UCLA Basketball: The Women’s and Men’s Season Opener Game Previews
Jan 8, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins head coach Steve Alford and guard Bryce Alford (20) react to a blocked shot in the second overtime of the game against the Stanford Cardinal at Pauley Pavilion. UCLA won 86-81 in double overtime. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
UCLA Men’s Basketball vs Monmouth Hawks
Records: Monmouth 18-15, UCLA 22-14
Tipoff: 8 p.m. PT
Location: Pauley Pavilion (Cap. 12,829)
Tickets: UCLABruins.com
TV: Pac-12 Network
Radio: AM 570
Betting Line:
Preview: Know this UCLA Basketball fans… there will be a lot of scoring this season. If you think the Women’s team will be putting up big numbers, just imagine what the Men’s team will do with their core of Bryce Alford, Isaac Hamilton and Tony Parker and talented freshmen Aaron Holiday and Prince Ali.
RELATED: UCLA Men’s Basketball Season Preview
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Along with that, the Bruins have depth. Head Coach Steve Alford has the most scholarship players on roster in the two years he has been in Westwood. Having a deep bench and possibly an 8-9 man rotation is going to do wonders for the stamina of the team late in games.
What will essentially happen in this game against an average MAAC Conference team is what we saw in the exhibition. A lot of scoring, a big blow out and, unfortunately, a defense that may need a half to get going.
Though the Bruins need to strengthen their defensive output (putting a hand up, not playing five feet off the ball, etc.), they have several players that will be a contributing factor in this area like Hamilton, Holiday and Thomas Welsh.
Either way, in this game, the Bruin’s offensive output should overshadow the defense while the Bruins run away with this game.
Predictions: Monmouth 57 – UCLA 89