In Reply to: Played only 15 min with 0 points. My wife said he looked posted by traprh on March 14, 2025 at 14:18:38
Tracy Murray commented that you can pretty much tell this team's readiness to play watching them in their shoot around. He said we played this one like it's just another game - we always have another game to get right. But at this time of year you have to play every game like lose and it's your last game. Wisconsin did that; UCLA did not. Dailey and Bilodeau were the poster kids for that lesson - 2 points between them and zero defense. And the rest playing as individuals. Play like that and the NCAA tournament is just another long trip for them with a very short stay at the other end.
Would add that that sort of thing is what stands out to me most about this UCLA team - inconsistent. It's especially noticeable on defense which is Mick's starting and ending point. They repeat the words, but look at the play on the court - no coincidence at all that Mick started the second half with five guys who are easily his toughest players. We get red hot against SC (knowing in advance the plays they were running) and most of our kids believe we can go out there and beat the other guys with our sterling offense. Not so much - and especially with Wisconsin.
Defensive focus and toughness - if it isn't there we have no chance at all. Cronin should rally them for our next game but it still comes down to defense and today that was really really 'way down