Can The Bruins Correct Their Path? – UCLA Vs Alabama Preview And Game Information
It has been quite a tough week for UCLA Basketball. First off, they lose to Kentucky in a game never to be brought up again and then they find out sophomore forward Wanaah Bail is academically ineligible and is gone for the rest of the season. Perfect. Now the Bruins are down to eight scholarship players eligible for the season and on top of that need to show the country that they are better than what they presented in the CBS Sports Classic. Sounds like a tall order as we get ready for UCLA Vs Alabama.
UCLA Bruins
Records: UCLA (8-4), Alabama (8-3)
Tip-Off: 3:30 p.m. PT
Location: Coleman Coliseum, Tuscaloosa, Alabama
TV: ESPNU
Radio: KLAC AM 570 (Los Angeles)
On-line:�TuneIn
Betting Line: Alabama -4.0
Preview: So do you think the Bruins will be pissed off going into Alabama? I sure hope so. One of the things UCLA has needed to do is establish themselves early and show what kind of high-powered offense they can bring. If not, it is going to be another long plane ride home. But after the last one, let us see if it will spark the Bruins to make a statement against the Crimson Tide.
Despite having a set back in the last game that will never be mentioned again, all five Bruin starters are still averaging over 10 points per game. Along with that, freshman forward Kevon Looney�is still averaging a double-double per game with 13.5 points and 10.8 rebounds on the season. Bryce Alford and Norman Powell are still leading the team with 17.6 and 16.1 points respectively, but what they need to do is make those points in the first half of the game and not be in a mad dash to score in the second half.
If UCLA can find a nice balance in their game in both halves, it should benefit them greatly.
Alabama is of the same nature as the Bruins. They are a team, that at this point in time, will beat the teams they should beat and lose to the teams they should lose to, though they have shown some spunk this season. They beat Arizona State by five points and nearly took out #11 Wichita State in a 53-52 loss. Also, like UCLA, they have had some scares this season. In their last contest, they almost lost to 3-6 Appalachian State�as it took a missed three-pointer, to end that game.
The Bruins are going to have to keep an eye on senior guard Levi Randolph who is leading the team in points with 16.5 and is second on the team in rebounds with 4.9. Also averaging over ten points a game are Ricky Tarrant and Rodney Cooper. They are some talent �players, but nothing like they saw in the game against Kentucky. That was an anomaly, though that experience should give them a better perspective on their opponents. Hopefully the Bruins also improve their defense as well.
Prediction: UCLA 75 – Alabama 73