UCLA Basketball Vs. Colorado: Game Info, TV Schedule And Preview

November24, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Zach LaVine (14) dunks to score a basket against the Chattanooga Mocs during the second half at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

The UCLA Bruins (18-5, 7-3) look to gain more ground in the Pac-12 race as they host the Colorado Buffaloes (18-6, 7-4) for an early Thursday evening Showdown in LA. This nationally televised game, which has lost some luster since the beginning of the year, has a lot riding on it, so if anything, this should be a very telling  battle.

TV: ESPN2

Location: Pauley Pavilion, Los Angeles, CA

Tip-Off: 6:00 p.m. PT/9:00 p.m. ET

Odds: UCLA -10.5

Ticket Information: uclabruins.com/tickets

Preview: So the Buffaloes are still Dinwiddie-less and hanging on for dear life. Since losing super star point guard Spencer Dinwiddie for the season, Colorado has been struggling. It did not help that their first game with out him, was a loss against UCLA.

Since then, the Buffs are 4-3, but riding a 3-game win streak into Los Angeles for a rematch with the Bruins.

In their last game, Colorado had the fire to forge ahead without Dinwiddie and proved to be a formidable foe. Unfortunately, they missed his skill and leadership in their eventual lose to a much more talented Bruins in a 69-56 loss.

The down side for Colorado, it looks as if it is going to stay that way.

The Buffalo are fronted by Askia Booker, who is leading the team in scoring with 14.2 points per game with Dinwiddie out, but he is nowhere as potent as he is without his partner. Booker can get a lot of the work done, but let us be honest, they are no where near the contenders they were at the beginning of the season.

As for UCLA, they have not lost to anyone at Pauley Pavilion, except (then) #1 Arizona and even that was a close game. If Colorado can come out and play like they have nothing to lose, it might throw the Bruin’s game off, so UCLA has to figure out a way to counter that.

Kyle Anderson is solid every game. He is second in scoring and first in rebounds and assists. He cannot be stopped people.

There is no problem there, but what does need to happen is Jordan Adams and Zach LaVine need to have a statement game and reassert their dominance. Sure LaVine missed a dunk in the last game against USC, but did you see how high he got? These kids are superstars!

Prediction: Colorado 57 – UCLA 78

Mike W.R.

Twitter: @TheBigDisco