After surviving the first round without their top scorer and rebounder, Tyler Bilodeau, the UCLA Bruins are preparing for a tough game against No. 2 UConn Huskies. The power forward was initially listed as questionable but ultimately did not play against No. 10 UCF.
For the game against the Huskies, the Bruins have once again listed Tyler Bilodeau as questionable. His knee injury is not really that serious, but the team is taking some extra precautions. His final status will be known shortly before the game begins; he is likely to be a game-time decision.
Bilodeau suffered a knee injury during the Big Ten tournament, and he has not played since. While it was considered just a sprain, head coach Mick Cronin opted to sit him out for several games so he could be ready by March Madness. However, it is clear that the Bruins still don’t feel he is completely ready.
Cronin explained his decision not to play Tyler Bilodeau against UCF:
“He [Bilodeau] wanted to play, and I said no. If you want to know why I said no, then you should probably never coach. You got to be responsible for the people underneath you and try to do the right thing…I’m not going to put that kid in harm’s way,” Cronin told reporters.
Mick Cronin Reveals Conditions For Tyler Bilodeau’s Return
UCF almost defeated the shorthanded UCLA in the first round, but Mick Cronin is still playing it safe. He spoke to reporters after the victory about what he needs to see from Bilodeau in order to consider starting him:
“I’ve got to see him moving with confidence,” he said. “I’ve got to watch him and make sure he’s not doubting his stability and his health on his knee. At the end of the day, I’ve got to do whatever I think is right for him. So we’ll see how he looks tomorrow.”
He added that the power forward looked great on Thursday but not on Friday, so he will have to decide on gameday whether to play him.
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