Can The Utes Conquer The Bruins Again? Utah Vs UCLA Game Preview And Information
UCLA has had an up and down season that has had them at the lowest lows and the highest highs. Well, not so much the highest highs, but they have showed that they can be a lethal force against lesser opponents. UCLA had five-game losing steak followed up by a three-game win streak followed up by a dastardly trip to the state of Oregon were they lost two in a row. Can UCLA hit another positive stride just in time to take on the Utah Utes?
UCLA Bruins
Records:
#11 Utah Utes (16-2, 6-1)
UCLA Bruins (11-9, 3-4)
Tip-Off: 7:00 p.m. PT
Location: Pauley Pavilion, Los Angeles, CA
Tickets: UCLABruins.com
TV: ESPN2
Radio: KLAC AM 570 (Los Angeles)
On-line: TuneIn
Betting Line: Utah -6.5
Projected Starting Line-ups:
Utah – Delon Wright, Brandon Taylor, Jakob Poeltl, Chris Reyes, Jordan Loveridge
UCLA – Bryce Alford, Norman Powell, Isaac Hamilton, Kevon Looney, Tony Parker
Preview: Forget the fact that UCLA got their arses handed to them in Salt Lake City in early January, this is a whole new ball game. UCLA is 9-1 at home and 10-1 in the city of Los Angeles. In their one loss, they were over-come by then #9 Gonzaga, but just barely. If the environment has anything to do with the Bruins, than home court should be more than enough to help the Bruins to a victory.
Jan 14, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins forward Tony Parker (23) is defended by Southern California Trojans guard Julian Jacobs (12) at Galen Center. UCLA defeated USC 83-66. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Unfortunately, there is a lot more that is contributing to the effect of this game.
For starters, literally, we have no clue if UCLA starting center Tony Parker will be available to play. Parker, who was crucial to the Bruins three game win streak against Stanford, Cal and USC, did not fly up to Oregon with the Bruins due to back spasms. As of now, he is still day-to-day.
With that, UCLA can go two ways:
1. If Parker plays, he can seriously influence the game as he has been a big front court presence and has really showed how much of a force he can be down low.
2. If Parker does not play, than unfortunately, the Bruins are going to have a bad time.
When Parker was out against Oregon State and Oregon, the Bruins relied on their shooting game, which did not help them as much as they hoped. Once again, a shooting slump by most Bruins kept UCLA from contention in each of those games. Their defense did not help either as the Bruins allowed both Oregon schools to shoot a combined 57.3% (53-for-96).
What will also be a factor is that the Utes will be lead by Delon Wright, who is not only one of the best scorers in the Pac-12, but might just be one of the best players in the conference. Not only that, but UCLA will have to deal with one of the best front courts in the conference as Jakob Peoltl and Jordan Loveridge will clog up the lane.
Jan 25, 2015; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Utes guard Delon Wright (55) goes up for a shot between Washington Huskies guard Nigel Williams-Goss (5) and forward Shawn Kemp Jr. (40) during the second half at Jon M. Huntsman Center. Utah won 77-56. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
If Parker is in, than UCLA has a shot. If he is out, it might be another long night for the Bruins.
But with that in mind, I am going all out…
Prediction: Utah 72 – UCLA 73 in overtime!