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NCAA Tournament: UCLA Basketball vs. Cincinnati – Preview, TV, Radio, Live Stream, Stats, Odds and More

By Mike Regalado

Mar 17, 2017; Sacramento, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Aaron Holiday (3) reacts in front of Kent State Golden Flashes center Adonis De La Rosa (1) in the first round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 17, 2017; Sacramento, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Aaron Holiday (3) reacts in front of Kent State Golden Flashes center Adonis De La Rosa (1) in the first round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 17, 2017; Sacramento, CA, USA; Cincinnati Bearcats guard Jarron Cumberland (34) dribbles the ball ahead of Kansas State Wildcats forward Dean Wade (32) in the first round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 17, 2017; Sacramento, CA, USA; Cincinnati Bearcats guard Jarron Cumberland (34) dribbles the ball ahead of Kansas State Wildcats forward Dean Wade (32) in the first round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

UCLA Basketball vs. Kent State Preview

The UCLA Basketball team had a bit of scare against the #14 Kent State Golden Flash. The Bruins had darted out to a quick lead, but slowly let Kent State back in.

At one point, the Golden Flash were on a 21-10 run and got to within 2 points. Though the Bruins were able to pull away, it was a bit concerning that this UCLA team could allow Kent State to run with them.

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That is problematic because if the Bruins allow Cincinnati to take control, they will not let up, and give UCLA a lot more trouble.

Cincinnati plays very tight defense that will test UCLA. The Bearcats only allow 60.8 points per game, which is significantly lower than UCLA’s 90.6. Something has definitely got to give.

The Bruins are going to have to be spot-on with their shooting, the biggest weapon in their arsenal. If shots are not falling, which Cincinnati will do what they can to limit, then the Bruins will have to rely on their defense, which is not the greatest, but they have shown they can suppress opposing scoring chances.

Ike Anigbogu, UCLA’s best interior defender, sat out the Round of 64 game with a sprained ankle. Hopefully it is not too severe because his efforts will be needed if this comes down to a defensive battle.

Still, the Bruins have to land their shots. If they cannot score, they are not going to have success in this game. Hopefully, because of what is at stake and the stage they are on, the Bruins step up their efforts and down the Bearcats to get to the Sweet 16.

If UCLA loses, that is going to start a chain reaction of negative publicity towards Head Coach Steve Alford, who some already say he is halfway to Indiana.

Hopefully the focus is there and the Bruins continue their march.

Next: Injuries Are Hitting the UCLA Basketball Team at the Wrong Time

Prediction: UCLA 75 – Cincinnati 68