Can The Bruins Beat The Golden Bears With Impunity? UCLA Vs Cal Game Preview And Information
The inconsistencies continue, but luckily UCLA had came up on the sunny side of this last downturn. The Bruins survived a fierce Stanford rally after leading by 22, only to watch the Cardinal try to pull out a remarkable comeback with a last second shot… yet they came up short. Now the Bruins have a chance to get their first road sweep since mid-January 2013 as they take on the California Golden Bears.
UCLA Bruins
Records:
UCLA Bruins (14-9, 6-4)
Cal Golden Bears (14-9, 4-6)
Tip-Off: 5:00 p.m. PT
Location: Haas Pavilion, Berkeley, CA
Tickets: CalBears.com
TV: Pac-12 Network
Radio: KLAC AM 570 (Los Angeles)
On-line: TuneIn
Betting Line: UCLA -4.0
Projected Starting Line-ups:
UCLA – Bryce Alford, Norman Powell, Isaac Hamilton, Kevon Looney, Tony Parker
Cal – Jabari Bird, Jordan Matthews, Tyrone Wallace, David Kravish, Dwight Tarwater
Preview: The last time the Bruins played the Bears, UCLA wrecked Cal 73-54 at Pauley Pavilion. Though this game is up north, expect more of the same. Yet, if the Bruins play like they did on Thursday against Stanford, expect a late scare by Cal to once again induce heart attacks among Bruins everywhere.
Jan 14, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins forward Kevon Looney (5) dunks the ball against the Southern California Trojans at Galen Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Despite that, UCLA can do something they have not done since 2013… yes, that is get a road sweep, but there is also the possibility of losing to Cal. The Bruins swept the Golden Bears last year and they are going to try to do everything in their power to repeat that.
After the near meltdown at Stanford, expect UCLA to start strong and end strong. No more of this nonchalant basketball when up by more than 20. UCLA needs to put away Cal early and make sure they stay put away.
But Cal has not been staying down lately. Though they had a six-game losing streak after an unlikely win over then #21 Washington to start conference play, the Bears have gotten back to their winning ways. Road victories against the Washington State Cougars and the Huskies, followed by a court-storming victory over USC, has got them straightened out a bit. But really, how long will that last?
UCLA has a been improving as the season progresses and after what almost happened at Stanford, do not expect them to take the Bears lying down.
Prediction: UCLA 74 – Cal 69
GO BRUINS! BEAT THE GOLDEN BEARS!
BEAT THEM AS HARD AS YOU CAN! BEAT THEM WITH IMPUNITY!