Bruin basketball will miss out on a bye, but is still seeking to win Pac-12 Tournament

The UCLA basketball team’s goals have grown increasingly smaller as the season has worn on. First, the goal was to win the Pac-12 Conference and get to the NCAA Tournament, a goal that didn’t appear unlikely when the Bruins started the season nationally ranked and picked to finish first in the conference.

In recent weeks, the goal shifted to finishing the season as one of the Pac-12’s top four teams in order to claim a first-round bye in the all-important conference tournament next week.

“The likelihood that someone is going to win four in four days isn’t very high,” said UCLA coach Ben Howland last week.

Bruins' road woes continue in 65-63 loss to Arizona Wildcats

TUCSON, Ariz. “”mdash; As Jerime Anderson’s potential game-tying shot glanced off the backside of the rim and fell to the floor, so did the heads of everyone on the UCLA bench.

Another second-half lead in a conference road game, another disappointing loss, this time to Arizona on Saturday at McKale Center 65-63.

UCLA battling Arizona, trailing 27-26 at halftime

TUCSON, Ariz. “”mdash; UCLA has weathered the storm on Arizona’s senior day here at McKale Center and trails at the half 27-26.

Playing in one of the most hostile home enviornments in the Pac-12 Conference, the Bruins did a nice job controlling the game’s tempo in the first half, not allowing the Wildcats to run the floor.