UCLA being blown out

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That’s what Dick Enberg just said as UCLA has fallen behind 33-17. Don’t think I’ve heard that about UCLA in four years. It’s not how well Villanova is shooting that’s a surprise. It’s how unwillingly the Bruins seem to play defense.

And Jay Bilas just called a Malcolm Lee defensive play ‘big time.’ Oddly Lee didn’t even play in UCLA’s first-round win over Virginia Commonwealth. He looks unintimidated while senior point guard Darren Collison looks befuddled as if the maelstrom around him is unfathomable.

During the last four years in NCAA play, UCLA’s opponents have almost universally been stunned by the Bruins’ defense early in games. Villanova doesn’t seem to even notice UCLA is playing defense.

-- Diane Pucin