Someday, " He who hired Steve Alford " will be on the grave marker of an individual named Dan Guerrero. Pete Dalis was a better AD than Guerrero. Yet his Bruin legacy is forever tainted by his dismissal of Harrick.
Dalis had no choice but to fire Harrick because UCLA was in the midst of an NCAA investigation of the women's softball program which had expanded into the other programs including men's football and basketball. When the NCAA placed UCLA on probation in 1998, the team was stripped of scholarships and the number of recruiting visits were capped. In the probation announcement, the NCAA stated if Harrick not been fired by Dalis, the penalties would have been more severe. Everyone who followed UCLA sports at that time knew the NCAA was investigating the softball team, but apparently Harrick didn't care. He was going to do what he wanted to do when it came down to recruiting, even if it included bending the rules. And that's why Dalis and Harrick had differences.
Seeing as how Harrick ended his career at Georgia, he was going to screw up at some point in time and take the Bruins basketball program down with him, so Dalis did what was right and axed him.
Thanks for the elucidation. Until his time finally ran out, Rick Pitino got away plenty more at Louisville than Harrick's restaurant bills fiasco. The past is the past. UCLA hoops is on the right path under Cronin. I am certain he would be the one bringing home #12 in future.
I don’t think they played great today, I don’t think I’ve seen a great game out of UCLA against a really good opponent since the first game UCLA played Arizona at Pauley Pavilion. However, today they were much better than Thursday, without being stellar. It was a good win nonetheless, and I can’t remember in which thread I read that UCLA had trouble with ultra athletic team who are extremely aggressive, St Mary’s isn’t none of that from what I saw today. In the other hand Akron, they were tenacious, super aggressive, and tough all-around. Hopefully, Jaquez will be heathy and ready to go, and they can play better.
Indeed we do! Idk if it’s me but Thursday’s game I really don’t see much wrong Akron did to loose it, but the lost. So yes survive and advance. Although yesterday’s game wasn’t very stressful and that was good for us. 😅
I think that St Mary’s was an opponent that played to UCLA’s strength. UCLA defended well, personally thought after they switched Cody Riley on their point guard, the game changed. Defensively, a solid performance. To answer your other post, UCLA won, there’s nothing negative about that, I’m super happy and considering what happened Thursday, yesterday’s game was very comfortable win. However, in my humble opinion, I didn’t get the impression this was a dominant performance like the one they put on for the first Arizona game. Other than that, this was a great win that will boost tan morale and give the players more confidence going forward.
If I recall at the time, we were in form and would have had a good chance to beat NC earlier in the season. Maybe it’s a good thing it was cancelled as I think rematches have a way of going the other way. Teams develop and adjust and have that extra motivation 2nd time around.
Great job Bruins. Last years tournament Riley showed up. We're going to need him the rest of the way. I'm still of the opinion going the distance in games on two bad ankles and never letting them fully heal was not the best strategy. This occurred often in the regular season and conference tournament which I didn't understand.
This group of Bruin players rise to the occasion when tournament time arrives, witnessed last year's mighty journey into the Final Four promised land. It will be a horrendous fight against UNC. But I am confident they will prevail and move on because they give their best when the best is called for.
At least today the ball went in the hoop a bit more often than Thursday. On Thursday, they shot the ball poorly. Today, they improved and they can gain confidence for Friday’s game. The two games I watched UNC play, they looked extremely good. However, the last 10 minutes of regulation time for UNC they looked nervous and were barely able to hang on for OT. I know they were down a couple of starters but if UCLA can really pressure like Baylor did, then I think UCLA has a fair chance.
What does a "bit more" mean? We shot 57% from the field! That's elite! I'm surprised there's this much negativity after an impressive win on both sides of the ball.
By the way, let's not discount that we shot 57% from the field against a team that was ranked 12th in the NCAA in defensive efficiency going into the game per KenPom (and dropped them to 16th by our performance) - that is a pretty impressive offensive performance! To state the obvious, elite team defense and efficient if not flashy well-balanced offense can carry a team a long way - let's hope it carries over going to next weekend.
Or from today, Wisconsin losing to an 11-seed. I thought all along that UCLA’s body of work was better than Wisconsin’s, and NCAA did so too with their NET ranking and yet they gave Wisconsin a third seed. No surprise they lose to an 11-seed and fail to make it to the second weekend.
Slow ball is not in UCLA's wheel well. It's like ArmyBruin stated: "Awful would have been a loss. Survive. Advance". In this tournament you get no extra grading points on how you look or play. The only thing that matters is the final score. Go Bruins.
Better shooting and coaching this time around resulted in a more convincing victory (I had expected it would be a much closer game). Last season's unexpected Final Four run was magical, but definitely no fluke. Despite this season's disruptions due to COVID and injuries, UCLA is still capable of playing with a high level of grit and demonstrating elite-level defense. They're fielding essentially the same battle-tested players in this year's tournament (with Johnson replacing Etienne/Nwuba and adding Watson to the mix). Even if Jaquez isn't healed up enough to play (or is ineffective) against NC, I'm hoping the Bruins depth can make up for his absence, assuming Juzang's shotmaking has returned for good and Riley continues his improved play. Can't wait for next week's battle of college basketball bluebloods. Go Bruins!
When you have the #3 rebounder in the nation (Bacot) and 3 McDonald's high school all american's starting (Bacot, Love, and Davis) it is a concern. This season North Carolina has been extremely up and down. BUT they do have great talent. Yesterday they beat a good Baylor (not great like last year) team. UNC has a high scoring offense (#18 in the nation; UCLA #44. UNC team shooting #72 ranked in the nation: UCLA #103). The match up between the Bruins and Carolina is very similar as far as team tempo on offense. Obviously it will be both team's defensive play that will tell the tale. With Jaquez questionable I would be more concerned about the play of UCLA's bench than UNC's. Will Cronin thread the needle and have a game plan that has the right defensive combination on the court? This will be fun to watch. Go Bruins.
I’m not even concerned, the minute their best player left the game they blew a 25 point lead. Baylor sucked in OT so they lost, UNC got very lucky. That took all the starch out of em. I’m predicting a UCLA blowout.
The way Jaquez was limping around after being injured didn't look good, which is why I wouldn't expect him to play this weekend, or be as effective if he does suit up. The Bruins didn't fold against St. Mary's when he went out, though. With their tough defense, depth, and grity style of play, I think UCLA is still able to defeat the Tar Heels without Jaquez. Chapel Hill is in closer proximity to Philadelphia, so hope the arena isn't packed full of UNC fans to make it feel like a home game for them.
Both Vegas and ESPN numbers have the Bruins as a slight favorite. I watched Bob Huggins (West Virginia Coach) wince as all four of the other "commentators" thought it was a slam dunk for UNC. He picked UCLA. "Don't count out the little guy". Not sure which little guy he was referring to: Tyger or Mick.
It's clear to me that UCLA is one of the best built teams to withstand a starter going out (I think Jaime will play!). UNC nearly folded when their Justin-Turner-Lookalike was ejected.
Cronin also coached under Huggins and was the guy that ultimately took over Cincinnati when he was fired, so I imagine Huggins has some admiration for Cronin and the type of coach he is.
First, it was UCLA being assigned a 4-seed in the East Region. Then it was UCLA not expected to advance after escaping with a narrow win against lowly Akron because St. Mary's is a better team than UCLA. Now it's UNC expected to beat UCLA, and UCLA can't win without Jaquez. Bruins still getting no respect...
I actually thought the saint marys game was pretty solid. A consistent game where ucla just wore them down. The offensive shot selection and overall percentage was really high. Even with juzang missing several wide open looks, ucla still won easily.
I’d call this season a success even if ucla doesn’t win another game. Mick has proven that he can win games when it matters going to the sweet 16 two years in a row with a team that has a fringe first rounder in Jaime as far as scouts are concerned.
I think Houston the other disrespected team this year in the tournament also took the seeding personal, just like ucla. A 4 seed was bs for ucla. Houston as a 5 seed? They were top 10 in ken pom and rpi, but apparently the big 10 hard ons won out… how is the big 10 doing so far? Over rated as usual…
I’ve given this team a hard time when they deserved it, but mick seems to have everyone bought in for the tourney again. These guys could win the tourney with lesser talent than teams like Gonzaga, duke, Kansas, and many others with lottery nba picks on their squad. I hope they keep it up and jaquez can play against unc
I can understand why Houston is disrespected. Sure, they have good metrics, but they haven't played anyone and are in a weak conference (even weaker than the Pac-12). But they have proven themselves so far too.
" Played like shit Thursday " ?!? It we still have Steve Alford, yes, that would be the case.
Technically, that's incorrect--if Alford were still here, UCLA wouldn't even be IN the tournament...
True that! Only took him 3 seasons and Alford has run the Nevada program into the ground.
Someday, " He who hired Steve Alford " will be on the grave marker of an individual named Dan Guerrero. Pete Dalis was a better AD than Guerrero. Yet his Bruin legacy is forever tainted by his dismissal of Harrick.
Dalis had no choice but to fire Harrick because UCLA was in the midst of an NCAA investigation of the women's softball program which had expanded into the other programs including men's football and basketball. When the NCAA placed UCLA on probation in 1998, the team was stripped of scholarships and the number of recruiting visits were capped. In the probation announcement, the NCAA stated if Harrick not been fired by Dalis, the penalties would have been more severe. Everyone who followed UCLA sports at that time knew the NCAA was investigating the softball team, but apparently Harrick didn't care. He was going to do what he wanted to do when it came down to recruiting, even if it included bending the rules. And that's why Dalis and Harrick had differences.
Seeing as how Harrick ended his career at Georgia, he was going to screw up at some point in time and take the Bruins basketball program down with him, so Dalis did what was right and axed him.
Thanks for the elucidation. Until his time finally ran out, Rick Pitino got away plenty more at Louisville than Harrick's restaurant bills fiasco. The past is the past. UCLA hoops is on the right path under Cronin. I am certain he would be the one bringing home #12 in future.
I don’t think they played great today, I don’t think I’ve seen a great game out of UCLA against a really good opponent since the first game UCLA played Arizona at Pauley Pavilion. However, today they were much better than Thursday, without being stellar. It was a good win nonetheless, and I can’t remember in which thread I read that UCLA had trouble with ultra athletic team who are extremely aggressive, St Mary’s isn’t none of that from what I saw today. In the other hand Akron, they were tenacious, super aggressive, and tough all-around. Hopefully, Jaquez will be heathy and ready to go, and they can play better.
We call it survive and advance and March Madness for a reason.
Indeed we do! Idk if it’s me but Thursday’s game I really don’t see much wrong Akron did to loose it, but the lost. So yes survive and advance. Although yesterday’s game wasn’t very stressful and that was good for us. 😅
Disagree, the "real" UCLA is elite defensively and good offensively. Seems like we showed that today.
I think that St Mary’s was an opponent that played to UCLA’s strength. UCLA defended well, personally thought after they switched Cody Riley on their point guard, the game changed. Defensively, a solid performance. To answer your other post, UCLA won, there’s nothing negative about that, I’m super happy and considering what happened Thursday, yesterday’s game was very comfortable win. However, in my humble opinion, I didn’t get the impression this was a dominant performance like the one they put on for the first Arizona game. Other than that, this was a great win that will boost tan morale and give the players more confidence going forward.
In other news, Peacocks!
Yep, a Cinderella emerges from the East Region again, and this year it isn't the Bruins...
If I recall at the time, we were in form and would have had a good chance to beat NC earlier in the season. Maybe it’s a good thing it was cancelled as I think rematches have a way of going the other way. Teams develop and adjust and have that extra motivation 2nd time around.
Great job Bruins. Last years tournament Riley showed up. We're going to need him the rest of the way. I'm still of the opinion going the distance in games on two bad ankles and never letting them fully heal was not the best strategy. This occurred often in the regular season and conference tournament which I didn't understand.
This group of Bruin players rise to the occasion when tournament time arrives, witnessed last year's mighty journey into the Final Four promised land. It will be a horrendous fight against UNC. But I am confident they will prevail and move on because they give their best when the best is called for.
They were tentative, not firing on all cylinders. I grant you that. Today's game builds up the momentum. You just wait and see.
At least today the ball went in the hoop a bit more often than Thursday. On Thursday, they shot the ball poorly. Today, they improved and they can gain confidence for Friday’s game. The two games I watched UNC play, they looked extremely good. However, the last 10 minutes of regulation time for UNC they looked nervous and were barely able to hang on for OT. I know they were down a couple of starters but if UCLA can really pressure like Baylor did, then I think UCLA has a fair chance.
What does a "bit more" mean? We shot 57% from the field! That's elite! I'm surprised there's this much negativity after an impressive win on both sides of the ball.
Alford syndrome…
By the way, let's not discount that we shot 57% from the field against a team that was ranked 12th in the NCAA in defensive efficiency going into the game per KenPom (and dropped them to 16th by our performance) - that is a pretty impressive offensive performance! To state the obvious, elite team defense and efficient if not flashy well-balanced offense can carry a team a long way - let's hope it carries over going to next weekend.
Awful would have been a loss. See Kentucky, for example. Survive. Advance.
Or from today, Wisconsin losing to an 11-seed. I thought all along that UCLA’s body of work was better than Wisconsin’s, and NCAA did so too with their NET ranking and yet they gave Wisconsin a third seed. No surprise they lose to an 11-seed and fail to make it to the second weekend.
Slow ball is not in UCLA's wheel well. It's like ArmyBruin stated: "Awful would have been a loss. Survive. Advance". In this tournament you get no extra grading points on how you look or play. The only thing that matters is the final score. Go Bruins.
Precisely ! Whether you win ugly or you win beautifully. Winning is the only thing.
Better shooting and coaching this time around resulted in a more convincing victory (I had expected it would be a much closer game). Last season's unexpected Final Four run was magical, but definitely no fluke. Despite this season's disruptions due to COVID and injuries, UCLA is still capable of playing with a high level of grit and demonstrating elite-level defense. They're fielding essentially the same battle-tested players in this year's tournament (with Johnson replacing Etienne/Nwuba and adding Watson to the mix). Even if Jaquez isn't healed up enough to play (or is ineffective) against NC, I'm hoping the Bruins depth can make up for his absence, assuming Juzang's shotmaking has returned for good and Riley continues his improved play. Can't wait for next week's battle of college basketball bluebloods. Go Bruins!
UNC has no depth and that will be their demise because at least one of the starters is going to foul out.
When you have the #3 rebounder in the nation (Bacot) and 3 McDonald's high school all american's starting (Bacot, Love, and Davis) it is a concern. This season North Carolina has been extremely up and down. BUT they do have great talent. Yesterday they beat a good Baylor (not great like last year) team. UNC has a high scoring offense (#18 in the nation; UCLA #44. UNC team shooting #72 ranked in the nation: UCLA #103). The match up between the Bruins and Carolina is very similar as far as team tempo on offense. Obviously it will be both team's defensive play that will tell the tale. With Jaquez questionable I would be more concerned about the play of UCLA's bench than UNC's. Will Cronin thread the needle and have a game plan that has the right defensive combination on the court? This will be fun to watch. Go Bruins.
I’m not even concerned, the minute their best player left the game they blew a 25 point lead. Baylor sucked in OT so they lost, UNC got very lucky. That took all the starch out of em. I’m predicting a UCLA blowout.
OT, but nice to see more folks finding their way to TMB!
Hope Jaime will be able to play the second weekend… we need him badly
The way Jaquez was limping around after being injured didn't look good, which is why I wouldn't expect him to play this weekend, or be as effective if he does suit up. The Bruins didn't fold against St. Mary's when he went out, though. With their tough defense, depth, and grity style of play, I think UCLA is still able to defeat the Tar Heels without Jaquez. Chapel Hill is in closer proximity to Philadelphia, so hope the arena isn't packed full of UNC fans to make it feel like a home game for them.
The public blow job that all the sports networks are giving UNC, should motivate the Bruins to kick some ass.
It’s disgusting. I’m predicting a UCLA blowout.
It's weird. They seem to have forgotten that we're also a blue blood school
Ugh, espn "ranks" us as 12th out of the 16 teams left, behind Michigan and UNC. We need to prove them wrong.
https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/33550946/reseeding-2022-men-march-madness-sweet-16
Both Vegas and ESPN numbers have the Bruins as a slight favorite. I watched Bob Huggins (West Virginia Coach) wince as all four of the other "commentators" thought it was a slam dunk for UNC. He picked UCLA. "Don't count out the little guy". Not sure which little guy he was referring to: Tyger or Mick.
It's clear to me that UCLA is one of the best built teams to withstand a starter going out (I think Jaime will play!). UNC nearly folded when their Justin-Turner-Lookalike was ejected.
Cronin also coached under Huggins and was the guy that ultimately took over Cincinnati when he was fired, so I imagine Huggins has some admiration for Cronin and the type of coach he is.
First, it was UCLA being assigned a 4-seed in the East Region. Then it was UCLA not expected to advance after escaping with a narrow win against lowly Akron because St. Mary's is a better team than UCLA. Now it's UNC expected to beat UCLA, and UCLA can't win without Jaquez. Bruins still getting no respect...
Big Ten proving again that more is not better
Their conference should be renamed "Small Ten" or "Big Zero"...
Our game is announced:
Fri 3/25, 6:39 PT, CBS
I actually thought the saint marys game was pretty solid. A consistent game where ucla just wore them down. The offensive shot selection and overall percentage was really high. Even with juzang missing several wide open looks, ucla still won easily.
I’d call this season a success even if ucla doesn’t win another game. Mick has proven that he can win games when it matters going to the sweet 16 two years in a row with a team that has a fringe first rounder in Jaime as far as scouts are concerned.
I think Houston the other disrespected team this year in the tournament also took the seeding personal, just like ucla. A 4 seed was bs for ucla. Houston as a 5 seed? They were top 10 in ken pom and rpi, but apparently the big 10 hard ons won out… how is the big 10 doing so far? Over rated as usual…
I’ve given this team a hard time when they deserved it, but mick seems to have everyone bought in for the tourney again. These guys could win the tourney with lesser talent than teams like Gonzaga, duke, Kansas, and many others with lottery nba picks on their squad. I hope they keep it up and jaquez can play against unc
"I'd call this season a success, even if UCLA doesn't win another game" -- True Dat!
Go Bruins! Play hard! (And thank you, Mick, for bringing integrity back to UCLA!)
I can understand why Houston is disrespected. Sure, they have good metrics, but they haven't played anyone and are in a weak conference (even weaker than the Pac-12). But they have proven themselves so far too.
Zags go down!!
Run over by the Muss Bus!
Zags and Arizona! What a crazy day
So long, chief! March Madness is highly infectious...
We need to avoid the upset bug too
The more upsets on day one, the less on day two…