UCLA men's basketball is gearing up for its first-ever Big Ten Tournament. Fortunately for the Bruins, they have set themselves up in a pretty comfortable spot, having clinched a double bye with their win over USC on Saturday.

March’s mad grip fastened its knot on the Bruins on Friday afternoon.  It was a reminder that heartache can strike year after year, and destiny’s hand can drag one back to a familiar stop.  About a year removed from their heartbreaker against the Ducks – one that prematurely fractured the Bruins’ season – an eerily similar trajectory awaited.