Why UCLA's Week Off Comes at Right Time

"We've got offensive talent, but we've got to have some guys that care about defense," head coach Mick Cronin said after a narrow win over Washington on Saturday. "The problem is our best defender has been out for over a month. Hopefully, he can string together a few practices, since we don't play for a week. I desperately need a few days off, and our team does as well."

Why the Break Matters

It's hard to blame Cronin for wanting a little rest, given the challenges his team has been through already, especially since the ones that lie on the other side of the break might be the most significant yet in terms of skill level and the amount of travel. The Bruins travel to Michigan to take on the No. 2 Wolverines and the No. 10 Michigan State Spartans in a three-day span, then return home to host No. 8 Illinois and archrival USC.

That will be the second time UCLA has had a trip to the eastern timezone with short rest and return home still on short rest. Cronin wasn't pleased with the logistics the first time, but it did end with a win over then-No. 4 Purdue. But for the Bruins to have a chance to make some noise as they fight through another gauntlet, they'll need all hands on deck.

UCLA's Missing Star

Getting this break in the schedule is the best chance for the Bruins to get as healthy as possible without taking drastic measures as they approach the homestretch, especially if they hope to see senior guard Skyy Clark, the "best defender" to whom Cronin alluded, return.

Clark is the Bruins' all-around best player and has not appeared in a game since injuring his hamstring in a January 3 loss to Iowa, missing a total of 10 games. He's the only one who has missed significant time this season, but several others have missed a game here and there, and Cronin has made it abundantly clear that some of his players have been playing at less than 100 percent.

There was brief hope of his return before the trip to Ohio State in the middle of last month, as Cronin volunteered a positive update on his star. But after participating in some shootarounds and practices throughout the week, UCLA ruled him out, and none of the updates since then have been nearly as positive.

Cronin even revealed that Clark is going to apply for another year of eligibility, which seems like Clark's injury is more severe than we've been told, but it also sounds like they still expect to see him return at some point this season.

UCLA's overall health remains a bit of a mystery, especially when it comes to Clark, but the current break in the Big Ten comes at a perfect time, as it will allow the Bruins to find some answers before its most strenuous and notable Big Ten games.

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