The teams are squaring off for the third time in as many seasons with “a lot of the same characters” involved, but some of the younger Bruins are blossoming.
LAS VEGAS — Gonzaga basketball coach Mark Few had a good way of summing up the Bulldogs’ third matchup with UCLA in as many seasons.
The third act pits the second-seeded Bruins against the third-seeded Bulldogs in an NCAA tournament West Region semifinal on Thursday at 6:45 p.m. at T-Mobile Arena. UCLA’s Tyger Campbell, David Singleton, Jaylen Clark and Jaquez played in the previous two matchups. Drew Timme and Anton Watson are the wily veterans for Gonzaga. But it might be the new faces that make the difference Thursday night.“Just trying to stay sane and trust in my work, trust in what we’ve built together collectively as a group,” Bailey said of his inspired play as of late. “Not really getting beside myself, knowing that we’re going to have to come in and compete for 40 minutes.
“I know Will was a big shot-maker at Gorman,” Cronin said. “I know he still has that in him. We work with him every day on it, just trying to keep his confidence up. He’s just a winner. And I believe in winners. Right now in his career he’s helping us win with intangibles and toughness and defense. But I know the day is coming, he’s going to help us win with shots, too.”
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