Jaime Jaquez, David Singleton excited to see UCLA staying in west for NCAA Tournament

PeterWarrenPhoto2by:Peter Warren•03/13/23•

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While UCLA did not get its wish of being a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament, the Bruins did get its wish of being in the West Region. That means if they make it to the Sweet 16, they will play the second weekend of the tournament in Las Vegas.

It would also come after playing its first round and potential second round game in Sacramento, which is the western-most city hosting NCAA Tournament games this year.

For guards Jaime Jaquez and David Singleton, the opportunity to stay on the West Coast hits even closer to home. Both grew up in the Los Angeles area so by being close to potential cities they will be playing in, more family and friends can theoretically make the trip.

The two were asked about staying on the West Coast for at least the start of UCLA’s NCAA Tournament run.

“I’m excited,” Jaquez said. “We listened to what Coach Holland said and tried to get in the west. We’re excited that we got in the west and get to play in Sacramento.”

The Bruins open up with UNC Asheville. If they win, they would face the winner of Northwestern and Boise State.

“We were excited to stay on the West,” Singleton said. “We were very happy and out on the patio. This is very special for us and our families to get out and come see us in Sacramento. We were obviously happy.”

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Status of UCLA big Adem Bona unknown heading into NCAA Tournament

Freshman forward Adem Bona has played a huge role for UCLA this year as the main big around UCLA’s four guard lineup.

But Bona injured his shoulder in the team’s Pac-12 Tournament semifinal win over Oregon. He did not play in the Pac-12 Tournament final and his status for the NCAA Tournament has yet to be determined.

Head coach Mick Cronin said Sunday that Bona’s soreness was decreasing as time went on and that he is more optimistic after meeting with him.

“These guys will tell you, this guy’s in a good mood at all times. He’d be a guy if we had to go to war and we got captured he’d be a guy in a good mood in prison camp, like this dude’s unbelievable. His attitude, it’s unbelievable, these guys will tell you,” Cronin said.