Abilene Christian’s pressure presents challenge to Bruins
INDIANAPOLIS » Mick Cronin isn’t surprised his 11thseeded UCLA team will be facing 14th-seeded Abilene Christian today with a trip to the Sweet 16 on the line. Those kinds of low-seed matchups are March tradition.
But what still feels unusual is the type of family interactions he and his players have been limited to in Indianapolis.
“What’s realize bizarre is
my parents and my players coming to the hotel to wave through the window,” Cronin said Sunday. “That is an unbelievable thing.”
But it’s the price that must be paid to keep dancing.
And there are perks to this experience that UCLA didn’t have during the regular season, like playing in
front of a live audience. The Bruins felt the energy dispatching of sixthseeded BYU on Saturday in Hinkle Fieldhouse, and brought their own juice to the game as well.
As each shot fell for UCLA in the first half against BYU on Saturday, the Bruins pranced back up the court in celebration, slapping each other’s hands enthusiastically.
“We have a great dynamic going on. We all love each other, we all love to see each other succeed. And we’re excited to be here,” guard Jules Bernard said. “When you have fun with it, it makes the games even better.”
UCLA (19-9) is heading into a unique matchup with Abilene Christian (24-4) today. The Wildcats lead the country in turnovers forced, with 27% of
opponent possessions ending in a giveaway.
Abilene Christian’s harassing, pressing defense was in full effect in Saturday’s 53-52 upset over third-seeded Texas. The Wildcats pestered the Longhorns into 23 turnovers, including on the final in-bounds pass as Texas tried to steal back the game. Even seniors like Matt Coleman III (seven turnovers) and Andrew Jones (four) were not immune.
It makes for a challenging team to prepare for on a short turnaround, Cronin said.
As the lone First Four winner to advance past the Round of 64, UCLA will be playing its third game in five days today. Cronin said his team was going to have a light practice Sunday, followed by a more intensive workout this morning.
But the more meaningful preparation will likely come away from the practice
court.
“They’re impossible to simulate. I mean, I’m gonna try. Film is going to be extremely important,” Cronin said. “I can’t speak for (his players’) high school experiences, if they’ve played a team that totally disrupts you the way that Abilene Christian does. I’m hoping they have.”
UCLA turned on the end of the Texas-Abilene Christian game in its postgame locker room Saturday. Bernard walked away from that initial viewing understanding that controlling the pace of play will be vital for the Bruins.
“We know they’re a great team at forcing turnovers. We have to be poised and be strong with the ball,” Bernard said. “I feel like when their defense is ramped up they sorta force the other team to sorta rush. So I feel like we have to take our time as much possible.”