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The Defense (never) rests
UCLA and St. John's got big wins last night thanks to their defensive approaches. And Kentucky's defensive issues might not get better any time soon. Plus more results to know from Tuesday, including some rough news for West Virginia.
Sean Paul
February 05, 2025
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1. Something’s Bruin out West
UCLA has found its groove — tough, physical basketball. Even tougher than No. 9 Michigan State.
The Bruins locked in defensively in their 63-61 home win on Tuesday. The Spartans shot 37% from the field and were 5-of-22 from deep (22%), which was only slightly better than the Bruins (35% from the field and 25% from 3). The difference? The Bruins forced 16 turnovers to just three of their own.
"I thought it was the most physical game I’ve been in in the Big Ten in a long time, which doesn’t surprise me because Mick (Cronin), coming from Cincinnati, has brought that out here and I think he’s done a hell of a job,” Michigan State coach Tom Izzo said.
It wasn’t only defense, though. Eric Dailey’s game-winner sealed it for UCLA (17-6, 8-4 in Big Ten).
.@_edailey3 has that clutch gene 🥶
#GoBruins
— UCLA Men’s Basketball (@UCLAMBB)
5:12 AM • Feb 5, 2025
The Spartans (18-4, 9-2) have now lost two in a row.
Skyy Clark led UCLA with 14 points, while Tyler Bilodeau added 13 points, but the real X-Factor was wing Lazar Stefanovic, who scored eight points on 3-3 shooting, including a big 3 late.
UCLA’s now won six in a row. Ever since Cronin ripped into his team, they’ve focused on defense and ball control. It’s made for a much happier Cronin, and a winning team.
Mick Cronin: "We only had three turnovers. I told the guys, ‘We get to the NCAA tournament and we play every game with three turnovers, we’ll cut the nets down.’ "
— Ben Bolch (@latbbolch)
6:17 AM • Feb 5, 2025
2. St. John’s sure seems ready for its Big East test
There aren’t many reasons to doubt St. John’s anymore.
