I still watch the 2007 UCLA/Kansas tournament game from time to time to relive those Howland days, but this game was much better, far more exciting. I’ll still be watching this game on YouTube 14 years later.
To me, this is the grittiest, and most hard-nosed team since Howlands only Finals squad in 2006....not a lot of stars, but they were tough and the never quit. This feels like 2006...except apparently I can't watch games live.
Everyone on the team contributed something critical to today’s success. That’s what a TEAM is all about. And when we got caught watching and took that gut punch at the end of regulation, the team shook it off and played even better in OT. What a fun and inspiring game. It was house money before today started, but why not push it all in again and see how we measure up against one of the top 2 or 3 teams in the country.
Alabama coach singled out Herb Jones in his postgame comments for missing those two free throws at end of regulation. Kinda shitty thing to do, considering they shot an abysmal 44% from the line as a team.
This has got to help recruiting. No doubt about it. These kids are a team. The celebration after the game was outstanding. Look how much better Singleton and Bernard are playing. Nobody transferred out. Amazing job.
What a difference the coach makes. No matter how much talent the previous coach had, the Bruins always underperformed, got totally outclassed by better teams, and lost in embarrassing fashion to teams they were expected to beat. On the other hand, Coach Cronin has successfully instilled the toughness and determination that’s been sorely lacking in the UCLA basketball program and has made this team competitive and exciting to watch. We’re seeing them get hot at the right time and winning highly competitive games they’re not expected to win. I wonder how far they could’ve gone if COVID hadn’t cancelled last season’s Pac-12 and NCAA tournaments. Just one glaring coaching mistake toward the end of regulation against Alabama, but still the Bruins ended up being the ones that looked more like the 2nd-seeded team in eventually securing the win in OT. Once again, (1-seed) Michigan is another, much tougher opponent that should have its way with the Bruins, but I hope UCLA can surprise us again and go from First Four to Final Four.
Anyone have any info about Cody Riley returning next season. Just read on BRO that he's almost surely gone (and Hill, but I sort of expected that), but no explanation. I guess he's ready for the G league, but I don't see him being an NBA guy ever. Was hoping he would enjoy the college spotlight for 1 more season before he tried to make a little bit of a living in the G league or overseas. Really hoping Smith comes back too.
I'd be pretty nervous if I were Michigan. Ya they are a 1 seed, but they gotta be looking at us and wondering why we are an 11, especially given the success the pac 12 is having right now they probably feel more like they are drawing a 3 or 4. I'd rather play Bama to be honest.
My ultimate Elite-8 dream scenario is for the three remaining Pac-12 teams to pull off upsets of their respective opponents and get to the Final Four. Then, I would want UCLA to achieve redemption by eliminating U$C from the tournament and hope Oregon State wins again to face UCLA in the championship game so that the Bruins can deliver a final payback against the Beavers. How's that for a sheer March Madness fantasy? :-)
I love Cronin. But he’s right, his players bailed him out. When is he going to learn that with the lead in an end-of-game situation and with little time on the clock, his team should apply some pressure on the ball in the backcourt? Same thing happened at USC in the last game of the previous season. Cronin concedes the first 40 feet of the court, not forcing the other team to use clock, not doing anything to prevent them from getting the ball exactly where they want with plenty of time to get off a good shot. You don’t even have to think UCLA should have fouled Alabama to see how obviously flawed his defensive strategy is on those kinds of plays. He seemed to say he normally likes to foul. Well, then pressure the ball 94 feet from the basket and foul there. Just mind boggling passivity when you have control of the game.
I got my wish. I commented at the beginning of the tourney that I wanted this to team to bust the brackets of sportscasters. They have done it with Tenacious D!!! :) I kid, but they have. I love Cronin's explanation about playing tough. Love this team!!!
Our last four losses during the season were to Colorado (by 9), Oregon (by 8), USC (by 1), and Oregon State (by 4). All were tournament teams. Colorado reached the round of 32. Oregon reached the sweet 16 and lost to USC. USC and Oregan State are in the Elite 8 with UCLA.
Though the four consecutive losses looked bad for us. These were all tougher teams than anyone thought.
I still watch the 2007 UCLA/Kansas tournament game from time to time to relive those Howland days, but this game was much better, far more exciting. I’ll still be watching this game on YouTube 14 years later.
First four to the Elite Eight! Still dancing!
To me, this is the grittiest, and most hard-nosed team since Howlands only Finals squad in 2006....not a lot of stars, but they were tough and the never quit. This feels like 2006...except apparently I can't watch games live.
The Stench of Steve is gone!
Everyone on the team contributed something critical to today’s success. That’s what a TEAM is all about. And when we got caught watching and took that gut punch at the end of regulation, the team shook it off and played even better in OT. What a fun and inspiring game. It was house money before today started, but why not push it all in again and see how we measure up against one of the top 2 or 3 teams in the country.
Go Bruins!
Alabama coach singled out Herb Jones in his postgame comments for missing those two free throws at end of regulation. Kinda shitty thing to do, considering they shot an abysmal 44% from the line as a team.
This has got to help recruiting. No doubt about it. These kids are a team. The celebration after the game was outstanding. Look how much better Singleton and Bernard are playing. Nobody transferred out. Amazing job.
What a difference the coach makes. No matter how much talent the previous coach had, the Bruins always underperformed, got totally outclassed by better teams, and lost in embarrassing fashion to teams they were expected to beat. On the other hand, Coach Cronin has successfully instilled the toughness and determination that’s been sorely lacking in the UCLA basketball program and has made this team competitive and exciting to watch. We’re seeing them get hot at the right time and winning highly competitive games they’re not expected to win. I wonder how far they could’ve gone if COVID hadn’t cancelled last season’s Pac-12 and NCAA tournaments. Just one glaring coaching mistake toward the end of regulation against Alabama, but still the Bruins ended up being the ones that looked more like the 2nd-seeded team in eventually securing the win in OT. Once again, (1-seed) Michigan is another, much tougher opponent that should have its way with the Bruins, but I hope UCLA can surprise us again and go from First Four to Final Four.
Anyone have any info about Cody Riley returning next season. Just read on BRO that he's almost surely gone (and Hill, but I sort of expected that), but no explanation. I guess he's ready for the G league, but I don't see him being an NBA guy ever. Was hoping he would enjoy the college spotlight for 1 more season before he tried to make a little bit of a living in the G league or overseas. Really hoping Smith comes back too.
I'd be pretty nervous if I were Michigan. Ya they are a 1 seed, but they gotta be looking at us and wondering why we are an 11, especially given the success the pac 12 is having right now they probably feel more like they are drawing a 3 or 4. I'd rather play Bama to be honest.
My ultimate Elite-8 dream scenario is for the three remaining Pac-12 teams to pull off upsets of their respective opponents and get to the Final Four. Then, I would want UCLA to achieve redemption by eliminating U$C from the tournament and hope Oregon State wins again to face UCLA in the championship game so that the Bruins can deliver a final payback against the Beavers. How's that for a sheer March Madness fantasy? :-)
I love Cronin. But he’s right, his players bailed him out. When is he going to learn that with the lead in an end-of-game situation and with little time on the clock, his team should apply some pressure on the ball in the backcourt? Same thing happened at USC in the last game of the previous season. Cronin concedes the first 40 feet of the court, not forcing the other team to use clock, not doing anything to prevent them from getting the ball exactly where they want with plenty of time to get off a good shot. You don’t even have to think UCLA should have fouled Alabama to see how obviously flawed his defensive strategy is on those kinds of plays. He seemed to say he normally likes to foul. Well, then pressure the ball 94 feet from the basket and foul there. Just mind boggling passivity when you have control of the game.
What a game! Boy I have been wrong... I’m blown away and don’t have much to add... my silence is golden 😀
I got my wish. I commented at the beginning of the tourney that I wanted this to team to bust the brackets of sportscasters. They have done it with Tenacious D!!! :) I kid, but they have. I love Cronin's explanation about playing tough. Love this team!!!
Our last four losses during the season were to Colorado (by 9), Oregon (by 8), USC (by 1), and Oregon State (by 4). All were tournament teams. Colorado reached the round of 32. Oregon reached the sweet 16 and lost to USC. USC and Oregan State are in the Elite 8 with UCLA.
Though the four consecutive losses looked bad for us. These were all tougher teams than anyone thought.