Jaime Jaquez, Jr. and the UCLA Bruins begin play in the NCAA Tournament tonight when they play UNC Asheville. (Photo Credit: Scott Chandler/uclabruins.com)
I have one thing to say to those arrogant fans who cheer for that team from Tucson: “Left, Right. Left, Right. Left. Right. Sit down. So long, Chief!”
That’s right.
In case you missed it, the Arizona Wildcats lost earlier today to the Princeton Tigers, 59-55.
Meanwhile, tonight, UCLA will also take on a #15 seed, the UNC Asheville Bulldogs, as the real season begins.
UNC Asheville earned a number 15 seed after capturing the Big South Regular Season and Tournament Championships. The Bulldogs are lead by fifth-year head coach Mike Morrell. Prior to taking over the UNC Asheville program, Morrell served as an assistant to Shaka Smart at both Texas and VCU.
In Morrell’s first season, the Bulldogs went 4-27. They have gotten progressively better each season. Last year, they finished the season with a winning record for the first time and they made it to the CBI quarterfinals. This year, they won both the Big South regular season and tournament championships while making the NCAA Tournament for the first time under Morrell.
Let’s look at the Bulldogs’ starting five.
Starting Five
UNC Asheville is led by senior forward Drew Pember. Pember leads the Bulldogs with an average of 21.2 ppg. He is also the team’s leading rebounder with an average of 9.4 rpg. Graduate guard Taijon Jones is UNC Asheville’s second-best scorer with an average of 15.0 ppg. Given that Jones and Pember are the only two Bulldogs averaging in double figures, they would look to be the guys that UCLA needs to stop tonight.
While senior guard Caleb Burgess may also provide some upperclass leadership, don’t look for him to score much. He is only averaging 5.1 ppg. In the Bulldogs’ Big South Championship game, Burgess contributed a grand total of one point. So, he isn’t much of a scoring threat, but he does lead UNC Asheville in assists with 147 on the season. So, look for him to be trying to get the ball to Pember and Jones.
Rounding out the starting lineup are two juniors. The duo of guard Fletcher Abee and forward Nick McMullen are averaging 8.1 and 8.0 ppg, respectively. Abee’s 42.1% three-point percentage is second to only Jones. So, while he doesn’t score a lot of points per game, he’s one of the Bulldogs’ long-range threats.
McMullen, on the other hand, is the team’s second-best rebounder. He averaged 5.6 rpg. He’s terrible from three and isn’t a very good free throw shooter either. In fact, he’s the worst free throw shooter among the starters with a 48.2% average. So, if UCLA has to foul a guy, he’s the one to go after.
Listen to the Game With TMB
Tonight’s game will be on TruTV with Brad Nessler, Brendan Haywood and Dana Jacobson. If you prefer, you can listen to Josh Lewin and Tracy Murray. Just be sure to right-click on it so that you can open up another tab and have it going while you chat in the comments below. Listen to tonight’s game online.
This is your UCLA men’s basketball vs. UNC Asheville Bulldogs NCAA March Madness First Round game thread. Here’s how to watch tonight’s game:
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So far they are doing what I suspected. Putting it all together. Need to keep the foot on the gas for all 40 minutes. If this keeps up it will be easy to rest Bona tonjght. That would be a good thing
At last a complete game, good night, Tamara!
He listened to Gbruin!
Good evening, Tamara, yes Bruins don't let up!
He has turned into a weapon.
Welcome - Let’s go!
Hi Tamara. Nice to have you again.
U! Clap! Clap!
C Clap! Clap!
L! Clap! Clap! Clap!
A! Clap! Clap!
Here’s to a great win.
Hi Mom. Go Bruins.
Hi Terry! Go Bruins!
Hi Tamara! Here we go!
We need our bigs to step up this game. If we can control Pember and limit his looks, we should do well this game.
I’m both pumped and nervous - hope the team is looser than me.
Been looking forward to this game all day :-) I'm grateful that it is after work for me, since I can come home and truly enjoy my time off.
It’s lunchtime here, but I’ve blocked some time to watch
Sweet! Glad you can enjoy the game with our Bruin family.
Wouldn’t miss it
As I say, today is tomorrow there. Glad you are making it work!
Just poured myself a glass of wine to help with the nerves here!
I think our Bruins will come out focused and reasonable to play.
I think we are going to put it all together. Looking forward to it.
My stream hasn’t started yet - it’s just teasing me
Good thing game hasn't started yet LOL
Just started!
Let's go!!!
First blood! Great take, Singleton1
Singleton!
Nwuba starting
Great start on defense! We smothered them into a bad shot
Jaime guarding their big guy.
Bailey as well
Yes, on the switch. He can’t handle our pressure.
Nope!
Was that foul on Pember?
Yup
I. watched Tyger make that 3 in practice yesterday!
Kenny with the jam!
Sweet! Bruins come out on fire!!
Nwuba great D on that last play
Love the Defensive energy
Tournament Kenny is here!
Great D energy. Always a good sign.
Singleton feeling it!!
Tripleton!
What a start!
14-0, forcing UNCA coach to call a time-out!
could not have scripted this start better!
Nwuba’s got soft hands tonight!
Chipster is at the game!
Are you surprised?
there has always been a huge gap between coaches like Cronin (yay!)and coaches like the Chipster smdh
Night and day
Sadly, true...
LOL !!!! If only ' this guy " could prepare his team as well as Cronin does !
Be careful, there is a die hard Chip Kelly supporters ( Kelly apologist ) on this website. He may go after everyone of your comments from now .
So far they are doing what I suspected. Putting it all together. Need to keep the foot on the gas for all 40 minutes. If this keeps up it will be easy to rest Bona tonjght. That would be a good thing
From your lips to God's ears!
Yep, for sure
Yeah, I don't mind UNCA scoring every now and then, but we cannot allow any runs this game. We need to control the whole game.
Jaquez a bit sloppy
Hoping he is done with turnovers now
Yup
Bailey so patient wit the layup
Knows how to finish at the rim as good as any Bruin the last few years
Just a thing of beauty
Nwuba looking really good so far
I love our energy, but we need to control the ball a little better :-)
Starting to be a bit overconfident I think
I imagine Cronin will take care of that in the huddle LOL
Facts
Need to be razor sharp with focus. A while ago Cronin said Clark played BB every second of the game. Good advice right now.
LOL what was that?? yup, double dribble
Never called in the Pac12 LOL
Singleton!!
Jaime just so strong inside!
That is why he his POY and All American.
Gets the and 1
But misses
Mouse in the house?!?
“Straight up bully ball”
Oh, Mac, don't bring your arms down...
I know. Ugh
He didn’t move his feet early and got out of position.
Just forcing a bit much
Oh, Tyger, sooo close!
Got robbed
Couldn’t get the roll
Great drive under control. Just didn’t make it.
Dylan Andrews!!
Welcome to the madness, Dylan!
What a save by Tyger!
Hustle
Tyger with the hustle
It took 11 minute plus for Pember to score his first points. Well done, Bruins!
And had to draw a foul