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UCLA Basketball vs. Kentucky: Preview, TV, Radio, Live Stream and More

By Mike Regalado

Dec 3, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins center Thomas Welsh (40) dunks the ball against Kentucky Wildcats forward Skal Labissiere (1) during the second half at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 3, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins center Thomas Welsh (40) dunks the ball against Kentucky Wildcats forward Skal Labissiere (1) during the second half at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Preview, Part 2

For UCLA, Ball is the Bruin that is making a difference with this squad. Not only does he have a killer outside shot, but is even more dangerous as a distributor. Not only is he leading the NCAA in assists (9.6),  but on Wednesday against UC Riverside, he broke a freshman record with 13 assists in that game.

When Ball has the ball, he makes everyone on his team better, which is a good thing for UCLA.

The Bruins are deep and have multiple players that can score. In fact, six Bruins are averaging double-digit points per game. The spark plug of the group is Hamilton who recently took over as the UCLA points leader with 18.0 ppg.

He was propelled into that spot after a 27-point performance against UC Riverside, on 9/17 shooting. Along with Hamilton, freshman forward Leaf is the finesse player the Bruins have been missing since Luc Richard Mbah a Moute.

Related Story: Bruins Need To Have A Strong Start Against UK

Key Stats:

UCLA

Lonzo Ball – 14.6 ppg, 9.6 asts. (1st in NCAA), 4.9 rebs, 1.5 stls,1.0 blk

TJ Leaf – 17.3 ppg, 9.0 rebs, .687 FG% (2nd by Pac-12), .500 3FG% (3rd in Pac-12)

Isaac Hamilton – 18.0 points (5th in Pac-12), 3.8 rebs, 3.5 asts, .514 FG%

Kentucky

Malik Monk – 19.3 ppg (3rd in SEC), 2.9 rebs, .476 FG%

De’Aaron Fox – 15.34 ppg, 7.6 asts (1st in SEC), 5.7 rebs, 2.0 steals (4th in SEC)

Edrice Adebayo – 11.1 ppg, 7.6 rebs (4th in SEC), .565 FG%

Final Analysis

This game is going to be very exciting. All eyes will be on Rupp Arena on Saturday morning as there will be dunks, beautiful outside shots and plenty of showtime-esque basketball.

Watch for the match ups in this game. Ball vs. Fox is going to be very interesting, though if UCLA needs to slow down Monk, I could see Ball swathing over or Aaron Holiday handling shut down duties.

The battle under the basket could be in UK’s favor. UCLA’s bigs are good, but need to be more physical. Can Ike Anigbogu, who returned from a meniscus injury last week, be the key factor for the Bruins in the front court?

Next: UCLA vs. Kentucky: The Showtime Game of the Year

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Pulling out a win will not be easy for either team. Both UCLA and UK can and will score, so whichever can play a little bit more defense might be the deciding factor in this game. Unfortunately, because they have a bit more talent and experience, UK should pull this out at home, but not by much.

Prediction: Kentucky 78 – UCLA 74