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Plaschke: March Madness is nearly here, and UCLA is ready to go dancing

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Plaschke: March Madness is nearly here, and UCLA is ready to go dancing

For a UCLA workforce that has waited a 12 months for the return of the magic, the acquainted indicators have been in all places.

On a scorching Saturday night time at a rollicking Pauley Pavilion, the calendar roared and the warmth rose and the message was clear.

March is again. The dance is coming. The Bruins are prepared.

You would hear it from the ground, above the din, the hardwood pounding with our bodies and bluster in a 75-68 victory over USC.

“I believe we’re prepared,” Jules Bernard stated.

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You would really feel it within the physique language of a workforce that has been in these conditions time and again, Jaime Jaquez Jr. firing, Tyger Campbell diving, the Bruins racing to a 13-point lead after which holding on for a panoramic end.

“I’m excited,” Jaquez stated. “It’s time to show it up into one other gear.”

And you could possibly see it in Mick Cronin, in his grimace, in his shrug, the UCLA coach carrying his recreation face lengthy after the Bruins broke a five-game shedding streak to the Trojans.

“I’m drained, it’s late, I’m hungry … we didn’t end the sport, I needed us to complete the sport,” stated Cronin, who beat USC for the primary time as UCLA’s coach. “We should always have received by double digits.”

The splendidly grumpy Cronin was proper. A Bruins workforce that was blowing out USC with 5:49 remaining virtually blew the sport with late missed free throws and defensive errors. The resilient Trojans pulled to inside a basket with 1:22 left, at which level Cronin admitted he practically misplaced his thoughts.

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“It was at that second after I hear my mom — she handed away in ’05 — telling me, ‘You’re losing your expertise,’” he stated. “Why am I teaching? I might have been a lawyer. I might have been something. At that second, I questioned all my life choices.”

Then Cody Riley hit a brief turnaround jumper, and USC’s Max Agbonkpolo stepped out of bounds, and Cronin remembered he’s a reasonably good basketball coach.

“You’ve acquired to play to win, you possibly can’t play to let the clock run out,” he muttered, nonetheless. “You bought to play to win.”

However win, they did, and Jaquez glowingly pointed on the stuffed and bouncing pupil part, and Clark outdid him by operating into the center of all these children and, yeah, the Bruins’ victory was much more conclusive than its end.

Backside line, UCLA actually did look able to resume a March journey that final 12 months led them to the precipice of a nationwide title.

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Regardless of a dizzying array of passes in an unselfish scheme that featured 15 assists, the Bruins offense dedicated only one turnover, the fewest in this system’s recorded historical past.

Regardless of dealing with a sound USC assault that represents one of the best teaching of Andy Enfield’s 9 years as Trojan boss, the Bruins protection pressured 15 turnovers whereas pocketing seven steals.

Regardless of taking part in with main scorer Johnny Juzang nonetheless hobbled by an ankle harm, they compensated with 27 factors from Jaquez, 19 factors from Bernard, and a affected person inside push that allowed them to win regardless of hitting simply three treys.

UCLA guard Jaime Jaquez Jr., proper, controls the ball in entrance of USC ahead Isaiah Mobley through the second half.

(Mark J. Terrill / Related Press)

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Regardless of shedding three of 4 video games in early February, the Bruins have began a trademark Cronin late-season run, having received six of seven whereas rating among the many nation’s prime 15 in each offensive and defensive effectivity. They thus enter this week’s Pac-12 event with a No. 2 seed and a mandate to easily get wholesome and keep wholesome.

Satisfied but, Mick? Smile, perhaps?

“If we get everyone wholesome … we’re shut,” he admitted. “We’re shut, and if we received this recreation by double digits, I’d suppose we have been there.”

Juzang is the one whose harm is essentially the most worrisome — he made simply 4 of 13 makes an attempt and appeared completely out of rhythm Saturday — however Cronin sounded rigorously optimistic.

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“He’s removed from prepared … however he shall be, hopefully,” Cronin stated.

One factor Cronin did admit ought to strike concern into any future dancing companions. That nice protection from final March? It’s higher than ever.

Clark has change into a relentless power. Switch Myles Johnson has change into a sturdy rim protector. The remaining nonetheless defend laborious on each possession.

“We’re a greater defensive workforce …we’re significantly better defensively,” stated Cronin, who added a phrase of warning, noting, “I’ll say this, as Coach [John] Wood says, the previous doesn’t predict the longer term … the work we put in will decide what we do sooner or later … what occurred final 12 months in March has nothing to do with it.”

UCLA coach Mick Cronin gestures during the second half of the Bruins' win over USC on Saturday.

UCLA coach Mick Cronin gestures through the second half of the Bruins’ win over USC on Saturday.

(Mark J. Terrill / Related Press)

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Ah, however in spite of everything that grumbling, he lastly gave in.

“If we will execute at a excessive stage, I like our probabilities,” he stated.

One can’t blame him for being cautious.

This season was presupposed to be a joyous dash.

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As a substitute, it has been a solemn trudge.

The Bruins confirmed up final autumn amid the very best hopes in current program historical past. The thrill was deafening. The historic Bruins greatness was again. They have been returning everybody from a workforce that danced via a miracle run final March, shedding solely within the nationwide semifinals to Gonzaga in extra time on one of many biggest photographs in NCAA tourney historical past, a 40-foot financial institution by Jalen Suggs.

They have been presupposed to enter this March as probably the greatest groups within the nation. As a substitute, they aren’t even one of the best workforce of their convention.

They have been presupposed to be ok to avenge their heartbreaking loss to Gonzaga. As a substitute, again in November, they misplaced to the Bulldogs by 20.

Juzang was supposed to strengthen his resolution to remain in class by taking part in like an NBA first-round draft choose. As a substitute, he struggled with accidents, a optimistic coronavirus take a look at, and an lack of ability to make marked enchancment on protection.

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Peyton Watson, their gifted five-star recruit from Lengthy Seaside Poly, was presupposed to make the Bruins extra versatile and athletic. As a substitute, he’s solely been ok for restricted minutes, and he didn’t even play towards USC on Saturday.

All these are issues, however now it’s March, and nothing else issues however March, and the Bruins are prepared for the insanity.

“We all know it’s a troublesome street; we’ve been there earlier than,” Bernard stated. “We all know how laborious it’s to win in these environments. We’re positively targeted and locked in.”

Juzang sounded anticipating the craziness to start.

“After we get into March, that’s the actual deal, that’s do or die,” he stated, virtually gleefully. “We’re not there but however … we’re getting there.”

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Watching them bruise and baffle USC on Saturday night time … oh, they’re there.

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Ranking 134 college football teams after conference title games: Boise State’s climb continues

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Ranking 134 college football teams after conference title games: Boise State’s climb continues

Editor’s note: The Athletic 134 is a weekly ranking of all FBS college football teams.

The first year of the 12-team College Football Playoff was an absolute success.

Regardless of how the bracket plays out, it has already accomplished exactly what it was supposed to do. More regular-season games had more stakes. New faces made the field. The first-round games on campus will be electric. And the field appears wide open. It’s everything we wanted. Good job, everyone.

As for the bracket makeup itself, I don’t necessarily agree with every seed, but the committee got the right group. SMU was the correct decision over Alabama, at least in the current system where conference championships remain very important. Alabama’s wins were better, but its losses were worse. In the end, pulling a championship game loser out in favor of a three-loss team with bad losses would have upended the point of conference races. It was a close call. It was the right call.

Coming off conference championship weekend and ahead of the postseason, there was a shakeup at the top of this week’s penultimate edition of the Athletic 134.

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GO DEEPER

College Football Playoff 2024 projections: Who are the national championship favorites?

1-10

My philosophy is to reward conference championship game winners and not ding the losers too much, except when they play each other. As a result, I have the same top seven as the committee. I said a week ago that a strong performance against Oregon would move Penn State above Notre Dame, and that’s what the Nittany Lions delivered in a 45-37 loss. Georgia’s second win against Texas jumped the Bulldogs up to No. 2, but I can’t drop the Longhorns much for an overtime loss.

The bottom end of the top 10 is different from the committee’s choices. Boise State and Arizona State move up to No. 8 and No. 9 with dominant championship wins against top-25 teams. SMU fell to No. 10 as a result of its loss to Clemson, but only because it was jumped by two other teams that played. While Arizona State has a blowout win against a Wyoming team that gave Boise State problems, the Sun Devils’ two regular season losses, compared to Boise State’s one last-second loss at No. 1 Oregon, keeps the Broncos ahead.

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go-deeper

GO DEEPER

In defense of the College Football Playoff’s funky seeding format

11-25

Rank Team Record Prev

11

11-1

9

12

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9-3

11

13

10-2

13

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14

9-3

14

15

9-3

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15

16

10-3

25

17

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10-2

16

18

9-3

17

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19

9-3

18

20

10-3

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19

21

9-3

20

22

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11-1

28

23

9-3

21

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24

10-3

22

25

10-2

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23

Like SMU, Indiana fell back two places because it was jumped by two teams that had lopsided wins against top-25 opponents. Indiana has no such wins. The Hoosiers are still in my field, but their lack of quality wins left them open to getting jumped. Alabama remains the last team out of my 12-team CFP field.

Clemson moves up to No. 16 with its last-second win against SMU, but the Tigers stay behind South Carolina because of their loss to the Gamecocks a week ago. Army jumps up to No. 22 with a 35-14 win against Tulane, and UNLV falls to No. 24, jumped by Clemson and Army.

go-deeper

GO DEEPER

Alabama snubbed? The Crimson Tide’s case for Playoff inclusion

26-50

Rank Team Record Prev

26

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8-4

24

27

8-4

26

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28

8-4

27

29

8-4

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29

30

9-4

30

31

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7-5

31

32

7-5

32

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33

7-5

33

34

8-4

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34

35

8-4

35

36

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9-3

36

37

8-4

37

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38

8-4

38

39

7-5

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39

40

10-3

52

41

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10-3

40

42

6-6

41

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43

6-6

42

44

8-3

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43

45

7-5

44

46

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7-5

45

47

7-5

46

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48

6-6

47

49

6-6

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48

50

6-6

49

Tulane remains at No. 30 after the AAC title game loss to Army. Sun Belt champion Marshall jumps up to No. 40 after a 31-3 win against Louisiana.

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51-75

Jacksonville State climbs to No. 60 with a 52-12 win against Western Kentucky in the CUSA title game, and Ohio moves up to No. 73 after beating Miami (Ohio) to win the MAC. The Bobcats stay behind Kentucky because of their 41-6 loss to the Wildcats in Week 4.

76-134

The Athletic 134 series is part of a partnership with Allstate. The Athletic maintains full editorial independence. Partners have no control over or input into the reporting or editing process and do not review stories before publication.

(Photo: Loren Orr / Getty Images)

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Bengals snap losing streak after Cowboys' head-scratching blunder on 'Monday Night Football'

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Bengals snap losing streak after Cowboys' head-scratching blunder on 'Monday Night Football'

The Cincinnati Bengals have had some crushing defeats this season, but something finally went their way to cash a 23-20 win over the Dallas Cowboys on “Monday Night Football.”

The Bengals snapped a three-game losing streak, moving to 5-8 on the season. Meanwhile, the Cowboys’ win streak of two games comes to a halt and they are also 5-8 on the year. 

At the two-minute warning, the Bengals were in their own zone after a potential game-winning drive went awry. Facing fourth-and-27, they had no choice but to punt, and things got much worse when Cal Adomitis blocked the punt which should’ve given the Cowboys perfect field position to take the lead late in the game. 

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) throws a pass against the Dallas Cowboys in the first quarter at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: (Tim Heitman-Imagn Images)

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Then, that big Bengals break came for Zac Taylor’s squad. 

Amani Oruwariye thought it was smart to try and recover the bouncing ball as it was making its way downfield, but he was unable to field it cleanly. 

Since it touched Oruwariye, the Bengals could recover and regain possession, and that’s exactly what happened as Maema Njongmeta fell on the ball at the Cincinnati 43-yard line to give Joe Burrow and his crew another shot at taking the lead. 

JOE BURROW PLAYS COY WHEN ASKED ABOUT $3 MILLION BATMOBILE PURCHASE: ‘DON’T KNOW WHAT YOU’RE TALKING ABOUT’

Just three plays later, Burrow found ol’ reliable, Ja’Marr Chase, on a short pass where he made a Cowboys’ cornerback miss, and he was off to the races for a 40-yard touchdown to make it 27-20 after the extra point. 

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That capped another “Monday Night Football” highlight reel for Chase, who finished the game with 177 yards on 14 catches with two touchdowns, which also included the first for the Bengals on the night. 

CeeDee Lamb scores touchdown

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (88) makes a touchdown over the Cincinnati Bengals in the first quarter during Monday Night Football at AT&T Stadium in Arlington,Texas on Monday, December 9, 2024. (IMAGN)

Cooper Rush and the Cowboys did have enough time to move downfield for a potential game-tying drive. But on fourth-and-7 near midfield, Rush overshot Jake Ferguson and the ball hit the turf, sealing Dallas’ fate as a loss. 

CeeDee Lamb, who scored the game’s first touchdown and had 93 yards on six catches, was jumping up and down because he was wide open in the middle of the field. Rush didn’t see him, and thus the result. 

Burrow’s night was another spectacular one, as he went 33-for-44 for 369 yards with three touchdowns – the other a catch-and-run by running back Chase Brown in the first half – as well as an interception.

For the Cowboys, a positive trend continued for Rico Dowdle despite the loss, as the young running back rushed for a game-high 131 yards on just 18 carries. Since taking over the lead role in the backfield, Dowdle has really turned it on late in the season. 

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Ja'Marr Chase celebrates touchdown

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase (1) and wide receiver Tee Higgins (5) celebrate Chase’s touchdown in the first quarter of Dallas Cowboys during Monday Night Football at AT&T Stadium in Arlington,Texas on Monday, December 9, 2024. (IMAGN)

Both of these teams might not be in playoff position with four games remaining, but a primetime thriller was seen at AT&T Stadium where the Bengals finally tasted victory again. 

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

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Stephen Barbee resigns as football coach at Long Beach Poly

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Stephen Barbee resigns as football coach at Long Beach Poly

Stephen Barbee has resigned after seven seasons as football coach at Long Beach Poly.

That opens up a job at a school that has won 20 Southern Section championships.

It is a tougher job than in a previous era, because private schools have been taking away players and attendance boundaries play a major role.

But Poly is Poly, with lots of talent around campus.

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