As one matchup after another was revealed Sunday, the NCAA tournament selection show moving briskly through its first 3½ regions without mention of UCLA, the Bruins had their one pining moment.
Please, just let us in.
There was ample reason to worry. UCLA was coming off four consecutive losses, all via collapse after leading by at least eight points in each game. The Bruins had been bounced by Oregon State in the first round of the Pac-12 Conference tournament. They arguably had only one quality win, over Colorado … in early January.
Increasing the anxiety level was what was happening around the nation.