It's going to take a few games for UCLA to figure out how to play without the Man of Steal. I was actually (very) pleased with this outing. The defense dropped a bit (Expected), offense increased to compensate. The seniors had "off" days, but not terrible. When we've seen multiple games with UCLA's elite defense keeping the game close and then Jaquez doing those Jaquez moves to get buckets - this one was different. Not worse, not better. Just different. Bailey and Bona were awesome and if both are going to play at this level from here on out, the Bruins will be a tough team to beat.
It's unlikely that all 5 starters have outstanding games on the same day -- the upside is that the Bruins can win in different ways.
UCLA is not the same defense without Clark, but they were still elite. I hope Jaylen recovers fully from his Achilles injury. That kid is one of the big reasons that UCLA is where it is right now. If this is truly his last year as a Bruin, I feel so badly for him that he doesn't get to play in the post-season.
If any team can navigate the loss of a key starter, it's this team.
Your observation befits the team’s performance today. Jaylen’s injury does cast a giant shadow over everything. I could tell from the body language initially as if something was on their mind. But they recovered and the rest is history
I was happy to see the bruins play a bit better defense in the second half. This team has a big challenge in that Mclendon is only on the court to defend and get rebounds. He’s not as good as Clark defensively, but he’s a bit better than singleton. I’d rather see Andrews in there over Mclendon though, even though it means giving up some size because at least Andrews can score. Mclendon is shooting 3-20 over the last several games. That’s an abysmal 15%! Clark could defend and score. Mclendon can simply only defend and is just wasted space on the offensive end… it sort of like 4 on 5 on the offensive side when he’s out there.
Canka looks so lost defending for sure. I’ve watched canka warm up though and he sinks almost every three he’s taking in warm ups. Why isn’t he being out out there to take a few threes? I’d like to see him get more minutes earlier in the season, but there are just too many players for him to see the floor. I hope he gets some minutes next year as he’s tall and should be able to defend with some quickness too…
On to the next game. I hope ucla wins tomorrow just so that they get more time adjusting to life without Clark. Go bruins! Beat oregon tomorrow!
As remarks below suggest, it looks like the hole left by Mr Clark will eventually be filled. I look forward (but not past today's game) to the showdown v. The Mildcats. I wonder what the impact will be on the NCAA seeding should UCLA lose to Aye-Zee. I am sure the East Coast prejudice will drop UCLA into the morass of Purdue, Kansas, Alabama, Marquette, etc. with 5 and 6 losses. I am guessing that UCLA and AZ will be in different brackets? Who knows what evil lurks in the fevered minds of the Shawnee Mission cabal.
..oops! I am behind my times. Those pudgy bureaucrat spoilsports of amateur collegiate endeavors are in Indy now. How very Hoosier of them.
Any words on what caused Tad Boyle to go bonkers? That was a real momentum changer. After Tygrrrs four FTs we were up 14 and played confidently thereafter.
From what I could determine there was nothing definitive. Boyle referenced "fighting for his team" in the post game interview, nothing else. He went on to say that their loss could not be blamed on officiating, that UCLA and especially Amari Bailey played a great game. After the double T, Murray and Lewin said that Boyle had been on the refs for the prior 6 minutes. They weren't sure if he wanted a different call when the eruption happened but Boyle directed some "salty" language at the refs and you what that gets you.
I guess you could argue that there was only what a minute left in the game, but yeah the whole team looked deflated and completely out of sorts. Those extra four free throws surely added to Tyger's overall points. See you tonight and go Bruins! Hoping not to digest myself. LOL
It's going to take a few games for UCLA to figure out how to play without the Man of Steal. I was actually (very) pleased with this outing. The defense dropped a bit (Expected), offense increased to compensate. The seniors had "off" days, but not terrible. When we've seen multiple games with UCLA's elite defense keeping the game close and then Jaquez doing those Jaquez moves to get buckets - this one was different. Not worse, not better. Just different. Bailey and Bona were awesome and if both are going to play at this level from here on out, the Bruins will be a tough team to beat.
It's unlikely that all 5 starters have outstanding games on the same day -- the upside is that the Bruins can win in different ways.
UCLA is not the same defense without Clark, but they were still elite. I hope Jaylen recovers fully from his Achilles injury. That kid is one of the big reasons that UCLA is where it is right now. If this is truly his last year as a Bruin, I feel so badly for him that he doesn't get to play in the post-season.
If any team can navigate the loss of a key starter, it's this team.
Go Bruins!
Your observation befits the team’s performance today. Jaylen’s injury does cast a giant shadow over everything. I could tell from the body language initially as if something was on their mind. But they recovered and the rest is history
As always a I appreciate your game summary. Spot on.
I was happy to see the bruins play a bit better defense in the second half. This team has a big challenge in that Mclendon is only on the court to defend and get rebounds. He’s not as good as Clark defensively, but he’s a bit better than singleton. I’d rather see Andrews in there over Mclendon though, even though it means giving up some size because at least Andrews can score. Mclendon is shooting 3-20 over the last several games. That’s an abysmal 15%! Clark could defend and score. Mclendon can simply only defend and is just wasted space on the offensive end… it sort of like 4 on 5 on the offensive side when he’s out there.
Canka looks so lost defending for sure. I’ve watched canka warm up though and he sinks almost every three he’s taking in warm ups. Why isn’t he being out out there to take a few threes? I’d like to see him get more minutes earlier in the season, but there are just too many players for him to see the floor. I hope he gets some minutes next year as he’s tall and should be able to defend with some quickness too…
On to the next game. I hope ucla wins tomorrow just so that they get more time adjusting to life without Clark. Go bruins! Beat oregon tomorrow!
As remarks below suggest, it looks like the hole left by Mr Clark will eventually be filled. I look forward (but not past today's game) to the showdown v. The Mildcats. I wonder what the impact will be on the NCAA seeding should UCLA lose to Aye-Zee. I am sure the East Coast prejudice will drop UCLA into the morass of Purdue, Kansas, Alabama, Marquette, etc. with 5 and 6 losses. I am guessing that UCLA and AZ will be in different brackets? Who knows what evil lurks in the fevered minds of the Shawnee Mission cabal.
..oops! I am behind my times. Those pudgy bureaucrat spoilsports of amateur collegiate endeavors are in Indy now. How very Hoosier of them.
Any words on what caused Tad Boyle to go bonkers? That was a real momentum changer. After Tygrrrs four FTs we were up 14 and played confidently thereafter.
From what I could determine there was nothing definitive. Boyle referenced "fighting for his team" in the post game interview, nothing else. He went on to say that their loss could not be blamed on officiating, that UCLA and especially Amari Bailey played a great game. After the double T, Murray and Lewin said that Boyle had been on the refs for the prior 6 minutes. They weren't sure if he wanted a different call when the eruption happened but Boyle directed some "salty" language at the refs and you what that gets you.
Thanks, Bruin Momma! As I said, I think that loss of cool may have cost them the game. I guess no one likes SPTRs. Go Bruins, pluck the Ducks!
I guess you could argue that there was only what a minute left in the game, but yeah the whole team looked deflated and completely out of sorts. Those extra four free throws surely added to Tyger's overall points. See you tonight and go Bruins! Hoping not to digest myself. LOL
🤙