The Pac 12 is still alive. Many said that UCLA might not make it into the tournament thanks to a rough finish of the season by losing their last three before also losing to Oregon State in the Pac 12 tournament. But they made it into the First 4 – where they survived in overtime against Michigan State.

It wasn’t pretty, but UCLA’s defense has now led them into the Final 4. Michigan missed their last 8 shots from the field – including an exciting last two possessions.

With 20 seconds left in the game, they got the ball to Franz Wagner at the top of the key. But Wagner’s shot was an airball, and luckily fell into the arms of Eli Brooks underneath the basket. But Brooks rushed the layup and missed – and the Bruins’ Jules Bernard got the rebound.

Michigan fouled to extend the game – but UCLA got the ball into their leading scorer Johnny Juzang. The 91% free throw shooter made the first half of the one-and-one. But he missed the second setting up the final sequence.

Mike Smith charged the ball down the court to get a three-pointer off, but it missed and went off UCLA with 0.5 seconds. The Wolverines got one more chance – getting the ball into Wagner, but he was well guarded by the Bruins and the Wolverines last chance three-pointer would harmlessly fall off the backboard. UCLA won the defensive battle 51-49 and knocked off the Big 10 regular season champions.

Johnny Juzang scored 28 points, including an impressive drive to the basket with a minute left to give UCLA a 50-47 lead. The rest of UCLA was 10 of 35 from the field, but Juzang hit 11 of 19 to lead the Bruins to the Final Four.

So we have the battle for Texas with Houston and Baylor, and the battle for the West Coast with Gonzaga and UCLA. Should be a great Final Four on Saturday!!!!!

Congratulations to the UCLA Bruins!!!!