To add about the clueless announcers, they were actually surprised by Cody's mid-range shot, something he added to his repertoire early in the season. He's been money with that shot.
I too thought Juzang was shooting too many contested jumpers during the season. Hey, the guy can make them now. He played like a stud the whole Tournament and became one of the leaders on the team. I coined him an alias... "Johnny Buckets." Johnny Buckets needs to come back next season and help us get #12. That would be awesome.
We fought. Until the last second. But proud of this team and I hope everyone returns for another run next year (maybe with Jalen Hill healthy so we can have some size). Go Baylor.
The entire tournament! The block on Riley it was mostly hand and arm! How could they not call that! I thought I was the only one who thought the refs were against us, but a lot of people here concur. Coach Cronin was so gracious and classy in his post press conference. He said that the refs had nothing to do, he said he liked the game was called. But I think we all agree the refs were against us. Out of all Final Four teams we had a man foul on each of our games until last night.
Bruin Gold, it hurt not to win when you know that they probably should have. I am just proud of how this team overcame so much adversity this year. They'll be back next season with something to prove and some backup with Peyton Watson and Will McLendon.
What a great effort tonight. Much respect earned for this team on a national stage. Couldn’t be prouder for them. UCLA basketball is back. Thanks Mick. Go Bruins!
Hard for me to be disappointed. These kids played their best game and it took a miraculous shot for Gonzaga to win the game. I’m very proud of our team.
They'll be back in the Final Four soon. They exceeded everyone's expectation. Hard to be critical when literally nobody thought a Final Four was possible for this team two weeks ago.
Gut wrenching but so proud to be a Bruin at the same time. You couldn’t have played that team better. Tip your cap to the circus, near half-court bank shot...
Totally agree, Gonzaga needed to be both good AND lucky to eventually beat our tough Bruins. Too bad Coach Cronin didn’t have any timeout to reset their defense after Juzang’s putback basket and avoid the helter skelter and game-winning shot that followed. In the aftermath of their celebration, one could just hear the huge sigh of relief from Coach Few and his players all the way from Indianapolis. As consolation, I’ll be rooting for Baylor to return the favor and ruin Gonzaga’s perfect season on Monday.
Understand the desire to ruin Gonzaga's season, but I hope Gonzaga blows Baylor out by 20 points. It will only prove just how good our Bruins are. BTW, ton's of respect for Coach Few as well. He would have been my first choice for the UCLA job two years ago if he was willing. Good think they didn't listen to me...
No need for the Bruins to prove anything more to anybody else, in my opinion. I would agree with Coach Cronin that UCLA is now a top-4 team that wouldn't have gotten blown out by Baylor, either, and worthy of being in that national championship game and competing for the title. Same goes for Coach Few--it really was a chess match between these two coaches. Anyways, I'm still rooting for Baylor to knock off Gonzaga. Go Bears (a Bruins' cousin)!
Brackets aside, I would pull for the Zags, just to say that we pushed the best to the brink, something no one else has done. But I win my pool if Baylor wins. Soooooo...Go Bears!
Gonzaga was likely too emotionally and physically spent after their tough OT battle with the Bruins and all the excitement (and relief) resulting from hitting that lucky bank shot. Baylor dominated the Bulldogs, and the championship game ended up in a lopsided flop. Sure is disappointing to lose just 1 game the *entire* season and have it be the game that decides the national championship. Baylor is a great team, but I think they also have to thank the Bruins for wearing out Gonzaga for them...
So so proud of our team even when I’m feeling the crushing disappointment.
I’ll say this though. I remember back in 06, it was Afflalo and Hollins that picked up Morrison after the game. Today, immediately after the game ended, our team huddled at mid court to pick each other up.
I believe Juzang and everyone when they say they’re brothers, from the starters down to the managers. So proud of the team mick put together. The ncaa tournament is as much luck as is coaching and skill and this team will always hold a special place in UCLA history
I am proud of this team. My feeling was if they kept it competitive and single digits I was fine with that. We took them to overtime and almost beat them. Something no one else has done this year. The future is bright. Next year will be an extension of this season.
Great report as always, and hats off to Coach Cronin and his players for a such an amazing season. I thought they were actually playing against 2 teams—the Bulldogs and the refs—particularly in the 1st half. And even though UCLA was getting destroyed in the paint, they hung real tough (again) and even had a great chance to pull off the epic upset in regulation. Gonzaga was just as relentless and simply made more key plays. UCLA seemed to be prone to last-second baskets and defeats, so hope they can improve on that next year. But you couldn’t have asked anything more from this Bruins squad—they really gave it their all when nobody expected them to get this far or to be so competitive. Can’t wait for next season. Go Bruins!
I've enjoyed this team, the coaching staff, and especially this epic tournament run this year! While I'm emotionally spent (and have no idea what I can do to fill the void now that the season's over LOL), I'm forever grateful that UCLA is back, that everyone in the nation and abroad realizes that we (finally!!!) have a true coach and teams no one wants to play against, and that we can be so proud to wear the four letters in public, and I'm soooo excited for what the future holds for this program. :-) thumbs up and Fours Up!!
Oh, man...there's just too much to say right now. I find myself totally crushed and incredibly proud at the same time, and it's kind of an amazing feeling. I'm sure we'll have more chances to break down this game and this season and this program in the coming days. And while that final shot tonight was a dagger, this tournament suggests that great things are ahead, and I can't wait to see it. Sometimes hope is a great thing.
Sincere thanks to Dimitri and Joe and all the gang here at TMB for the previews and game threads and postgames and for giving all of us a place to come together, and thanks to everyone in the threads all season for sharing this crazy ride with our team. You guys make it all a million times better.
Most of all, thank you to Mick and his staff and our amazing roster for playing their best when their best was required. Coach would have been very proud. Go Bruins!!
As I said the other day, the stench of Steve is gone. Mick is a breath of fresh air. He doesn’t run from the pressure of the job. He embraces it. He embraces the history. When he cites John Wooden, it’s sincere and not just a sound bite. And, in his FIRST opportunity, he gets the team to overachieve and reach the Final Four. He turned a disorganized group of individuals under the previous regime into a disciplined, team oriented group of warriors.
Of course I’m devastated we didn’t put it away in regulation. There are a lot of should of would of could ofs I can think of. But at the end of the day this was an incredible run and it felt like we were at the precipice of earning a national championship. When I look back on this tournament, there were many 50/50 balls that went our way. Alabama missed free throws, Michigan state gave us an amazing come back, Michigan missed THREE end of game shots to take the lead or win. It just didn’t go on our way on this last buzzer beater shot. It takes a lot of luck to win a NC and we just came slightly short.
We witnessed something special today. This UCLA team transcended its abilities and achieved something greater than anyone expected of them, in this incredible tournament run punctuated by the game today. This is not a moral victory. What this team did is an achievement that goes beyond sports, winning and losing. These players and this coach accomplished something few ever will in their lives; they reached their true competitive potential. This is truly incredible. And we witnessed this today. PROUD TO BE A BRUIN.
Congratulations to our players for an unbelievable display of skill, intelligence, determination, and toughness. Cronin is a great coach. But it happened again. Luck can happen when you do nothing to prevent it. Once again, with limited time left (3.3), the dribbler was allowed to get to halfcourt with no defensive resistance whatsoever. This time the uncontested shot came from about 40 feet. Apply even a little pressure and maybe it’s a heave from 55 feet. The players earned better than this, coach end of game situations better. Thank you to the players and coaches for an incredible run. The future looks very bright for UCLA basketball.
I am sure Cronin made dozens of small adjustments during the game that helped keep UCLA in the game. Most of which a casual fan would not be aware of. With the small attendance you can hear him barking out instructions from the sideline. If they guarded the back court the ball could have been passed into the front court for an even easier shot. Or committed a foul. Who knows. It took a very difficult 40 foot shot to beat us. I can live with that.
Another ill informed observation and comment. Perhaps you should listen to his postgame comments for actual information. Here’s a couple of tidbits. We had no timeouts left to set up a defense. Gonzaga inbounded the ball quickly. Our players were getting back, as they should. Then Suggs got off a 40 foot bank shot over the outstretched arms of David Singleton. Sometimes teams get lucky. It was a great game.
I will give my two cents, and in hindsight it’s so easy to talk about the could have, should have, or would have. I think that the game was “lost” on the last play of regulation. A couple things went “wrong” like not calling a time out for a better designed play. Then, Juzang passing up on a shot that had been his bread and butter throughout the tourney, to drive up and getting called for the charge. I’m positive UCLA would have won the tournament if they would have won last night. No doubt about it! They showed yesterday adaptability, tenacious defensive, and a conscious effort of scoring capabilities from all members of the team. I never truly understood the meaning of great players not losing a game but running out of time, but sadly today I can say that UCLA didn’t lose the game, they just ran out of time.
Totally agree. I won't go bananas over the final (lucky bank) shot in this game, either. ;-) Despite the outcome, I thought both teams had an equal chance of winning the game. Just unfortunate that Juzang committed the charging foul instead of taking a jump shot or passing off to an open teammate at the end of regulation, or that Coach Cronin didn't have a timeout available to reset his defense for those last few seconds in OT.
Yes! Exactly what my sisters and I thought when we were watching the game. It took them a long time to show the replay. It is unfortunate, UCLA had a great shot at winning the game but I mean not much you could do now
I'd rec this comment a thousand times if I could! Well said, Bruin Gold :-)
To add about the clueless announcers, they were actually surprised by Cody's mid-range shot, something he added to his repertoire early in the season. He's been money with that shot.
I too thought Juzang was shooting too many contested jumpers during the season. Hey, the guy can make them now. He played like a stud the whole Tournament and became one of the leaders on the team. I coined him an alias... "Johnny Buckets." Johnny Buckets needs to come back next season and help us get #12. That would be awesome.
We fought. Until the last second. But proud of this team and I hope everyone returns for another run next year (maybe with Jalen Hill healthy so we can have some size). Go Baylor.
Not much to say about it. The Bruins went toe to toe with Gonzaga. They'll be back in the Final Four soon.
The entire tournament! The block on Riley it was mostly hand and arm! How could they not call that! I thought I was the only one who thought the refs were against us, but a lot of people here concur. Coach Cronin was so gracious and classy in his post press conference. He said that the refs had nothing to do, he said he liked the game was called. But I think we all agree the refs were against us. Out of all Final Four teams we had a man foul on each of our games until last night.
They didn’t call the obvious foul on Riley, they weren’t going to call the fact he was out of bounds and then came in bounds.
Bruin Gold, it hurt not to win when you know that they probably should have. I am just proud of how this team overcame so much adversity this year. They'll be back next season with something to prove and some backup with Peyton Watson and Will McLendon.
What a great effort tonight. Much respect earned for this team on a national stage. Couldn’t be prouder for them. UCLA basketball is back. Thanks Mick. Go Bruins!
Hard for me to be disappointed. These kids played their best game and it took a miraculous shot for Gonzaga to win the game. I’m very proud of our team.
They'll be back in the Final Four soon. They exceeded everyone's expectation. Hard to be critical when literally nobody thought a Final Four was possible for this team two weeks ago.
Gut wrenching but so proud to be a Bruin at the same time. You couldn’t have played that team better. Tip your cap to the circus, near half-court bank shot...
Totally agree, Gonzaga needed to be both good AND lucky to eventually beat our tough Bruins. Too bad Coach Cronin didn’t have any timeout to reset their defense after Juzang’s putback basket and avoid the helter skelter and game-winning shot that followed. In the aftermath of their celebration, one could just hear the huge sigh of relief from Coach Few and his players all the way from Indianapolis. As consolation, I’ll be rooting for Baylor to return the favor and ruin Gonzaga’s perfect season on Monday.
Understand the desire to ruin Gonzaga's season, but I hope Gonzaga blows Baylor out by 20 points. It will only prove just how good our Bruins are. BTW, ton's of respect for Coach Few as well. He would have been my first choice for the UCLA job two years ago if he was willing. Good think they didn't listen to me...
No need for the Bruins to prove anything more to anybody else, in my opinion. I would agree with Coach Cronin that UCLA is now a top-4 team that wouldn't have gotten blown out by Baylor, either, and worthy of being in that national championship game and competing for the title. Same goes for Coach Few--it really was a chess match between these two coaches. Anyways, I'm still rooting for Baylor to knock off Gonzaga. Go Bears (a Bruins' cousin)!
Brackets aside, I would pull for the Zags, just to say that we pushed the best to the brink, something no one else has done. But I win my pool if Baylor wins. Soooooo...Go Bears!
Gonzaga was likely too emotionally and physically spent after their tough OT battle with the Bruins and all the excitement (and relief) resulting from hitting that lucky bank shot. Baylor dominated the Bulldogs, and the championship game ended up in a lopsided flop. Sure is disappointing to lose just 1 game the *entire* season and have it be the game that decides the national championship. Baylor is a great team, but I think they also have to thank the Bruins for wearing out Gonzaga for them...
It's the opposite.
UCLA is back!!! Thanks Mic and team for reminding us of what it takes.
So so proud of our team even when I’m feeling the crushing disappointment.
I’ll say this though. I remember back in 06, it was Afflalo and Hollins that picked up Morrison after the game. Today, immediately after the game ended, our team huddled at mid court to pick each other up.
I believe Juzang and everyone when they say they’re brothers, from the starters down to the managers. So proud of the team mick put together. The ncaa tournament is as much luck as is coaching and skill and this team will always hold a special place in UCLA history
I am proud of this team. My feeling was if they kept it competitive and single digits I was fine with that. We took them to overtime and almost beat them. Something no one else has done this year. The future is bright. Next year will be an extension of this season.
Great report as always, and hats off to Coach Cronin and his players for a such an amazing season. I thought they were actually playing against 2 teams—the Bulldogs and the refs—particularly in the 1st half. And even though UCLA was getting destroyed in the paint, they hung real tough (again) and even had a great chance to pull off the epic upset in regulation. Gonzaga was just as relentless and simply made more key plays. UCLA seemed to be prone to last-second baskets and defeats, so hope they can improve on that next year. But you couldn’t have asked anything more from this Bruins squad—they really gave it their all when nobody expected them to get this far or to be so competitive. Can’t wait for next season. Go Bruins!
I've enjoyed this team, the coaching staff, and especially this epic tournament run this year! While I'm emotionally spent (and have no idea what I can do to fill the void now that the season's over LOL), I'm forever grateful that UCLA is back, that everyone in the nation and abroad realizes that we (finally!!!) have a true coach and teams no one wants to play against, and that we can be so proud to wear the four letters in public, and I'm soooo excited for what the future holds for this program. :-) thumbs up and Fours Up!!
Softball is leading the Pac and on track to return to the CWS to defend their championship
Oh, man...there's just too much to say right now. I find myself totally crushed and incredibly proud at the same time, and it's kind of an amazing feeling. I'm sure we'll have more chances to break down this game and this season and this program in the coming days. And while that final shot tonight was a dagger, this tournament suggests that great things are ahead, and I can't wait to see it. Sometimes hope is a great thing.
Sincere thanks to Dimitri and Joe and all the gang here at TMB for the previews and game threads and postgames and for giving all of us a place to come together, and thanks to everyone in the threads all season for sharing this crazy ride with our team. You guys make it all a million times better.
Most of all, thank you to Mick and his staff and our amazing roster for playing their best when their best was required. Coach would have been very proud. Go Bruins!!
As I said the other day, the stench of Steve is gone. Mick is a breath of fresh air. He doesn’t run from the pressure of the job. He embraces it. He embraces the history. When he cites John Wooden, it’s sincere and not just a sound bite. And, in his FIRST opportunity, he gets the team to overachieve and reach the Final Four. He turned a disorganized group of individuals under the previous regime into a disciplined, team oriented group of warriors.
Yes, after a very long hiatus, respect for UCLA tradition and prestige has been restored to its basketball program. Thank you Coach Cronin!
Thanks Bruins Bball and this site!
Of course I’m devastated we didn’t put it away in regulation. There are a lot of should of would of could ofs I can think of. But at the end of the day this was an incredible run and it felt like we were at the precipice of earning a national championship. When I look back on this tournament, there were many 50/50 balls that went our way. Alabama missed free throws, Michigan state gave us an amazing come back, Michigan missed THREE end of game shots to take the lead or win. It just didn’t go on our way on this last buzzer beater shot. It takes a lot of luck to win a NC and we just came slightly short.
We witnessed something special today. This UCLA team transcended its abilities and achieved something greater than anyone expected of them, in this incredible tournament run punctuated by the game today. This is not a moral victory. What this team did is an achievement that goes beyond sports, winning and losing. These players and this coach accomplished something few ever will in their lives; they reached their true competitive potential. This is truly incredible. And we witnessed this today. PROUD TO BE A BRUIN.
Congratulations to our players for an unbelievable display of skill, intelligence, determination, and toughness. Cronin is a great coach. But it happened again. Luck can happen when you do nothing to prevent it. Once again, with limited time left (3.3), the dribbler was allowed to get to halfcourt with no defensive resistance whatsoever. This time the uncontested shot came from about 40 feet. Apply even a little pressure and maybe it’s a heave from 55 feet. The players earned better than this, coach end of game situations better. Thank you to the players and coaches for an incredible run. The future looks very bright for UCLA basketball.
I am sure Cronin made dozens of small adjustments during the game that helped keep UCLA in the game. Most of which a casual fan would not be aware of. With the small attendance you can hear him barking out instructions from the sideline. If they guarded the back court the ball could have been passed into the front court for an even easier shot. Or committed a foul. Who knows. It took a very difficult 40 foot shot to beat us. I can live with that.
Another ill informed observation and comment. Perhaps you should listen to his postgame comments for actual information. Here’s a couple of tidbits. We had no timeouts left to set up a defense. Gonzaga inbounded the ball quickly. Our players were getting back, as they should. Then Suggs got off a 40 foot bank shot over the outstretched arms of David Singleton. Sometimes teams get lucky. It was a great game.
I will give my two cents, and in hindsight it’s so easy to talk about the could have, should have, or would have. I think that the game was “lost” on the last play of regulation. A couple things went “wrong” like not calling a time out for a better designed play. Then, Juzang passing up on a shot that had been his bread and butter throughout the tourney, to drive up and getting called for the charge. I’m positive UCLA would have won the tournament if they would have won last night. No doubt about it! They showed yesterday adaptability, tenacious defensive, and a conscious effort of scoring capabilities from all members of the team. I never truly understood the meaning of great players not losing a game but running out of time, but sadly today I can say that UCLA didn’t lose the game, they just ran out of time.
Totally agree. I won't go bananas over the final (lucky bank) shot in this game, either. ;-) Despite the outcome, I thought both teams had an equal chance of winning the game. Just unfortunate that Juzang committed the charging foul instead of taking a jump shot or passing off to an open teammate at the end of regulation, or that Coach Cronin didn't have a timeout available to reset his defense for those last few seconds in OT.
Yes! Exactly what my sisters and I thought when we were watching the game. It took them a long time to show the replay. It is unfortunate, UCLA had a great shot at winning the game but I mean not much you could do now