Bruins' Bona says `anything is possible' in Pac-12 tourney
LOS ANGELES >> Win or go home.
If the UCLA men's basketball team wants to make the NCAA Tournament, it must win four games in four days in Las Vegas to receive the conference's automatic berth.
“In the Pac-12 Tournament, anything is possible,” UCLA sophomore forward Adem Bona said.
No. 5 seed UCLA will play No. 12 seed Oregon State in the first round of the Pac-12 Tournament today in Las Vegas. The Bruins swept the Beavers this season by a combined 15 points.
The winner will play No. 4 seed Oregon on Thursday.
“Winning one doesn't help us,” UCLA coach Mick Cronin said. “You have to win them all, but you have to win one at a time.”
Despite a sub-.500 record at 15-16 overall, the Bruins control their own destiny.
“Going into something knowing you can do something, you can make something shake gives you confidence,” Bona continued. “Going into
UP NEXT Today: UCLA vs. Oregon State, 2:30 p.m., Pac-12 Tournament, at Las Vegas, Pac-12Network
the tournament, everyone is coming with a blank canvas. It's a new beginning.”
“At the end of the day, it's a basketball game,” UCLA junior guard Lazar Stefanovic said. “We know how we need to play and what we need to do. We know what got us wins in the past.
“Obviously, there's more at stake. You have to be focused for all 40 minutes. I would say that's a big thing. You can't play 32 or 33, 37 minutes because if you have those empty possessions, it can cost you. I would say that's the biggest thing, the consistency throughout the 40 minutes.”
When UCLA wins, it's been because of the team's staunch defense. The Bruins have given up only 65.6 points per game this season, the best scoring defense in the Pac-12.
“It's pretty obviously with us, we only win when our defense is pretty effective ... it's not a secret, we have to be the best defensive team in the tournament,” Cronin said. “We're going to have to shot the ball well ... and your best players, whoever it is, are going to have to perform.”
On Tuesday, Bona was named to the All-Pac 12 team and earned the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year award, the second consecutive year he has earned Pac-12 All-Defensive Team honors.
“It means a lot to me,” Bona said. “One keeping it in the family. Last year, my teammate Jaylen Clark won the award and I'm honored to be also deemed defensive player of the year. I want to give credit to my teammates. It wasn't just me out there. It was all five of us playing the game and we all did the job together. It means a lot to me. It has been one of my goals to be named defensive player of the year.”
The 6-foot-10 Bona, who has averaged 12.4 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game in 31 games this season, was named the Pac-12 Freshman of the Year last season and received an honorable mention All-Pac-12 selection.