Photos from UCLA’s 74-62 loss to Gonzaga on Friday, March 27, one that ended the Bruins’ season in the Sweet 16. (AP/Getty)
— UCLA’s surprising tournament run ended Friday, when Gonzaga beat the Bruins as soundly as they did three months ago.
— The scene from the UCLA locker room, and likely goodbye to both Norman Powell and Kevon Looney.
— Columnist Vincent Bonsignore, on how the slipper never quite fit for these Bruins.
Kevon Looney’s college career likely ended with UCLA’s 74-62 loss to Gonzaga on Friday, the former five-star recruit expected by most to declare for the NBA draft. But in the locker room at NRG Stadium in Houston, he declined to commit either way on his future.
“UCLA is a great, great school,” he said. “I had a lot of fun playing here. I feel like I could improve as a basketball player and as a person. College is always a great place to build your character and build your game. So I could see myself coming back.”
Point guard Bryce Alford talked about UCLA’s 74-62 loss to Gonzaga on Friday, one that ended the Bruins’ season in the Sweet 16. He had eight points and four assists to close his sophomore year, and only shot 3 of 11.
“I missed a fast-break layup, and I don’t remember the last time I did that. (Isaac Hamilton) did it a couple of possessions later. … It was just one of those nights when the ball didn’t bounce our way and we didn’t make enough shots.”
UCLA center Tony Parker had 16 points and 11 rebounds against Gonzaga for his seventh double-double of the season, but it wasn’t enough to prevent the 74-62 season-ending loss in the Sweet 16. The junior talked about the game, and how the Bulldogs used center Przemek Karnowski (18 points, nine rebounds) with such success.
Norman Powell ended his UCLA career on Friday, scoring 16 points to go with five rebounds, an assist and three blocks in a 74-62 loss to Gonzaga. It was his 141st career appearance, more than anyone in school history except Michael Roll (147), Darren Collison (142) and Alfred Aboya (142).
The senior talked to reporters in the locker room about the Sweet 16 game, and his emotions as his time in a Bruin uniform closes.
“I’m more than happy to say that this program is going in the right direction,” he said. “I feel like I’m leaving a great program. UCLA has a great tradition, and these coaches have done a great job of laying a foundation.”