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Mar 21, 2023
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BruinMom17's avatar

Thanks for the update. BRO just posted an interview and when asked about Bona and Singleton's health, he said everybody is day to day including himself. Didn't give up any information. Trying to keep other teams guessing???

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Henry Tse's avatar

You would do what Cronin does too. Never show all your cards.

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BruinMom17's avatar

I agree that it is wise to be a bit cagey at this point

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Henry Tse's avatar

I sensed it right after Jalen Clark's injury. In this world, honesty and transparency sometimes get you nowhere. This is sad but true, not that in our life, we should not be an honest person.

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Principal Terry's avatar

Continue to look forward to great wins. Really enjoy watching this group. Highly competitive. Never quits. Poised to the end. Most of all high quality young men. A real credit to the Blue and Gold. Lastly, thank you MJ for hiring coach. A great pick.

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Chenalex's avatar

Martin Jarmond didn’t hire Cronin. He came a year after Cronin was hired

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Principal Terry's avatar

My bad

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kingjim1954's avatar

Thanks, Chenalex. I was wondering...

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Henry Tse's avatar

Terry, Martin Jermond did not hire Mick Cronin. It was Dan Guerrero, now relaxing in San Antonio with his sleazy, unimaginably big Cal pension. He made so many other mediocre hires, one of whom in football will undoubtedly continue to disappoint in the next two years of of his contract extension. But the agenda is on NCAA hoops. Let's not address this pain for now.

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Steve's avatar

Dan gets A LOT of credit for hiring mick

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bruinballer's avatar

Even a broken clock gets the time right twice.

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Henry Tse's avatar

Nobody wants a broken clock to begin with. That said, the agenda is NCAA hoops. TCU is a lesser opponent than Gonzaga in my view. We will beat whichever one in our way.

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Steve's avatar

Well he did pretty well with Chip and Mick.

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bruinballer's avatar

IIRC it was a committee that picked both Chip and Mick, and not just Guerreror... honestly, jury still out on Chip, and you and I and several others have posited on the subjective worth of that hiring. Mick is a definite slam dunk great hire by that committee (not sure how much credit Guerreror gets, as I'm not sure how much he was consulted as opposed to just rubber stamping the committee's choice).

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Henry Tse's avatar

I don't have " hot tips " ( as a fan from Seattle ridiculed ) but being season ticket holder does avail me to inside information from others well connected with the university administration and AD"s office. Of course some could have been manufactured for gossip purpose also. Humans being humans, You have to judge their validity yourself. But this one about whatyoumightcallit definitely is plausible. His two year extension is to buy time for scouting a successor, not that the overall records merit it nor they anticipate any more improvement. Were it the case, the extension would have been another five, six years like the original one. I know his apologist would promptly jump to defend and smear but this is what we heard from a couple sitting two rows behind us at half time. It does make sense to me.

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Evan's avatar

No offense, but there are thousands of UCLA season ticket holders. None of us are availed to "inside information" by virtue thereof.

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misterioso's avatar

I was so darn happy to see Singleton walking around congratulating his teammates after the game. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that he's able to go full speed in the next game. If we're going to get to the Final 4 and beyond, he needs to be on the floor.

I'm so proud of this team. There may be bigger, stronger, faster teams in the tournament, but no other team has the fortitude and desire to compete and win tough games like the Bruins.

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Henry Tse's avatar

Let me say this again. If we get to the Final Four, we will win it all. When we won #11 in 1995, it was 28 years this April. Many of you may see #13 in another 28 years or more, if it would take that long to win another one. But the candles of many of my contemporaries only have so much to burn, LOL !!

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ArmyBruin's avatar

It was a blast up here in Sacramento. The Princeton vs Missouri game was highly entertaining and Princeton put on a clinic. I was very surprised at how athletic Princeton was and how they outrebounded Missouri.

The Bruin game turned into a real nailbiter and I was very concerned when the Wildcats tied it up and Bona re-aggravated his left shoulder. We got control again and then Singleton goes down. I love the heart of this team. Basketball-wise, we really miss Clark’s ability to help from the weak side against bigs. It cost us tonight. That could present problems as we move forward. I hope that we figure that out.

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Henry Tse's avatar

They put their heart and soul into the game, especially when the game is on the line. What more can you ask for ? Northwestern gave it their all. I am proud of them too. More importantly, out of losing such a close game, did their fans take it out of a family member of the team that defeated them the way Arizona fans did when they taunted a family member of the team they beat ?!?

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Steve's avatar

*fan

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Henry Tse's avatar

This game required some Herculean efforts from our team to subdue the Wildcats. They fought down to the wire. I was even contemplating, in the waning minutes, the chance for the game to go into over time. But once again, our resilience, our determination to overcome obstacles made the difference between triumph and losing. The Wildcat fans grew frenzy and ecstatic at one point as their team pulled nearly even with us. With each basket scored, some fans appeared besides themselves. I could only sit and stare at the screen stoically, wondering if defeat could indeed happen.

Singleton's reliable three pointers seemed off tonight. All but one hit if I recall correctly. Otherwise, those crucial high arching bombs would have deflated the Wildcats ad stopped them in their tracks sooner. But Bona is really an emerging big time player within the paint, if he is not one already. Even after that slight hurt following a thunderous dunk, he still played effectively. TV showed him talking to a concerned staff, his mouth close to the latter's ear, saying and I cold only lip read, that he was actually fine. Sure he did. He still played good defense later.

The tremendous team efforts are admittedly exacting indeed. We nearly lost Singleton and Bona. I take their words. They are fine. Next Thursday, If we play TCU, we will show them why we are on a mission to the promised land of #12. If we play Gonzaga, it will be one of the most fiercest NCAA hoops game you will ever see. Ben Howland did it to them in that thrilling win they seem to never get over with. Each time they beat us since then, they lust for more but sorry Gonzaga, you have had it enough. This year is our turn, again. Our biggest trump card ( oops, that is an adjective, not some name ) is Clark. Didn't someone say Clark will attend, courtside ?!? I don't think Gonzaga has any answer to this ultimate inspiration, none, zilch at all !!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Ron's avatar

Clark posted that he’d be there

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Henry Tse's avatar

His presence serves as additional incentive, not to mention a great inspiration for our team. Win one for the Clark.

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SEAUCLAn's avatar

...and in Jalen Hill's memory.

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Henry Tse's avatar

Yes !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Chenalex's avatar

We def could’ve been better offensively. Singleton missed a bunch of open shots, Tyger missed a few easy looks, but we did what we need to win. It’s crazy to know that even at this point, ucla can win without playing at their highest level.

Credit to Cronin for adjusting to the slip screen in the second half and then adjusting the D again to shut down Audige after he went off in the second half. Great coaching job tonight. If it wasn’t for two phantom fouls on Bailey giving them 5 free throws, we could’ve only held them to 2 points in the last 4:30. Strong winning time defense from our team. Definitely championship material.

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Henry Tse's avatar

Highest level or not, they get the job done. At the end of the day, this is all it takes.

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Bruin4ever's avatar

Congratulations to the Bruins for overcoming so much adversity and getting into the Sweet-16 again! That lopsided game against UNC Asheville resembled an early, regular-season, non-conference match for the Bruins, while the Northwestern game seemed more like a highly-contested, midseason struggle against one of their better Pac-12 rivals. The competition will only get tougher going forward, so hope they can sustain their high level of intensity on defense and perform well for more than just 1 half. Kansas has been eliminated, but there aren't any Cinderella teams or cupcakes in the West Region. And as much as I'd like to see TCU upset Gonzaga tomorrow, I also wouldn't mind the Bruins facing the Zags next week for an opportunity to deliver some payback. Gonzaga is an experienced, perennial tournament team with a top-ranked offense and great coach, so they do pose a formidable challenge for the Bruins. We'll see how well Bona and Singleton can heal and be ready, but UCLA is still a top-5 team and very tough for anyone to beat. Go Bruins!

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Henry Tse's avatar

If you aims for Final Four or beyond, a top-5 team recognition is hollow honor the same way as you were top seeded team in the tournament but exited early.

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Steve's avatar

Lots of celebrating that seems pre mature. We are in the Sweet 16. So what. Lavin and Alford got there 8 times between them. A 2 seed NOT getting to the sweet 16 is a total embarrassment and frankly we squeaked by an inferior Northwestern team. Schools like Princeton celebrate the Sweet 16. For UCLA, it’s just the third round.

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Mar 19, 2023Edited
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Henry Tse's avatar

You nailed it. I hope the naysayer read your comments well.

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misterioso's avatar

Party pooper alert.

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Henry Tse's avatar

Recto - Cranial Syndrome

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bruinballer's avatar

Getting to the Sweet 16 is always worthy of celebrating, no matter where you are from; just ask all of the student athletes who made it there and the student athletes who did not. It is especially worth celebrating getting there in spite of definite adversity! I am also celebrating the team and Coach Cronin meeting what several of us had as the definition of a successful season, i.e. getting to the Sweet Sixteen after winning the Pac12 tourney.

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Chenalex's avatar

I strongly disagree with this. Making the sweet 16 is hard. Just ask Purdue, Arizona, Kansas, Kentucky, duke, or Virginia. In fact, in the last 6 years, the defending champs never made it out of the first weekend. NW was at full strength and we were playing a rusty Bona, no Clark, and we pulled together and didn’t fold in the final minutes after singleton’s injury.

Alford and Lavin never coached us in this era of parity. They consistently underachieved given the talent they had and poor coaching is obvious to even the untrained eye. That’s not the case with Cronin - one could argue that ucla had overachieved the first two years relative to their talent and but for some bad injury luck, we could’ve gone farther. This year we’ve also had worse injury luck so it feels like making the sweet 16 all the more impressive.

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Henry Tse's avatar

Bravo, bravo, you said it. " They consistently underachieved " but unfortunately were vehemently defended by their apologists. Well they did pretty well .... LOL !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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mgibby's avatar

Steve, you can't make the Final Four without making the Sweet Sixteen. LOL. One game at a time.

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Evan's avatar

This is called managed expectations.

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mgibby's avatar

Where's the lie? The Bruins had to get to the Sweet Sixteen to have any shot of advancing further. Does that mean I am happy with only the making the Sweet Sixteen? No. I want them to beat Gonzaga. FFS.

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Henry Tse's avatar

Don't waste your time, my friend.

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kingjim1954's avatar

K-state beat Kentucky and Michigan state beat Marquette. Another '2' gone

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Mar 20, 2023
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kingjim1954's avatar

And still going. Creighton's got Baylor by ten with a minute to go.

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Gen2Bruin1987's avatar

So far, looks like FDU's coach (as in carriage) has turned back into a pumpkin.

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Gen2Bruin1987's avatar

FDU saying it's not midnight yet as they take the lead in the 2nd half.

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kingjim1954's avatar

Down bty 4 with 5 minutes to go, still within reach.

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Gen2Bruin1987's avatar

It's midnight for FDU.

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Chenalex's avatar

Looks like it’ll be ucla vs Gonzaga in the sweet 16 at 645pm next Thursday

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Henry Tse's avatar

Alright ! So be it, let's sock it to them.

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Gen2Bruin1987's avatar

Stanford women out. Lost to Ole Miss.

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Steve's avatar

Maybe they should spend less time on instagram

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BruinMom17's avatar

LOL

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Chenalex's avatar

Tcu going 10-18 from free throws isn’t gonna get it done and it’ll be especially glaring if they lose in a close game

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Chenalex's avatar

Yep Tcu lost by 3. They end the game going 12-20 from free throws. They can stew on that the rest of the off-season.

Also, one guy, Charles o Bannon is 32% 3-pt shooter but he somehow decides to chuck 9 of them and only made 1?!

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Mar 20, 2023Edited
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Henry Tse's avatar

As usual, you read the situation well and you are right. Our team's performance this Thursday will prove you right too.

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bruinballer's avatar

I look forward to Bona/Nwuba battling Timme inside; I like our chances in that contest!

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Henry Tse's avatar

Me too !!!

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SEAUCLAn's avatar

Give Mac a chance for a smackdown, too!

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Henry Tse's avatar

Charles O'Bannon ?!? Him ? The brother of Ed O'Bannon, our 95' Championship team captain ? Or another player of the same name ?

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Chenalex's avatar

Son of Charles obannon Sr and nephew of Ed actually

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Henry Tse's avatar

My oh my ...... really ?? How fast time flies and now even the son is playing college hoops. Thanks for the info.

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SEAUCLAn's avatar

CMC says that he spells "fun" "W-I-N." I spell "win" "D-Y-L-A-N." How 'bout a freshman with smothering defense, a clutch 3, and nerves of steel to clinch it with 2 free throws.

Tyger passed up many open treys. He needs to regain his stroke and confidence from the 3. Gonzaga is going to give him that shot to close off Jaime and Amari.

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Henry Tse's avatar

Is this your turn for hot tips regarding our forthcoming battle with Gonzaga ?!? I am teasing you buddy. Time and again we butt head with Zags They seem to have an upper hand each time eversince the shocker we handed them during the Howland era. Remember that cliffhanger of a win back then ?!? This is our turn.

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gbruin's avatar

Thursday night v Gonzaga will be 17 years, to the day, from this:

https://youtu.be/TlS1_WWTr-Y

After that half court OT dagger in the FF 2 years ago, it's time for some payback. LFG Bruins!!!

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BruinMom17's avatar

I am so ready for some payback

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Henry Tse's avatar

Has it been 17 years ?!? I still remember the Zags' star player - his name eluded me - sat on the floor and sobbed in the aftermath. A couple of Bruins players went up to console him even. College athletics help build character, personal discipline. You win, you take it magnanimously but humble towards the one you defeated. You lose, you get back on your feet, practice harder and try harder the next time. He was heralded as a definite first round draftee then. That moment astonished all the viewers at home.

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Mar 20, 2023Edited
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SEAUCLAn's avatar

Timme is the guy no one wants to play with when he shows up, yet everyone wants to have on their team so as not to have to play against him. Scoundrel.

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Bruin4ever's avatar

Yep, history sure is repeating itself with a #2-seed UCLA going up against a #3-seed Gonzaga in the West Region in the 3rd-round of the NCAA tournament. That unforgettable, epic comeback victory by the Bruins back in 2006 was made possible by their defense, and this year it'll be the same elite level of defense that'll be needed to beat the Zags on Thursday. I didn't realize that UCLA actually has an all-time record of only 2-5 against Gonzaga, with 4 of those losses being blowouts and the Bruins losing their previous 2 matches. So, payback is way overdue. Too bad Gus Johnson won't be calling the game on CBS (loved his exciting coverage and "Heartbreak City!" scream). Go Bruins and make Drew Timme cry!

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Mar 21, 2023
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Bruin4ever's avatar

Yeah, that last-second, bank-shot heave by Suggs in OT sure was devastating. But that game was such an emotional victory for Gonzaga that they forgot to play Baylor in the finals and got completely blown out, ruining their chance at a perfect, undefeated championship season. Great defense helps win games, and Gonzaga needs to be eliminated this time around. Go Bruins!

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