UCLA forward Jalen Hill, right, defends against Marquette guard Koby McEwen during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Friday, Dec. … The Aztecs also stymied nearly everything UCLA wanted to do, forcing 15 turnovers that resulted in a carryover to their defensive effort. Arizona State (vs. Stanford) Jalen Graham is questionable with bruised ribs. Arkansas (vs. Mizzou) Jimmy Whitt Jr. has a back injury and it is unclear if he will play. “Jaelan’s out for the year. For Mizzou, Mark Smith is questionable with a leg injury. Riley had his best performances over UCLA’s last four games, when he averaged in double figures. “I just play my hardest.”. Short-handed UCLA loses to San Diego State in…, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Short-handed UCLA loses to San Diego State in season opener, 2018 Election Results: View vote totals for Southern California’s local, state races, UCLA, Long Beach State will attempt to tip it off again, Whicker: The Pac-12 is getting the fiasco it deserves, Whicker: The G League plan for the best young players: Learn now, play later, USC to play Oregon in Pac-12 title game after Washington pulls out due to COVID issues. Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire. For UCLA, Jalen Hill is questionable to miss his second straight game with a knee. Both teams sport post players who are their second-leading scorers – UCLA has, presumably, Jalen Hill, while Pepperdine features Kessler Edwards. The Aztecs were led by Matt Mitchell and Jordan Schakel, with 15 points apiece. Lamar Jackson returns to save Ravens with thrilling win over Browns. UCLA’s season opener against San Diego State on Wednesday could provide the Bruins with a good barometer as to where they might stand this season. It wasn’t nearly enough. College basketball: Marquette holds off No. Trump’s challenge to vote counts has become a brazen demand to award him the election — and strengthen his control of the Republican Party. The results weren’t pretty for UCLA… UCLA center Jalen Hill talked about his 11 points, and 10 rebounds in his return after missing the first two games of the season. The Aztecs attempted 58 shots to UCLA’s 43. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull), UCLA coach Mick Cronin yells during the second half of the team’s NCAA college basketball game against San Diego State, Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2020, in San Diego. Cody Riley, pictured, and teammate Jalen Hill were supposed to contribute to UCLA's season. Jalen Hill (knee) didn't participate in warmups and won't play in Wednesday's game against San Diego State, Ben Bolch of the Los Angeles Times reports. San Diego State eventually extended its lead to 34-28 by halftime. It was then a high-level post prospect that was very much needed. Jalen Hill appears unlikely to play in Wednesday's opener against San Diego State due to a knee injury, Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports reports. UCLA's Chris Smith and Jalen Hill came up with big blocks in the final two minutes with the Bruins clinging to a small lead. Hill should play a significant role for UCLA once he returns. … You go on the road and just get physically beat up the way we got beat up, and our defense was atrocious. GET BREAKING NEWS IN YOUR BROWSER. Expected starters Johnny Juzang and Jalen Hill were ruled out of UCLA’s season opener two hours before tipoff on Wednesday night due to injury. A South Korean study raises concerns that six feet of social distance may not be far enough to keep people safe from the coronavirus. The closest UCLA got for the rest of the night was within 13. UCLA forward Jalen Hill (24) is defended by Washington State center Volodymyr Markovetskyy (15) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Thursday, Feb. … Dorian Thompson-Robinson. “We struggled to score tonight and when your mind’s not on what you’re supposed to be doing and what your coach is telling you to do,” Cronin said, “it tells you your mind is somewhere else. The 22nd-ranked Bruins will remain in San Diego for Thanksgiving and take on Pepperdine (1-0) on Friday at noon. Lamar Jackson rushed for two touchdowns to lead the Baltimore Ravens to a 47-42 shootout win over the Cleveland Browns on Monday. UCLA was short-handed. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull), San Diego State players on the bench react during the final minute of the team’s 73-58 win over UCLA in an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2020, in San Diego. 1 Alec Anderson. UCLA declared Phillips and former teammate Soso Jamabo out for the season on October 15, 2018. Or, contact our editors by emailing moderator@scng.com. Plenty left on Chris Smith's to-do list in final UCLA season. 9 Creighton 89-84 in Big East conference play while No. Total regression.”. “We couldn’t get a stop and we couldn’t get a rebound,” Cronin said, “so that was the end of the fastbreak.”. The absence of Juzang, known for his offensive skill set, and Hill, the team’s second-leading returning scorer, left preseason All-American Chris Smith with a lot of scoring responsibility. Because obviously, as you guys saw, that’s not the team that we’re trying to be and we’re striving to be for this year.”. “There are facets of the game where we have to be solid and physically tough. Jaime Jaquez Jr. led the Bruins with 17 points and six rebounds. 22 Bruins were missing two of their top players because of injuries and suffered from several other no-shows while getting flattened in a 73-58 loss to San Diego State on Wednesday night at Viejas Arena. Sophomore guard Jaime Jaquez Jr. led the Bruins (0-1) with 17 points and redshirt junior forward Cody Riley added 14 points and 12 rebounds while filling in for Hill. “We didn’t come out ready to play,” Jaquez said. Although we do not pre-screen comments, we reserve the right at all times to remove any information or materials that are unlawful, threatening, abusive, libelous, defamatory, obscene, vulgar, pornographic, profane, indecent or otherwise objectionable to us, and to disclose any information necessary to satisfy the law, regulation, or government request. Hill, a 6-foot-10 swingman, is “day-to-day” with right knee tendinitis. 1 trait of a losing team.”, This could be a dream season for UCLA, if Bruins get to complete it. Hill has missed the last two games with a knee injury, but he is expected to suit up Thursday versus Seattle. Arkansas (vs. Mizzou) Jimmy Whitt Jr. has a back injury and it is unclear if he will play. UCLA's Chris Smith and Jalen Hill came up with big blocks in the final two minutes with the Bruins clinging to a small lead. As medical providers plead with their communities to help them control the coronavirus, some workers and business owners say they can’t afford to listen. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull), San Diego State guard Jordan Schakel, left, drives to the basket as UCLA guard Jules Bernard defends during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2020, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull), San Diego State forward Joshua Tomai scores during the second half of the team’s NCAA college basketball game against UCLA on Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2020, in San Diego. So I told them, I will get their mind on the right things.”. UCLA won last year’s lone matchup 50-40 against Cal and holds a six-game winning streak over the Golden Bears, including eight in a row at home. But obviously, I have to fix that immediately.”. The game had just one lead change. “We got outplayed physically. San Diego State took its first lead with a little more than eight minutes left in the first half as part of a 12-4 run made possible by the Bruins committing six turnovers in nine minutes. The Bruins were without two starters due to injury. “We weren’t the old team from last season.”. In the second half, Smith picked up his fourth personal foul at the offensive end. With L.A. courts paralyzed by COVID-19, public defenders say caseloads are ‘unconscionable’. Coach Mick Cronin, shown last season against Arizona State, said the Bruins “pout on defense” when things don’t go their way on offense. Long Beach State guard Jordan Roberts, right, knocks the ball away from UCLA guard Jalen Hill, left, during the second half of their season opener last week at Pauley Pavilion. One in the first half to take the lead, and the other in the second half to balloon it. Add in the fact that Mick Cronin’s crew was the hottest team in … 11.25.20. (Chris Carlson / Associated Press) The Bruins could play at a quickened pace, though Cronin cautioned that would be contingent upon getting defensive stops that would allow the team to get out in transition. Unwelcome in other countries, Americans are fleeing lockdowns and flocking to Mexico. Tarek Fattal has been covering sports for the Southern California News Group since 2015, primarily focusing on high school sports coverage for the LA Daily News. Bolch was once selected by NBA TV’s “The Starters” as the “Worst of the Week” after questioning their celebrity journalism-style questions at an NBA All-Star game and considers it one of his finer moments. We didn’t follow the scouting report at all. Auburn (vs. LSU) However, coach Mick Cronin said that the junior is probable heading into Monday's contest. UCLA and USC women’s basketball teams prepare for unpredictable seasons, USC opens men’s basketball season with rebuilt roster and plenty of optimism, COVID-19 wave battering suburban counties, Supreme Court rejects Trump’s last-chance lawsuit to undo Biden victory, COVID-19 hit Latinos hard. USD guard Chris Herren Jr. (left) is defended by UCLA’s David Singleton (34) and Jalen Hill (24) during the first half. Neither participated in warmups and Juzang stood watching his teammates with his foot encased in a protective walking boot. Junior forward Jalen Hill did not play due to a reported knee issue, while Kentucky transfer sophomore guard Johnny Juzang was out due to a stress reaction in his foot. Coach Mick Cronin’s mantra? November 30th 2020 Johnny Juzang. Guard Jordan Schakel and forward Matt Mitchell scored 15 points apiece to lead the Aztecs (1-0), who carried over some of the momentum from their 30-win season that was halted abruptly in March by the coronavirus. There wasn’t much for new Bruins athletic director Martin Jarmond to cheer in his seat three rows behind the team bench. Riley got the start, scoring a season-low 11.8 DK points in only 12 minutes. In addition, 6-foot-10 forward Jalen Hill, the second-leading scorer and leading rebounder for UCLA last season, was sidelined due to right knee tendinitis. “Total regression.”. Subscribe now. After a mini-break, Rams get ready for winless Jets with chance to clinch playoff berth. Tourism is quickly recovering in Mexico, as Americans flock south for an easy escape. December 3th 2020 Jalen Hill. This might be as deep a team as we’ve ever had. San Diego State also flummoxed UCLA sophomore point guard Tyger Campbell, who finished with as nearly as many turnovers (three) as assists (four) while failing to help his team find any sort of sustained offensive rhythm. UCLA men’s basketball (1-1) will begin Pac-12 play in December for the 2020-21 season. "We played a lot smarter … It was then a high-level post prospect that was very much needed. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull), San Diego State forward Matt Mitchell, right, drives to the basket as UCLA guard Chris Smith (5) defends during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2020, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull), UCLA guard Tyger Campbell, right, loses control of the ball as San Diego State forward Nathan Mensah (31) defends during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2020, in San Diego. Arizona State (vs. Stanford) Jalen Graham is questionable with bruised ribs. “I don’t really care about the stats and stuff,” Jaquez Jr. said. UCLA reportedly will see the season debut of Jalen Hill off injury and clearly will win, but the various models, including SportsLine's, have the Redhawks hanging within 10ish. Foot. Special Offer. Expected starters Johnny Juzang and Jalen Hill were ruled out of UCLA’s season opener two hours before tipoff on Wednesday night due to injury. Some of the bigger surprises that did not suit up Wednesday were Matt Haarms (BYU), Jalen Hill (UCLA), Andrew Jones (Texas), Johnny Juzang (UCLA), Caleb … The Aztecs eventually built a 34-28 halftime thanks in large part to UCLA’s 10 turnovers to that point, including three by Jaquez. Dutcher said the absence of Hill was an advantage for the Aztecs in the paint. We invite you to use our commenting platform to engage in insightful conversations about issues in our community. To start with the positive, a few players on Wednesday made returns after missing last season including Eric Curry (Minnesota), Joshua Langford (Michigan State), Wynston Tabbs (Boston College) and Alexis Yetna (South Florida).. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull), UCLA guard Tyger Campbell, right, drives to the basket as San Diego State guard Trey Pulliam defends during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2020, in San Diego. Start the Conversation ">247Sports. But the Eagles were held to just two field goals over the final seven minutes of their first road game of the season. UCLA holds more potential than it has in years, although the COVID-19 pandemic could derail the season. “We got this reality check right now,” Jaquez said. UCLA’s Jalen Hill is withdrawing his name from the draft and plans to return to UCLA. For Mizzou, Mark Smith is questionable with a leg injury. UCLA emphasized a goal of faster play this season but couldn’t get its transition game going and had just one fast-break point. UCLA redshirt sophomore forward Jalen Hill has withdrawn his name from NBA draft consideration and plans to remain a Bruin next season, significantly enhancing his team’s frontcourt depth.. “It was total regression tonight,” Cronin said with disappointment. The Aztecs extended their perimeter defense with the Bruins missing redshirt junior forward Jalen Hill, their top post player and rebounder. Jalen Hill (24) Forward/Center - Career Has played in 63 games through two seasons, making 40 starts … has averaged 6.6 points and 6.5 rebounds in 22.1 minutes 9 Creighton; No. UCLA won last year’s lone matchup 50-40 against Cal and holds a six-game winning streak over the Golden Bears, including eight in a row at home. The No. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull), UCLA plays San Diego State in front of empty stands at Viejas Arena during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2020, in San Diego. The problem was San Diego State, their toughness, their execution.”. Like total regression. “What happened for us is when things don’t go our way on offense,” Cronin said, “we pout on defense and that’s the No. We picked them up full court the entire game and I think we just wore them down to the point where maybe they were on tired legs by the end of the game.”. Stay positive, test negative. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull), UCLA guard Tyger Campbell drives to the basket as San Diego State guard Trey Pulliam defends during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2020, in San Diego. Nationally ranked and picked to win the Pac-12 Conference, UCLA looked average at best in its season opener. But the Eagles were held to just two field goals over the final seven minutes of their first road game of the season. Support our UCLA athletics coverage by becoming a digital subscriber. Bolch is also the author of the recently released book “100 Things UCLA Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die.” He previously covered UCLA basketball from 2010-11 before going on to cover the NBA and the Clippers for five years. But it’s also bringing an uptick in COVID-19 cases. Cody Riley, pictured, and teammate Jalen Hill were supposed to contribute to UCLA's season. “You’re not going to go into San Diego State and jump-shoot your way to victory,” Cronin said. The results weren’t pretty for UCLA, which made seven of 21 three-pointers (33.3%). The overconfidence that Mick Cronin feared could be his team’s undoing should no longer be an issue. Juzang has been ruled “week-to-week” with a stress reaction in his right foot. “We couldn’t get a stop, and when we did get a stop, we couldn’t get a rebound,” Cronin said. Cronin had no choice but to reinsert his best player a little more than two minutes later with the Aztecs having extended their advantage to 16. We aren’t a team full of (NBA) lottery picks.”. They were missing two players, potentially two starters, so I just think we wore them down. Pac-12 basketball: McKinley Wright IV leads Colorado by Northern Colorado. “Our defensive effort, mentally and physically, was atrocious,” said Cronin, whose team went 19-12 last season and was picked to win the Pac-12 this season. Auburn (vs. LSU) UCLA forward Jalen Hill, right, defends against Marquette guard Koby McEwen during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Friday, Dec. 11, 2020, in Los Angeles. UCLA men’s basketball (1-1) will begin Pac-12 play in December for the 2020-21 season. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull), UCLA coach Mick Cronin, center, watches during the final minute of the team’s NCAA college basketball game against San Diego State, Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2020, in San Diego. When Smith picked up a second personal foul and had to sit, San Diego State went on a 13-2 run that turned its three-point deficit into a 25-21 lead with just under six minutes left in the opening half. Elliott: Coronavirus pandemic has not hurt Brandon Nakashima’s tennis skills. On top of UCLA’s offensive woes, Cronin was disappointed by the team’s defensive performance. “We got beat off the dribble, we walked away from shooters — we did mind-boggling stuff, to be honest with you.