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UCLA Vs Arizona: Go Joe Bruin Talks To Zona Zealots About The Biggest Rivalry In Pac-12 Basketball

By Mike Regalado

January 7, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Bryce Alford (20) is congratulated after shooting a three point basket to win against Arizona Wildcats during the second half at Pauley Pavilion. UCLA defeats Arizona 87-84. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
January 7, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Bryce Alford (20) is congratulated after shooting a three point basket to win against Arizona Wildcats during the second half at Pauley Pavilion. UCLA defeats Arizona 87-84. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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Go Joe Bruin talks to Zona Zealots about the upcoming UCLA-Arizona game on Friday as we ask five pertinent questions about the upcoming game of the biggest rivalry in the Pac-12 conference.

As we tend to do, Go Joe Bruin has reached out to a rival blog to get their insight on an upcoming game with opponents of UCLA Basketball.

Today we got to talk to Shereen Rayan, Editor of the Arizona Wildcats sports site, Zona Zealots as she dishes on the latest about Arizona Basketball.

So with out further adieu, here is our conversation…

Go Joe Bruin: What is the feel of the fans after losing on a last second shot by Bryce Alford at Pauley Pavilion and how will that fuel their energy in Friday’s game?

Zona Zealots: We were devastated, Bryce was channeling Russell Westbrook in front of Westbrook, I mean who shoots and makes a fade away three pointer over a seven-foot center in crunch time? The fans in attendance were happy that they came back, but chins were down in disappointment, if Zeus was back, we could have won.

UCLA Bruins
UCLA Bruins /

UCLA Bruins

GJB: Is there a sense of let down with Arizona’s season so far after being predicted to win the Pac-12?

ZZ: We will win the Pac-12, what do you mean? Just need to win almost every game between now and the end of the season and Oregon needs to lose a few. The let down came when Oregon broke our 50-game winning streak. Head Coach Sean Miller has never been that upset or that deflated post game.

To lose is one thing, but to lose in front of your home crowd, to a better team who couldn’t stop Dorsey from shooting layups (sound familiar), and if they had just listened to coach and been more aggressive, they may not have lost. That said, you can learn a lot through adversity and sweeping the Washington schools on road trip and your star forward getting both Player of the Week awards from the Pac-12 and the USBWA feels quite amazing.

GJB How has Sean Miller handled this “down” season and what is he doing to get his players motivated?

ZZ: I think he and the team hit their low in Oregon, I think there is a new understanding on the team, we have Zo back (Allonzo Trier), and Kadeem Allen is not violently ill like he was during the Washington State game, we are on an upswing, just in time for the Bruins and Trojans to come to the Desert.

GJB: Which Wildcats have improved since the start of the season and which have not played to their potential?

January 7, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Arizona Wildcats guard Allonzo Trier (11) moves to the basket against UCLA Bruins guard Jonah Bolden (43) during the first half at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
January 7, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Arizona Wildcats guard Allonzo Trier (11) moves to the basket against UCLA Bruins guard Jonah Bolden (43) during the first half at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

ZZ: The Cats have suffered numerous injuries, loss of a tough defensive threat in Elliott Pitts who is still sitting out for personal reasons it seems for the season, and other issues like lack of Wildcats defense. But they seem to have their mojo back now. Kadeem Allen has been great on offense charging up the team, but needs to work on his defense, he has left his man at inopportune times, PJC is hot and cold, but when he and York are hot, then look out, we usually win the game.

Ryan Anderson has been the most consistent. Tarczewski (Zeus) has not been able to fully practice since he has come back from his injury, so he should be making more shots than he has. I think the team as a whole has great potential, just need to listen to coach. I would also like to see Chance Comanche play more minutes.

GJB: UCLA is known to not do well on the road, is that motivation for this game or do you believe the Wildcats will be focused simply because this is a rivalry game? (The biggest rivalry in the Pac-12 BTW!)

The Cats are motivated because they have been carrying the sting from the Los Angeles road trip along with them, this is their chance to show the world their potential and that they are a better team now then they were then. Losing with seconds on the clock by one shot, then losing in quadruple overtime just to find out your star guard was playing with a broken hand for 23 minutes took it’s toll on the team.

Next: The UCLA Basketball All-Time Team

They are poised to bounce back and extend their newest home winning streak to two. This is going to be a huge test for both teams, we are wondering which UCLA team is going to show up, but which ever one does, they are going to face a motivated and “full” McKale 16,500+ strong! Beardown!