Quote Originally Posted by Woochifer
Barely pulling myself back together after another day of unbelievable nailbiters ...

The UCLA-Bama game was a tight, stomach-knotting grinder of a game! Games like this are NOT good for my sanity! Bama matched up better with the Bruins that I expected, and I was very impressed with how hard they fought all the way to the end of the game. They had a decisive advantage inside, and managed to throw the Bruin offense off rhythm by zoning them the entire game. UCLA's depth and Arron Afflalo's clutch play at both ends proved decisive in the outcome. I thought my Bruins had worn down the Tide towards the end of the game, but they kept Bama in the game by coughing up their worst foul shooting of the year. And the officiating got really ticky tack in the second half, after they pretty much let the boys play in the first half. Some crucial missed calls kept the score closer than it should have been, because UCLA had Bama shut down on the offensive end. Man, but it's now on to the Sweet 16 for a long-anticipated showdown with Gonzaga!
I agree with you on the missed calls and bad calls by the refs in the second half, but I thought they went both ways and because of that they probably didn't affect the outcome. UCLA could have given themselves some breathing room by making foul shots. But Afflalo was the MVP for the Bruins based on his 3 with about 30 secs. left and his forcing Steele to take a step-back 3 at the end. Steele didn't seem to have the legs to get up on that one. That's probably why he couldn't beat Afflalo to the basket either (well - that and admittedly good defense too.) I was proud that Bama didn't fade completely even though they had one of their patented dry spells in the second half. I was impressed by UCLA's physical and mental toughness. It's hard not to think of West coast teams as finesse teams. Survive and advance is the name of the game.

Cinderella watch:

Bradley (13) and George Mason (11) are the only "bottom half" teams left. Witchita St. and Georgetown are both 7s. That's not bad though. We have 1/4 of the Sweet 16 that shouldn't have made it this far.