North Carolina is going to cover the spread against UCLA. There is a time and a place.
Jaquez will try to play against North Carolina on Friday despite being day-to-day with an ankle injury.
In the open practice period available for the media to view, Jaquez appeared to be in good shape. He ran, backpedaled and moved through the drills. Jaquez had only done light shooting entering Thursday.
The question is, can he be effective?
The biggest storyline heading into the game between two of college basketball's most storied programs is Jaquez's ankle. Jaquez is UCLA's second-leading scorer at 14.0 points per game and is one of the Bruins' most indispensable players.
The Bruins have gone 7-1 in the past eight games and Jaquez has averaged 20 points. Jaquez was able to practice again, which led to him getting his rhythm and dominating on the floor.
It is unfortunate that he is dealing with this, but I will tell you if anyone can deal with it. He is the epitome of physical and mental strength.
Jaquez injured his ankle with 6:58 remaining in the second half of UCLA's victory over Saint Mary's in the second round. He iced it on the bench and didn't come back. He was considered day-to-day throughout the week.
It has been frustrating, Jaquez said. This is what happened to me when I went through something during the season. We are fighting through it every day.
Jaquez has had ankle issues all season, so many that he couldn't count them. He said earlier in the week that he didn't know ankles could be injured so much.
Jaquez left the game against the Cardinal after seven minutes with a right ankle injury. He missed the game against Oregon State with an ankle injury. In February, Jaquez began wearing braces.
It has been a long journey, Jaquez said. It is something that all players have to deal with when they get to this game, especially at this time of year.
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