UCLA’s Tyler Bilodeau (34) and Kobe Johnson (0) react after a basket during the first half of their Big Ten opener against Washington on Tuesday night at Pauley Pavilion. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Orange County Register/SCNG)
UCLA’s Dylan Andrews drives to the basket in front of Washington’s Zoom Diallo during the first half of their Big Ten opener on Tuesday night at Pauley Pavilion. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Orange County Register/SCNG)
UCLA’s Aday Mara, left, battles for a rebound with Washington’s Great Osobor during the first half of their Big Ten opener on Tuesday night at Pauley Pavilion. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Orange County Register/SCNG)
UCLA head coach Mick Cronin reacts on the sideline during the first half of their Big Ten opener against Washington on Tuesday night at Pauley Pavilion. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Orange County Register/SCNG)
UCLA’s Dylan Andrews drives to the basket against Washington’s Zoom Diallo during the first half of their Big Ten opener on Tuesday night at Pauley Pavilion. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Orange County Register/SCNG)
UCLA’s Tyler Bilodeau dunks during the first half of their Big Ten opener against Washington on Tuesday night at Pauley Pavilion. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Orange County Register/SCNG)
UCLA’s Tyler Bilodeau celebrates after a dunk during the first half of their Big Ten opener against Washington on Tuesday night at Pauley Pavilion. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Orange County Register/SCNG)
UCLA’s Lazar Stefanovic looks to pass the ball as Washington’s Zoom Diallo defends during the first half of their Big Ten opener on Tuesday night at Pauley Pavilion. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Orange County Register/SCNG)
UCLA’s Tyler Bilodeau shoots as Washington’s Tyler Harris during the first half of their Big Ten opener on Tuesday night at Pauley Pavilion. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Orange County Register/SCNG)
UCLA head coach Mick Cronin talks to his players on the bench during the first half of their Big Ten opener against Washington on Tuesday night at Pauley Pavilion. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Orange County Register/SCNG)
UCLA’s Dylan Andrews drives to the basket in front of Washington’s Zoom Diallo during the first half of their Big Ten opener on Tuesday night at Pauley Pavilion. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Orange County Register/SCNG)
UCLA’s Kobe Johnson drives to the basket as Washington’s Wilhelm Breidenbach, right, defends during the first half of their Big Ten opener on Tuesday night at Pauley Pavilion. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Orange County Register/SCNG)
UCLA’s Tyler Bilodeau, left, battles for a loose ball against Washington’s Great Osobor during the first half of their Big Ten opener on Tuesday night at Pauley Pavilion. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Orange County Register/SCNG)
UCLA head coach Mick Cronin reacts on the sideline during the first half of their Big Ten opener against Washington on Tuesday night at Pauley Pavilion. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Orange County Register/SCNG)
UCLA’s Aday Mara grabs a rebound in front of Washington’s Great Osobor during the first half of their Big Ten opener on Tuesday night at Pauley Pavilion. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Orange County Register/SCNG)
UCLA’s Aday Mara celebrates after scoring off of a rebound during the first half of their Big Ten opener against Washington on Tuesday night at Pauley Pavilion. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
UCLA’s Tyler Bilodeau, right, grabs a rebound in front of Washington’s Wilhelm Breidenbach, center, as teammate Eric Dailey Jr., left, looks on during the first half of their Big Ten opener on Tuesday night at Pauley Pavilion. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Washington’s Great Osobor attempts to duck under the arms of UCLA’s Aday Mara during the first half of their Big Ten opener on Tuesday night at Pauley Pavilion. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
UCLA’s Kobe Johnson looks to shoot as Washington’s Wilhelm Breidenbach defends during the first half of their Big Ten opener on Tuesday night at Pauley Pavilion. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Orange County Register/SCNG)
UCLA’s Skyy Clark controls the ball during the first half of their Big Ten opener against Washington on Tuesday night at Pauley Pavilion. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Orange County Register/SCNG)
UCLA’s Eric Dailey Jr. gets to the basket for a layup in front of Washington’s Tyree Ihenacho during the first half of their Big Ten opener on Tuesday night at Pauley Pavilion. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Washington’s Mekhi Mason attempts a reverse layup in front of UCLA’s Aday Mara, right, and Tyler Bilodeau during the first half of their Big Ten opener on Tuesday night at Pauley Pavilion. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
UCLA head coach Mick Cronin instructs his team from the sideline during the first half of their Big Ten opener against Washington on Tuesday night at Pauley Pavilion. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
UCLA’s Lazar Stefanovic, left, drives to the basket during the first half of their Big Ten opener against Washington on Tuesday night at Pauley Pavilion. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Orange County Register/SCNG)
UCLA’s Skyy Clark (55) reaches for a rebound during the first half of their Big Ten opener against Washington on Tuesday night at Pauley Pavilion. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Orange County Register/SCNG)
UCLA’s Dylan Andrews, center, and Washington’s Tyler Harris, right, reach for a loose ball as Washington’s Tyree Ihenacho (6), UCLA’s William Kyle III (24) and Washington’s Wilhelm Breidenbach (32) jockey for position during the first half of their Big Ten opener on Tuesday night at Pauley Pavilion. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Orange County Register/SCNG)
UCLA’s Aday Mara, center, reaches for a rebound during the first half of their Big Ten opener against Washington on Tuesday night at Pauley Pavilion. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Washington’s Wilhelm Breidenbach sits on the court after going down hard while pursuing a loose ball during the first half of their Big Ten opener against UCLA on Tuesday night at Pauley Pavilion. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Orange County Register/SCNG)
UCLA’s Aday Mara, left, tangles with Washington’s KC Ibekwe during the first half of their Big Ten opener on Tuesday night at Pauley Pavilion. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Orange County Register/SCNG)
UCLA’s Aday Mara, left, battles for a rebound with Washington’s Great Osobor during the first half of their Big Ten opener on Tuesday night at Pauley Pavilion. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Orange County Register/SCNG)
UCLA’s Skyy Clark handles the ball as Washington’s Tyree Ihenacho defends during the first half of their Big Ten opener on Tuesday night at Pauley Pavilion. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Orange County Register/SCNG)
UCLA’s Aday Mara dunks during the first half of their Big Ten opener against Washington on Tuesday night at Pauley Pavilion. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Washington head coach Danny Sprinkle reacts on the sideline during the second half of their Big Ten opener against UCLA on Tuesday night at Pauley Pavilion. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Washington’s Great Osobor shoots a free throw during the second half of their Big Ten opener against UCLA on Tuesday night at Pauley Pavilion. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Orange County Register/SCNG)
UCLA head coach Mick Cronin speaks with forward Tyler Bilodeau during the second half of their Big Ten opener against Washington on Tuesday night at Pauley Pavilion. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Orange County Register/SCNG)
UCLA’s Skyy Clark, left, gestures after making a 3-point shot during the second half of their Big Ten opener against Washington on Tuesday night at Pauley Pavilion. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Washington’s Wilhelm Breidenbach, right, and UCLA’s Sebastian Mack battle for the ball during the second half of their Big Ten opener on Tuesday night at Pauley Pavilion. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Washington’s Wilhelm Breidenbach, right, and UCLA’s Sebastian Mack battle for the ball during the second half of their Big Ten opener on Tuesday night at Pauley Pavilion. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Orange County Register/SCNG)
UCLA head coach Mick Cronin reacts on the sideline during the second half of their Big Ten opener against Washington on Tuesday night at Pauley Pavilion. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Washington’s Wilhelm Breidenbach looks on after battling for the ball against UCLA’s Sebastian Mack (not pictured) during the second half of their Big Ten opener on Tuesday night at Pauley Pavilion. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Orange County Register/SCNG)
UCLA’s Sebastian Mack attempts a layup in front of Washington’s Great Osobor, right, and Zoom Diallo during their Big Ten opener on Tuesday night at Pauley Pavilion. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
UCLA’s Dylan Andrews takes a 3-point shot in front of Washington’s Mekhi Mason during their Big Ten opener on Tuesday night at Pauley Pavilion. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Players on the UCLA bench react after a basket during the second half of their Big Ten opener against Washington on Tuesday night at Pauley Pavilion. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Orange County Register/SCNG)
UCLA’s Sebastian Mack (12) and Tyler Bilodeau (34) celebrate as they return to the bench with a lead during the second half of their Big Ten opener against Washington on Tuesday night at Pauley Pavilion. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
UCLA’s Sebastian Mack drives to the basket as Washington’s Tyler Harris (8) and Great Osobor, left, defend during their Big Ten opener on Tuesday night at Pauley Pavilion. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
UCLA’s Eric Dailey Jr., center, reaches for a loose ball between Washington’s Wilhelm Breidenbach, left, and Christian King during their Big Ten opener on Tuesday night at Pauley Pavilion. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Washington’s Wilhelm Breidenbach, left, and Great Osobor react after a Huskies foul during the second half of their Big Ten opener against UCLA on Tuesday night at Pauley Pavilion. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
UCLA head coach Mick Cronin reacts on the sideline during the second half of their Big Ten opener against Washington on Tuesday night at Pauley Pavilion. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Orange County Register/SCNG)
UCLA’s Sebastian Mack attempts a layup in front of Washington’s Wilhelm Breidenbach during their Big Ten opener on Tuesday night at Pauley Pavilion. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
UCLA’s Sebastian Mack celebrates a Washington foul during the second half of their Big Ten opener on Tuesday night at Pauley Pavilion. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Washington’s Great Osobor dunks in front of UCLA’s Tyler Bilodeau, left, and Eric Dailey Jr. during their Big Ten opener on Tuesday night at Pauley Pavilion. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
UCLA’s Eric Dailey Jr., right, looks to shoot in front of Washington’s Mekhi Mason (0) and Great Osobor, far left, as UCLA’s William Kyle III looks on during their Big Ten opener on Tuesday night at Pauley Pavilion. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
UCLA’s Dylan Andrews attempts a shot as Washington’s Zoom Diallo defend during their Big Ten opener on Tuesday night at Pauley Pavilion. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
UCLA’s Sebastian Mack, left, celebrates with teammate Dylan Andrews after scoring and also drawing a Washington foul during their Big Ten opener on Tuesday night at Pauley Pavilion. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
UCLA’s Sebastian Mack drives between Washington’s Tyler Harris, left, and Christian King during their Big Ten opener on Tuesday night at Pauley Pavilion. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
UCLA’s Dylan Andrews, right, celebrates with Sebastian Mack late in their victory over Washington on Tuesday night at Pauley Pavilion. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
UCLA’s Sebastian Mack reacts after they defeated Washington in their Big Ten opener on Tuesday night at Pauley Pavilion. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
UCLA’s Dylan Andrews (2) walks on to the court during pregame introductions before their Big Ten opener against Washington on Tuesday night at Pauley Pavilion. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
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UCLA’s Tyler Bilodeau (34) and Kobe Johnson (0) react after a basket during the first half of their Big Ten opener against Washington on Tuesday night at Pauley Pavilion. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Orange County Register/SCNG)
LOS ANGELES — Sebastian Mack’s first three shot attempts might have reminded head coach Mick Cronin of the freshman version of his sixth man, a spry shoot-first guard who rarely responded to his leash. It was a loose one, since that UCLA team desperately needed Mack’s offense. Now in his sophomore year, Mack understands the reasons for those constraints.
He’s matured from that sporadic Wile E. Coyote, to adopt Barry Allen, Flash-like concerted energy bursts.
Cronin and his staff challenged Mack to improve his decision-making in the offseason and he has responded.
“Really, he’s been the only consistent offensive threat for us on the perimeter,” Cronin said after Tuesday’s game.
Mack’s calculated aggressiveness dictated the second half as the Bruins beat Washington, 69-58, in the first Big Ten game for both teams.
He got a foot in the paint on the majority of his drives, creating opportunities for himself and others. He earned seven trips to the free-throw line and knocked down a 3-pointer that gave the Bruins an 11-point lead with 4:13 left.
“My teammates knew I probably had the hand tonight,” he said.
It’s a humble comment, but performances like Tuesday’s have become commonplace, consistent, expected from Mack, not some result of a fiery fist. But even more impressive than his vanity and assertiveness, Mack had the wherewithal to defer.
Two minutes after his crucial 3-pointer, he swung a pass to Dylan Andrews for what proved to be the dagger.
Mack came off the bench to score 16 points on 4-of-12 shooting, while Tyler Bilodeau matched that mark going 6 for 8 from the field. Andrews added 12 points, and made four of his last six shots after a cold start.
Great Osobor had 14 points on 4-of-11 shooting, his performance a symbol of the Huskies’ inefficiency on a night when they shot 19 for 49 (38%) from the field and 3 for 16 from deep. The Bruins’ defensive pressure yielded just six steals, tying a season-low mark, but their ball security and defensive rebounding made up for it.
Washington (6-2 overall, 0-1 Big Ten) began the game in a 1-3-1 zone that left space at each elbow for mid-range jumpers, but the Bruins (7-1, 1-0) struggled to connect, going 1 for 9 on those opportunities in the first half.
The Huskies’ zone left a lone big man in the paint, allowing for the Bruins to feed off high-low offense and the offensive glass. Eric Dailey Jr. racked up four assists in the first 11 minutes and Aday Mara checked in and immediately slammed home an Andrews’ miss. A second putback from Mara gave UCLA its first double-digit lead.
“I thought we did great against their 1-3-1,” Cronin said. “We rebounded as hard as we could. That’s why we were winning.”
Washington adjusted, switching into man-to-man. The Bruins missed their next five attempts and their lead dropped to two.
Mack was the first to embrace the Huskies’ defensive switch and the Bruins began to run their offense through him, calling on sets that allowed him to catch the ball on the perimeter and operate out of isolation. It slowed the pace of the game, the clock containing the Huskies just as well as the Bruins’ defense.
“When they switched to man,” Mack said, “My mindset was just, you know, ‘try to create something – whether that’s an assist or a layup – just try to get my guys open or get myself a look.’”
Keeping his head on a swivel was a point of emphasis this offseason and it paid off as he identified driving lanes for himself and an open Andrews with just over two minutes left.
The longest-tenured Bruin started just 1 for 6 from the field and got pulled early in the second half after throwing a half-hearted pass that was intercepted. He returned a bit later, pulling up at the left elbow for a pair of jumpers. With 9:06 remaining, he hit a 3-pointer to extend the Bruins’ lead back to 11. Then he rewarded Mack’s trust with the game-sealing 3-pointer.
Before his late burst, it seemed as if Andrews was headed for another clunker, which would have made the veteran leader 2 for 2 in UCLA’s high-profile matchups, this season. But he turned it around, proving Cronin right, who at practice on Monday praised his point guard’s steadiness.
“It’s hard to be confident when the ball is not going in,” Cronin said then. “I think you got to play through that stuff, which he’s done. I don’t think there’s any point where he lost confidence.”
To be who they want to be, the Bruins will need this type of offensive production from their perimeter players. Mack has provided that on a nightly basis, but they had been asking more of their starters. Andrews, and his backcourt-mates – Skyy Clark and Kobe Johnson – went 5 for 7 from behind the arc in the second half, helping a Bruins team that had just 28 deflections and missed 11 free throws begin its Big Ten era with a win.
UP NEXT
The Bruins will take on 12th-ranked Oregon (8-0, 0-0) on Sunday at 3 p.m.
