UCLA Basketball: How To Watch the Bruins Vs. McNeese State
UCLA Basketball vs McNeese State
It looks like we have ourselves one interesting season with the UCLA Basketball team. In the last month, the Bruins beat #1 Kentucky, had their best road win in the Steve Alford era up at Gonzaga, had a five-game win streak, but then came out dead in the second half against North Carolina this past Saturday in a loss.
So consistency is not their strongest suit, but they are getting better. We have seen improvements on both the offensive and defensive end (yes, there has been some defense this season *mind blown*) and having the deepest roster in the last three years with a productive bench is helping out a lot.
So how are the Bruins going to do against the McNeese State Cowboys? Well, simply, they should wreck this cupcake and get back on the winning track before they head into Pac-12 Conference play.
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Records: McNeese State 2-7, UCLA 8-4
Tipoff: 8 p.m. PT
Location: Pauley Pavilion (Cap. 13,800)
Tickets: UCLABruins.com
TV: Pac-12 Network
Live Stream: Pac-12 Network
Radio: AM 570 Los Angeles, Tune-In
Betting Line: UCLA -27.0, O/U: 154.0
Players To Watch For McNeese State
- Jamaya Burr – 14.8 points per game, 4.0 rebounds per game, 2.3 assists per game
- Craig McFerrin – 9.6 points per game, 7.6 rebounds per game, 1.1 blocks per game
- Jarren Greenwood – 7.8 points per game, 2.1 assists per game1,7 steals per game
Players To Watch For UCLA
- Bryce Alford – 16.8 points per game, 4.5 rebounds per game, 5.3 assists per game
- Isaac Hamilton – 15.1 points per game, 3.9 rebounds per game, 1.3 steals per game
- Tony Parker – 14.5 points per game, 10.3 rebounds per game, .593 FG%
The Bruins have improved their offense with a balanced attack as they are seeing all five starters as well as bench players Jonah Bolden and Prince Ali (who recently injured his ankle) give good minutes when they are on the floor.
On defense, the Bruins look to be a lot more sound and patient when trying to stop their opponents. The big keys to this has to do with UCLA forcing outside shots and the big men controlling the area around the rim.
UCLA Basketball is getting better, but there are still a few things that are plaguing them. One thing that has seemed to rubbed off of Tony Parker to Thomas Welsh is foul trouble. Both were hit with several fouls — many questionable — which limited them from playing against North Carolina, and from what we saw the Tar Heels do to the Bruins, it is clear UCLA NEEDS Parker and Welsh to stay out of foul trouble and n the game.
McNeese State is not great. Their only wins this season were against NAIA teams (sub-NCAA level teams). In a way, without ill-intent, the Cowboys are going to be a punching bag for the Bruins. That is fine, for UCLA. The Bruins need to focus on improving parts of their game that they had trouble with against UNC.
Parker and Welsh need to test the inside game without fouling and the guards, Alford, Hamilton and Aaron Holiday, need to limit turnovers and focus on continuing to balance the offense between all five players on the floor.
Next: The UCLA Basketball All-Time Team
With that, I see UCLA Basketball running away with this game. UCLA 98 – McNeese State 54.