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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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November 17, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; San Diego Toreros forward Brett Bailey (32) moves the ball against the defense of UCLA Bruins center Thomas Welsh (40) during the second half at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
November 17, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; San Diego Toreros forward Brett Bailey (32) moves the ball against the defense of UCLA Bruins center Thomas Welsh (40) during the second half at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

Center: Thomas Welsh vs. Kevin Love

So how do you think this match up will go? Both Welsh and Love were offensive based centers that had some defensive highlights in their time in a UCLA jersey.

Dec 5, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love (0) takes a three-point shot against Toronto Raptors in the first half at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 5, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love (0) takes a three-point shot against Toronto Raptors in the first half at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /

Kevin Love was the toast of the 2007 recruiting class and the best player Ben Howland signed in his time in Westwood. in Love’s only year with the Bruins, he made a big enough impact to get UCLA back to their third-staright Final Four.

That season, Love lead the Bruins in scoring with 17.5 ppg and 10.6 rebounds. He also took exception to angry Oregon fans berating him in UCLA’s game in Eugene that season with 26 points and 18 rebounds.

Though Welsh is not as “thick” as Love was, he is making his presence felt in his third year. He is 5th on the teaming scoring with 11.6 ppg and leading the team with 9.6 rpg.

Welsh has improved his short-to-mid-range shot which has made him very deadly with in 15 feet of the rim. Though he would have trouble putting a body on Love, he would have a field day front he baseline. Still…

Advantage: Love