UCLA Basketball: Rise of the Bruins in 2021 NCAA Tournament

UCLA was about to make a run to the Sweet Sixteen

UCLA outscored the Spartans 44 to 33 in the 2nd half lead by the play Jaime Jaquez Jr. but he had some help as well. Fellow sophomore and leading scorer Johnny Juzang was instrumental in helping the Bruins force overtime against Michigan State.

UCLA also had Cody Riley make some key free throws and Jules Bernard come up with some important rebounds as well. The Bruins outscored the Spartans 9-3 in overtime to advance to play No. 6 seed BYU.

Entering their game against BYU, there was uncertainty if Juzang would play Saturday against BYU, as it appeared that he sprained his right ankle in overtime in the previous game against Michigan State.

However, not only did he play against BYU, he played 39 minutes and lead all scorers with 27 points. He also had five rebounds and a blocked shot as well. His teammates played well once again as Jaquez was five for seven from the field and had eight rebounds, three assists, and two steals.

Bernard had a good game as well scoring 16 points to go along with his five rebounds and one assist. UCLA led the Cougars by 11 at the half and ended up holding on to the led to defeat BYU and advance to the Round of 32.

UCLA entered the Round of 32 expecting to play No. 3 seed Texas but the Longhorns were upset by No. 14 Abilene Christan as the Wildcats played great defense in defeating Texas by one point. Abilene Christian became a division one basketball program starting the 2013–14 season.

They previously did well in division two basketball but made the jump to division one and joined the Southland Conference. UCLA was prepared for the Wildcats as they are No. 1 in the country in defensive turnover rate, so the Bruins knew they had to take care of the basketball and not commit a bunch of turnovers. Abilene Christian entering their game against UCLA was 13-1 in its last 14 games. However, UCLA was once again up for the task.

Juzang for the second straight game and led all scorers with 17 points to go along with his three rebounds, one assist, one steal, and one block shot. Riley had his best game of the tournament going five for seven from the field, grabbing 12 rebounds, and had an assist, steal, and blocked shot.

UCLA overall played great defense holding the Wildcats to only 47 points and their offense, unlike Texas, was able to score against the Abilene Christan defense and the Bruins defeated the Wildcats by a convincing 20 points.

In the victory, UCLA became the fifth team to go from the First Four games of the NCAA tournament to the Sweet Sixteen of the tournament. The Bruins hope to follow in the steps of the VCU team of 2011 as the only First Four team to advance past the regional semifinals. The Rams of VCU went on to make a magical run to the Final Four that season. So what is next for UCLA in the Round of 16?