Dylan Andrews had himself a game against Oregon. (Photo credit: @UCLAMBB)
Guess those 2019-2020 comparisons were spot-on after all. Let’s hope it just stops with basketball, at least.
This was shaping up to be a pivotal weekend for UCLA basketball; a 2-0 weekend would take the Bruins back to .500 and serve as a statement that the team was fully on the Mick Cronin Late Season Surge train, while even a competitive split would have Bruin fans feeling generally good about the future of the program. A blowout loss, however, would create more questions about the previous few weeks.
Statement made, then.
The Bruins looked like the better team for most of their matchup with the Oregon Ducks, racing out to a 18-point lead midway through the first half. The Ducks did not do their usual roll-over act, however, and fought back to take a halftime lead, only for the Bruins to show their own growth by refusing to be phased by that ending to the first half, as they would ultimately pull away in the second half to win 71-63.
There’s going to be a focus on one particular player, but this was a total team effort and a testament to the development Mick Cronin and his staff have done this year. Lazar Stefanovic had a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds, doing most of his damage off the bounce in the midrange. Sebastian Mack bucked his recent trends by contributing in both halves, putting up 16 points, getting to the line eight times and making seven of them, and showing his renewed focus on defense with three steals. Berke Buyuktuncel managed to play mistake-free basketball for most of the outing, including drawing a key charge late, while Brandon Williams continued to show out as a solid rotation piece. Jan Vide got killed in +/- but the fact that he was able to contribute 11 minutes after how he looked to start the year is huge and a great sign of growth.
That growth pales in comparison to that of Aday Mara, who almost seemed to have a statement game of sorts here. Yes, he only finished with four points and two rebounds, but he also finished with 13 minutes compared to only eight for Kenneth Nwuba, and showed his growth by holding his own against the Oregon frontcourt. One of the lasting images from this game may be Mara grabbing a defensive rebound and throwing his body around to clear it, a huge sign of his growing understanding of the physicality required in the college game. Having Mara supplant Nwuba as the primary backup is huge for the program both this season and going forward.
But this game may go down as the Dylan Andrews Game. Maybe it’s unfair to wait this long in the recap to bring up Andrews’s performance, but this was the game where he definitively took the leap and became a Mick Cronin point guard. Andrews finished with 21 points on 9-16 shooting (including 3-3 from distance) to go along with seven assists and four rebounds, and looked in complete control of the offense, slowing the pace and operating much in the way Tyger Campbell has these past few years. Maybe just as importantly, Andrews continued to play inspired defense, in this game holding Jackson Shelstad to a pedestrian 10 points on 5-12 shooting. It was an amazing performance, something of a final exam for Andrews to prove that his recent run of play was not a fluke but a sign that he was in fact taking the next step in his game. Andrews always had one of the higher ceilings on this team, and it is a great sign to see him tapping into that ceiling on a more regular basis in recent weeks.
With the win, the Bruins are, somehow, back to .500 on the season, and while an NCAA Tournament bid still feels like a longshot at this point, it is at least possible to see this team making a run in the Pac-12 Tournament to try and grab the automatic bid. That in itself felt impossible not even a month ago, and yet here we are. This team is making believers out of the Pauley faithful.
Go Bruins!
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There is a tide in the affairs of men, which, taken at the flood leads onto fortune…… the Bruins’ offence in the 2nd half was controlled, curbed, disciplined and sensible. Let’s hope they can replicate it the rest of the season.
This team has finally found its legs. It may be too late, but at least we can enjoy the next 2 months.
No, my friend. You don't know Mick Cronin. When he was at Cincinnati, he managed to make it competitive with the type of unheralded, blue collar players Cincinnati perennially landed. Even then, he fought hard as a material coach reminiscent of the late Lute Olson.. What UCLA has accomplished since Cronin came is precisely what would have happened at Cincinnati were these players, obviously of a higher caliber, attended that program. Even as we went through that horrendously rough patch this season, I never lost faith in him, unlike someone whose painful meltdown after the bloodbath at Utah made it seem like UCLA had been mortally wounded, unable to be revived. LOL !!! That was how I felt then reading those out of control comments.
On the contrary, UCLA football under Chip Kelly, emboldened by Jarmond and Block, does seem to be heading for the snowy frozen mid western grave yards as we speak. The next coach would have to exhume the program, first and foremost, before anything can proceed.
Thanks for the recap, Dmitri. It was really good seeing Dylan actually play PG well with 7 assists. Mara playing stronger and more aggressive near the hoop is certainly a bonus.
💯 Dylan is truly developing into a fabulous point guard. Mack is a great defender and basket attacker. Bona is great but if he gets into foul trouble, we will need Mara to shine so it's great to see Mara is turning into a bright spot and hoping he can be a big contributor by the Pac-12 Tourney.
Stef is just a rebounding machine, all such great effort on his part. B Wills is also a good rebounder and tough as nails - his shot will hopefully start falling. Will M and Berke round out what is turning out to be an unbelievable turn around.
I love this team and truly reaoect their grit and tenacity in turning this season around - they all have outstanding character and I am so happy for them! 💙💛💙💛
Can they renege on the contract - hopefully not yet signed - and called Chip Kelly instead ? We can help with the legal fees. I am kiddin' but Casey Wasserman and Troy Aikman owe UCLA an apology.
Wasserman and Aikman obviously do not have the best interest of UCLA in mind. I believe there is more to their apparent 'love' of Chipster than meets the eye.
Exactly !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! There must be more than meets the eye now that you have mentioned it. These two were unusually enthusiastic in their behind the scenes efforts to sign Kelly. All of us bought into it hook, line and sink, thinking that a Nick Saban clone was indeed coming to Westwood. Of course our former big, fat AD was being led in the nose completely also. In fact, there was even a certain glee in the air over Westwood when the signing was announced. In hindsight, I am utterly dumbfounded as to how UCLA could have been fooled to such an pathetic extent.
Damn. Guess we are down to maybe the Commanders. Sad state of affairs - Guerror 2.0 and Blockhead are probably toasting with jelly filled donuts, in celebration of the bloviated t-shirt returning to the sidelines. What an absolute dumpster fire.
I am hoping against hope - " After all, there is a place called Hope ( quoting Clinton in his 1992 acceptance speech ) - that our next chancellor exhibits similar mindset as that of Michigan's. Theirs is living proof over the decades, for as long as I have followed NCAA sports, that academic excellence can indeed co-exist with athletic achievements. It is a mutually inclusive, not exclusive, concept for institutions of higher education.
Guerrero earns his handsome state retirement package at the expense of UCLA athletics in shameful, selfish ways. I remember walking by him in Pauley without bothering to even acknowledge his presence. Everyone was disdainful of him, that obese, grotesque physique notwithstanding. The UCLA job is obviously Jarmond's stepping stone to another program more to his liking. I hope he leaves too.
Michigan is definitely the definitive example of academics and athletic prowess co-existing. My concern is who is choosing the new Chancellor - will Blockhead have a say? Jarmond using UCLA as a stepping stone is a possibility - I too hope he steps right through the Exit door - problem is who will want him?
I had a feeling Chipster would be left out in the cold despite the fact he threw himself at NFL teams. What a loser at UCLA's expense. I am curious how our players will respond to him knowing how desparate he was to leave UCLA. Dumpster fire x 1000%.
My premonition that UCLA football is heading into the mid western snowy frozen graveyards may indeed happen. He dreads coaching at Westwood. His players think they could be abandoned anytime. How much more lethal can this combination be ?!?
Yes, thank you for the recap Dmitri! The Pauley crowd was on last night which was good to see and it was another milepost on the journey to see the resilience of the Bruins after the 18 point lead had been wiped out - granted easier at home and when the foul disparity is at least realistic (tho how you call a shooting foul on a made basket and the made basket is waved off is a mystery only a SPTR could solve!). I'd also add that one of the other really encouraging signs last night was the offense efficiency without really being able to run the majority of sets via the inside-out offense through Bona in the post due to his foul trouble and Dante's presence, which had been the pathway these last 5 games since Utah... and regaining rhythm in the 2nd half after losing it at the end of the 1st - growth is a great thing to see!
And speaking of growth - BWill was giving off some serious early days Jaylen Clark vibes last night - once he develops and gains more confidence in his shot, he could be really special.
If you haven't read it yet, get a box of tissues. Yes, all of you. Just read the story by Ben Bolch about Dylan Andrews and his beloved and dearly missed 'Pops' - his grandfather who passed away in 2022 but was and remains the most influential person in Dylan's life.
If you loved Dylan for his game, you will love Dylan the person by far more... 💙💛
His grandfather's love is truly one for the ages. Even as the end approached, his unflinching, unyielding desire to see Dylan succeed as a player and most of all, as a man, is indeed tear jerking. I can tell his grandfather's star is shining high above Pauley as we speak. Every move Dylan makes, every basket he scores, every assist he dishes out comes with Pop's blessing. In fact, Pop's dream is coming true right before our very eyes. Bravo !
There is a tide in the affairs of men, which, taken at the flood leads onto fortune…… the Bruins’ offence in the 2nd half was controlled, curbed, disciplined and sensible. Let’s hope they can replicate it the rest of the season.
This team has finally found its legs. It may be too late, but at least we can enjoy the next 2 months.
No, my friend. You don't know Mick Cronin. When he was at Cincinnati, he managed to make it competitive with the type of unheralded, blue collar players Cincinnati perennially landed. Even then, he fought hard as a material coach reminiscent of the late Lute Olson.. What UCLA has accomplished since Cronin came is precisely what would have happened at Cincinnati were these players, obviously of a higher caliber, attended that program. Even as we went through that horrendously rough patch this season, I never lost faith in him, unlike someone whose painful meltdown after the bloodbath at Utah made it seem like UCLA had been mortally wounded, unable to be revived. LOL !!! That was how I felt then reading those out of control comments.
On the contrary, UCLA football under Chip Kelly, emboldened by Jarmond and Block, does seem to be heading for the snowy frozen mid western grave yards as we speak. The next coach would have to exhume the program, first and foremost, before anything can proceed.
To be or not to be that guy who makes stupid passes and gets called for dumb fouls, that is the question. Mick Cronin pre-game speech.
Thanks for the recap, Dmitri. It was really good seeing Dylan actually play PG well with 7 assists. Mara playing stronger and more aggressive near the hoop is certainly a bonus.
💯 Dylan is truly developing into a fabulous point guard. Mack is a great defender and basket attacker. Bona is great but if he gets into foul trouble, we will need Mara to shine so it's great to see Mara is turning into a bright spot and hoping he can be a big contributor by the Pac-12 Tourney.
Stef is just a rebounding machine, all such great effort on his part. B Wills is also a good rebounder and tough as nails - his shot will hopefully start falling. Will M and Berke round out what is turning out to be an unbelievable turn around.
I love this team and truly reaoect their grit and tenacity in turning this season around - they all have outstanding character and I am so happy for them! 💙💛💙💛
Yep, opponents have learned that Bona is an easy foul. We need more growth from Mara and Nwuba.
'respect,' not whatever the heck my iphone wrote 'reaoect' 🤣🤣🤣
Can they renege on the contract - hopefully not yet signed - and called Chip Kelly instead ? We can help with the legal fees. I am kiddin' but Casey Wasserman and Troy Aikman owe UCLA an apology.
Wasserman and Aikman obviously do not have the best interest of UCLA in mind. I believe there is more to their apparent 'love' of Chipster than meets the eye.
Exactly !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! There must be more than meets the eye now that you have mentioned it. These two were unusually enthusiastic in their behind the scenes efforts to sign Kelly. All of us bought into it hook, line and sink, thinking that a Nick Saban clone was indeed coming to Westwood. Of course our former big, fat AD was being led in the nose completely also. In fact, there was even a certain glee in the air over Westwood when the signing was announced. In hindsight, I am utterly dumbfounded as to how UCLA could have been fooled to such an pathetic extent.
OT: Raiders have a new OC and it ain't Chip. Bummer!
Damn. Guess we are down to maybe the Commanders. Sad state of affairs - Guerror 2.0 and Blockhead are probably toasting with jelly filled donuts, in celebration of the bloviated t-shirt returning to the sidelines. What an absolute dumpster fire.
I am hoping against hope - " After all, there is a place called Hope ( quoting Clinton in his 1992 acceptance speech ) - that our next chancellor exhibits similar mindset as that of Michigan's. Theirs is living proof over the decades, for as long as I have followed NCAA sports, that academic excellence can indeed co-exist with athletic achievements. It is a mutually inclusive, not exclusive, concept for institutions of higher education.
Guerrero earns his handsome state retirement package at the expense of UCLA athletics in shameful, selfish ways. I remember walking by him in Pauley without bothering to even acknowledge his presence. Everyone was disdainful of him, that obese, grotesque physique notwithstanding. The UCLA job is obviously Jarmond's stepping stone to another program more to his liking. I hope he leaves too.
Michigan is definitely the definitive example of academics and athletic prowess co-existing. My concern is who is choosing the new Chancellor - will Blockhead have a say? Jarmond using UCLA as a stepping stone is a possibility - I too hope he steps right through the Exit door - problem is who will want him?
Who is on the panel ? Hmm ... I heard that Nick Saban and Tom Brady were interested to serve. Nah, I am kiddin' LOL !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Looks like the Commanders hired Kliff Kingsbury as OC. Ugh Chip is staying.
I had a feeling Chipster would be left out in the cold despite the fact he threw himself at NFL teams. What a loser at UCLA's expense. I am curious how our players will respond to him knowing how desparate he was to leave UCLA. Dumpster fire x 1000%.
My premonition that UCLA football is heading into the mid western snowy frozen graveyards may indeed happen. He dreads coaching at Westwood. His players think they could be abandoned anytime. How much more lethal can this combination be ?!?
💯 Henry. Combo literally cannot be more lethal.
Hahahahaha .......... We are on the same wave length, the same page with literally the same vocabulary. Hey Jarmond and Block, are you reading us ???
Yes, thank you for the recap Dmitri! The Pauley crowd was on last night which was good to see and it was another milepost on the journey to see the resilience of the Bruins after the 18 point lead had been wiped out - granted easier at home and when the foul disparity is at least realistic (tho how you call a shooting foul on a made basket and the made basket is waved off is a mystery only a SPTR could solve!). I'd also add that one of the other really encouraging signs last night was the offense efficiency without really being able to run the majority of sets via the inside-out offense through Bona in the post due to his foul trouble and Dante's presence, which had been the pathway these last 5 games since Utah... and regaining rhythm in the 2nd half after losing it at the end of the 1st - growth is a great thing to see!
And speaking of growth - BWill was giving off some serious early days Jaylen Clark vibes last night - once he develops and gains more confidence in his shot, he could be really special.
If you haven't read it yet, get a box of tissues. Yes, all of you. Just read the story by Ben Bolch about Dylan Andrews and his beloved and dearly missed 'Pops' - his grandfather who passed away in 2022 but was and remains the most influential person in Dylan's life.
If you loved Dylan for his game, you will love Dylan the person by far more... 💙💛
https://www.latimes.com/sports/ucla/story/2024-02-05/ucla-dylan-andrews-grandfather-inspiration
Very touching article. I read it yesterday in the Times. So glad Ben Bolch took the time to put that piece together.
His grandfather's love is truly one for the ages. Even as the end approached, his unflinching, unyielding desire to see Dylan succeed as a player and most of all, as a man, is indeed tear jerking. I can tell his grandfather's star is shining high above Pauley as we speak. Every move Dylan makes, every basket he scores, every assist he dishes out comes with Pop's blessing. In fact, Pop's dream is coming true right before our very eyes. Bravo !
Beautifully stated Henry. Yes indeed his 'grandfather's star is shining high above Pauley.' 💙💛