The Sweet 16: UCLA Basketball vs. UCONN Gameday Info

The UCLA Basketball women’s team is in their fourth consecutive Sweet 16 and will try to slay the giant as they take on the #2 UCONN Huskies.

The UCLA Basketball women’ s team have made it to the Sweet 16 for an astonishing fourth consecutive year and have a chance to make it to their second consecutive Elite 8, but an old foe stands in their way as the mighty UCONN Huskies look to stop the Bruins.

This will be the third time UCLA and UCONN meet in the last two years with the Huskies bouncing the Bruins from the tournament in the Sweet 16 during the 2017 NCAA Tournament. This might seem like a repeat of that performance, but if you look closer, you will see that UCLA has brought a lot of momentum into this game. The question is, can they use that momentum to slay the giant that is UCONN?

Here is everything you need to know about UCLA vs. UCONN…

#6 UCLA Basketball vs. #2 UCONN Game Day Info

Records: #6 UCLA Bruins 22-12 | Connecticut Huskies 33-2

Location: Times Union Center, Albany, NY

Tipoff: 4:00 p.m. PT

TV: ESPN

Live Streaem:  WatchESPN

Online Radio: uclabruins.com

Last Game: #6 UCLA d. #3 Maryland, 85-80 | #2 UCONN d. #15 Buffalo, 84-72

Projected Starters:

UCLA – G Japreece Dean, G Kennedy Burke, G Lindsay Corsaro, F Lajahna Drummer, F Michaela Onyenwere

UCONN – G Christyn Williams, G Megan Walker, G Crystal Dangerfield, G Katie lou Samuelson, F Napheesa Collier

Head Coaches:  UCLA – Cori Close | UCONN – Geno Auriemma

Rosters: UCLA | UCONN

UCLA Basketball vs. UCONN: Stats, Final Word and Prediction

UCLA Key Individual Stats :

• Michaela Onyernwere – 18.6 ppg, 8.3 rpg, .476 FG%
• Japreece Dean – 14.1 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 4.9 apg
• Kennedy Burke – 15.4 ppg, 6.1 rpg, .492 FG%

UCONN Key Individual Stats:

• Naphheesa Collier – 21.1 ppg, 10.7 rpg, .670 FG%
• Katie Lou Samuelson – 18.5 ppg, 6.7 rpg, .456 FG%
• Crystal Dangerfield – 13.8 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 6.0 apg

UCLA vs. UCONN Team Stats

Players to Watch

• Michaela Onyernwere, Kennedy Burke and Japreece Dean – UCLA’s triple threat has been fueling their momentum into the post-season. If they play at the top of their game, they could make this contest very interesting.

Last Word

The UCLA women’s basketball team has made history as this is their fourth consecutive trip to the Sweet 16, but they want to continue to make history and make it to the Elite 8 for a second consecutive season. It is possible, but there is that little nagging annoyance that is the Connecticut Huskies.

More from Go Joe Bruin

• UCLA Football: It’s time for the nation to meet Dante Moore
• UCLA Football: Where are they ranked heading into week 4
• UCLA Football: Position battle breakdown for Utah showdown
• UCLA vs. Utah: Location, time, prediction, and more
• UCLA Football: Highlights from Chip Kelly’s appearance on the Jim Rome Show

Make no mistake, Connecticut is still a powerhouse despite their #2 ranking. Geno Auriemma will always have his teams ready for battle, especially in the NCAA Tournament. This year they have lost some experience and some defensive presence, but they are still one of the top scoring teams in the nation. Their 83.1 points per game is the fourth most in the country.

The Huskies have a variety of players that can score at will, including their senior leader Nappheesa Collier who will do some damage if left unchecked as she is averaging a double-double in points and rebounds for the season.

With that in mind, the Bruins are going to have to play outstanding defense. They need to limit Collier and Katie Lou Samuelson’s touches in the game. They are also going to have to play some tough defense on Crystal Dangerfield, essentially, they need to shut her down and limit her passing options.

On the offensive side, UCLA has to try to get into the paint and score as often as possible. If anything, they have to go right at UCONN and try to draw some early fouls and take UCONN out of their rhythm. If this is not possible, then the Bruins better hope that their outside shooting is on par or this contest we end quickly.

But also remember, UCLA has a secret weapon, they always fight until the end and that drive to keep pushing will keep them in this game. It will be a tough battle, but one that the Bruins can get a win in.