What’s Bruin: Goodness Gracious! Sakes Alive! What a Comeback!

I’ll say it again: Goodness gracious! Sakes alive!

When everybody and their mothers thought the UCLA men’s basketball team was dead and buried last night, they engineered a miracle comeback against the Oregon Ducks in Eugene that was somewhat reminiscent of UCLA vs. Gonzaga in 2006, which is saying a lot.

Aside from that, there are other things afoot with UCLA athletics.

Let’s check out What’s Bruin as we head into the weekend.

Men’s Basketball

As stated in the intro, UCLA beat Oregon last night on the road. The Bruins overcame the following deficits to ultimately win in overtime, 87-84:

• Down by 17 with 6:35 remaining
• Down by 14 with 2:35 remaining
• Down by 9 with 1:01 remaining
• Down by 5 with 0:34 plus remaining

Incredible. But it wasn’t all sunshine and roses. UCLA did not look good for most of the game and this team still has tons of work to do to get better. Check out DCBruins’ postgame recap for more info on the historic comeback last night.

UCLA next takes the court on Sunday night against the Oregon State Beavers in Corvalis. Can UCLA complete a road sweep, which would be its first since 2017?

Women’s Basketball

Coming off a road split in the Bay Area last weekend against two ranked teams, things don’t get easier for the UCLA women’s basketball team (9-6, 2-1 Pac-12) as they return home to welcome the Oregon schools to Pauley Pavilion this weekend. Like the Bay Area schools, both Oregon schools are ranked.

First up for the Bruins are the #10 Oregon State Beavers (12-2, 2-0 Pac-12), winners of four straight games. OSU is only 3-2 away from Gill Colesium, and those were neutral court games in Lahaina, Hawai’i and Vancouver, British Columbia. The Beavers have not played a true road game all season, which could bode well for the Bruins, who are 6-1 at Pauley.

Tip-off is at 7:06 pm PT.

Men’s Volleyball

After a shocking loss to Cal State Northridge in straight sets, the #2 (for a few more days, at least) UCLA Men’s Volleyball team (2-1) heads to the Midwest for a pair of games against smaller schools, McKendree University in Illinois, and Lindenwood University, in Missouri.

First serve against McKendree is this afternoon at 5 pm PT.

Men’s Soccer

Although 2018 was another disappointing season for UCLA men’s soccer, one shining light on the squad was freshman attacking midfielder, Frankie Amaya. Unfortunately for UCLA, after only one year in a UCLA uniform, Amaya is taking his talents to MLS, which will hold its 2019 SuperDraft today starting at 10 am PT. Don’t be surprised if expansion team FC Cincinnati selects Amaya with the first overall selection. Most mock drafts have Amaya either going #1 or #2 to San Jose.

Orlando City has the #3 pick and this fan can hope, right?

Either way, congratulations are in order. Thank you, Frankie, for being a Bruin and best of luck for a long and prosperous career.

Women’s Soccer

The National Women’s Soccer League held its College Draft yesterday and, as predicted, UCLA senior Hailie Mace was selected #2 overall, and will be heading to New Jersey to play for Sky Blue FC. Mace was the only Bruin selected.

Congratulations, Hailie! I am looking forward to seeing you on the field when Sky Blue visits the Orlando Pride.

Men’s Tennis

The UCLA Men’s Tennis team has been ranked #7 in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association’s preseason poll. The Bruins start play next Wednesday, January 16th, when Nevada and UC Davis come to the L.A. Tennis Center for a doubleheader.

UCLA also snagged the #8 prospect in the nation, as Drew Baird signed his National Letter of Intent to play for the Bruins starting in the 2019-2020 season. Baird will further bolster a squad that will only lose one senior after the end of this season.

Congratulations, Drew, and welcome to Westwood!

And that, my friends, is What’s Bruin on this Friday morning.


Go Bruins!