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UCLA Basketball vs. Pacific: Women’s and Men’s Double-Header Preview

By Mike Regalado

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Mar 5, 2016; Seattle , WA, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Jordin Canada (3) is defended by California Golden Bears forward Kristine Anigwe (31) and guard Gabby Green (33) during a womens semifinal in the Pac-12 Conference tournament at KeyArena. UCLA defeated California 73-66 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 5, 2016; Seattle , WA, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Jordin Canada (3) is defended by California Golden Bears forward Kristine Anigwe (31) and guard Gabby Green (33) during a womens semifinal in the Pac-12 Conference tournament at KeyArena. UCLA defeated California 73-66 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

Both Women’s and Men’s UCLA Basketball teams will kickoff the season with a double-header at Pauley Pavilion as both teams taken on the men and women of Pacific.

It is finally here Ladies and Gentlemen! It is time for UCLA Basketball and what a great way to start the season than with the men and women both staging opening night together!

Related Story: Podcast: The Women's and Men's UCLA Basketball Preview with The Den

The Bruins will be taking on the women’s and men’s teams of Pacific, and not to give anything away, but UCLA might come out on top in both contests.

Here is our preview for both Bruin squads:

#9 UCLA Women’s Basketball vs. Pacific Tigers

2015-16 Records: Pacific Tigers (13-17, 6-12), #10 UCLA Bruins (26-9, 14-4)

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

Tipoff: 8:30 p.m. PT

Tickets: uclabruins.com

TV: Pac-12 Network

Live Stream: Pac-12.com

On-line Radio: uclabruins.com

These Pacific Tigers are off to a good start. They were 2-0 in their exhibitions with wins over Chico State in overtime (80-76) and then blasted San Francisco State (91-42).

The Tigers are expecting a lot from sophomore Chelsea Lidy who scored a team-high 15 points against San Francisco State. She will have support from a few veteran which includes preseason All-West Coast Conference nominee Desire Finnie and junior GeAnna Luaulu-Summers.

All three have the ability to score, but they are thin in regards to talent. They are definitely going to be tested when they take on the #9 team in the country in their own house.

Related Story: Jordin Canada is on the Top 25 Players in the Nation According to ESPNW

As for the Bruins, they have talent upon talent. Starting at the top, UCLA will flex their muscles with Jordin Canada, one of the top women basketball players in the nation. Aside from leading this team in scoring (16.1) and assists (5.7) last season, she has the IQ and vision to get every one of her teammates into the game.

She is going to have help from senior Kari Korver who will be attacking the rim from the outside. Last season, Korver made at least one three-pointer in 30 of the Bruin’s 35 games. So with Canada distributing and Korver on the outside, an inside presence is necessary. That is where junior forward Monique Billings comes in.

Billings came into her own last year and was one of the better developed Bruins. She led UCLA in rebounding (8.1) and was the dominant force underneath.

This should be an easy game for the Bruins. Though the Tigers have weapons, Head Coach Cori Close has developed an elite team that will turn some heads this season.

Prediction: UCLA 94 – Pacific 68