CBB: Gonzaga, UCLA advance to Final Four
The Gonzaga Bulldogs (30-0) advanced to the Final Four after defeating USC (25-8) on Tuesday, March 30 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Evan Mobley's length was expected to give the Bulldogs their first test of the tournament but Drew Timme went right at the future lottery pick and recorded a game-high 23 points and five rebounds on 52.6% shooting from the field. Jalen Suggs also constantly helped push the tempo, compiling 18 points, 10 rebounds, and eight assists. Mobley wasn't able to slow up Timme for most of the night but he did put up 17 points and three assists. Isaiah Mobley scored a team-high 19 points and seven rebounds. Gonzaga reaches their second ever Final Four as they will face 11-seed UCLA on Saturday night.
Mick Cronin and the UCLA Bruins (22-9) also clinched a berth to the Final Four, upsetting Michigan (23-5) behind Johnny Juzang's heroic performance. Michigan got out to a 13-6 lead but Juzang connected on a pair of 3-pointers to force a timeout. The Bruins went up 27-23 at halftime and held on for a 51-49 win as Franz Wagner missed a potential game-winner as time expired. Juzang finished with 28 points and two rebounds on 57.9% shooting from the field. Tyger Campbell was the only other Bruins player in double figure with 11 points. Hunter Dickinson led the Wolverines with 11 points and two rebounds. The Bruins, in their record 19th Final Four appearance, will try to keep their surprising run going against unbeaten Gonzaga.
“Awesome feeling to be able to battle our way back to another Final Four. The guys came out and played with tremendous energy and toughness on both ends of the floor. I thought we really got after them defensively. We played with great pace on the offensive end. I couldn’t be happier for the players, the staff, the Gonzaga community, and Spokane," Gonzaga head coach Mark Few said. "This is a heck of an accomplishment and we’re going to take it and savor it for what it is. That doesn’t lessen our desire to win the next game or to win two more games but we’re smart enough to that these are really, really special times and these are special accomplishments that need to be celebrated and that’s how we’re approaching it right now.”
Photo Credit: Play Picks.
