UCLA Basketball Vs. Missouri: TV Schedule, Betting Odds and Game Preview
Nov 29, 2013; Las Vegas, NV, USA; UCLA Bruins head coach Steve Alford shouts to a player on the court during a game against the Northwestern Wildcats on the second day of the Las Vegas Invitational at Orleans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
The #18 UCLA Bruins (8-0) head to Missouri (8-0) for their first non-neutral site away game. This is a rematch of the epic game from last season when an unranked Bruin squad took out the #7 Missouri Tigers, 97-94, in overtime. That contest was held at Pauley Pavilion, but today, UCLA visits the “Show Me” State to show the nation what they can do in their toughest contest thus far.
TV: CBS (Channel 2, Los Angeles)
Location: Mizzou Arena (Columbia, Missouri)
Tip-off: 9:30 a.m. PT/12:30 p.m. ET
Odds: Missouri -1.5
Preview: A rematch, indeed. Missouri will be looking to avenge their thrilling OT loss to the Bruins as the tables are turned for this early contest (mostly for those on the west coast). Last season, a ranked Missouri team went into Pauley Pavilion and nearly pulled out a victory (they were up by nine with less than five minutes to play), but the young Bruins determination to force OT and get the eventual win. This time, a ranked UCLA team visits Missouri, a place the Tigers have not lost on in two years.
Missouri is lead by juniors Jordan Clarkson and Jabari Brown who are averaging 20.1 and 19.1 points per game, respectively. Missouri is collectively scoring 80.5 puts per game and posting a .507 shooting percentage. Despite not being ranked, the Tigers are putting a hurt on their opponents, winning by an average of 13 points. Even though the Tigers are off to a hot start, just like UCLA, Missouri has yet to play a ranked team, so this will be a good early test for the Tigers.
As for UCLA, they come in averaging 90.6 points per game (6th in the nation) and are winning their contests by 21.7 points per game. That is a big “WOW”. Jordan Adams is leading all Bruins with 21.5 points, continuing his ferocious style of offense. Freshman phenomenon and one-man show, Zach LaVine, is second on the team with 14.4 points…which he does after coming off the bench.
The charge into Missouri will be lead by Kyle Anderson, who is not just putting up 14.0 points of his own, but also leading the team with 9.3 rebounds and 7.8 assists. Yes, Bruin fans, he is nearly averaging a triple-double.
Get your coffee brewed, it is going to be an early morning battle royale to start the college basketball day!
Prediction: UCLA 88 – Missouri 83
Mike W.R.
Twitter: @TheBigDisco