Saturday night’s 94-55 win over Oregon State, which was the UCLA men’s basketball team’s largest margin of victory since its 107-66 win over Washington in 2017, came with a luxury.
Rest.
The final challenge of the team’s six-game, 12-day gauntlet will come at 8 p.m. Monday at Washington on ESPN2 after the Bruins were able to beat the Beavers with no player logging more than 28 minutes.
The lopsided score allowed UCLA coach Mick Cronin to spread the minutes around. Even walk-on Russell Stong was getting in on the action. He logged a career-high four minutes in the win while the Bruins played without Johnny Juzang (right ankle).
Jules Bernard and David Singleton played 26 minutes. Tyger Campbell and Cody Riley played 24 minutes. Jaylen Clark played just 20. Jaime Jaquez Jr. played the most with 28.
“That’s great, this time of year. Especially with this being our fifth game in 10 days,” Cronin said of the low minutes played. “I can manage their legs and the way we practice, the way we don’t practice, and the way we prepare.”
That’s the physical. Cronin also touched on the mental aspect for his 12th-ranked Bruins (21-6, 13-5 Pac-12)
“My concern has been the mental grind on our team all year with the expectations of the Final Four,” Cronin said. “And we have been through a lot with Covid, with multiple injuries, random injuries. And it has been hard for us to get on a run. You know, Johnny Juzang didn’t play today. I just want to see these guys keep this attitude, try and keep this as fun as possible for the rest of the year – and try to take the pressure off these guys.”
Saturday’s win helped UCLA lock in at least a fourth-place finish in the Pac-12 Conference, which also clinches first-round bye in the conference tournament. However, a second-place finish is within reach if the Bruins can beat the Huskies (14-13, 9-8) Monday and USC (25-4, 14-4) on Saturday in the season finale at home. The Trojans have play No. 2 Arizona Tuesday at home before taking on UCLA Saturday.
UPDATE ON JUZANG
Juzang didn’t play in the second half of Thursday night’s Oregon game and sat out against Oregon State with a right ankle injury. He’s been active throughout the road trip, but his return to the floor Monday night is doubtful, according to Cronin.
“I would doubt it. He looked better today. But I don’t know. I’d say doubtful. But you never know,” Cronin said of Juzang. “He puts a lot of work in on his body with flexibility and stuff like that, so he will surprise you at times.”
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SCOUTING THE HUSKIES
Washington is a better team at home, as most are. The Huskies are 9-5 at home this season and have won six of their last seven conference games at Alaska Airlines Arena.
Washington likes to attack the basket, which is why it’s second in the Pac-12 Conference in free throw attempts per game and third in free throw makes per game. That aggressive approach is also shows up on defense. The Huskies are first in steals per game but also first in fouls.
Terrell Brown Jr. is the team’s leading scorer, pouring in a conference-best 21.5 points per game. Emmit Matthews Jr. is the only other player that scores in double figures (11.4 ppg).
No. 12 UCLA (21-6, 13-5 Pac-12) at Washington (14-13, 9-8)
Where: Seattle, Wash., Alaska Airlines Arena
When: 8 p.m. (PT)
TV/radio: ESPN 2 / AM 570