March Madness is when the best players on the best teams need to step up. UCLA will now face a good Tennessee team from arguably the best conference in college basketball throughout the NCAA in an SEC gauntlet. This can lead to two differing approaches. For some, only allowing one star player to go off means limiting the rest and therefore best putting the team in a position to win the game. For others, shutting down the unquestioned top bucket-getter is an absolute must, and if someone else steps up to win it for their side, so be it.
Entering into a second-round matchup against the second-seeded Volunteers means facing up against Chaz Lanier. If the Bruins elect to go with the approach of giving the senior the free license during this one, living with the consequences could easily mean an early exit.
The North Florida transfer is doing well in his first year under coach Rick Barnes. Before coming to the Volunteer State, the guard spent four years in the Atlantic Sun Conference. Oftentimes, programs from mid-major programs can do well because of the experience that players have in the college game.
During the 2023-2024 season, Lanier averaged 19.7 points per game on 51.0% shooting. Stepping up in competition can prove troublesome for student-athletes in a lot of cases. This has not, however, at all been so for the five-year NCAA player. His skill set and years in college hoops are being showcased at Tennessee. In fact, he leads coach Barnes' group on the year at 18.0 PPG.
He is unquestionably the go-to scorer for the Vols. Coming off a strong 29-point performance, even his HC wasn't surprised or expected anything different from the veteran. At his size and shooting ability, Lamier can score at multiple levels.
Critical game tape for UCLA to watch
Against Wofford, he had the three-ball going. Each game he takes a good number of outside shots. With 8.2 attempts from range, he converts 3.3 outside attempts per contest. This can often open things up for him and his teammates. If nothing else, this forces the defense to often expand beyond what they are used to or where they'd feel comfortable guarding.
On occasions, though, when the perimeter shots aren't falling, he still finds a way to put points on the board. This only illustrates why he needs to be the focal point of UCLA on that side of the court. Again, some may view it more effective to simply let one person 'beat you.' In the case of Lamier, however, that is akin to playing with fire.
The Bruins are capable of winning and making it to the Sweet 16. In order to do so, they will need to limit and frustrate the outing of Lanier. It will be hard to slow him down for all 40 minutes, and outright doubling can equally spell disaster. Containing him and at least making him earn his points while forcing him to exert energy on the defensive end will be a good way to limit his overall impact and give UCLA a good chance in the second-round matchup.
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