UCLA Basketball: 3 stats to look at before the Bruins take on the Buffs

With the UCLA basketball team looking corn the home sweep, they will be challenged by Colorado. Here are the three stats that could help determine victory for one of these two teams.

Tonight the Pac-12’s first place UCLA basketball team (13-4, 4-1) take on the Colorado Buffaloes (10-7, 2-3) at Pauley Pavilion. The Bruins come in as winners of six out of seven while the Buffs have lost four of their last six.

While looking at their records, the Bruins look like the better team but let’s take a look at a few other stats that may have an influence on the game tonight.

18.4% – Percentage of plays Colorado turns the ball over

The Buffaloes are scoring under 70 points a game in their first five conference games. That’s good for 9th in the PAC-12. Some of Colorado’s lack of offense is due to the fact that are turning the ball over about 15 times a game. To look at that another way, the Buffs turn the ball over every fifth possession.

For a team that’s 10th in the PAC-12 in shooting (42.6%), they can not afford to give away extra possessions. Combine this with the fact that Colorado is only taking the ball away from their opponents 12 times a game and it’s obvious the Buffs have a very little margin for error. If the Bruins are able to capitalize on Colorado’s errors and limit their own turnovers, UCLA should be able to get their 5th PAC-12 win tonight.

91.8 – Points per game scored by the Bruins in conference play

More from Go Joe Bruin

Last year, the Bruins were able to put the ball in the basket at an alarming rate. At just over 88 points a game, UCLA was tops in the PAC-12. But after losing 65 points per game to the NBA, many thought UCLA would have a more difficult time scoring this season.

So far in the Bruins’ five PAC-12 games, they are averaging more than 90 points a game. Aaron Holiday is leading the Bruins with 19.4 points a game but he is getting plenty of help as four other Bruins are averaging at least 10 points a game.

If the Bruins go out and score as they have been, they should be able to simply outscore a less potent Colorado offense.

43.8% – Bruins’ three point percentage in PAC-12 play

UCLA has shot the ball well from the field this year (47.7%) but they have really picked up their three point shooting in conference play. The Bruins are shooting 43.8% from beyond the arc in their five PAC-12 games. That number looks even better when combined with the fact that the Bruins are attempting 25 three pointers a game, first in the PAC-12.

These threes can either be a great way to stop a Buffs’ run or a dagger in Colorados’ heart after a TO. Colorado also likes to shot the three but not at the same rate or success of the Bruins. If the Buffs get down and need to rely on the three to get back in the game, their 36.3% may not be good enough.