UCLA is heading to the Final Four for the first time since 2008–and this time they have accomplished the feat after surviving a First Four game. The Bruins join VCU (2011) as the only First Four participants to go on to advance all the way to the last weekend. Their road does not get any easier, though, as they will next face undefeated Gonzaga on Saturday. Mark Few’s squad rolled past USC on Tuesday and is now just two wins away from attaining the first perfect season since Indiana’s 1975-’76 national championship campaign.
Michigan missed an open three-point attempt down 1 with 12 seconds to play. After a Johnny Juzang free throw extended the UCLA lead to 51-49 with 6 seconds left, the Wolverines missed two more shots from behind the arc, and the Bruins held on to advance to the Final Four.
Highlight: Johnny Juzang hits a floater to put @UCLAMBB up 50-47 over @umichbball with 1:05 left in the game. The Bruins would hold on to win and advance "from the First Four to the Final Four."
Ryan Radtke & @RobbieHummel called the thrilling action from Lucas Oil Stadium. https://t.co/CV9wABcZnu pic.twitter.com/9Bve7LFFax
— Westwood One Sports (@westwood1sports) March 31, 2021
Top-seed Gonzaga completely dominated the first half, putting USC in their rear view mirror with a 49-30 lead heading into the locker room. The second half was a bit sloppy at times, but the Zags made enough buckets when they needed them to never let the Trojans go on a big run. At 30-0, the West Coast Conference champions are now just two wins away from perfection and their first national title.
Highlight: Drew Timme w/ a steal & a finger-roll to give @ZagMBB an early 17-4 lead over @USC_Hoops.
Timme already has 15 pts & 3 steals, while Jalen Suggs has 13 pts, 5 assists, & 6 rebounds for the Bulldogs.
The Mobley brothers combined for 19 first-half pts for the Trojans. https://t.co/1JUvWaB1Hj pic.twitter.com/sS0enx80bv
— Westwood One Sports (@westwood1sports) March 31, 2021
Highlight: Jalen Suggs drills a three with just under a minute to play, extending the @ZagMBB lead over @USC_Hoops to 83-64 and allowing Mark Few to clear the bench.
The undefeated Bulldogs are heading back to the #Final4!@kevinkugler & P.J.Carlesimo had the call https://t.co/x5eHoUFVgp pic.twitter.com/vVO93gRN0B
— Westwood One Sports (@westwood1sports) March 31, 2021
