3 Takeaways From Mick Cronin's Presser Following Ucla Win

The Bruins were capable to triumph their 12th crippled of nan season, beating Penn State 71-60 successful a convincing fashion.

It could person been much if nan Bruins were dealing pinch a fewer roster issues, but either way, this capacity gives fans dream that UCLA tin make a heavy tally travel March. Here is everything that Mick Cronin had to opportunity pursuing nan win.

Trent Perry’s Performance Was nan Difference

Trent Perry easy had his champion capacity of nan season, scoring 30-points pinch ease. Perry didn’t hesitate successful this one, hitting large shots late, and showed maturation arsenic a assured violative weapon—exactly what UCLA needs moving forward.

“Obviously, Trent made immoderate large shots. They're a squad that doubles nan station and tries to battalion it into paint. But I sewage him to a constituent now wherever he's not hesitating arsenic an violative player, and I deliberation that matters. It was immense for him. And conscionable sewage to support building.”

Depth Played a Huge Role

With Donovan Dent hurt, Skyy Clark out, Tyler Bilodeau playing sick, and constricted believe time, UCLA needed domiciled players to stabilize nan game. Eric Freeney and Steven Jamerson delivered timely offense, defense, and rebounding erstwhile nan Bruins were struggling to score.

“Eric Freeney came successful and deed 2 monolithic shots for us. He gave america 23 minutes of awesome defense. Some rebounding. Um... And he was really, really important to this win. I mean, really important. And Steven Jamerson arsenic good pinch 2 putbacks. And past nan play that didn't threat to maine was wherever he stayed successful beforehand of his feline and forced a walking violation."

How Roster Struggles Changed nan Gameplan

The Bruins were deed difficult by nan wounded bug. Skyy Clark and Brandon Williams were some out, while Tyler Bilodeau and Donovan Dent were forced to play astatine little than 100%. That reality heavy shaped really Mick Cronin was capable to game-plan for this one.

"Because we person truthful galore guys retired and we're nan guys playing sick. And... We couldn't press. If we were astatine afloat spot pinch those guys out, we would property them. But we couldn't because of our situation. I sewage transplanted 40 minutes. I don't know, Donnie sewage deed successful nan head. Brandon Williams is retired location pinch a bad hamstring, and Sky's connected nan bench, and Tyler [Bilodeau] could be, I don't cognize if he tin moreover breathe. Strategically, I would person pressed them. If we could"