Can UCLA break the Gonzaga curse next Saturday?

UCLA will get a one-week break before they have to play again. That game will be against none other than their kryptonite of Gonzaga. The team that on multiple occasions has ended their dreams of being champions on the big stage. Once in the Final Four and once in the Sweet 16. As well as beating them pretty badly in the regular season in 2021 in Las Vegas. It is safe to say they have UCLA’s number, and it doesn’t matter who is on the roster.

Gonzaga is currently number 11 in the nation. That only figures to get better as they put a beating on the Kentucky Wildcats. Gonzaga is always one of the top teams in the nation. When they are not, they are considered underdogs and still a dangerous team under Mark Few. They have done it all under him with the lone exception being able to win the big game. Even though they have gotten multiple chances at it. They have not been able to close the deal.

Few has really brought the school up and created many NBA talents. They are equipped with a ton of talent now and NBA guys. But, so is UCLA, so they have the opportunity to pull the upset, if they play their game. UCLA’s problem is getting out to leads and then just becoming stagnant with the ball on offense. Almost as if they feel as if the job is done and they can now coast to victory. That will not work at the college level, as teams can score in a heartbeat, especially with the game becoming more long range.

UCLA will also need to play smart basketball without turning the ball over. Gonzaga will make you pay for that. UCLA can build off of their 74-63 win over Oregon. Where they held the Ducks to 34% shooting on the night. Best part is there were 18-21 from the free throw line. Which hopefully is the start of fixing their woes from the line to make sure they are maximizing their points each night. It should be a good one in Seattle!