WELCOME TO SAN ANTONIO: BRUINS ARE FINAL FOUR BOUND

by Tydides on Mar 29, 2008 5:58 PM PDT in Basketball Comment 70 comments

Three in a row for Coach Ben Howland. The first to accomplish this feat since the legendary Coach Wooden. Speaking of Coach, he always said to "be at your best when your best is needed" and the Bruins did just that by putting Xavier on lockdown. The Musketeers were smothered for 25 minutes straight, and just when it looked like they were about to get their last desperate run in, the Bruins snuffed that out quickly and cruised to the end.

It will be very interesting to see the backtracking from all the haters who said that we were done. That will come in the next few days, but remember those that jumped off the bandwagon. Bruin Nation does not forget who said what about our guys, questioning their heart and desire.

"One more year! One more year!" SI.com frontpage

Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

But now is not the time to dwell on the negative. It is time to soak in this rare (and I do mean RARE) accomplishment. Celebrate with your fellow Bruins in this Postgame Thread.

GO BRUINS

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ALL THE WAY.

BELIEVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

GO BRUIN BLUE.

by theREAL_LOGAN5 on Mar 29, 2008 6:01 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Awesome...

For any of the doubters, is your faith restored?

No more Hoops for me tonight...I will read the papers in the morning. The LA Galaxy kick off at 6:30...it's futbol time now!

Thank you BRUINS!

by pocho on Mar 29, 2008 6:06 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

futbal?

what's that?

by Rich1996UCLA on Mar 29, 2008 6:56 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

he said futbol..

which is spanish for soccer, which is american for football lol

O.A.

by Ollie on Mar 29, 2008 10:33 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

CONGRATULATIONS!

...to CBH and Co. To all the haters, in your face!

UCLA all the way!

by YouseeLA on Mar 29, 2008 6:09 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Congrats Bruins.

Let's do this. Let's make history again.

by True Blue and Gold on Mar 29, 2008 6:10 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I Love my School

I Love my Team
I Love my Coach
I Bleed Blue and Gold

U
C
L
A

Class of 2006 Fan Since 1971

by wildwill on Mar 29, 2008 6:11 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

T-Shirts at the Bookstore

When do you think they'll have the Final Four shirts at the bookstore?

Class of 2006 Fan Since 1971

by wildwill on Mar 29, 2008 6:11 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Duh - online already

I want THIS one

http://store.cstv.com/marketplace/store_contents.cfm?cart_id=09121363885677665661141540120082903& ;store_id=117&partner_id=13955&dept_id=6766&product_id=122932

Class of 2006 Fan Since 1971

by wildwill on Mar 29, 2008 6:14 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

At UCLA we only wear championship shirts

by charnaw on Mar 29, 2008 6:38 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Here, Here

Right on, I bought one in 95 and hope to this year!

by bruinblue85 on Mar 29, 2008 8:13 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

While they are online, most will not arrive till..

Monday morning. There will be plenty in stock for the first day, so I would suggest coming in around 1-2pm if you want to get them in person. That gives the store plenty of time to truck them in from Russell and other vendors. There will be a small shipment probably tomorrow, but it will only be one style.

By mid-week the store should have all styles in stock, if you can wait that long.

Take this with a grain of salt, as I am basing this on last year only. I don't know any specific plans for this week.

by isodore on Mar 29, 2008 7:07 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sean Miller commenting on our D

on ESPNNews right now

by SpaceMonkey on Mar 29, 2008 6:13 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

LA Times and OC register

equals Bandwagon

by 8994 on Mar 29, 2008 6:14 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

No..no..no..no..no..

..it's the OC Ragister..

God, it's great to be a Bruin!

by whp68 on Mar 29, 2008 7:17 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Does anybody know what time the game's on

Saturday?

by waters96 on Mar 29, 2008 6:19 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Woooo

http://youtube.com/watch?v=rLxTpsIVzzo

by sumo331 on Mar 29, 2008 6:21 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Perfect

by 69BruinAlum on Mar 29, 2008 6:35 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

A Show of Force

That was awesome. Onward to San Antonio!

Two more wins. Just two more....

by Dexter Fishmore on Mar 29, 2008 6:21 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

CBH on ESPNNews now

by SpaceMonkey on Mar 29, 2008 6:24 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

LOVE

I am walking out of the bar ... Just want to say ... Thank you God for letting me be a Bruin. I love my Ben Ball warriors. And I love everyone of our family in Bruins Nation. Go Bruins.

by Nestor on Mar 29, 2008 6:27 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Back at ya

Thanks for a great place to get together and enjoy the Bruins!

Go UCLA!

by madmaxucla on Mar 29, 2008 6:33 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thank YOU, N.

For everything you do to keep us in line, and for being a TRUE BLUE BRUIN.

Love My Bruins

by Bruingirl83 on Mar 29, 2008 7:01 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

And, thank you for not splitting the thread

Mojo needs continuity.

sjh

by Class of 66 on Mar 29, 2008 8:17 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

4 down, 2 to go

Go Bruins!

by SuperBruinMan on Mar 29, 2008 6:28 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

So happy for the team

As great as this is for all of us, I am really happy for the guys who have put in all the hours in practice, watching film, traveling, dealing with the media, handling the ups and downs of the season -- all while being UCLA students (which was tough enough by itself!). No one deserves this time more than those 12 in uniform and the staff on and behind the bench.

Thank you for your work and your dedication, and for giving us another fantastic ride. You guys another of the many reasons we are so proud of our school.

Good luck in San Antonio. I'll be screaming from here!

greg in denver

by gbruin on Mar 29, 2008 6:31 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

GOOOOO Bruins!

Another great day in the Bruin Kingdom.

by freesia39 on Mar 29, 2008 6:35 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

that was a cool

press conference with all the starters on fsn. As said earlier, it was great to see luc so active and seemingly pain free. He was huge. The usual suspects played great, and I thought Josh facilitated and got to the hoop when we needed him to. He had two great dishes respectively to the prince and KL.

O.A.

by Ollie on Mar 29, 2008 6:37 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Luc

13 points, 13 boards, 3 assists, 3 steals!

Any more questions about the ankle?

by LA Seitz on Mar 29, 2008 6:41 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Hell Yeah!!!!

Got my plane ticket and hotel! Who else is going?!

Time to celebrate!:

http://thisgoesto11.blogspot.com/2008/03/going-to-san-antonio.html

by bbuclabruins on Mar 29, 2008 6:42 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Go Bruins!!!

I Love this team (every pun intended). I had the pleasure of watching this team in Kansas City when the season began (without DC). Watching them come back on Michigan State was incredible. I knew it was going to be another great year, a team that would never quit and would always find a way to win. I'm so proud of these guys, but we've got two more games to win.

Go Bruins!

by Romo785 on Mar 29, 2008 6:46 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

So did I...

..there was a foreshadow of what KL was to become, wasn't there?

Love My Bruins

by Bruingirl83 on Mar 29, 2008 7:16 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I really thought

it would be a battle going into the game. You could tell early on bruins had the edge, just had to limit turnovers. This was a huge win. Statement game, gives them so much confidence going into final 4. Luc was incredible on both ends. Every game, someone steps up. Bruins hitting the treys, played an awesome game. They now have a week to rest. It's hard to wait 7 days! Sure it will be worth it. Go Bruins!!!!!

by Bruins095 on Mar 29, 2008 6:46 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Neuhesiel...

...was at Majerle's before the game. Bruin Nation gave him an "8-clap." Awesome time.

Go Bruins.

by hicalliber on Mar 29, 2008 6:49 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

yes!

I was there too; it's so great how he is trying to connect with the UCLA community..also saw him after the game and asked to take a picture with him...he couldn't have been nicer! I was so impressed!

by bruin08 on Mar 30, 2008 3:10 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hey 66

I'm liking the mojo results with staying in the game thread 1...tydides, nest, tele, ajax or whoever..i see we keep it up and stay in a thread as long as we're gelling haha!

O.A.

by Ollie on Mar 29, 2008 6:50 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Just amazing

I flew out to LA this weekend to spend my last weekend in my 20s with my family. I was nervous upsetting the mojo that I had going with Mr. BB, but I was lucky enough to share this moment with Uncle BB, who is a hell of a good person to watch a game with.

I don't know what will happen in the next game, but I like our chances.

by bruinbabe2000 on Mar 29, 2008 6:51 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Happy BDay, BB2K!

My last day in my 30's will be between a certain couple games next weekend. Maybe a little more BDay karma next weekend, too?

greg in denver

by gbruin on Mar 29, 2008 7:10 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I hope it's better for you

Than it was for me last year. We lost to Florida on my actual b-day. Worst birthday ever.

by bruinbabe2000 on Mar 29, 2008 7:20 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

The day I moved

I got on the plane in LA before the game started (in '06 - the final) and when I got off plane for my first day in Florida the people a the tampa airport were happy. I knew it was a bad score at that point.

by Fox 71 on Mar 29, 2008 7:33 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Dear Lady..

The thought of celebrating your birthday on the day that grinning cretin, Noah, did his little jig after the final is too gruesome to contemplate.

I can only pray that this year's celebration is infinitely more memorable and you have a lot of champagne on hand to wash that awful taste from last year out of your mouth!

God, it's great to be a Bruin!

by whp68 on Mar 29, 2008 7:41 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

my bday is 2 days after yours (April 2)

i went to last years FF game and thought we would be playing on my bday. ah well. happy we have a chance again this year. happy bday!

interesting, a few of us have bdays around the final four/tourney. auspicious.

by bruinliv on Mar 29, 2008 7:43 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

What a great way to spend a birthday!

Happy Birthday to one of BN's finest!!!

The Bruin Flag Flies Proudly in Houston.

sjh

by Class of 66 on Mar 29, 2008 8:22 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Rare and beautiful

Soak it in brothers. We are blessed indeed.

by Menelaus on Mar 29, 2008 7:08 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

CONGRATULATIONS, BRUINS!!!!

3 STRAIGHT FINAL FOURS.

AND WE'RE NOT DONE YET.

The coldest blood runs through our veins
YOU KNOW OUR NAME.

We're the UCLA BRUINS.

And we're going to San Antonio.

GO GET 'EM.

"In this program your passion bucket must be full to play SC." -- CRN, to Dan Patrick, 1/2008

by Meriones on Mar 29, 2008 7:09 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Daily News, LAT, and OCR healdlines tomorrow:

SHIPP GOES 1 FOR 7 IN LUCKY BRUIN VICTORY

"when you've seen how big the world is, how can you make due with this?"

by silverlakebruin on Mar 29, 2008 7:11 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

..again, wrong..

..the headline in the OCR will be:

Pete Carroll Deems Spring Football a Stunning Success
Reminds press of Matre Dei QB prospect who committed to USC this Fall

..meanwhile, back on the eighth page -- after a whole section of puff pieces on the Angels and Arte Moreno -- there'll be a blurb in the College Notes section:

..The UCLA basketball team outpointed Xavier of Detroit in the NCAA Western Regional Basketball tournament at Phoenix yesterday to ear a trip to San Antonio for next week's basketball championship.

Since the Bruins were in Phoenix and not available for comment, USC's Tim Floyd (just back from Omaha) was sought out for his comment. He expressed skepticism and a general confusion but managed to point out that USC was able to beat UCLA at Pauley Pavilion earlier in the year. USC Star player, O.J. Mayo was quoted as saying, "They must be playin' real good now."

God, it's great to be a Bruin!

by whp68 on Mar 29, 2008 7:33 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thank you, Ben Howland

For three straight years now, you've taken our team on fantastic rides to the Final Four, complete with thrills and chills galore. You've built us teams with so much heart and passion, challenged them, and you've stood by these guys no matter what.

You've made your own history at our beloved UCLA.

Thank you so much.

Love My Bruins

by Bruingirl83 on Mar 29, 2008 7:14 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I just have to say it again

I LOVE BEING A BRUIN.

Yeah I am buzzed. But I don't care.

I LOVE EVERYONE ON BN.

I LOVE MY COACH.

I LOVE MY BEN BALL WARRIORS.

I LOVE EVERY ONE IN OUR BRUIN NATIONS.

LETS KEEP IT GOING.

GO BRUINS.

by Nestor on Mar 29, 2008 7:18 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

And we love you, too, N.

Thanks for leading the best extended community of the best school, EVER!!

greg in denver

by gbruin on Mar 29, 2008 7:30 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

NOW THAT'S BRUINS BASKETBALL!!!!

SUCK MSM! WE'RE IN THE FINAL 4!!!!

by bruinelder on Mar 29, 2008 7:26 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Haha

During the trophy presentation the Bruin fans were serenading TJ Simers with "another boring Bruins win." He looked pissed off and walked away to the other side of the court after about 2 minutes of it.

by Ryan Rosenblatt on Mar 29, 2008 7:28 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

LOL!

He can dish it out, but he can't take it. Why am I not surprised?

by bruinbabe2000 on Mar 29, 2008 7:29 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

TJ Simers

loves to hate!!

100andcounting

by dkao1 on Mar 29, 2008 7:36 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

UCLA - "MOST LOVED?!"

Check out this article:

http://collegebasketball.rivals.com/content.asp?SID=1146&CID=791541

Article is titled: UCLA nears love-to-hate status of Duke

Then it goes on to talk about how really loveable and wonderful we really are.

We are converting the Nation to our Bruin Nation.

Go Bruins Go!

by BillM85Legacy on Mar 29, 2008 7:40 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I wrote to him

I asked if he was just a hack journalist who wanted to write a negative article when there was nothing negative to say, or whether his editor is to blame for it. (Actually, my comment was better than that, but I can't remember exactly what I said.)

by Fox 71 on Mar 29, 2008 8:49 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

While the title seems inflammatory..

..Fox, the actual tone of the article is not. In fact, it kind of addresses the subject we've been kicking back and forth here on this site:

The Bruins play a team-oriented, unselfish brand of basketball that relies on strong defense. They make good grades, avoid trouble off the court and exhibit good sportsmanship on it.

Yet this weekend, there were plenty of casual basketball fans at the US Airways Center that seemed to relish booing the Bruins.

He even relates a very poignant anecdote in his first paragraph.

I dunno, you're the attorney; maybe I didn't read carefully.

God, it's great to be a Bruin!

by whp68 on Mar 29, 2008 9:16 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

No, I read it too

It's the title that is bad. It looks like it started as a piece praising the Bruins, but some hack editor told him he wanted the focus the other way.

by Fox 71 on Mar 30, 2008 5:31 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Talk about the refs loving you

Watching the UNC/Louisville game. UNC up by 4 points, btw, but Hansborugh has gotten away w/a couple of obvious fouls in the last 5 minutes.

... But UCLA are the ones bribing the refs...right.

by bruinhoo on Mar 29, 2008 7:46 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

And Louisville has been called for some iffy

travels.

UNC is getting a ton of calls.

by SuperBruinMan on Mar 29, 2008 7:48 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

working the refs

Roy is good at it... Coach K is the master at it. Why do you think Duke always pulls off these amazingly lucky last second wins against mediocre opponents?

I honestly think its a disgrace the NCAA gives schools like UNC the home court advantage like this every year. Stop doing it. I don't care if a team is closer than the other, even significantly so, but if you can practically throw a rock from your campus and hit your Elite 8 site... you're too close.

by njbruin on Mar 29, 2008 7:54 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Tyler, while scoring high

Still does not overwhelmingly impress me.

Is it just me?

by dproduct on Mar 29, 2008 8:08 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

No

I don't see it either, KLove looks much better.

by 10amla on Mar 29, 2008 8:12 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree with that

If I had to have one guy on my team, while I would obviously prefer both, I'd take Love in a second.

by njbruin on Mar 29, 2008 8:14 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

It's just

Tyler does not create offense, he is, more or less, their entire offense.

He does not get others involved amazingly, but he gets great passes and aid from his fellow Heels.

But, basically, take him out of the game, UNC is done, and I would love to play them in the finals.

Teams like Kansas scare me because they have many, many weapons.

UNC not so much.

by dproduct on Mar 29, 2008 8:17 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ditto

As I was watching the end and Tyler was hitting his shots, I was thinking not with Love on him. No Naismith for TH, if we beat them in the Final assuming we both get there, it should go to KLove! But we would like him to hang out one more year.

by bruinblue85 on Mar 29, 2008 8:20 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Here's to it...

Praying for a Florida...

Starting 5 stay :)

We can dream right?

by dproduct on Mar 29, 2008 8:21 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

"dream"

being the key word there.

But, yes, we can.

greg in denver

by gbruin on Mar 29, 2008 8:38 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Unfortunately

I would be happy if Love stayed, any of the other starting 5 would be gravy. Luc and Shipp are the best candidates to stay, Westbrook is probably gone and so is Collison, but we are guard intense in the incoming class. Shipp would be much more likely too without his "slump"

by bruinblue85 on Mar 29, 2008 9:31 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

IMO

Love and DC are gone, but Shipp, Luc and Westbrook are staying. Westbrook was iffy, but his extremely poor shooting in the tourney is going to make his stock drop considering it was the biggest question mark in his game. He'll spend this summer working on that shot, emerge as out leader in 2008-09 with his amazing athleticism and a much improved jump shot, resulting in being selected in the top 10 of the 2009 NBA Draft.

Or maybe Westbrook will come back and regress, resulting in being drafted by a NBDL team because Howland can't develop guards.

by Ryan Rosenblatt on Mar 29, 2008 10:29 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs