Mark Few says ball security is key to beating UCLA

Gonzaga and UCLA are meeting in the Sweet Sixteen. There, fans are going to be treated to an excellent coaching matchup between Mark Few and Mick Cronin.

It’s expected to be an incredibly competitive game and the little things could change the course of the game. As Few explained, he expects ball security and the turnover battle to be the game’s deciding factor.

“That was a very different game,” Mark Few said, referencing a win over UCLA last season. “You’d have to ask Mick about that. I think that was back when they were looking to play really, really fast, maybe. And that was a high-tempo, high-possession game. And Andrew Nembhard was unbelievable.”

As Mark Few explained, UCLA has changed as a team since the two last met. Because of that, it’s going to only be more important to treat every possession right and win the turnover battle.

“Since then, they’ve probably got a little more possession oriented. And, again, they have the luxury now being the older, more experienced team.” Few said.

“I think this game will come down to us taking care of the ball. Their defense is elite. And us being able to make plays and find baskets against it. And us, on the flipside, in somehow some way keep [Jaime] Jaquez and Tyger [Campbell], and now they’re getting great play out of Bailey since he’s come into the lineup, do our best to keep those guys in check.”

This season, UCLA was second in the country in terms of turnover margin while Gonzaga is 32nd. In other words, both teams are excellent at it but something has to give.

Mick Cronin on what’s different this season

This season, for Mick Cronin and UCLA, feels different. That’s despite this being the third straight season he’s led UCLA to at least the Sweet Sixteen in the NCAA Tournament.

“I don’t know if anything’s different, other than a couple of years ago we were in a bubble,” Cronin said in a Tuesday press conference.

“It’s nice not to have to go to Philadelphia. Nothing against the city of brotherly love, but it’s a long way from LA. So it’s nice to be in the West and hop up to Vegas and hopefully have a lot of Bruins fans there. But every team’s different.”