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UCLA Basketball: Comparing This Season’s Team To 2007-08

By Mike Regalado

December 10, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; General view of playing court before the UCLA Bruins play against the Michigan Wolverines at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
December 10, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; General view of playing court before the UCLA Bruins play against the Michigan Wolverines at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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December 10, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins forward TJ Leaf (22) shoots against the Michigan Wolverines during the first half at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
December 10, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins forward TJ Leaf (22) shoots against the Michigan Wolverines during the first half at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

Power Forward: TJ Leaf vs. Luc Richard Mbah a Moute

Imagine this battle. Two lanky but very good athletes trying to fight under the rim. Though this was Mbah a Moute’s junior year, his experience gives him a slight advantage. Or does it?

Nov 23, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; LA Clippers forward Luc Mbah a Moute (12) warms up before the game against the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 23, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; LA Clippers forward Luc Mbah a Moute (12) warms up before the game against the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

The Prince gained notoriety with UCLA as a freshman when he dominated the boards. Though he was a skinny player, he found ways to move through the opposition.

Mbah a Moute had good defensive pressure, but how would he do against the finesse-driven Leaf?

The Bruins knew what kind of player they were getting in Leaf, but this season, fans are fully aware of what this guy can do.

Leaf is not exactly a defensive presence, but he knows his way around the rim. He is second on the team in scoring with 17.6 ppg and is pulling down 9.3 rebounds.

In a head-to-head match up, this one could very well end up dead even.

Advantage: EVEN