Overview
- Tipoff is scheduled for 8:45 p.m. ET on TNT in Philadelphia, with the winner advancing to face Michigan State in Washington, D.C.
- UCLA coach Mick Cronin said he was unsure if leading scorer Tyler Bilodeau will play after a recent knee issue kept him out of the first round.
- UConn coach Dan Hurley said Silas Demary Jr. and Jaylin Stewart are pushing to be available after both missed the Huskies’ opening win.
- UCLA beat UCF 75-71 without Bilodeau, led by Eric Dailey Jr. (20 points) and Xavier Booker and Trent Perry (15 each), while UConn topped Furman 82-71 with Malachi Smith filling in at point guard.
- Cronin pushed back on criticism of fiery sideline behavior, saying critics should “get a life,” as betting markets list UConn around a 4.5-point favorite with expectations of a physical, low-scoring game.