UCLA vs. Gonzaga: Social Media Reactions to the Bulldogs Trouncing the Bruins in Las Vegas

The rematch of last year's Final Four classic between the top-two teams in the nation did not go the way Bruin fans hoped.

No. 2 UCLA men’s basketball (5-1) started off slow against No. 1 Gonzaga (6-0) and eventually settled into the game, but it was too little, too late for the Bruins as they lost 83-63.

A 20-point game was likely not on many people’s bingo cards heading into Tuesday night’s contest. UCLA fans started the day excited for the Final Four rematch, but as the game continued on, the support slipped as the deficit grew to an unmatchable level.

Rapid-fire reactions swarmed in online as the result of the game became solidified. Fans from across the country shared how they felt as the loss occurred, with the Bruins missing shots, failing to get back on the fast break and getting outplayed by a wide margin.

UCLA basketball pic.twitter.com/Zracca84L9

— Geoff Schwartz (@geoffschwartz) November 24, 2021

“Gonzaga only plays easy teams.”

Gonzaga after beating UCLA by 20: pic.twitter.com/G3QwQEFeNG

— Marissa Sáez (@SaezMarissa11) November 24, 2021

Mick Cronin is gonna hurt somebody https://t.co/0gCNoZ9z4W

— Sidelines - UCLA Nation (@SSN_UCLA_Nation) November 23, 2021

Meanwhile Gonzaga is handing it to UCLA. The early season surge from the West Coast Coinference continues. #WCChoops

— Jake Hatch (Yawk) Utah Hockey Club Aficionado (@JacobCHatch) November 24, 2021

Gonzaga is blowing out UCLA for Adam Morrison. pic.twitter.com/BP3ICbGROp

— TBH (@ThrowbackHoops_) November 24, 2021

Guard Jaylen Clark has quickly found support from Bruins’ fans after his freshman campaign. Through early action and his performance against No. 1 Gonzaga, he earned praise from many online.

NEMBHARD JUST BROKE JUZANG OUT OF THE FIRST ROUND pic.twitter.com/NHzcRMxh7C

— Itamar (@Itamar_17_10) November 24, 2021

I need someone to explain to me why Juzang isn’t an NBA prospect

— Dan Wolken (@DanWolken) November 24, 2021

Juzang has the green light at all times.. couldn’t do that at Kentucky pic.twitter.com/PmxwJ4HmhJ

— Shannon Fitzpatrick (@sfitz42) November 24, 2021

Juzang just got drilled by 4 Gonzaga players and no whistle. The other end, Holmgren hits a 3. Brutal.

— Mike B 😈 (@M_Bulger19) November 24, 2021

I’m watching to keep up with potential sleeper draft picks.

Need Johnny Juzang to be the next Klay Thompson. https://t.co/4qobWwJMjH

— Thelonious (@KingThelonious) November 24, 2021

Center Myles Johnson and big man Kenny Nwuba have filled a Cody Riley-sized hole since his knee injury happened early in the season opener. The redshirt senior’s presence was missed by fans all night long.

“We aren’t the No. 2 team in the country without Cody Riley,” UCLA coach Mick Cronin.

— Tarek Fattal (@Tarek_Fattal) November 24, 2021

UCLA certainly missing Cody Riley in this game... a guy who creates more mismatches because he is a way more skilled scorer than Myles Johnson. Also would get Nwuba off the floor, who has really, really struggled.

— Kevin Sweeney (@CBB_Central) November 24, 2021

No Cody Riley has hurt ucla on offense

— tony parker (@tonyparker32) November 24, 2021

I miss Cody Riley immensely

— Ryan Alexander (@ryanramoneda) November 24, 2021

Mick Cronin was right about the impact of the absence of Cody Riley. This is definitely a different UCLA team without him out there. Cronin said we won't see him until he's completely ready. Hoping he gets healthy soon.

— Myron Medcalf (@MedcalfByESPN) November 24, 2021

Man, UCLA is playing like ass and is down a key starter (Cody Riley), but this Zags team is for real. This might be the year that Gonzaga cuts down the nets for the first time. Ball movement/spacing is always elite under Few, but defense has gotten so much better. Team to beat.

— Doug McKain (@DMAC_LA) November 24, 2021

No. 2 UCLA men’s basketball does not have much time to sulk in defeat, as the Bruins will get back on the hardwood to face UNLV in Las Vegas on Saturday. Looking forward to this matchup and future games, fans discussed their expectations heading towards conference play and March.

This game is the perfect wake up call

— Barstool UCLA (@StoolWestwood) November 24, 2021

We're lulling them into overconfidence for the March rematch, giving them nothing to learn from. https://t.co/C5X4XpGJaq pic.twitter.com/czgSqCUCi3

— Nathan (ˈneɪ•θən) (@sideoutpar) November 24, 2021

I'd say this game would be a good teaching moment for UCLA but uh

you throw this film away and forget this game was ever played lol

— Liam Blutman (@Blutman27) November 24, 2021

That might have been the punch in the face / wake up call that UCLA needed.

We’ll see how they respond coming up against UNLV, Colorado, and Washington.

Gonzaga is the clear #1 team in the nation.

Go Bruins.

— Peter Eric (@4thGenBruin) November 24, 2021

High-profile games against Marquette and North Carolina will be sure to get UCLA social media pumping once again as the Bruins head into their winter schedule.

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