After Kansas lost last weekend to Arkansas, UCLA is the top remaining seed in the West. That means that the Bruins’ road to the Final Four potentially got a bit easier. Tonight’s opponent, the Gonzaga Bulldogs, are the highest seed team UCLA will face until at least the Final Four.
That means that tonight’s game may be tougher than Saturday’s Regional Final if the Bruins get that far.
Gonzaga is a team that has had UCLA’s number.
The Zags are one of a few teams who leads the all-time series against the Bruins. Gonzaga leads the series, 5-2, and they have won the the past two meetings. UCLA’s last win against the Zags came on December 12, 2015 when the Bruins beat them, 71-66, in the only game played between the teams in Spokane, Washington.
Last season, Gonzaga beat the Bruins in a regular season matchup in Las Vegas. So, the Zags have a history of playing UCLA tough.
Let’s look at Mark Few’s starting five.
Starting Five
Gonzaga’s starters have been the same for all of their 35 games this season except for their regular season finale against Chicago State. But even in that game, only one starter was different. So, it’s a pretty safe bet that these guys will start for Gonzaga.
Of course, the Bulldogs are led by senior forward Drew Timme. Not only does Timme lead the Zags in scoring with an average of 21.1 points per game, he also leads the team in rebounds and assists. He’s averaging 7.3 rpg and he has 111 assists. He also leads the team in blocks with 34. If UCLA is looking for the guy to shut down on the Zags, he’s the guy the Bruins will look to stop.
Timme may be the most known player on Gonzaga, but the other starters have been very consistent as well. Junior guard Julian Strawther is second on the team in scoring with an average of 15.3 ppg. Strawther is tied for second on the team in rebounds with 6.1 per game. Among the starters, he is the best three-point shooter on the team with a 42.3% three-point shooting percentage. Only one Bulldog has a higher three-point percentage. That’s Colby Brooks who has played in only eight games this season and he’s made one of the two three-pointers he has taken this season.
Senior forward Anton Watson is the third Bulldog averaging in double figures with an average of 11.5 ppg. He is the guy who is tied with Strawther for second place in rebounds. Watson is a guy UCLA needs to pay attention to on the Bruins’ side of the court. That’s because he leads the team in steals with 66. That’s almost as many steals as the next two guys combined.
Senior guard Rasir Bolton is the fourth starter who averages more than 10 ppg. He’s averaging 10.3 ppg. He is another three-point threat for Gonzaga. He’s shooting 39.2% from behind the arc.
Sophomore guard Nolan Hickman rounds out the starting five for the Zags. His 8.2 ppg average makes him the only starter who doesn’t average in double figures. He is second on the team in assists with 109 as well as steals with 35.
Redshirt junior Malachi Smith is most likely to be the first guy off the Gonzaga bench. He averages 8.5 ppg and he has the highest three-point percentage of anyone on the team, but that also means that he hasn’t taken as many as some of the starters. Regardless of that, UCLA needs to be mindful of that when he’s on the floor.
Listen to the Game With TMB
Tonight’s game will be on CBS with Kevin Harlan, Dan Bonner, Stan Van Gundy and Lauren Shehadi. 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 this evening’s game online.
This is your UCLA men’s basketball vs. Gonzaga Bulldogs NCAA March Madness Sweet Sixteen game thread. Here’s how to watch tonight’s game:
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Danny Hurley has really turned U Conn around. I don't think Musselman and Arkansas have lost by such a wide margin this year (23 points)?? I heard they have also sustained some late season injuries.
Feeling all the emotions right now - will be on the edge of my seat for the next few hours. I think the game could go either way but expect a battle all the way.
Fully expect to see both Bona and Singleton play today along with the rest of the nation. Gonna be a great game-- I know Coach Cronin have our players ready to fly!
Amazing we are in t his game. What an effort.
One more time please! Vamosssss Ositos
50% FT shooter
Wanted to quick score and get the ball back for last possession
CMC was open though
Rest should be over now. We need him in game
Time to respond
Kenny has been really great over the last few weeks. Tough but in control
Well said.
We have a more complete line-up and play better team ball.
Tracy Murray said Kenny's type of play is good for this game
He’s been on fire
K-rap, no Bona.
He's dressed, isn't he?
Not dressed, sigh
Let’s see if he can come off the bench
Hey there Tamara - Go Bruins.
U - Clap! Clap! Clap!
L - Clap! Clap! Clap!
UCLA! Fight! Fight! Fight!
Good evening, Bruin Mama!
Hi, Doctor! I hope my nerves can survive!
U c L A fight fight fight!
Good Evening All - - Here's to a great game and another Bruin win. Go Bruins!!!!
Hi, Terry! Here we go Bruins!
HI Jim - glad you can join us.
My prediction is that Mick starts off with Jaquez guarding Timme. We will see.
My son - a UCLA grad - said same thing.
I think it makes perfect sense
He's (JJJ) our best physically.
Hello Terry and AB! It is nearly game time. Go Bruins!!!
Hello to you - excited on my end. I think our guys are ready to play great!
U CONN is playing really well. They look tough.
Danny Hurley has really turned U Conn around. I don't think Musselman and Arkansas have lost by such a wide margin this year (23 points)?? I heard they have also sustained some late season injuries.
Thanks for the recap!
Feeling all the emotions right now - will be on the edge of my seat for the next few hours. I think the game could go either way but expect a battle all the way.
Pretty much sums it up for me too.
Coach Hurley not much humility in post game interview….opposite of Mick
What would you expect from Bobby Hurley's brother?
Thank you for stating that. Like Mick those two come from a coaching family. Clearly Hep was the better role model.
Fully expect to see both Bona and Singleton play today along with the rest of the nation. Gonna be a great game-- I know Coach Cronin have our players ready to fly!
I am listening to the pregame show with Lewin and Murray. They are playing the CMC pregame interview and Mick is saying exactly this ^^^.
In Cronin we trust!
We are still 17 min. from start of game. Lots of time to get wild and ready.
If we give them reason to be loud, they will be the loudest. Our guys need to come out strong, get the crowd going, then they will feed off the crowd.
That is great to hear! CMC said the Zags want to make this a home game but he wanted the Bruin faithful to show up in force. Sounds like they did!
8:30 to go til tip-off!
Thx, Tamara! Love watching the game with my Bruin familia!
Me too!
And my wife, of course! LOL
and Mr. Bruin Mom!
Good evening, Tamara! Go Bruins!
I really really dislike Drew Timme. He's so obnoxious on the court!
Let's go!!
Let’s go!!!
Bona not playing according to announcers. Need to stay out of foul trouble. Go Bruins - game on!!
Singelton!!
Trppleton opens with three!
If Timme's gonna double Jaime down in the post, people will be open for easy layup!
JJ to Nwuba for two!
Timme going to go at Nwuba
Great start
Tyger!
Tygrrrr!
Nwuba has to take those shots to keep D honest
Take AND make.
Preferably...
Not Nwuba's shot!
Tricky to stop Timme if we have to be extra careful with fouls
YES, Jeffro!
Especially if they let him shuffle his feet in the paint.
^^^facts
I assume he can’t score them all… as long as he doesn’t get others involved- maybe that’s the game plan
He knows he is the whole team. Bruins need to tire him out!
We are going to need to be on our game offensively all 40 minutes. Can't afford bad possessions.
And will need to force a few turnovers
Going to have to have a lot of deflections. For that to happen, we need to get back and set on D
https://twitter.com/goodmanhoops/status/1639078403583389698?s=46&t=T_Z6WidNEeEEu7mUuf28Tg
nvm TV covered it as well
Bailey!
Bailey!!
Bailey taking over the game!!
I'll take a 9-9 start.
Bailey for 3!
Bailey O-reb and a 2 on the break!
Bailey on fire!
As he says "lace 'em and let's play"
Bailey cashing his first round check tonight.
Bailey has our last 9 points.
There is a turnover!!
Up by 5 - love it!!!
Jaquez with shooter's touch
Refs not calling much
Dang we could use Bona!
Bailey can't force it!