Go Joe Bruin
Fansided

Pac-12 Tournament: UCLA Basketball vs. Arizona – Preview, TV, Radio, Live Stream, Stats and More

By Mike Regalado

Feb 23, 2017; Tempe, AZ, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Lonzo Ball (2) against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Wells-Fargo Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 23, 2017; Tempe, AZ, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Lonzo Ball (2) against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Wells-Fargo Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 2
Next
Feb 25, 2017; Tucson, AZ, USA; UCLA Bruins forward TJ Leaf (22) dribbles the ball as Arizona Wildcats center Chance Comanche (21) defends during the first half at McKale Center. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 25, 2017; Tucson, AZ, USA; UCLA Bruins forward TJ Leaf (22) dribbles the ball as Arizona Wildcats center Chance Comanche (21) defends during the first half at McKale Center. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports /

UCLA Basketball vs. Arizona Preview

It is time to get down to business. The quarterfinals are over with both UCLA and Arizona advancing as expected, and the NCAA Selection Committee closely watching.

Both of these two teams are deserving of at least a #2-seed in the NCAA Tournament, but a win should lock that in for the victor.

More from Go Joe Bruin

Arizona has had a better conference season than the Bruins, but have a worse overall record. UCLA is #3 in the AP Poll, while Arizona is #7. For all intents and purposes, these teams are evenly matched, so what will happen in this contest?

Arizona, like UCLA, has a mixture of good young talent and experience from their veterans.

Though he only played in 13 games, Allonzo Trier is doing a hell of a job leading his team on the court and in the scoring column with a team-high 16.6 points per game. The Bruins also have to worry about Lauri Markkanen who has been a terror under the basket which has helped him to a team-high 7.3 rebounds per game.

UCLA also has to worry about others getting a hot hand as they have several players that can score. Six Wildcats are averaging nine or more points per game.

The thing is, Arizona has to worry about the same thing with UCLA.  The Bruins have six players that are scoring in double-digits led by  freshman forward TJ Leaf who is scoring 16.2 ppg..

There is no doubt that both of these teams can score, so this may come down to defense. Whoever can execute their defensive strategy better and counter that with a solid offensive game plan, should be the winner.

UCLA had a bit of a tough time and were a bit sloppy in their first Pac-12 Tournament game against USC. They need to tighten up the reins and come at the Wildcats more focused if they want to get this win.

Next: ESPN's Joe Lunardi Has Words and Facts for UCLA Basketball Fans

Prediction: UCLA 95 – USC 78