The Biggest Rivalry In Pac-12 Basketball Meets In The Tournament Semi-Finals – UCLA Vs Arizona In The Pac-12 Tournament
UCLA dismantled USC. Arizona dominated Cal. Now the biggest rivalry in Pac-12 basketball will meet in the tournament semi-finals. It will be a re-match of last year’s showdown when the Bruins shocked #1 Arizona. This year is a little bit different as the Wildcats have stayed on top of the conference while the Bruins have taken a step back. But that does not matter because this is March Madness and anything can happen.
UCLA Bruins
Records:
UCLA Bruins 20-12, 11-7
Arizona Wildcats 29-3, 16-2
Tip-Off: 6:00 p.m. PT
Location: MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada
Capacity – 16,800
Tickets: Sold Out
TV: Pac-12 Network
Radio: KLAC AM 570 (Los Angeles)
On-line: TuneIn
Betting Line: TBD
Projected Starting Line-ups:
UCLA – Bryce Alford, Norman Powell, Isaac Hamilton, Kevon Looney, Tony Parker
Arizona – T.J. McConnell, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Brandon Ashley, Stanley Johnson, Kaleb Tarczewski
Feb 21, 2015; Tucson, AZ, USA; Arizona Wildcats forward Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (23), guard Parker Jackson-Cartwright (0,) and UCLA Bruins guard Isaac Hamilton (10) battle for the ball during the second half at McKale Center. The Wildcats won 57-47. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports
Preview: Okay, let us get down to brass tacks, how many of you think the Bruins have zero chance of winning? Be honest, put those hands up. The honest truth is that nearly everybody should expect the Wildcats to win… on paper. Back in their only meeting at the end of February, UCLA actually had Arizona on the ropes. The Bruins had gone on a 21-4 run to start the second half after being down 32-18 at halftime.
The Bruins, as they do from time to time, can put on some really good stretches of both offense and defense in their game. Unfortunately, they are not consistent in doing that from game to game. That is why UCLA lost at Arizona.
In that game on February 21, UCLA was confident in the second half, but then it turned into conceit. The Bruins were in a good position and could have really derailed Arizona’s plans, but they took their foot off the gas and the Wildcats fought their way back in, winning their 36th consecutive home game.
March 12, 2015; Las Vegas, NV, USA; UCLA Bruins forward Kevon Looney (5) sits on the bench against the Southern California Trojans during the first half in the quarterfinal round of the Pac-12 Conference tournament at MGM Grand Garden Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
But this is not being held on Arizona’s home court… it is the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. There will be fans from both sides at this game. It will be a different setting.
The point is, anything can happen. Just as I stated that the Bruins cannot overlook the Trojans, the Wildcats cannot overlook UCLA. There is only one drawback to that…
Kevon Looney.
Looney left the first half of the game against USC with an injury to his face. Looney was bleeding and did not play the rest of the game. As of now, it is not conformed what happened to Looney which makes a big difference for the Semi-Final match up.
If Looney cannot play, then it really could be a no-win situation for the Bruins. Though Norman Powell, Bryce Alford, Isaac Hamilton and Tony Parker are still viable options, that does not help against an Arizona team that can go nine-deep.
But if Looney can play, look for UCLA to be Bruin up some revenge.
Predictions:
With Looney: UCLA 63 – Arizona 60
Without Looney: UCLA 60 – Arizona 63