UCLA Basketball: The Bruins have a rough road ahead in the NCAA Tournament
The UCLA basketball team is in the NCAA Tournament, but their path is anything but easy, especially with three potential games in the first week.
The UCLA basketball team is dancing! In a play-in game that is. Though the Bruins were one of the last four in and an at-large bid, they are one of eight teams that has to win a game just to get into the Round of 64. It also does not help that they are in the East Region. And even if they do that, they still have a treacherous road ahead of them.
RELATED: UCLA is going dancing in the NCAA Tournement
At this point, #11 UCLA has 300/1 odds to win the tourney (40th best among all 2018 NCAA Tournament teams). Not great odds, which means UCLA is not likely to win it all, but that is looking way ahead.
Considering what they have to start with, it will be a miracle if the Bruins get out of the first week alive. For now, let us look at what UCLA could potentially be facing in this first week alone and how brutal the travel schedule is going to be.
The Bruins are headed to Dayton for a "First Four" NCAA Tournament meeting this Tuesday evening against St. Bonaventure.
— UCLA Men’s Basketball (@UCLAMBB) March 12, 2018
DETAILS: https://t.co/FtSpInPbC8 pic.twitter.com/9xmQ5RCCwD
Starting with their play-in game, the Bruins play tomorrow and need to travel 1,914 miles to Dayton, Ohio for one game. UCLA will take on St. Bonaventure in the 11 vs. 11 play-in. The Bonnies came in second in their conference (A10, 11th best conference RPI, the Pac-12 has the 5th best conference RPI). St. Bonaventure has an RPI of 24 with a record of 25-7. Needless to say, they will be a tough team to beat, but it gets harder if the Bruins get the win.
More from Go Joe Bruin
- UCLA Football: It’s time for the nation to meet Dante Moore
- UCLA Football: Where are they ranked heading into week 4
- UCLA Football: Position battle breakdown for Utah showdown
- UCLA vs. Utah: Location, time, prediction, and more
- UCLA Football: Highlights from Chip Kelly’s appearance on the Jim Rome Show
UCLA would then have to travel 851 miles to Dallas, TX for their second game of the tournament on Thursday and wouldn’t you know it, it comes against a team that’s had UCLA’s number in the Big Dance lately… #6 Florida.
In their last three tournament meetings, UCLA is 0-3 against the Gators. Though one shouldn’t put a lot of stock into what has happened in the past, the Bruins are going to have a tough time against a Florida team that came in 3rd in the SEC (a conference that had the 4th best RPI) and went 20-12 and have an RPI of 46. UCLA could ideally beat Florida as they usually play up to better opponents, but considering they already played one game, their travel and distance, this could be brutal.
Now imagine the Bruins win. It is going to take everything to get a third win and make it to the Sweet Sixteen. The Bruins could potentially take on #3 Texas Tech (24-9) or #14 Stephen F. Austin (28-6), two Texas teams. This odes nt look promising for the Bruins.
So let’s recap. Just to get to the Sweet Sixteen, UCLA will have to travel 2,765 miles, go to two cities, play three games in 5 days, play a good St. Bonaventure team, a Florida team that has the Bruins’ number in the Big Dance and one of two Texas teams in Dallas, TX.
And just for fun, let us look at what happens on the road to the Final Four. IN the East, if everything goes chalk, UCLA would take on #2 Purdue and then #1 Villanova. Ouch.
Next: The UCLA Basketball All-Time Team
I am not saying it cannot be done, I am just saying it is going to take one heck of an effort. And considering how consistently inconsistent this season, UCLA is going to have to put out maximum effort and Fight, Fight, Fight!