WEST LAFAYETTE, Indiana — After an eventful season, Michigan State (15-13) found a way to extend their tournament appearance streak to 23 years; that is the longest active streak in college basketball. They defeated three top-ten teams over two weeks to force their way onto the bubble. Meanwhile, UCLA (18-9) found themselves limping into the tournament; they had lost four games straight, including an upset to Oregon State in the Pac-12 Tournament. They led in all four of those games at halftime but were unable to seal the deal.
MSU seemed to have that confidence they had in that two-week stretch in late-February. In the first half, strong three-point shooting helped the lead grow to 14 points. However, the 2nd half was a different story; UCLA used a 12-4 run out of halftime to trim the lead to 3 points.
That was the deficit when Jaime Jaquez Jr. stepped to the line with 38 seconds to go. With 24 points already, Jaquez stared down a 1-and-1 to bring his team within 1. He missed the front end but was able to secure the offensive rebound, draw another foul, and sink the layup. With the chance to tie, he sunk the free-throw to send the game to overtime.
In OT, it was all UCLA. Johnny Juzang made back-to-back jumpers to pull ahead by 4. MSU was able to cut the lead to three, but that was as close as they got. Clutch free-throws and defensive stops secured the come from behind 86-80 victory for UCLA.
Overall, Jaquez Jr. was the difference. MSU had no answer for him as his 27 points led the team and marked a career-high. With this performance, he ranks third in UCLA history for most points in their NCAA Tournament debut; Reggie Miller (32 points) and Kareem Abdul-Jabaar (28 points) join Jaquez Jr. on that exclusive list.
Confrontation between Izzo and Brown
During a heated game, emotions are bound to rise, especially in March. MSU and coach Tom Izzo are no strangers to tempers flaring on the sidelines; it has become an expected part of Izzo’s coaching style. Still, when it happens on national TV, people are bound to take notice and give their opinions.
That was what happened when Izzo and forward Gabe Brown got into a heated exchange as the 1st half ended. On the last play of the half, Brown missed a switch on Jaquez Jr., allowing a free layup. Brown was arguing with a teammate when Izzo came to tell him, and Brown walked away. Things got heated as Izzo grabbed Brown’s jersey, and Brown swatted his hand away.
According to Allie LaForce for CBS, Izzo and Brown worked out the problem in the locker room. Brown was able to log 24 minutes, the most of any player off the bench. He finished with 7 points on 2 of 7 shooting. Coach Izzo addressed the confrontation after the game.
“He missed a play and I told him. He walked away and I told him to come back,” said Izzo, “We went through this a couple of years ago. A game like that and that is the question you are going to ask me?”
Izzo is referring to an altercation with forward Aaron Henry during their 2019 win over Bradley. After that game, Izzo received criticism after he and Henry had to be separated during a shouting match. Many former MSU players chimed in on Twitter, saying the confrontation was a typical MSU interaction.
UCLA loses Juzang in OT
After taking a backseat to Jaquez Jr. in regulation, Juzang took things into his own hands in OT. He scored the first 4 points as UCLA took over and he seemed unstoppable. However, his game came to an abrupt end; following an MSU miss, Juzang went down with a right ankle injury and did not return. He has struggled with ankle problems this season, so UCLA will be cautious with this injury.
If Juzang is unable to go, UCLA will have their hands full with 6-seed BYU. He led the team in scoring in the regular season with 14 points per game. The status of his injury will be something to watch as their Saturday matchup looms.
Up Next
No. 6 BYU vs. No. 11 UCLA, Saturday, March 20, 9:40 PM, Hinkle Fieldhouse, Indianapolis
