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ctipton Offline
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Cincinnati bring an edge against UCLA basketball
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Cincinnati bring an edge against UCLA basketball
[Image: AR-170319365.jpg&maxh=400&maxw=667]
Kansas State forward Xavier Sneed, right, dives for the ball against Cincinnati's Jarron Cumberland during the first half of a first-round game of the NCAA men's college basketball tournament Sacramento, Calif., Friday, March 17, 2017.
(AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)

By Mark Whicker, LA Daily News

Posted: 03/18/17, 7:30 PM PDT | Updated: 58 secs ago

SACRAMENTO >> Gary Clark was pretty good in high school. At least nobody was telling him any different.

He played at Clayton, N.C., outside Raleigh, and Wake Forest and N.C. State were on his trail.

Then the assistant coach from Cincinnati came to town.

“You’ve got a lot of talent,” Larry Davis told Clark. “But you don’t play hard enough. I can’t bring my head coach down here to offer you a scholarship if you don’t start playing a little harder.”

Clark remembers.

“I kind of shrugged, because I didn’t know what he meant,” Clark said Saturday. “I thought he was talking about getting more points and rebounds. So I did that and he came back and said I still wasn’t playing hard. I thought, OK, what is the guy talking about?”

Davis returned for a third look after Clark had committed himself to early cardio workouts and weightlifting and “all this crazy stuff.”

Davis saw enough to bring Coach Mick Cronin, and finally Clark showed he understood Cincinnati from A to Z, ardor to zeal.

“After that I had the first quadruple double in the history of North Carolina basketball,” said Clark, who had 22 points, 21 rebounds, 15 blocks and 10 assists against West Johnston.

“But by then I’d taken a lot of other schools off my list. They wanted me in case they didn’t sign somebody else. Cincinnati was the school that wanted me from the beginning.”

Cincinnati hasn’t been to a Final Four since 1992, when Bob Huggins coached Nick Van Exel. But this is its seventh consecutive NCAA tournament.

As other programs shift their shapes, Bearcat basketball is an unmistakable brand.

Grown men with grown-man biceps who jump into artillery nests to get loose balls, guys who chase rebounds so hard they don’t really care if they take your hand with them.

Tough and hard, like a pickup truck commercial. That is what confronts UCLA in an NCAA Round of 32 game tonight.

“The guys we get are high-level,” Davis said, “but they’re not the highest-level recruits. Jacob Evans came out of Baton Rouge while LSU was trying to recruit the top guys (LSU coach Johnny Jones was fired a couple of weeks ago). Troy Caupain scored 48 the first time we saw him, but a lot of people passed him by.

“Maybe we don’t get the top players but a lot of times we get guys who have guarded the best players. We’re after toughness, guys who compete.”

“You show up at Cincinnati and you think you know how to play defense,” Clark said, “but in the first few days you realize you can’t do it anywhere, not on the ball, not on the help side. At first I’d try to hide and take possessions off so I wouldn’t get in trouble.”

Cincinnati gave up 60 points a game this year. Only one team, Marshall, scored more than 78. It had the 11th best defensive efficiency, according to Kenpom.com, and ranked 327th, out of 351, in tempo.

That has been the prescription for handling UCLA. It hasn’t often worked, because the Bruins are a better walk-it-up team than people think.

But Cincinnati has talent to match its formula. Caupain is a 6-foot-4 senior, son of a New York cop, who has played against everyone and is obviously anticipating a close-up with Lonzo Ball.

“I think he’s got a chip on his shoulder,” Clark said.

The Bearcats will be looking up at T.J. Leaf and Thomas Welsh, but those big Bruins won’t have free clearance into their preferred spots.

Cincinnati also has more ball dexterity than usual. It ranks 32nd in offensive efficiency, and against Kansas Stateon Friday it hit its first eight shots.

“Live ball turnovers kill you,” Davis said. “You can’t defend them. You can’t get back against them.”

“We always keep our offense simple,” said guard Kevin Johnson. “We always say there’s regular turnovers and then there’s shooting turnovers. You take a quick shot, you give somebody a chance to run. That’s as bad as throwing the ball to the other team.”

Since Huggins came to Cincinnati in 1989-90, the Bearcats have won 27 or more games nine times. This year they are 30-5. Two years ago they were young and undersized but pushed hard against a Kentucky team that has seven players in today’s NBA. They lost 64-51 but made thousands of blue people nervous. Today Cincinnati trots out two senior starters, two juniors and a sophomore.

“Shots go in and then they don’t,” Johnson said. “But if you play hard you can overcome that. We call it Bearcat Tough.”

So is the love.

http://www.dailynews.com/sports/20170318...basketball
 
03-18-2017 10:11 PM
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ctipton Offline
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RE: Cincinnati bring an edge against UCLA basketball
Thomas Welsh’s consistency pushes UCLA offense forward

[Image: AR-170319366.jpg&maxh=400&maxw=667]
UCLA’s Thomas Welsh, center, gets a high five from his teammates UCLA’s Norman Powell and UCLA’s Bryce Alford in the final moments of the game.
(Photo by John McCoy/SCNG, file)

By Thuc Nhi Nguyen, LA Daily News

Posted: 03/18/17, 7:26 PM PDT | Updated: 19 secs ago

Thomas Welsh caught the ball near the free throw line against Kent State on Friday night and powered up. He pivoted and lined up a jump shot. A UCLA fan said under her breath, “C’mon Robot!”

The ball snapped through the net.

That’s the way he’s programmed. Welsh is just wired to make buckets.

The 7-foot junior is near automatic from 15-17 feet. His midrange shot is machine-like in its consistency. On the nation’s highest-scoring team, with teammates who sling flashy passes and splash big 3-pointers, Welsh’s unassuming jumper is still one of UCLA’s best offensive weapons as the Bruins face Cincinnati on Sunday (6:40 p.m. PT, TBS) in the second round of the NCAA Tournament in Sacramento.

“There aren’t too many centers in the country, if any, that shoot the 15- to 17-foot shot any more consistently than he does,” Coach Steve Alford said. “So his teammates find him and if you lose track of him defensively, that’s always a weapon that we have.”

The center averages a modest 10.8 points per game to go with his team-high 8.8 rebounds. But Welsh’s 58.6-percent field goal percentage is second on the team, trailing only leading scorer TJ Leaf, and fifth in the Pac-12. He’s only missed five free throws during the entire season (38 for 43). His streak of 44 consecutive made free throws that stretched over two seasons is a school record.

As understated as his game, Welsh said he finds the “robot” nickname amusing. He would love to live up to it.

“I just try to do what I do out there on the court,” Welsh said.

Rarely does a 7-footer thrive in a system as fast as UCLA’s. The Bruins are about tempo, something that doesn’t always come naturally to people with Welsh’s stature. Welsh said he’s had to adjust to the style, focusing mainly on the fitness required to chase Lonzo Ball, Aaron Holiday and Bryce Alford all over the court.

“A lot of times it’s hard for me to keep the pace with them up and down court,” Welsh said. “But it’s one of those things where being in good shape and being willing to push that extra mile to get up and down is a big thing for me and one I definitely try to focus on.”

UCLA powers up its mid-range robot whenever it needs a basket. It was a baseline jumper from Welsh that gave the Bruins important breathing room during a late Kent State run Friday in the first round. The Golden Flashes cut a 17-point deficit down to four in the second half, but Welsh’s basket put the Bruins up nine at the 14:31 mark in the second half. UCLA pulled away when it made 12 straight field goals. Four of them came from Welsh jumpers as he scored a team-high 12 points in the second half.

The Redondo Beach native also played a critical role in UCLA’s win over Arizona on Feb. 25. He scored eight of his 12 second-half points on jumpers as the Bruins snapped Arizona’s home winning streak at 21 games.

“He’s one of our best shooters on the team,” said Bryce Alford, the school’s all-time leader in 3-pointers made.

Welsh holds the top mark in a volume shooting drill the team does in which players take shots from various spots on the court. The drill lasts for about 25-30 minutes. Welsh’s record is 206 made shots.

“In a row?” he’s asked in surprise.

“Oh, no,” Welsh said. “Not in a row.”

So fine, sometimes the robot glitches.

NCAA Tournament, South Regional second round

No. 3 UCLA vs. No. 6 Cincinnati

When: 6:40 p.m. PT

Where: Golden 1 Center, Sacramento

TV/Radio: TBS/AM 570

http://www.dailynews.com/sports/20170318...se-forward
 
03-18-2017 10:15 PM
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EffinBJ Offline
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RE: Cincinnati bring an edge against UCLA basketball
Hmm. So that's what good local sports coverage looks like.
 
03-18-2017 10:29 PM
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rath v2.0 Online
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RE: Cincinnati bring an edge against UCLA basketball
That top article was written almost word for word the year Gary made it to campus.
 
03-19-2017 06:03 AM
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kyucat Offline
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RE: Cincinnati bring an edge against UCLA basketball
Isn't it great that if UC does beat UCLA the next game would be against the Kentucky Wichita State winner. Don't you just love the NCAA. They have many ways of getting back at you.
 
03-19-2017 07:30 AM
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RE: Cincinnati bring an edge against UCLA basketball
Love this one from the top article:

"As other programs shift their shapes, Bearcat basketball is an unmistakable brand.

Grown men with grown-man biceps who jump into artillery nests to get loose balls, guys who chase rebounds so hard they don’t really care if they take your hand with them."
 
03-19-2017 08:00 AM
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RE: Cincinnati bring an edge against UCLA basketball
(03-19-2017 07:30 AM)kyucat Wrote:  Isn't it great that if UC does beat UCLA the next game would be against the Kentucky Wichita State winner. Don't you just love the NCAA. They have many ways of getting back at you.

The NCAA SC doesn't plan or look down the road in the tourney and try to make any of these made for tv match ups or to sell tickets. No way they saw a potential NKU v UK matchup, UC v UK matchup, Zona v XU matchup. It's totally random based on the S curve. (snort)

And I have a bridge across the Ohio for sale.
 
03-19-2017 09:21 AM
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ctipton Offline
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RE: Cincinnati bring an edge against UCLA basketball
NCAA Tournament Preview: UCLA vs. Cincinnati

[Image: AR-170319353.jpg&maxh=400&maxw=667]
Kent State guard Deon Edwin, left, and UCLA guard Aaron Holiday reach for the ball during the second half of a first-round game of the men’s NCAA college basketball tournament in Sacramento, Calif., Friday, March 17, 2017. UCLA won 97-80.
(AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)

Posted: 03/18/17, 10:10 PM PDT | Updated: 4 hrs ago

NCAA Tournament, South Regional second round

No. 3 UCLA vs. No. 6 Cincinnati

When: Approx. 6:40 p.m. PT

Where: Sacramento, Golden 1 Center

TV/radio: TBS, KLAC/570, AM 1150

Update: After missing UCLA’s first-round 97-80 win over Kent State on Friday, forward Ike Anigbogu (foot) is expected to play Sunday against Cincinnati (30-5) in the second round, Coach Steve Alford said. Anigbogu sprained his left foot in practice Tuesday, but was scheduled to return to practice Saturday with the Bruins (30-4). … Forward TJ Leaf made a dazzling NCAA Tournament debut with 23 points on 8-of-12 shooting with six rebounds. … With guard Lonzo Ball slowed by a right hip bruise, Aaron Holiday had a career-high 11 assists in the first round along with 15 points off the bench. Ball played through the injury sustained late in the first half and isn’t expected to miss any time going forward. … Cincinnati, making its seventh consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance, easily dispatched 11th-seeded Kansas State in the first round 75-61. It was the only No. 6 seed to survive the opening round as Creighton, SMU and Maryland all fell to No. 11 seeds. The Bearcats (30-5) shot 62.8 percent from the field against the Wildcats, led by Kyle Washington’s 16 points on 5-for-6 shooting. Guard Troy Caupain had a team-high 23 points and seven rebounds. … Cincinnati was the highest-scoring team in the American Athletic Conference (74.5 points per game) this year and had the second-best scoring defense, allowing only 60.8 points per game.

- THUC NHI NGUYEN

http://www.dailynews.com/sports/20170318...cincinnati
 
03-19-2017 10:05 AM
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ctipton Offline
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RE: Cincinnati bring an edge against UCLA basketball
Lonzo Ball sets UCLA assist record in NCAA Tournament win


[Image: AR-170319410.jpg&maxh=400&maxw=667]
Kent State guard Jaylin Walker, left, drives against UCLA guard Aaron Holiday during the first half of a first-round game of the men’s NCAA college basketball tournament in Sacramento, Calif., Friday, March 17, 2017.
(AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)

By Thuc Nhi Nguyen, LA Daily News

SACRAMENTO A hard crash to the hardwood at Golden 1 Center silenced the Sacramento crowd on Friday night. Lonzo Ball, who was undercut when he jumped to receive a pass late in the first half against Kent State, rolled over in pain.

“Get up,” head coach Steve Alford recalled thinking afterward of seeing his star freshman on the floor.

Ball did more than just get up. The freshman played through a right hip bruise and set the UCLA single-season assist record in the team’s 97-80 win over Kent State in the first round of the tournament in Sacramento.

Ball passed Larry Drew II’s previous program mark of 256 from the 2012-13 season by one after recording three against Kent State. He finished with 15 points on 6-for-7 shooting and four rebounds as UCLA (30-4) pulled away late.

“Credit to my teammates,” Ball said of the record. “Can’t get an assist without them scoring. I thank them.”

Ball said his hip is simply “fine” after the game. He was also nursing a thumb sprain suffered in the Pac-12 Tournament last weekend.

Ball’s latest ailment could be another blow to third-seeded UCLA’s already short roster. The team’s normal eight-man rotation was trimmed by one Friday as freshman Ike Anigbogu was sidelined with a sprained foot. He is day-to-day, according to a UCLA spokesperson, and the Bruins are hopeful he will be available for the second round against sixth-seeded Cincinnati on Sunday at 6:40 p.m. PT.

With Ball slowed, sophomore Aaron Holiday was aggressive off the bench. He had 15 points and 11 assists.

“His decision-making today, I thought it was as good as it’s been in a long time,” Alford said.

UCLA’s two star freshmen, Ball and TJ Leaf, showed no stage fright during their tournament debuts. Leaf had 16 by halftime, including two from a soaring one-handed dunk. He finished with a team-high 23 points and six rebounds.

“It’s definitely different, but it’s the game of basketball and we’ve been playing all our lives,” Leaf said of his first NCAA Tournament experience. “So we know how to do it. Each game could be our last, so we’ve got to leave it all out there.”

UCLA held Kent State to 1-of-11 shooting to open and raced to a 16-2 lead behind Ball and Leaf.

Ball tied the assist record with 2:07 left in the first half, but the 14th-seeded Golden Flashes (22-14) kept the Bruins scoreless until the break. Kent State used a 13-4 run to shrink a 17-pont UCLA to just eight by the break.

Alford said he thought UCLA lost its poise on offense, settling for poor shots, while staying a step slow on defense.

The Golden Flashes closed the gap to four in the second half behind seniors Jimmy Hall and Deon Edwin. Hall had 20 points and 15 rebounds in his final game for Kent State, while Edwin finished his college career 18 points. Sophomore Jaylin Walker scored a team-high 23 points.

Kent State held the Bruins to only one field goal in the first 3:41 of the second half. UCLA’s often-questioned defense sagged against a quick Kent State team, but got a lift from an offense that caught fire.

Starting with a layup from Holiday at the 12:20 mark in the second half, the Bruins hit 12 straight field goals over nearly 11 minutes. They finished the game by making 13 of their last 14 attempts from the field. The lead ballooned to 24 with less than three minutes left.

“We knew that we were bigger than them, so a lot of our shots were inside and went through Tom (Welsh) and TJ,” Ball said.

Welsh finished with 16 points and eight rebounds, scoring 12 in the second half as the Bruins shot 62.7 percent from the field.

http://www.dailynews.com/sports/20170317...nament-win
 
03-19-2017 10:09 AM
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ctipton Offline
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RE: Cincinnati bring an edge against UCLA basketball
UC flashback: 'We could have been UCLA'
Tom Groeschen , tgroeschen@enquirer.com 8:11 p.m. ET March 18, 2017

[Image: 636254563256603890-jucker.jpg]
Coach Ed Jucker with four of his key players from the 1962 UC NCAA title team: Ron Bonham, Tony Yates, George Wilson and Tom Thacker.
(Photo: Enquirer file)

SACRAMENTO – The University of Cincinnati once was the dominant power in college basketball. The Bearcats went to five consecutive Final Fours from 1959-63, winning NCAA championships in both 1961 and ’62.

UC nearly made it three straight NCAA titles in 1963, but the Bearcats lost in the championship game. The Bearcats since have made only one Final Four appearance, in 1992.

With UC and UCLA set to play in the NCAA Round of 32 here Sunday (9:40 p.m. EST) at the Golden 1 Center, a glance at the past shows what could have been. While UC has been in and out of the national picture in the past 50-plus years, UCLA in that time has won 11 national titles.

Ed Jucker, the coach who led UC to its 1961 and ’62 titles, once reminisced at what could have been.

“If we had won one more championship we could have been, perhaps, the UCLA of our time,” Jucker told The Enquirer in a 1997 interview.

Jucker, who died in 2002 at age 85, also recalled in the 1997 interview about how close UC was to staying at the pinnacle of Division I basketball. Jucker had replaced George Smith as the coach to start the 1960-61 season, with Smith and superstar player Oscar Robertson having helped the Bearcats rise to national prominence just before. Robertson, contrary to a myth that still exists for some, was gone from UC by the time the Bearcats won their NCAA titles.

“To me, I feel like we won three in a row," Jucker said. “Even though we lost that final ('63) game, we were ranked No. 1 in the United States that year. But if we won that game, it would have made recruiting a whole lot easier.”

UC stunned America by upsetting Ohio State, the defending NCAA champ, in the 1961 finals. The heavily favored Buckeyes were led by future Hall of Famers Jerry Lucas and John Havlicek, but UC won 70-65 in overtime.

UC and OSU met again in the '62 finals, and UC prevailed again 71-59. In 1963, UC lost the NCAA title game 60-58 to Loyola, Ill., in overtime.

After 1963, the Bearcats started to slip a bit and the UCLA dynasty started taking hold under coach John Wooden. UCLA won its first NCAA title in 1964, then another in 1965. Texas Western (now UTEP) upset Kentucky for the 1966 championship, and then UCLA ran off seven straight championships from 1967-73.

Wooden won more NCAA title in 1975 before retiring, which gave him 10 championships in 12 years. UCLA itself has never been quite the same since, although the Bruins did win one more NCAA title in 1995 under coach Jim Harrick.

Jucker, after his spectacular first three UC seasons, lasted only two more years as head coach. In 1963-64, UC fell to 17-9 and Jucker, who could be as intense as former UC coach Bob Huggins and current coach Mick Cronin, had an emergency appendectomy.

UC fans, following the Bearcats' great success, had become a tough audience. Jucker's wife, JoAnne, said years later:

“When he was coaching the Bearcats, I felt as though people expected him to keep winning forever.”

In 1964-65 UC slumped to a 14-12 record and Jucker resigned, citing, "The ever-increasing pressures of the job” that had undermined his health and also that of his family.

Tay Baker, Jucker's top assistant on the championship teams, followed Jucker as UC head coach. Baker won 68 percent of his games in a seven-year tenure (1966-72) and coached some of UC's greatest stars including Rick Roberson, Jim Ard, and Derrek Dickey. But, in an era when only 25 teams annually made the NCAA Tournament field, the Bearcats made only one NCAA appearance under Baker (1966).

Gale Catlett followed Baker as coach and won plenty of games, but UC also did not make much NCAA Tournament noise under Catlett. When Catlett left after the 1977-78 season, UC fell into decline. Coaches Ed Badger and Tony Yates could not get the Bearcats back on track, but UC rose again when Huggins arrived in the 1989-90 season.

Huggins took UC to 14 consecutive NCAA appearances between 1992-2005, highlighted by the 1992 Final Four appearance and Elite Eight berths in 1993 and 1996. The Bearcats slid again after Huggins was forced out in 2005, but Cronin since has restored UC to some of its old glory. This season marks UC’s seventh consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance.

In the 1997 Enquirer interview, Jucker said he never grew tired of talking about UC’s two NCAA championships.

“I think about it every day, almost every minute of the day," Jucker said then. “Something will come about or some memory will come up, especially during basketball season, and I'll relate it to what we did then. We won against unbelievable odds.”

http://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/c.../99357962/
 
03-19-2017 10:23 AM
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RE: Cincinnati bring an edge against UCLA basketball

UC challenges potent UCLA for Sweet 16 berth

Tom Groeschen , tgroeschen@enquirer.com Published 4:20 p.m. ET March 18, 2017 | Updated 15 hours ago

The matchup between the Cincinnati Bearcats and UCLA Bruins here Sunday will feature starkly contrasting styles.


[Image: 636254492203246091-kyle.jpg]
Kyle Washington had 16 points in the University of Cincinnati's 75-61 win over Kansas State on Friday. UC next faces UCLA on Sunday in Sacramento.
(Photo: The Enquirer/Kareem Elgazzar)

SACRAMENTO – The second-round NCAA Tournament matchup between the Cincinnati Bearcats and UCLA Bruins here Sunday (9:40 p.m. ET) will feature starkly contrasting styles, with UC usually playing a deliberate pace and UCLA a fast tempo.

No. 6 South Regional seed UC (30-5) will be the underdog to No. 3 seed UCLA (30-4), after both teams won their first-round games Friday. UC beat No. 11 seed Kansas State 75-61, and UCLA defeated No. 14 Kent State 97-80. Sunday's winner advances to the Sweet 16 next weekend.

The Bearcats rank only 327th nationally in the Kenpom.com metric for AdjT (adjusted tempo), with 63.6 possessions per a 40-minute game. UCLA ranks No. 13 in that category at 73.1.

"They're faster than us," UC coach Mick Cronin said Saturday, at the off-day press conferences here at Golden 1 Center. "I think Kentucky found out, they're faster than everybody. Obviously they can convert to offense faster than other people."

Cronin said UCLA is the most potent offensive force his team will have faced this season. UCLA ranks No. 1 nationally in scoring at 90.6 points per game, but UC is No. 5 in defensive scoring average at 60.8 per game.

On the other side, UC ranks No. 145 in scoring offense at 74.5 per game, but UCLA is only 255th in scoring defense at 75.5 per game. The Bruins just let it fly offensively, and they also allow plenty of points since the opponent thus gets more possessions.

"Our offense is going to be imperative in this game, that we're successful offensively in getting second shots, in scoring the basketball or getting fouled," Cronin said. "Because if you don't, that gives them more opportunities to run downhill on you as quick as they can."

In the Kenpom.com ratings, UCLA is No. 2 nationally in AdjO (adjusted offensive efficiency), at 123.3 points per 100 possessions. The Bearcats are No. 33 in AdjO at 115.2.

Defensively, UCLA ranks 83rd in AdjD (adjusted defensive efficiency) at 100.3 points allowed per 100 possessions. The Bearcats are No. 11 in AdjD, at 92.3.

What does it all mean? Potentially, a close game. UC is a 4-point underdog, according to Las Vegas lines.

"They've got a guy that's going to be an NBA All-Star on their team," Cronin said. "They're the most talented team without question, and definitely the most explosive."

The future NBA All-Star would be UCLA 6-foot-6 freshman guard Lonzo Ball, named first-team All-America by USA Today and The Sporting News. Ball averages 14.6 points, 7.6 assists and 6.1 rebounds per game, and is rated a surefire 2017 NBA lottery draftee.

"They have probably the best passer since Jason Kidd or Magic Johnson playing with the ball in his hands," Cronin said of Ball. "They throw 40-foot outlet passes. If you play transition defense against this UCLA team, you're going to lose."

UC players have seen all kinds of styles. UCLA is a different animal.

"I caught a couple of their games, being up late and watching on ESPN," Bearcats senior point guard Troy Caupain said. "I'm leaving it up to the coaches, just follow the scouting report and just how to keep the game from getting out of hand. They've got a lot of weapons."

UCLA coach Steve Alford praised Cronin and the Bearcats as most opposing coaches do, noting UC's toughness and defensive prowess.

“I have an awful lot of respect for Mick and how they go about things,” Alford said. “You’ve got two teams with contrasting styles, teams that have been used to winning all year long. Obviously something’s got to give on Sunday. It’s got all the makings of a great game, a fight to see who can get to the Sweet 16. We've been rebounding the ball well, and I think that's going to be a big key to the game."

UNDERDOG MENTALITY
: UC players know that many expect UCLA to win, which is fine by the Bearcats.

"Since I've been here, most of the games where the other team is pretty good, we've always been labeled the underdog," junior forward Gary Clark said. "As a Bearcat you go in prepared, follow the scout report and get prepared to get the 'W.' Everyone has their own opinion about who's supposed to win throughout the tournament, but it's all about who comes prepared to play that night."

RECAPPING FRIDAY
: UC was in command most of the night in beating Kansas State on Friday. Caupain led the Bearcats with a season-high 23 points, and he also had seven rebounds and two assists. Junior forward Kyle Washington had 16 points, Clark had 15 points and seven rebounds, sophomore wing Jacob Evans had nine points and five assists, and freshman guard Jarron Cumberland (Wilmington High School) came off the bench for nine points.

“I think coach (Cronin) kept reasserting the message of we worked too hard to play here in one game and pack up and go home, get ready for spring break,” Washington said. “We don’t want to do that. We want to keep on moving forward and putting Cincinnati out there.”

SCOUTING UCLA
: The Bruins were led Friday by 6-10 freshman forward TJ Leaf, who had 23 points Junior 7-foot center Thomas Welsh had 16 points, Ball scored 15 points, 6-1 sophomore guard Aaron Holiday came off the bench for 15, and 6-5 senior guard Isaac Hamilton scored 14 points. Senior 6-3 guard Bryce Alford, the coach’s son who averages 15.6 points, was held to six points.

Ball took a hard fall in the first half, landing on his right hip. He stayed in the game.

“I’m fine,” Ball said. “Finished the game. I’m good.”

BRUINS LOADED
: UCLA’s Ball is projected by ESPN as the No. 2 overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft. Leaf is projected No. 17 overall, and freshman center Ike Anigbogu is listed No. 29. Anigbogu is a work in progress, averaging 4.9 points per game this season. Currently, Anigbogu is day-to-day with a sprained foot.

SERIES RECORD
: UC leads the Bruins 2-1 in their all-time series. The last meeting was March 17, 2002 in the NCAA Tournament second round, when UCLA won 105-101 in double overtime.

PROJECTED STARTERS

UCLA: TJ Leaf (6-10 freshman F, 16.4 ppg, 8.3 rpg), Thomas Welsh (7-0 junior C, 10.8 ppg, 8.8 rpg), Bryce Alford (6-3 senior G, 15.6 ppg, 2.6 apg), Isaac Hamilton (6-5 senior G, 14.1 ppg, 3.5 rpg), Lonzo Ball (6-6 freshman G, 14.6 ppg, 7.6 apg, 6.1 rpg)

Cincinnati: Troy Caupain (6-4 senior G, 10.5 ppg, 4.5 apg, 4.6 rpg), Kevin Johnson (6-3 senior G, 7.8 ppg, 1.3 spg), Jacob Evans (6-6 sophomore G-F, 13.5 ppg, 4.1 rpg), Gary Clark (6-8 junior F, 10.8 ppg, 7.9 rpg), Kyle Washington (13.1 ppg, 6.8 rpg)

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NCAA SOUTH REGIONAL


No. 6 seed Cincinnati vs. No. 3 UCLA


Tipoff: 9:40 p.m. (ET) Sunday at Golden 1 Center (15,745), Sacramento, Calif.

TV/Radio: TBS/WLW-AM (700)

Records: UC 30-5, UCLA 30-4

http://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/c.../99352846/
 
03-19-2017 10:33 AM
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Bearcatbdub Offline
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Post: #12
RE: Cincinnati bring an edge against UCLA basketball
Cincinnati probably a tougher job than people give it credit for. I want so badly to be relevant on the national stage again, but damn what a tall order this year. Have to go through UCLA, And potentially UK, and North Carolina to get to the final four. Talk about a tough draw, blue bloods out the *ss.

IMO, this team would have needed luck and a good draw to get to the Final 4. Doesn't seem like we got the latter, let's see how lucky we are.
 
03-19-2017 10:39 AM
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mptnstr@44 Offline
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Post: #13
RE: Cincinnati bring an edge against UCLA basketball
(03-19-2017 10:39 AM)Bearcatbdub Wrote:  Cincinnati probably a tougher job than people give it credit for. I want so badly to be relevant on the national stage again, but damn what a tall order this year. Have to go through UCLA, And potentially UK, and North Carolina to get to the final four. Talk about a tough draw, blue bloods out the *ss.

IMO, this team would have needed luck and a good draw to get to the Final 4. Doesn't seem like we got the latter, let's see how lucky we are.

Totally agree. It is probably the hardest road of any team in the tourney.

I do think UK is beatable by UC this year for the first time in a long time. Stop Monk and UC wins. But they have to get past UCLA to get the chance.
 
03-19-2017 10:45 AM
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