Losing four straight is not an ideal way to enter the NCAA Tournament. Being bounced out of the Pac-12 Conference in one game isn’t either.
But now that the UCLA men’s basketball team is officially in the big dance, all that matters is Thursday’s tilt with Michigan State. The No. 11-seed play-in game will be played at Mackey Arena in Indiana at 6:57 p.m. (PT) on TBS.
“We didn’t get beat down in the conference tournament by playing three games,” UCLA coach Mick Cronin said. “We’re obviously focused on Michigan State, but if we have to play three games to play in the Sweet Sixteen (we’ll be rested).”
Michigan State (15-12) was bounced out of the Big Ten conference tournament the same day UCLA (17-9) was.
“We should both be fresh,” Cronin added.
Winner of Thursday’s game will take on No. 6-seeded BYU (20-6) on Saturday.
When the drawing was revealed on CBS’ Selection Sunday Show, there was a collective shock from the college basketball world. The matchup of blue blood programs usually doesn’t come until the later rounds, but in a COVID-19 riddled season that’s made unlikely seem normal, why not?
No more than 30 minutes after the announcement, Cronin put the new task at hand simply:
“It means we have to beat a Hall of Fame coach (Tom Izzo),” he said. “The reason Coach Izzo has survived so long, and had such a great career, is because they’re never easily defeated.”
Yes, both teams lost their opening games of their respective conference tournaments, but there’s a glaring difference between each team’s final stretch since Feb. 23. When each team has faced top talent, Michigan State has been the program to find victory. UCLA fell short to the Pac-12’s top teams (Oregon, Colorado, USC). The Spartans beat Illinois and Michigan – both programs received No. 1 seeds in the NCAA Tournament.
“I know they have veteran players, because we played them last year,” Cronin said. “They’re not devoid of veteran leadership or talent.”
Cronin specifically named Joshua Langford, Joey Hauser, and leading scorer Aron Henry (15.3 points per game) from Michigan State’ roster.
UCLA did face Michigan State at the Maui Invitational last year, losing 75-62. The team was led by 2019 Big Ten Player of the Year Cassius Winston, who is now playing in the NBA G-League. Different team, different year.
“I’m excited to play against this team,” Jaime Jaquez Jr. said. “They’re a different team, now we’re a different team. We’re excited to get out there and play some great basketball.”
UCLA vs. Michigan State
Time: 6:57 p.m. (PT)
Where: Mackey Arena, Ind.
TV: TBS
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