Mick Cronin addresses UCLA's excitement, anxiety to continue run
Mick Cronin has led UCLA to the second weekend of the tournament for the third straight season. But he and the group are excited to keep playing as much basketball as they can.
While for some the pressure to perform in the tournament might turn into some anxiety, Cronin said that is not the case for him.
“This is all about excitement,” Cronin said in a media availability Tuesday. I want the guys to enjoy every minute of this and be excited to play. I think people that are anxious got knocked out and they’re waiting to meet with their AD.”
Led by three senior leaders in Jaime Jaquez Jr., Tyger Campbell and David Singleton, the Bruins have one of the top cores in the country. It was one of the reasons why the team breezed by UNC Asheville and then fought their way past a resilient Northwestern during the first weekend of the tournament.
Jaquez, the Pac-12 Player of the Year, averaged 20.5 points on 57.6% shooting along with 8.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 2.5 steals during the first two games. Campbell is averaging 9.5 points and 8.5 assists in the tournament. Freshman Amari Bailey has also been excellent, stuffing the stat sheet with 15.5 points, 6.0 assists and 4.0 rebounds.
The UCLA defense, their calling card, has also come to play during the tournament. It gave problems to both the Bulldogs and the Wildcats. And when Northwestern made a late rally, the Bruins hunkered down to secure the win.
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Mick Cronin says UCLA has all the motivation it needs
Now the top seed remaining in the West Region after Arkansas eliminated No. 1 seed Kansas, UCLA will face with No. 3 seed Gonzaga on Thursday for a chance in the Sweet 16.
On a similar note to the lack of anxiety, Cronin also said he isn’t worried about his team getting ready and amped up for a game against the Bulldogs.
“If you’re not ready to play now, we need to check you into Ronald Reagan (Hospital), check your heartbeat,” Cronin said. “This is what it’s all about. We’re four games from hanging a 12th banner, that’s how we look at it. That’s how we talk about it.”
The Bulldogs and Bruins have history, too. The two teams faced off in a tremendous Final Four game in Indianapolis in 2021 that concluded when Jalen Suggs hit a long buzzer-beating 3-pointer to win the game,