UCLA Practices in Sacramento, Prior to NCAA Tournament
March 15, 2023 | Men's Basketball
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The No. 2-seed UCLA men's basketball team spent its first full day in Sacramento on Wednesday, as preparations were underway for Thursday's four NCAA Tournament games at the Golden 1 Center.
The Bruins have returned to Sacramento for the first time since the 2017 NCAA Tournament, when they defeated No. 14-seed Kent State and No. 6-seed Cincinnati in first and second-round matchups, respectively.
This season, a first-round matchup against No. 15-seed UNC Ashville awaits the Bruins on Thursday night. Game time is 7:05 p.m. (PT). The Bruins' matchup against UNC Asheville will be nationally televised on truTV, with Brad Nessler, Brendan Haywood and Dana Jacobson on the call.
Wednesday's Press Conferences: Coach Cronin | Bailey, Campbell and Jaquez Jr.
"We've got some veterans – that helps us," said Mick Cronin, The Michael Price Family UCLA Men's Head Basketball Coach. "They know how to lead, is the best way to say it. The young guys, they understand, 'Hey, we've worked hard and you want to enjoy this, but we're here for a reason.' Everything we do at UCLA is to prepare for this tournament. It doesn't mean the regular season doesn't matter. Having 29 wins, having the most wins of any power six team is a heck of an accomplishment. We prepare for this tournament. Look, they've got to have fun. This is the time of their life. They understand."
After an hour-long workout at a nearby Sacramento Kings basketball facility, the Bruins headed to the Golden 1 Center for their mid-afternoon press conference and an open practice. Seniors Tyger Campbell and Jaime Jaquez Jr. and freshman Amari Bailey answered questions during the press conference, prior to Coach Cronin's remarks.
"Practice is overrated at this time of year, and you've got to healthy," Cronin told reporters on Wednesday. "During the game, I'd tell you, [it's about] made shots. We proved that two years ago on the way to the Final Four. Made shots. You can execute, but you've still got to make some shots. It's not two-out-of-three. It's not best out of five, or best out of seven. Their ability to shoot the three is a huge concern. You let a team have one night against you where they make 13 to 15 threes, you could be in deep trouble. I don't care who you are."
UCLA has entered the NCAA Tournament with a 29-5 overall record, having advanced to the Pac-12 Tournament's championship game last Saturday. The Bruins saw their 12-game winning streak snapped on Saturday night, dropping a 61-59 decision to Arizona at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. UCLA clinched the Pac-12 Tournament's regular-season title by logging an 18-2 Pac-12 record before winning back-to-back games in the Pac-12 Tournament last Thursday (vs. Colorado) and Friday (vs. Oregon).
The Bruins' game this Thursday night at Sacramento's Golden 1 Center will be broadcast on AM 570 radio in the greater Los Angeles area, with UCLA broadcasters Josh Lewin and Tracy Murray calling the action. Fans can also tune to Westwood One radio's affiliates for the national broadcast, as Ryan Radtke and Dan Dickau will be courtside at the Golden 1 Center with the call.
The Bruins have returned to the NCAA Tournament for the eighth time in the past 11 seasons. Last year, UCLA advanced to the NCAA Tournament's Sweet 16. Two years ago, the Bruins advanced from the First Four to the Final Four while the tournament was played in the "bubble" of Indianapolis, due to severe COVID-19-related restrictions.
The winner of Thursday's game between UCLA and UNC Ashville will face either No. 7-seed Northwestern or No. 10-seed Boise State on Saturday at the Golden 1 Center.
