UCLA Prepares for Conference Tournament Amid NCAA Tournament Concerns

INDIANAPOLIS — UCLA head coach Mick Cronin is navigating a delicate balance as his team heads into the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Tournament on Friday, keenly aware of the quick turnaround that could follow should they win. With the NCAA tournament looming on Selection Sunday, the pressure to succeed is palpable.

In previous years, Cronin experienced the challenges of winning a conference tournament that finishes just hours before the nationwide selection process begins. ‘We played the last game and we found out where we were going for the NCAA tournament while we were cutting down nets or sitting in the locker room eating a cold pizza,’ Cronin recounted. ‘It’s not ideal, I can tell you that.’

In the past two seasons with Cincinnati, Cronin’s team faced similar circumstances, where they reached the second round of the NCAA tournament following the American Athletic Conference Championship. This time around, with a 22-9 record, the fourth-seeded Bruins must outperform their opponents to secure a favorable seed heading into the NCAA tournament.

As UCLA prepares to face either Wisconsin or Northwestern, Cronin shared that he’s weighing travel strategies in anticipation of a potential championship win on Sunday. ‘If we win, it might be more beneficial to stay in Indianapolis and just do our laundry than to fly back to Los Angeles,’ he explained. ‘We’ve got to try to get to Sunday first.’

The Bruins are entering the tournament hot, having won 11 of their last 14 games. However, a quick exit from the tournament could change their momentum heading into the NCAA tournament. In 2021, they experienced success after losing in the Pac-12 quarterfinals, ultimately reaching the Final Four. Cronin hopes to avoid unnecessary injury risks as they aim for a title, recalling center Adem Bona’s shoulder injury during the last Pac-12 tournament.

With potential NCAA seeding implications on the line, UCLA’s trajectory may yet be influenced by their performance in this tournament. Currently projected as a No. 6 seed, they could elevate to a No. 4 seed, which offers geographical advantages and decreased travel requirements.

‘Location is more important than seeding for me,’ Cronin said. ‘I hope the NCAA selection committee considers our brutal travel schedule. It’s tough for the athletes, especially with finals coming up.’

The challenges of preparation have been echoed by senior guard Lazar Stefanovic. ‘You’re fighting for a Big Ten championship title, so it means something,’ he said. ‘Every game we go into, we go in to win.’ The stakes are clear: a conference title now can solidify their standing in the NCAA tournament.

Meanwhile, Ohio State faced a devastating 29-point loss to UCLA in their own semifinal matchup, complicating their own hopes for a solid NCAA tournament showing. ‘If our team isn’t ready to go from the start, that starts with me,’ said head coach Kevin McGuff, who emphasized the need for focused practices in the leadup to Selection Sunday.

The road ahead is fraught with challenges, but both UCLA and Ohio State have a chance to set themselves up for tournament success this March.