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Arizona Vs UCLA: How To Watch The Pac-12’s Elite

By Mike Regalado

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#7 Arizona Wildcats Vs UCLA Bruins

When you have the two biggest programs on the west coast facing each other, it is going to be a big event… even though UCLA far out ranks Arizona as a historically elite program. UCLA has 11 banners, which UA coach Sean Miller is sure to notice, while the Wildcats have that one. Cute.

What is not cute is how these two teams are heading into this battle. Arizona is once again riding high in the College Basketball world with a #7 ranking and a 13-1 record, while the Bruins struggled mightily up in Washington last week to start Pac-12 play 0-2.

Normally, this would be cause for concern (which it is because if UCLA plays like they did last weekend, they will get routed by AZ), but the Bruins do very well at Pauley Pavilion. Hey, they beat #1 Kentucky at home a few weeks ago, so there is that.

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Also, it will be a huge event as UCLA will be honoring former Bruin Russell Westbrook. Rumor has it that he will also bring his entire NBA team, the Oklahoma City Thunder with him. On top of that, Bill Plasch and Bill Walton will be commentating live for the viewers at home.

Records: Arizona Wildcats (13-1, 0-1), UCLA Bruins (9-6, 0-2)

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Tipoff: 6:00 p.m. PT

Location: Pauley Pavilion (13,800)

Tickets: UCLABruins.com

TV: ESPN2

Live Stream: ESPN Live Stream

Radio: AM 570 Los Angeles

On-line Radio: Tune-In

Betting Line: UA -2.5, O/U: 150.0

Players To Watch

UCLA Bruins

  • Bryce Alford -16.9 points per game, 5.1 assists per game, 4.1 rebounds per game
  • Isaac Hamilton – 16.1 points per game, 4.7 rebounds per game, 2.8 assists per game
  • Tony Parker – 13.2 points per game, 9.9 rebounds per game, .540 FG%

Arizona Wildcats

  • Ryan Anderson – 15.1 points per game, 10.2 rebounds per game, .541 FG%
  • Allonzo Trier – 14.1 points per game, 3.4 rebounds per game, 1.1 assists per game
  • Gabe York – 13.7 points per game, 3.6 rebounds per game, 2.4 assists per game

The Bruins did not start Pac-12 play off very well. Though they had a noble effort in two overtimes against Washington, it took them 35 minutes to get into the game. Yet the woes continued when the Bruins crossed the state only to get smacked around by the Washington State Cougars.

UCLA Bruins
UCLA Bruins /

UCLA Bruins

Now, as stated above, things are a bit different for the Bruins at Pauley Pavilion. Add in the fervor of ‘Russell Westbrook Night’ and the most decorated college arena in the country will be off their heads.

If UCLA does muster up their home game superpowers, then we will probably see some sharp shooting, great ball movement among all players and that pesky little variable, defense.

If not, and they play like they did last weekend, then Arizona is going to run all over these Bruins. One of the thing UCLA has to do is force outside shots. When the Wildcats get the ball down low, especially to Ryan Anderson, they are going to be very successful and have the ability to do it on a consistent basis.

Thomas Welsh and Tony Parker need to make sure that does not happen all the while staying out of foul trouble. If the Bruins are careless and rack up a significant amount of fouls, things will go bad for UCLA very quickly.

As for the guards, I hope they do. Bryce Alford and Isaac Hamilton have been clutch for the Bruins lately, but things will go a lot better for UCLA if they try not force plays and move the ball around, but also stay in front of their man and put there hands up. on defense. Allonzo Trier and Gabe York are an exceptional back court that can take advantage of poor defenses, so UCLA has to be aware of this.

Next: The UCLA Basketball All-Time Team

Though the Bruins do well at home, it seems as though they need to find a way to continue to work together. Until they can do that on a consistent basis, they will not win many more games, including this one.

Prediction: Arizona 88 – UCLA 84