The Sweet Profile: UCLA Bruins

Team: UCLA Bruins

Region: West

Last Weekend: Defeated #16 Mississippi Valley State 70-29, and defeated #9 Texas A&M 51-49.

Next Game: vs #12 Western Kentucky, 9:40 EST Thursday

How UCLA Got Here: It started with the holding of Mississippi Valley State to a tourney record 29 points in round one, but got it a bit rocky in the round of 32. It took a late game rally for the Bruins to overcome a double-digit deficit and escape Anaheim alive. Albeit with many a questionable call and a bit of a luck, but they escaped nonetheless. A big part of that escape was the play of their two biggest stars in Darren Collison and Kevin Love while the role players seem to have forgotten what time of year it is. Josh Shipp has averaged just 3 points thus far and Luc Richard Mbah a Moute's still nursing his injured ankle. The defense, however, remains as strong as ever.

What the Sweet 16 Means to the Bruins: Nothing. The Bruins have reached two consecutive final fours only to be sent packing by the eventual champion Florida Gators. Sure, it's nice that they can tack up a third strait Sweet 16 appearance, but it means almost nothing to these two-time bridesmaids. Nothing short of a final four will meet expectations and a championship is almost necessary for a group that could be remembered for coming up its shortest on the biggest of stages without it.

Chances to Reach San Antonio: Great. They're arguably the tourney's best defensive squad remaining and anytime you play defense like the Bruins do your odds increase. Add that to their superstar tandem of Collison and Love and it looks like the Bruins will be dancing to the tourneys final song for a third strait year. That said, if the trio of Shipp, Mbah a Moute and Russell Westbrook fail to show up on the offensive end the Bruins could head home shocked as early as Thursday.