UCLA's Cronin Faces Injury Blow, Players Step Up

0:00On March 14th, UCLA coach Mick Cronin is dealing with a tough injury blow again. His leading score, four were Tyler Bilado, hurt his right knee late in the first half of Friday's Big Ten Tournament quarterfinal against Michigan, state at the United Center. Bilado scored just five points and ten minutes before needing help to leave the court. Despite that, the Bruins rallied to win 88-84. This echoes a painful memory from three years ago when UCLA lost key players to injuries right before the NCAA tournament, knocking them out. In the Swiss 16, Bilado is set for knee imaging, and Cronin says it would take a modern miracle for him to play in Saturday afternoon semi-final against Purdue. Players like Eric Daily Jr. stepped up big time, posting 14 points and 10 rebounds while forward Brandon Williams added nine points. Four. Boards and three steals off the bench. The backups, centers Xavier Booker and Stephen Jamerson the second, struggled offensively, but helped clamp down Michigan state scoring.

1:01The Bruins leaned hard on defense, forcing 25 deflections in the first half to build a half-time lead, extending their four-game winning. Street to 23 wins and 10 losses. They even doubt rebounding issues by disrupting the Spartans' rhythm all-game. With Bilado likely sideline, Cronin might star Booker or Williams against the Boi-The-Makers, stressing physical play and rebounding as the team. Pushes forward with the next man of mentality.