Make sure you wave at the TV camera if you notice it is panning your way ! Please yell too ! LOL !!!
Northwestern hoops is a weakling but don't take them for granted. Run them flat. In my days at Wisconsin, even we trashed them after Indiana and Michigan trashed us. That was the pecking order of Big Ten hoops then.
Not sure why he would transfer again. He transferred so he can play. He wouldn’t get any time at a bigger school. He’s just not very good. Mac is better lol
I pinched myself as a reminder that the Bruins were without their two Pac-12 Defensive Team players.
Kenny and Mac came up big. So proud.
Mac still seems far from recovered. He's working so hard. I hope he heals further over the off-season, and returns to even better play next year. Speaking of which...
The points will have to come from Williams, Williams, Mack and Canka. Unless Wil and Dylan take 3000 jump shots per week this summer. But I digress.
Northwestern basically plays 2 on 5 on offense but those 2 are probably better than any guards ucla have faced, so we’ll still have to come out focused. Amari, Tyger, and David will have their hands full guarding Buie and Audige.
Love that Nwuba, Andrews, Etienne, and McClendon stepped up. You know things went well when Canka drops 5 points.
I also want to say, regardless of how we far we get this year, I’m glad that Mick molded and recruited these guys into high character players. I know Tyger, Jaime, and David are from the previous regime but they’ve developed into humble players that play for each other, not for themselves. They take losing personally and lift each other up to try to get the next win. It’s like we have a team of all Arron Afflalos.
Amari Bailey is Micks recruit and one thing that strikes me is that he is always helping the opposing teams’ players up. Tonight, there were times when Amari and a UNCA player were on the ground and Amari would jump up to help them up. Demonstrates great sportsmanship. I also love that even when he’s benched, he’s always one of the first to congratulate teammates for doing well. As he said earlier in the week, this is the most fun he’s ever had playing basketball and it shows. It’s a stark difference from the 5-star recruits we’ve seen from the late Howland years and Alford years
Nice observation--I still recall how difficult it was for Coach Cronin during his inaugural season as UCLA head coach to get the players he inherited to all be on the same page and then forcing them to earn the privilege of wearing the 4 letters. He's not only instilled toughness and resilience to the basketball program, but also improved their teamwork and sense of respect. Besides the physical talent and X's and O's, it's those baked-in intangibles that should help the Bruins advance during March Madness. During the TruTV broadcast, they showed Chip Kelly in attendance at the game, so hope he can learn something that will benefit the football team!
After Howland's streak of consecutive Final Fours, the program became dysfunctional not only from recruiting talented players harboring a sense of entitlement, but also from Howland's own lack of enforcing any discipline and control over his teams. So far, I have a hard time imagining any prima donnas earning significant, if any, playing time under CMC now, or in the future.
Ballford was the only one allowed to be a prima dona under Alford, but it was obvious he wasn't. It was painful to watch the stunted growth of more talented players on those teams.
UNC Asheville had zero chance of pulling off an upset after facing UCLA's elite defense and dominating 14-0 start. Northwestern and its dual-guard scoring threat should provide a more competitive match for the Bruins, and Jaylen Clark's absence could become more of a factor. Hope one or both of their guards has an off-shooting night and nobody else on their team picks up the slack. Go Bruins!
Before the tournament began, sports commentators were predicting northwestern would beat ucla if they were to meet in round two. Evidently they are much better than most believe. What’s even more strange, both reams will be part of the same division, Big-10.
The Bruins showed the sort of intensity right out of the gate that was missing at times this season. Kudos to the whole team on a dominating performance, and even better to give Bona at least a couple more days of rest and recovery. What a performance by Nwuba and Mac. Get ready to bring that again on Saturday!
It is my observation that most teams in the tournament have their weekend "tone" set on how they play the first day. If UCLA comes out again in full "buzzsaw" mode like they did from the jump last night, Northwestern is going to have a long night ahead of them.
UCLA dominated down two starters. Speaks volumes about the culture of this team and program. I hope that they play as intensely tomorrow and get the win with limited minutes from Adem. IF we make it to the Sweet 16, we need Adem as healthy as possible.
Mick Cronin is a class act. His postgame interview with Jaquez, Bailey, and Nwuba show why character matters and how it impacts the team. He lauded UNC Asheville and the season they had. He called out their star players by name. In other words, a gracious winner with respect for their opponent. But he said that they ran into a "Buzzsaw" (True that!). From his Cinci days he knows from experience that a mid major CAN cause havoc if the high-major doesn't impose their will. Also, UCLA doesn't take to losing very well.
The roundtable after the game by the on-air talent showed a "gobsmacked" set of commentators. They weren't exactly sure what happened, but they were damn impressed with UCLA. Beating ANY tournament team by 30+ points is a statement. Chuck Barkley was clearly impressed he does not hold back.
Go Bruins! Next Up. More Wildcats. Go. Fight. Win.
Yeah, and that rep stains us. No doubt part of the reason that the east coast hacks like Lunardi who don't actually watch the west coast games underrate us.
Conference rep notwithstanding (and it only matters for one more year anyway) I'm glad the trOJans' ca. 3460 year losing streak against Spartans has continued!
Half credit goes to U$C for hanging with Sparty for 1 half. Defense-minded Coach Izzo had his MSU team shut down Ellis and Peterson (only 7-for-22, 17 pts. combined). Bruins have to do the same against the Northwestern Mildcats (disrupt both Buie and Audige). Go Bruins!
Who did Seth Davis pick? LOL I live in the Bay Area and Saint Mary's was ticked when he announced their team and immediately said they are losing to VCU.
They should've worn masks--March Madness is highly contagious. Expect a few more top seeds to exit early. The Bruins need Northwestern to do another Big-10 belly-flop. Go Bruins!
So, UCLA (NET ranking #3) would've been the more appropriate 1-seed instead of Purdue (NET ranking #5) after all. The AZ Mildcats and their disgusting fans don't feel so lonely now...
It’s crazy that every region but ours had upsets in the first round. Shows that ucla definitely has the hardest path into the FF. My prediction now - whoever comes out of west will have best chance of winning National championship
Ben Bolch wrote a great story and said the players are in constant contact with Jaylen Clark. There were some great quotes by the younger players, especially Bailey and Andrews. This one says it all: “I miss my teammate,” freshman guard Dylan Andrews said, “but we’re going to keep going, we’re going to keep pushing. That’s one of our motivations right there, we want to get this banner for Rock.” Just love this.
One for all and all for one ! This is when everyone will play above their level in their united, unshakable determination to prevail against anything int heir way and win it all. Guys, the moment is at hand for UCLA's finest hour.
Tournament competitions serve to separate the men from the boys. So when push comes to shove, we know who is better. Northwestern is around an hour's drive from Madison, Wisconsin and athletically, not academically, the Wildcats played second fiddle to my school. Those were the days. As we speak, the Wildcats still have a way to go even compared with my other alma mater UCLA. This evening, Jaime, Tiger & company will show them.
Well said Tamara
Just purchased my tickets for Saturday’s game. Off to Sacramento!
Have a wonderful time in Sacramento !
Make sure you wave at the TV camera if you notice it is panning your way ! Please yell too ! LOL !!!
Northwestern hoops is a weakling but don't take them for granted. Run them flat. In my days at Wisconsin, even we trashed them after Indiana and Michigan trashed us. That was the pecking order of Big Ten hoops then.
They beat IU and Purdue back-to-back. Respect your opponent. Take nothing for granted.
And set the tone for UCLA's entry into the B10 in 2 years.
We are gonna need to grab a beer after something like 10 years of online discourse. I'm in section 220 and open to grab lunch before the game
Will be in Section 104
Drop me an email at mark.harding@verizon.net. Maybe we can connect.
I'll be there in section 208 and ready to join your 8clap!
So much for UNC Nashville’s center. What was his name? Timber? Lumber?
Either which way, the Bruins made dead wood out of him and showed who was the superior team. GO BRUINS!
"Timber? Lumber?" Ohmygosh! Hah!
Slumber ! He felt asleep !!!
Guy couldn’t hack it in Tennessee and transferred to unc Asheville to be a big dog.
He can try transferring again but will have to sit out a full year
Not sure why he would transfer again. He transferred so he can play. He wouldn’t get any time at a bigger school. He’s just not very good. Mac is better lol
He still was there leading scorer with 13 and their only player to shoot at least 50%, still 6 TOs and only 2 rebs. Yes we showed him.
53 points on 37% shooting. Think of that.
I pinched myself as a reminder that the Bruins were without their two Pac-12 Defensive Team players.
Kenny and Mac came up big. So proud.
Mac still seems far from recovered. He's working so hard. I hope he heals further over the off-season, and returns to even better play next year. Speaking of which...
The points will have to come from Williams, Williams, Mack and Canka. Unless Wil and Dylan take 3000 jump shots per week this summer. But I digress.
Onward! Show no mercy!
Northwestern basically plays 2 on 5 on offense but those 2 are probably better than any guards ucla have faced, so we’ll still have to come out focused. Amari, Tyger, and David will have their hands full guarding Buie and Audige.
Love that Nwuba, Andrews, Etienne, and McClendon stepped up. You know things went well when Canka drops 5 points.
I also want to say, regardless of how we far we get this year, I’m glad that Mick molded and recruited these guys into high character players. I know Tyger, Jaime, and David are from the previous regime but they’ve developed into humble players that play for each other, not for themselves. They take losing personally and lift each other up to try to get the next win. It’s like we have a team of all Arron Afflalos.
Amari Bailey is Micks recruit and one thing that strikes me is that he is always helping the opposing teams’ players up. Tonight, there were times when Amari and a UNCA player were on the ground and Amari would jump up to help them up. Demonstrates great sportsmanship. I also love that even when he’s benched, he’s always one of the first to congratulate teammates for doing well. As he said earlier in the week, this is the most fun he’s ever had playing basketball and it shows. It’s a stark difference from the 5-star recruits we’ve seen from the late Howland years and Alford years
Williams, Williams, Mack and future targets would do well to study and absorb the Bruin Way.
Props for AA nod.
Nice observation--I still recall how difficult it was for Coach Cronin during his inaugural season as UCLA head coach to get the players he inherited to all be on the same page and then forcing them to earn the privilege of wearing the 4 letters. He's not only instilled toughness and resilience to the basketball program, but also improved their teamwork and sense of respect. Besides the physical talent and X's and O's, it's those baked-in intangibles that should help the Bruins advance during March Madness. During the TruTV broadcast, they showed Chip Kelly in attendance at the game, so hope he can learn something that will benefit the football team!
You
You know, Ben Howland started the same way.
Somewhere along, he lost the plot and started recruiting prima donnas who didn’t fit “UCLA Way”.
Here’s hoping CMC doesn’t fall in to that trap.
Howland had trouble adjusting to new one and done rule.
After Howland's streak of consecutive Final Fours, the program became dysfunctional not only from recruiting talented players harboring a sense of entitlement, but also from Howland's own lack of enforcing any discipline and control over his teams. So far, I have a hard time imagining any prima donnas earning significant, if any, playing time under CMC now, or in the future.
Ballford was the only one allowed to be a prima dona under Alford, but it was obvious he wasn't. It was painful to watch the stunted growth of more talented players on those teams.
UNC Asheville had zero chance of pulling off an upset after facing UCLA's elite defense and dominating 14-0 start. Northwestern and its dual-guard scoring threat should provide a more competitive match for the Bruins, and Jaylen Clark's absence could become more of a factor. Hope one or both of their guards has an off-shooting night and nobody else on their team picks up the slack. Go Bruins!
Before the tournament began, sports commentators were predicting northwestern would beat ucla if they were to meet in round two. Evidently they are much better than most believe. What’s even more strange, both reams will be part of the same division, Big-10.
The Bruins showed the sort of intensity right out of the gate that was missing at times this season. Kudos to the whole team on a dominating performance, and even better to give Bona at least a couple more days of rest and recovery. What a performance by Nwuba and Mac. Get ready to bring that again on Saturday!
It is my observation that most teams in the tournament have their weekend "tone" set on how they play the first day. If UCLA comes out again in full "buzzsaw" mode like they did from the jump last night, Northwestern is going to have a long night ahead of them.
UCLA dominated down two starters. Speaks volumes about the culture of this team and program. I hope that they play as intensely tomorrow and get the win with limited minutes from Adem. IF we make it to the Sweet 16, we need Adem as healthy as possible.
All of you should just raise up and cheer when the TV camera pans your way.
Mick Cronin is a class act. His postgame interview with Jaquez, Bailey, and Nwuba show why character matters and how it impacts the team. He lauded UNC Asheville and the season they had. He called out their star players by name. In other words, a gracious winner with respect for their opponent. But he said that they ran into a "Buzzsaw" (True that!). From his Cinci days he knows from experience that a mid major CAN cause havoc if the high-major doesn't impose their will. Also, UCLA doesn't take to losing very well.
The roundtable after the game by the on-air talent showed a "gobsmacked" set of commentators. They weren't exactly sure what happened, but they were damn impressed with UCLA. Beating ANY tournament team by 30+ points is a statement. Chuck Barkley was clearly impressed he does not hold back.
Go Bruins! Next Up. More Wildcats. Go. Fight. Win.
Energy! Lots of energy! Mac and Nwuba played big! Go Bruins!
SUC is down 51-47 to the Spartans.
I understand, our conference has a rep of being weak.
Yes, Suc is gone by ten.
Yeah, and that rep stains us. No doubt part of the reason that the east coast hacks like Lunardi who don't actually watch the west coast games underrate us.
They are east coast hacks, its tough watching PAC games, I know.
Conference rep notwithstanding (and it only matters for one more year anyway) I'm glad the trOJans' ca. 3460 year losing streak against Spartans has continued!
Half credit goes to U$C for hanging with Sparty for 1 half. Defense-minded Coach Izzo had his MSU team shut down Ellis and Peterson (only 7-for-22, 17 pts. combined). Bruins have to do the same against the Northwestern Mildcats (disrupt both Buie and Audige). Go Bruins!
Enfield’s best team ever performed as expected
Is Purdue about to be the second #1 seed to lose to a #16 seed.?
Crazy - so open this year
Wow - it’s all over for Purdue
I'm not shocked. Always thought Purdue was overrated.
Wonder if the committee and pundits still think they should have been a 1 seed over the Bruins?
Unfortunately it opens the path for Duke
Who did Seth Davis pick? LOL I live in the Bay Area and Saint Mary's was ticked when he announced their team and immediately said they are losing to VCU.
Tennessee just cut Duke off 65-52. Wow what are the talking heads going to say now?? I'd like to see some of the pundits' brackets!
Back in the day, we used to tease and taunt Purdue players PLASTIC MAKERS ... PLASTIC MAKERS !!
Yes. It has smelt that way throughout the game.
They should've worn masks--March Madness is highly contagious. Expect a few more top seeds to exit early. The Bruins need Northwestern to do another Big-10 belly-flop. Go Bruins!
#16 seed Fairley Dickenson knocked of #1 seed Purdue 63-58.
So, UCLA (NET ranking #3) would've been the more appropriate 1-seed instead of Purdue (NET ranking #5) after all. The AZ Mildcats and their disgusting fans don't feel so lonely now...
Grand Canyon gave Gonzaga all they could handle.
Yup. And ASU takes TCU to the buzzer.
It’s crazy that every region but ours had upsets in the first round. Shows that ucla definitely has the hardest path into the FF. My prediction now - whoever comes out of west will have best chance of winning National championship
" Playing inspired ball " - This is the key to winning or perhaps winning it ALL !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ben Bolch wrote a great story and said the players are in constant contact with Jaylen Clark. There were some great quotes by the younger players, especially Bailey and Andrews. This one says it all: “I miss my teammate,” freshman guard Dylan Andrews said, “but we’re going to keep going, we’re going to keep pushing. That’s one of our motivations right there, we want to get this banner for Rock.” Just love this.
One for all and all for one ! This is when everyone will play above their level in their united, unshakable determination to prevail against anything int heir way and win it all. Guys, the moment is at hand for UCLA's finest hour.
Tournament competitions serve to separate the men from the boys. So when push comes to shove, we know who is better. Northwestern is around an hour's drive from Madison, Wisconsin and athletically, not academically, the Wildcats played second fiddle to my school. Those were the days. As we speak, the Wildcats still have a way to go even compared with my other alma mater UCLA. This evening, Jaime, Tiger & company will show them.