In Reply to: This is a maddeningly frustrating team. posted by ej on February 22, 2026 at 10:34:07
I believe a true test of whether they have turned the corner will be how they play next weekend on the road with a team that has looked terrible at times and very good at others. Minnesota has beaten Mich State, Iowa, Ohio State, Indiana (all teams UCLA has lost to) and lost to Wisconsin twice by only 3 points each game (another team that has beaten the Bruins). So they can be beaten, that's for sure but they also can be tough at times. BTW, USC beat them at Minnesota in an OT, 70 to 69. Certainly not a cupcake though.
But if the Bruins play all 4 upcoming games like they played last night in the last part of the first half and second half, I believe they have a good chance to win all 4. Toughest one, theoretically, will be Nebraska but USC could surprise now that Baker-Mazara is back.
On another subject, our family broke even last night with the Bruin's win. Wife's Michigan team lost a close one (68 to 63) to a Duke team that looked a bit quicker and more aggressive than Michigan. Michigan couldn't handle Boozer on the defensive end and on offense, couldn't hit their open threes (6 for 25) and missed a bunch of free throws( 13 for 18) and was outrebounded 37 to 25 (that was a surprise). Those three things pretty much doomed them.