The UCLA Bruins had one of the most impressive victories on the first day of the 2025 March Madness tournament, annihilating Utah State by a final score of 72-47.
The No. 7 seed in the Midwest Region, UCLA will be tasked with facing one of the best teams from a loaded SEC in the second-seeded Tennessee Volunteers, who handled their first-round matchup (No. 15 seed Wofford) by 15 points.
It will be a clash between two well-balanced teams, as UCLA ranks 27th in the nation in adjusted offensive efficiency, while Tennessee ranks 20th. Both the Bruins and Volunteers also feature top-20 defenses and rank outside the top 300 in pace of play, meaning this going to be a half-court grind between two deep and skilled squads.
Of course, both teams are also helmed by brilliant head coaches with long track records in the college game.
UCLA coach Mick Cronin says he's been "preparing all year" for Tennessee
UCLA's Mick Cronin shared some love for fellow coach Rick Barnes ahead of his team's Round of 32 contest with the Volunteers, commending the job Barnes did in navigating a historically tough SEC this season.
“It’s a different animal. I’m really happy with our effort tonight,” Cronin said of facing Tennessee following the win over Utah State. “But we’ve been preparing all year to play Saturday. Hopefully, a lot of the Big Ten battles we’ve had will prepare us, because my respect for Coach Barnes is off the charts. Because he does it the right way. He cares about kids. He’s not a phony. He is who he is."
After further dissecting his team's first-round triumph, Cronin didn't shy away from the talent he believes the Vols possess.
"“Tennessee got really lucky when somebody else let him go. It’s been great for Tennessee basketball, obviously. They’ve been in a golden era of being at the top or near the top of the SEC. So they’re always a great defensive team, they take care of the ball. They don’t beat themselves. They got a great point guard down the road.”"Mick Cronin, UCLA Men's Basketball Coach
UCLA head coach Mick Cronin: “Tennessee got really lucky when somebody else let him (Rick Barnes) go. It’s been great for Tennessee basketball, obviously. They’ve been in a golden era of being at the top or near the top of the SEC."
— Ryan Schumpert (@rschump00) March 21, 2025
It's hard to overstate just how good of a job Barnes has done in Knoxville. The Volunteers have been ranked in the AP Top 25 every week of the last four years. And after reaching the Sweet Sixteen just once after 2010, Barnes had guided Tennessee at least that far three times in his tenure, including an Elite Eight appearance last year.
UCLA and Tennessee will be the final game to kick off on Saturday's slate of action, as the two teams will tip off at 9:40pm EST on TBS. The winner will head to the Sweet Sixteen and would play No. 3 seed Kentucky if the bracket holds to chalk.
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