UCLA Vs Utah Preview And Game Information – The Troubled Road Trip Finally Ends
So, UCLA basketball had a game on Friday. Not many saw it because the UCLA football team was handling their business in San Antonio right before tip-off, though it did not seem as if anyone missed anything. UCLA lost their conference opener (for the first time since 2011) at Colorado in a game that was in UCLA’s grasp. But now it gets harder as they travel to #10 Utah.
UCLA Bruins
Records: UCLA (8-6), #10 Utah Utes(11-2)
Tip-Off: 1:00 p.m. PT
Location: John M. Huntsman Center, Salt Lake City, Utah
TV: Pac-12 Network
Radio: KLAC AM 570 (Los Angeles)
On-line: TuneIn
Betting Line: Utah -12.0
Preview: Well if you have been following UCLA Men’s basketball at all this season, you know that they are not long for the NCAA Tournament and any sort of success in the near future. After a 62-56 loss at Colorado on Friday, UCLA has lost four games in a row. They are not very good shooting the ball lately and they have virtually no defense. Plus, it does not help that they are only relying on eight scholarship players, three of which are producing less than four points per game.
As for Utah, they is a well-oiled machine. Head coach Larry Krystkowiak has gotten this team going in the last few years with great coaching and excellent recruiting. The Utes are as solid as a team as you will see in the Pac-12. Their only losses have been to ranked teams, San Diego State and Kansas (Utah lost by 4 and 3 points, respectively).
Jan 2, 2015; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Utes guard Delon Wright (55) goes to the basket against USC Trojans guard Julian Jacobs (12) during the second half at Jon M. Huntsman Center. Utah won 79-55. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
In their 11 wins, aside form a one-point overtime victory over Wichita State, Utah has beaten their opponents by an average of 23.9 points. And why would they not? They have eight players scoring six or more points per game led by Delon Wright (15.4 ppg) and Jordan Loveridge (12.3 ppg). On top of that, they have 7-foot freshman Jakob Poeltl who is scoring 9.8 ppg to go along with his team-high average of 8.2 rebounds per game.
What makes the Utes even more dangerous is due to the fact that Wright is also leading the team (and 4th in the conference) in assists with 5.7 per game. So not only do they have a versatile playmaker that can score, but Utah has several options to go to that can put the ball in the basket, even on their bench. UCLA does not have that luxury.
Needless to say, it will be another long game on the road.
Prediction: UCLA 54 – Utah 73