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Utah Vs UCLA: How To Watch The Start Of A Run

By Mike Regalado

Jan 9, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Aaron Holiday (3) reacts with guard Isaac Hamilton (10) after making a three pointer during the second half against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 9, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Aaron Holiday (3) reacts with guard Isaac Hamilton (10) after making a three pointer during the second half against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports /
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The UCLA Basketball team is looking to make a run in their last six games and boost their resume… that all starts with the Utah Utes.

Six games. That is all that remains for the UCLA Basketball team in the regular season.

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The Bruins are 5-7 and are about to face five teams that are currently above them in the Pac-12 standings. If the Bruins want to impress the NCAA Tournament Committee, they need to get on a run and that begins with the Utah Utes.

Sure the season has not gone as planned, but that does not mean the Bruins are down for the count, so with that, we offer a little pump-up music! (You do not have to watch the video, just have the music going on in the background!)

Records: Utah Utes (19-7, 8-5), UCLA Bruins (14-11, 5-7)

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Tipoff: 7:00 p.m. PT

Location: Pauley Pavilion (Cap.: 12,829)

Tickets: uclabruins.com

TV: ESPN2

Radio: AM 570 Los Angeles

On-line Radio: Tune-In

Watch On-line: Watch ESPN

Betting Line: UCLA -1.0

Okay, the Bruins have an uphill battle in trying to win six straight games, that does not mean it cannot happen. Though the UCLA Basketball team is prone to taking their time getting into games, the same could be said about their journey through the season, specifically at this point.

Last season, UCLA won five of their last seven games which helped to sling shot them into the NCAA Tournament. Currently, the Bruins have six games left, with four of them at home. If the Bruins can get their mojo going, then just maybe they can secure an NCAA Tournament invitation with a few wins.

But NCAA selections are still three weeks away, right now, the Bruins have Utes on the brain.

The most important name UCLA needs to drill into their heads is Jakob Peoltl. Not only is it the best name in the Pac-12 Conference, but he is also one of the most dynamic. He is second in conference on scoring with 17.8 ppg, and fifth in rebounds with 8.8 rpg. Shut him down and we have a game.

Leave him open and this will be a long night for the Bruins, so it is imperative that they find a way to limit his touches.

On the offensive side, UCLA has to figure out a way to get the entire team involved. Additionally, the Bruins need to play at their own pace and not get reeled into a battle for tempo.

Next: The UCLA Basketball All-Time Team

If UCLA stays focused, organized and plays the ball into the middle to Thomas Welsh or Tony Parker or looks for the uncontested outside shots from Bryce Alford or Isaac Hamilton, the Bruins could pull out the upset here, but they have to play 40 solid minutes. If they can do that, it will be all Bruins in this game.

Prediction: Utah 67 – UCLA 68