Ucla Men Welcome Conference match with Tom Itso, Michigan – San Bernardino County Sun

Los Angeles – UCLA’s male basketball coach Mick Cronin said he knew he was actually in the big ten when he came across Michigan Tom Itso, on the day of the conference in October. Itzo is the main coach with the longest time in the big ten. He took the Spartans when he was 40 years old. He is now 70 and in his 30th season.

He won the NCAA Championship in 2000. He coach Zack Randolph. He trains Dremond Green. He lingered through the Nil and Transfer portal era, as other coaches left the game behind them.

When this man was in his face, Cronin took into account.

There will be no meeting and greetings on Tuesday night when Ucla (16-6 as a whole, 7-4 Big Ten) hosts 9 Michigan State (18-3, 9-1) in Pavilion Polly. Both programs fight for high seeds in the NCAA tournament. The first round bye in the Big Ten tournament are also online. Michigan State leads the large ten, but comes out of his first loss of conference to USC

Bruins can be positioned well during this home, which also includes a game against Penn State (13-9, 3-8) on Saturday afternoon.

Itzo is known for making the most of his list. He took seventh seed from the Michigan state team to Sweet 16 of the NCAA tournament in 2023. In fact, the last time the Spartans missed the tournament was 1997.

Record, this is their best team in five seasons. They are led by talented guards for scoring in the sophomore, Juden Akins (13.5 points per game) and freshman Jace Richardson (9.6 ppg). The composition looks a little more different than some of the more physical state teams of Michigan from the past. Instead, the Spartans rely on their depth, as 10 players are an average of 15 minutes and Akins have only 26.

IZZO presses the buttons as well as anyone. But Cronin and Bruins were moving with a conference filled with qualified coaches throughout the season. They won victories against Greg Guard of Wisconsin (10 seasons), Fran McCoferi (12 seasons) and Dana Altman (15 seasons).

Bruins fell to some of the more coaches at the conference, including Dusty May on Michigan (Debut Season) and Kevin Willard of Maryland (Season Three).

The big ten changes constantly.

“There are so many good teams in this league,” Cronin said on January 23. League. Continue and look at how many Big Ten teams are 75 or 80… So you have, we have to be able to note. “

The Spartans are among eight teams in the big ten average more than 80 points per game.

During the recent winning series of five Bruins games, they also showed the ability to adapt, scoring 78 points or more in four of these five wins. They have also accumulated a record of 5-1 in wins, resolved with five or fewer points this season, which can happen again on Tuesday, as UCLA is preferred with 2½ points against Michigan.