95' oh my, the O'Bannon Brothers, Tyus Edney against Missouri; Cameron Dollar coming up huge in the Game against Arkansas, Corlis Williamson.
I've rewatched it on YouTube at least 4 times. In 95 I was 27-28 and sitting during 99% of that game was not possible. I was doing jumps, acting as though I was a cheerleader. I was lucky to have a girlfriend who embraced my psychotic behavior. I was a FANATIC that night. At that young age, if we'd lost, I'm not sure how I would have handled it.
Luckily I didn't have to experience what losing would have done to me, or rather how I wasn't mature enough to handle a loss. My girl and I met in 88-89 and I happen to mention Greg Koubek, a player from 20 minutes from where we lived.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greg_Koubek
He went to the final 4 each year. Details in the link above.
My girl became a Duke fan, she was a George Brett, KC Royals Fan, A Joe Montana SF 49ers fan so she liked sports to begin with. But the Duke obsession was as you can imagine, she became a huge Christian Laettner fan.
So I really lucked out. Having a partner who didn't mind my football baseball basketball being such a major part of my life. I worked nights 6 days a week, 3rd shift. But my job was easy, a union driving job. And I would go grocery shopping and spend parts (an hour or so) of those 6 nights at my apartment with my girl. I was the happiest man in the universe for 6 1/2 years. But all good things must come to and end . Oct of that year 95 we separated.
I was worried that me bringing up non related basketball/sports issues might start problems. I almost was afraid to look at the possible comments back to my comment. But hopefully we're all adults and can handle differing opinions and a little bit of off topic tangents.
Thanks for the comment back. I subbed to your substack. I'm actually starting one myself. It's actually thanks in part to this site. I wanted to comment on the first article about Chip K leaving, but it was for paying members only. I sort of innerstand. But it sparked a creative missive. Which goes off topic a bit, and would not be appropriate for this place. I have lots to say on a variety of subjects. Mostly pertaining to Philosophy, Enlightenment & Love. Mainly reality. Current events etc.
It's something I should have done a decade ago. But whoever decided to let only paying members comment helped in this process. So a big thanks to that person!
Thanks again and to anyone who reads my first comment.
I never EVER wish to offend, trigger or make someone feel I'm better or look down on their beliefs or views. Like that quote from Socrates
"I cannot teach anybody anything, I can only make them think."
I'm not in competition with anyone, except myself. And my goal is to be a better than I was yesterday.
Mr. Scott, you appear to be very high on "hopium", which is indeed very powerful and addicting! However, no question the Bruins are trending in the right direction, and reality could be inching closer toward your dreams of participating in March Madness. With a lot of new faces and the loss of so many veterans, I too thought this was a non-competitive, wait-till-next-year, season. Credit to Coach Cronin and his staff, great turnaround so far.
probably still have to win Pac 12 tournament to get in. On a great run now, but are we really going to win out or only drop 1 game? No.
I see only the Arizona game at Pauley or the road game against Washington who we handled at home 73 -61 as the only possible losses. That was the start of this 7 of 8 streak to get this young teams confidence back.
20-11 going into the pac 12 tourney if we go undefeated. Or 19-12 I think gets us serious consideration. The UCLA name, Cronin's reputation and the run 4 years ago all bodes well for a spot by a committee that would love another Cinderella run. Of course winning or losing in the pac 12 championship game would leave us at 23 -11 22 -12 or 22 - 13.
Most teams do not have winning road records in their conferences.
Hopium, I've used that term on in the political way.
I'm not sure of my blood type but if I had to guess it would be
B positive
Like my "hopium" attitude has always been since meeting the people who have helped me become the person I am today.
Hopium seems to have been a political term in certain sects.
Reminds me of some of my favorite quotes
"It is no measure of health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society"
Krishnamurti
Or
"Insanity in individuals is very rare but in groups, parties, nations and epochs it is the rule."
Neitzsche
Or my favorite
"The most potent weapon of the oppressor is the mind of the oppressed."
And I assure you I'm not political or a fan of any politician.
In fact I think the WWE is akin to politics, staged and choreographed.
I really think we can take Utah, Colorado at home. Our next 2 games.
Just a hunch, but is this Bruinbaskets other burner account. I thought he used this term or maybe it was just you and I think I was thinking the same thing when I saw your comments. I'll have no problem saying I was wrong and maybe just being wat too pessimistic!
It's my nature!
Sorry to disappoint, this is not BruinBaskets' alternate account, but I do acknowledge the use of his term "hopium" and will borrow it for use in a playful manner only. Hopium addiction seems to have spread quickly after UCLA hired Mick Cronin... :-)
Out of curiosity, I went back and looked at how the Bruins performed during the regular season during the first 2 years under Coach Cronin. In the pandemic-shortened 2019-20 season, he got his Year-1 Bruins to 19-12 (12-6 in Pac-12, 2nd-place), a NET ranking of 76, and a 6-6 record against Quad-1 opponents. The following season, when they made that miraculous FIrst Four to Final Four run, the Bruins went 17-9 (13-6 in Pac-12, 4th-place), with a NET ranking of 46, and a 3-7 record against Quad-1 opponents, but they were also on a 4-game losing streak (including a one-and-done loss to Oregon St. in the Pac-12 tourney) prior to receiving their at-large bid to the Big Dance. At the moment, the Bruins are 13-11 (8-5 in Pac-12, tied for 3rd-place), but have a dismal NET ranking of 117 and are 0-6 against Quad-1 opponents. Still too early to gauge how things will shake out for this team and the postseason, so I'll just take one game at a time and continue to look for signs of further improvement (especially on offense). Go Bruins!
It was amazing to see the team play. Will miss being able to see the Bruins when they play in the Bay Area. Glad we got the W today. Oh and I got to meet Josh Lewin after the game. The guy is a legend.
I loved Chris Roberts but have to say that Josh is right up there with Chris... so sad we lost Chris 💙💛
The kids found a way to win. I have no expectations with regards to the Big Dance. It could happen. However, after the loss to Utah, I didn’t know if Mick’s coaching would take hold with this group. I didn’t know if we’d get to 10 wins. So, I’m just enjoying the progress. Watching Andrews, Lazar, Mack, Bona and others improve is fun in itself. Now, we can see the growth in Mara. Fun stuff.
We'd have to win the pac-12 tournament to get to the big dance. But this year's pac 12 is wide open, so it's definitely possible.
The only "elite" team in the pac is Arizona but even they can be beaten.
Also I am amazed that we have a top 30 defense on kenpom right now. Coach has done a great job instilling defensive principles on a young team.
Offense has been hit or miss but D is this team's calling card.
I have to post one more comment about the PAC 12. I'm 65 and I've been following it my entire life. I'm heartbroken over its demise and furious with the people that killed it.
I am furious too with the insanely self focused, greedy and inept Larry and George and company that destroyed the glorious traditions of the Pac-12. When I was in school the Rose Bowl was the Grand Daddy of them all with the Pac and Big every year!
I am still excited for the BIG 18 as the competition and rabid fans every week will be amazing!
But sad to say good bye to all the greatness that once was the Pac.
Think of the The old Big East, Syracuse Boheim, Georgetown John Thompson, Seton Hall Bill"the Kiss" Raftery, Uconn Jim Calhoun St John's Lou Carnesecca Boston College Bob Cousy Chuck Daly Tom Davis Jim O' Brien Villanova Rolly Massimino Jay Wright Pittsburgh Howland Providence Pitino, Gavitt, Rick Barnes, Pete Gillen
What an era, the coaches not to mention the players!
Being from that area I watched basketball every night. Saw Kenny Anderson in High school games in Glenn's Falls NY. I'm in Upstate. 160 mile north of NYC.
That must have been amazing to be a part of that era in sports! Unfortunately times have changed dramatically.
Also... thank you for subscribing - hope you enjoy the stories 💙💛
Looking forward to them! Today was a little hectic, got a little sleep and wanted to watch the Miami Boston game at 2:00, then saw the first half of the Bowl.
Can't comment on the current game thread. I'm not complaining but I was told that they opened comments to all. Recent articles have given me the same message that I have tobUpgrade to paid membership to comment. I commented in the beginning of the last game thread but had other things going on while I watched the game. If you see this. If you could briefly mention this to the chat. Maybe they've had a change of heart in letting all members comment regardless of whether the person is a paying member.
Where's the crowd that was talking about Mick being a bad coach about a month ago? I still think this is a bad roster, but what he's done with it is even more evidence that Mick is an elite college basketball coach. What he's done with Stefanovic and Andrews the last month is nothing short of remarkable.
"Good teams win when the ball doesn't go in the basket. That's who we were last year. That's the way we've always been."
[On BWill] "He needs a full off-season of strength and conditioning to develop his body."
Re those 2 points, an off season of 500 shots and 100 ft per day a la Steph are needed, too. Eventually, teams don't win when they can't put the ball in the basket. But remarkable improvement it's been. Who among us hasn't had Laz and Dylan in the doghouse earlier.
Had to watch most of it later (and managed to avoid the score!) - hated to see us back to ice cold shooting in the second half but glad to see another milepost of growth passed: being resilient on the road, withstanding the runs and losing the big lead to make the plays in the end game to win it. Also glad to see Mara looking more and more like he's finding his footing (and footwork).
I think our terrible NET still means we have to win the Pac12 tournament to get into the big dance, but let's see where we stand if we sweep the mountain schools at Pauley this week...
Got an email this morning saying that UCLA is hiring Deshaun Foster as football HC.