CHICAGO — As the NCAA Tournament brackets are set to be revealed on Sunday, the focus for UCLA basketball is singular.
It’s not about who they’ll face.
It’s not about where they’ll play.
Or even when they’ll play.
The Bruins are hoping, perhaps more than anything, to schedule their game for Friday rather than Thursday.
After their recent Big Ten Tournament showing, the team is eager to get star players Donovan Dent and Tyler Bilodeau back from injuries. Coach Mick Cronin expressed a wish for that timing after the team lost to Purdue in the semifinals.
“Hopefully, we don’t play until Friday,” Cronin said following their 73-66 defeat at the United Center.
If Purdue’s coach Matt Painter is onto something, that hope might be realized.
What exactly did Painter say? Well, he seemed to suggest that it’s logical UCLA would play on Friday. Cronin noted that Painter has experience, though he was unsure about the reasoning behind that prediction.
“But Matt is smart, so I hope he’s right,” Cronin added.
Cronin expects both Dent and Bilodeau to make their returns when the team next plays, reassuring that he wouldn’t reach out to the NCAA Tournament selection committee regarding their statuses.
He recalled a previous situation where injuries during the Pac-12 Tournament had him anxious about team seeding. “Tyler could have played. Donnie could have played,” he remarked, hinting they could have continued despite their injuries, but he prioritized their long-term health over a regular-season game.
Dent left mid-game with a calf strain, and Bilodeau sat out with a knee sprain. There’s a plan for medical staff to evaluate Dent’s status come halftime of their next matchup.
Cronin made it clear he was more concerned about next week, emphasizing the bigger picture.
Despite the injuries, the Bruins held their ground against Purdue, even briefly tying the game late. Purdue ultimately secured their place in the championship against Michigan.
Meanwhile, UCLA, with a record of 23-11, awaits its NCAA Tournament seeding, likely landing in the 7th or 8th range after competing hard without key players. “I’m very proud of my team,” Cronin stated. “They showed heart and resilience.”
Xavier Booker stepped up impressively in Bilodeau’s absence, contributing 12 points, showcasing his abilities with a significant dunk. Others like Stephen Jamerson II also displayed potential in the paint.
Guard Eric Freeney kept the momentum going with solid contributions on both ends, while Brandon Williams delivered defensively.
In terms of team depth, Dent acknowledged, “It’s incredible. I’m really proud of everyone.”
Cronin did, however, express frustration about rebounding – Booker’s and Jamerson’s combined rebounds were a concern against Purdue, where they faced a physically imposing team.
“That’s the issue we need to address,” he noted. “We need to rebound better.”
Regardless, he feels optimistic about the growth the team gained in the match, highlighting the development of players who gained valuable experience.
Especially if their next opportunity comes on a Friday.
