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Slow-Paced Slugfest Likely Awaits Bruins vs. UConn

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  By Stephen Vilardo, SuperWest Sports


The second-round matchup in Philadelphia between the Huskies and Bruins could be a slow-paced slugfest.

MARCH%2BMADNESS%2BLOGO.pngConnecticut plays at a rate ranked 326th in the nation, while the Bruins’ pace is 313th-slowest.

Look for body blows early and often.

And if UCLA can get going early, they could be in a position to pull the upset of second-seeded UConn.

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UCLA Bruins logoNo. 7 UCLA vs No. 2 UConnespn%2Buconn.png

Sunday, March 22
5:45 pm PT, TNT
Philadelphia, PA

The Huskies rank eighth in the nation in first-half points allowed per game, giving up just 30.7.

They also rank 14th in the nation in scoring margin. In the opening 20 minutes, they are +8.3 points to the good, the 11th largest halftime lead per game in the country.

A fast start will be key for the Bruins.

They have not been a great team after halftime over the last few weeks, getting outscored by 3.7 points per outing in their last three games.

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The Huskies’ rim protection makes them tough to score on.

One of the most prolific shot-blocking teams in the nation, UConn is rejecting 9.5% of opponents’ attempts, the fourth-highest rate in the country.

Tarris Reed Jr. leads the Big East regular-season champs with his two blocks per game.

On Friday evening, the Husky star center provided more than just rim protection. In fact, he did not have a single blocked shot as the second-seed held off an upset bid from Furman.

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It was about the only thing Reed did not do, however, as he finished the first-round win with 31 points on 12-of-15 shooting and 27 rebounds, including 11 on the offensive end.

Tarris Reed Jr.
Tarris Reed Jr. vs Furman | Matt Rourke/AP

That sort of stat line has not been seen in the last half-century.

Reed joins Bill Walton as the only players in the past 60 years to have at least 30 points and 20 rebounds on 80% shooting in an NCAA tournament game.

Needless to say, slowing down the Huskies inside will be pivotal if UCLA hopes to continue playing this March.

Preventing offensive rebounds has not been a strength this season for UCLA and allowing second-chance points is not a recipe for success.

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The health of Tyler Bilodeau and his ability to play on Sunday will be a huge factor against a physical opponent that will look to dominate inside.

The Bruins have played a ton of physical games in the Big Ten and have had success against the likes of Michigan State, Purdue and Illinois.

The Fighting Illini are a big team that likes to play a bit faster and UCLA was able to gut out a win while scoring in the 90s.

Donovan Dent
Donovan Dent vs UCF | Bill Streicher/Imagn Images

One common theme in some of UCLA’s biggest wins this season has been the production from Donovan Dent, both scoring and distributing.

The Bruins will need a big performance on the offensive side of the ball from their guards, and especially Dent.

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As big as the nagging injury to Bilodeau is to UCLA, the injury to Silas Demary Jr. might even be a bigger factor for UConn.

The Husky point guard missed the opener, and his ability to defend the UCLA front court will be a huge factor in determining the outcome of what should be a tight contest.

While the play of Dent will play a major role, I think the true X-Factor for UCLA on offense will be the play of Trent Perry, who is averaging 17.3 points over the last three games.

The guard can get hot from distance and get to the rim.

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Knocking down threes will open everything else up, and his ability to make plays at the rim could create some foul trouble for the Huskies, as well as some easy buckets.

If Perry can get going early, things could swing in UCLA’s direction.

Stephen Vilardo
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Jannik Sinner taking his shot at ‘Sunshine Double’ at Miami Open

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Tennis: Miami OpenMar 21, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Jannik Sinner (ITA) (L) shakes hands with Damir D?umhur (BIH) (R) at the net after their match on day five of the 2026 Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

World No. 2 Jannik Sinner continued his pursuit of the “Sunshine Double” by winning his opening match over Damir Dzumhur 6-3, 6-3 on Saturday at the Miami Open in Miami Gardens, Fla.

The Italian, coming off a victory at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, Calif., needed only 71 minutes to dispatch Dzumhur, ranked No. 76, from Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Sinner, a 25-time winner on the ATP Tour, can be the first player to win the consecutive California and Florida tournaments — the “Sunshine Double” — since Roger Federer in 2017.

A winner of 12 straight matches at ATP Masters 1000 events, Sinner also has tied Novak Djokovic’s record with 24 consecutive sets won at that level.

“I feel like the scoreboard matters at times,” Sinner said of the latter streak. “For me, I try to improve as a player and put myself in the position to play as many matches as possible. I always treat every opponent in the same way, trying to come on court and do my best with a great attitude and trying to go for it.”

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Sinner, who won the Miami Open in 2024, had a distinct edge in aces (9-1) and winners (21-8), though each had 18 unforced errors. The Italian won 90% of his first serves (26 of 29), to 62% (23 of 37) for Dzumhur, who saved six of nine break points — to 1-for-1 for Sinner.

Third-seeded Alexander Zverev of Germany handled American wild card Martin Damm 6-2, 6-4 in just under 70 minutes.

Zverev did not face a break point and converted three of eight opportunities. Damm was undermined by more double faults (6-0) and unforced errors (22-8) and fewer winners (16-12).

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Kazakhstan’s Alexander Shevchenko knocked off eighth-seeded Ben Shelton 6-7 (3) 7-6 (3), 6-3 in a battle lasting two hours, 22 minutes.

The power-serving Shelton had 17 aces but also 44 unforced errors. Shevchenko had fewer aces (11) and winners (46-33) but also fewer unforced errors (24) as he saved all five break points on his serve.

Seventh-seeded Felix Auger-Aliassime of Canada moved on following a tight 7-6 (3), 7-5 win over Marton Fucsovics of Hungary. Ninth-seeded Daniil Medvedev of Russia dropped the opening set before ousting Japanese wild card Rei Sakamoto 6-7 (10), 6-3, 6-1.

Also victorious on Saturday were 12th-seeded Jakub Mensik of the Czech Republic, 18th-seeded Francisco Cerundolo of Argentina, 19th-seeded Frances Tiafoe of the United States, 29th-seeded Tomas Martin Etcheverry of Argentina, 30th-seeded Corentin Moutet of France and 31st-seeded Ugo Humbert of France as well as Spanish qualifier Rafael Jodar.

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A host of seeded players lost, with Russia’s Andrey Rublev (15th) falling to Chile’s Alejandro Tabilo, Spain’s Alejandro Davidovich Fokina (16th) eliminated by France’s Quentin Halys, American Learner Tien (20th) downed by Poland’s Kamil Majchrzak, Great Britain’s Cameron Norrie (23st) ousted by American Alex Michelsen, Arthur Rinderknach (26th) losing to fellow Frenchman Terence Atmane and American Brandon Nakashima (27th) beaten by Croatia’s Marin Cilic.

–Field Level Media

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Watch Carabao Cup final for free – TV channel, live stream and kick-off time

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Watch Carabao Cup final for free – TV channel, live stream and kick-off time – Manchester Evening News