Lonzo Ball’s Second-Half Performance Was Worth Staying Up For

UCLA comes into Friday’s game against Kentucky as the most explosive offense in the country.

The Wildcats like to get out and run just like the Bruins, so fans can anticipate plenty of possessions for each team in this game. After a slow start, the Bruins exploded for 49 second-half points with all five starters finishing in double figures. Ball himself accounted for 31 of them, creating 20 off his nine assists in addition to his 11 points.

Before UCLA knocked off the Wildcats in the title game, United Kingdom coach Joe B. Hall joked the Bruins should have hired him since he had already followed legendary coach Adolph Rupp in Lexington. Coupled with the injury to Lonzo Ball after he fell hard on his hip going for a rebound, the Bruins looked to be nearing the danger zone. Then UCLA is your team and LaVar Ball is your guy.

Bryce didn’t listen to the vitriol and kept firing away, often hitting shots in rapid succession to rally UCLA to wins or push them past a rallying opponent.

UCLA is the highest scoring team in Division 1 basketball at 90.4 points per game, but Kentucky knows how to put it in the basket as well, averaging 86.1 points per contest. “I feel like I have a good feel for the game, and when it’s time for me to make plays, I try to do my best”. Probably be a little bit sore, but we’ve got great doctors, and this kid to my right’s pretty tough. They covered against Cincinnati after 4 ATS losses in a row. They are defending much better, and they are better in the paint as Bam Adebayo has emerged as a beast, and Derek Willis has transitioned his game from a spot up shooter to a rebounder, a shot blocker, and defender. The rest of the team started 0-for-8 from the field. The Bruins tightened up defensively in the second half as well, making them looking like a formidable threat to get through Memphis to the Final Four. The 30 points UCLA scored in the first half were its lowest output in a half all year. The two storied programs will go head-to-head Friday night in the Sweet 16 in what might be the most entertaining matchup on the upcoming schedule.

It all changed in the second half. He shot only 3-of-10 from the field against Wichita State, which won’t get it done in this round.

Kentucky star Kevin Grevey, who led all scorers with 34 points in the game, stumbled down the stretch when he missed the front end of a one-and-one free-throw attempt after drawing a charge with the Wildcats trailing by one and just more than six minutes down the stretch. After one quarter, UCLA jumped out to a 22-9 lead. The UCLA guard posted 18 points, nine assists, seven rebounds and two steals – and once again – was almost ideal as a shooter (.700).

A attractive up-and-under move and layup by Billings at the 4:40 mark put UCLA ahead 33-15, then Korver gave the Bruins a 21-point cushion (36-15) on another 3-pointer with 4:11 left before intermission.

The Bruins shot 19-30 and made 7 triples in the second half.

Oh, and Thomas Welsh DID THIS.

The Kentucky Wildcats are ready for their clash with the Bruins in the next round, which could be an instant classic.

The only double-digit seed still playing is No. 11 Xavier, which faces No. 2 Arizona in the West Regional semifinals. We said from day one …

Alfords leadership and ball-handling skills were likely a contributing factor to UCLA committing 38 fewer turnovers than Kentucky this season.

At all times, there will be at least 3 high-level National Basketball Association talents on the floor.

“That’s a big part of it”, UCLA power forward TJ Leaf said of the Bruins’ becoming more dynamic because of better defense.

Can we talk about this UCLA Women’s Basketball team?