UCLA Basketball: Bruins Showcase Massive Growth In Between 2 Stanford Games

UCLA showed major poise in taking down the Cardinal.

The UCLA Bruins men's basketball team took down the Stanford Cardinals on Wednesday night by a score of 82-74. The Bruins have been on a roll lately, now winning six of seven games total. 

It's been a trying season for UCLA, but they have rounded into form lately. The Bruins have gotten themselves together just in time for the NCAA Tournament to start in a little bit.

In their first meeting of the season, Stanford beat the Bruins by a score of 59-53. It was a terrible offensive game for UCLA, but it seems that they have learned from the loss.

Head coach Mick Cronin spoke about the differences between the two matchups after the game. 

“We've definitely grown offensively. We've grown offensively, we've got an identity with who our shooters are looking to shoot, we're looking to throw the ball to Adem, Dylan off the pick and roll. So, we've developed an offensive identity, and I just think we've learned to play hard the whole game. We have lost our top five scores from last year. We play hard and in spurts. But the mark of a good team is they played better defense as the game goes on. They turn it over less in the second half, and that's how I’ve won a lot of games for a long time. I'm getting old man, 21st year as a head coach. We only had nine turnovers on the road and forced 15, that gives you a real chance to win.”

Per Mick Cronin via UCLA Communications

This team has grown up right before our eyes, and it has been great to see. Credit goes to Cronin and the coaching staff for staying the part and helping this team develop. 

The Bruins' defense has led the way over the last few weeks and it has helped them find success. Now that the offense is clicking, UCLA could be a tough outcome at tournament time.