The final Pac-12 Men’s Basketball Tournament kicks off today in Las Vegas and the UCLA Bruins will take on the Oregon State Beavers at 2:30 pm this afternoon.
Of course, Oregon State is one of just two teams that the Bruins defeated twice during the regular season. The other one was Arizona State.
UCLA beat the Beavers by seven in Corvallis back on December 28th and the Bruins followed that up with a 71-63 win at home on February 1st. That should make UCLA a 7.5-point favorite this afternoon.
Oregon State Starting Five
After starting the same five guys in both regular season games against UCLA, OSU head coach Wayne Tinkle looks like he will start senior Chol Marial instead of sophomore KC Ibekwe. Ibekwe was benched after the Beavers lost to Arizona State by 18 points on February 14th and he hasn’t started since.
The change may be adversely affecting the Beavers. Marial is only averaging 1.6 ppg in conference games while Ibekwe has averaged 3.9 ppg in conference games. But that’s not the only difference. Ibekwe has better numbers in pretty much every category across the board.
Analysis
If Marial does get the start this afternoon and he gets more playing time than Ibekwe, it could negatively affect the Beavers. But if Ibekwe comes off the bench and still plays more than Marial, swap may not affect things quite as much. In that situation, it would come down to whether UCLA can start the game off by shooting well.
Ultimately, though, it really shouldn’t matter.
This is another bad Oregon State team under Wayne Tinkle, and this is a game which the Bruins should definitely win.
Speaking of bad OSU teams, frankly, I’m surprised that Tinkle still has a job, considering his inability to improve the team during his tenure. Could he join the soon-to-be-departed Mike Hopkins of Washington? I don’t know. It’s always possible, but OSU’s failure to find a new conference may result in Tinkle’s tenure being extended in Corvallis.
Listen to the Game With TMB
This afternoon’s game will be on Pac-12 Networks with Roxy Bernstein, Matt Muehlebach and Elise Woodward calling the game. 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 today’s game online.
This is your UCLA men’s basketball vs. Oregon State Beavers game thread. Here’s how to watch, listen and stream today’s game:
Thanks again for supporting The Mighty Bruin. Your paid subscriptions make this site possible. Questions, comments, story ideas, angry missives and more can be sent to @TheMightyBruin on Twitter.
KEYS as obvious as they are ... 1. Bona stays out of foul trouble and plays out of his mind. 2. Great offense - Andrews scores a lot and passes well, no loooong droughts please. 3. Great defense - stops, defend the 3, outrebound and limit turnovers.
friggin pac12 network can't croak fast enough for me.
U- Clap! Clap! Clap!
C! Clap! Clap! Clap!
Hi Tamara. I’ll be here for about 3/4 of game. Have appointment. Go Bruins!! Let’s do this.
Good luck with your appt Terry! Go Bruins!
Hi Terry... here's hoping we are up by 40 before you have to leave! 💙💛
What a treat that would be.
A Clap! Clap! Clap! Hi Tamara and Terry!
Hi Jim!!! Great to see you and Terry - two of my fave friends! 💙💛
UCLA - Fight! Fight! Fight!
Hi Jim
L - clap! Clap! Clap!
15 minute delay
suc won...
$UC
*$c. They don't deserve a U
🤣
Bona has to stay out of foul trouble
💯💯💯
Hi Ry my friend! 💙💛
Hi Ry. Go Bruins. He is a key. Like Cronin says best players have to play well.
Hi Ry he has been getting better at avoiding them Let's hope it continues!
KEYS as obvious as they are ... 1. Bona stays out of foul trouble and plays out of his mind. 2. Great offense - Andrews scores a lot and passes well, no loooong droughts please. 3. Great defense - stops, defend the 3, outrebound and limit turnovers.
Go Bruins!!! 💙💛
Hi Folks! Let's live to play another day! Go bruins!
Ditto
Hi DD! Great to see you! Let's go! 💙💛
So weird tuning into a Bruin game midday on a Wednesday
It is weird but here we gooooooo!!! 💙💛
Btw, Hi Greg... so great to see you my friend 💙💛
Same, Tamara! :-)
Good afternoon my friend. Glad you could make it.
Likewise! :-)
Yep tomorrow too hopefully
Yep
Hey Greg!
Good afternoon/evening, Jim! :-)
Brandon starts tonight. Let's go Brandon!
Bona!!!!!
Woe Bona explodes for a dunk!
Hopefully sign of better things to come.
That was a jump ball? Ok...
I’m here! Let’s go Bruins !
Yay! Hi BruinMom, great to see you! 💙💛
Hi BMom. Root us to victory
Will do my absolute best!!!
Welcome!! Just got started
Yeah I heard from Lewin and Murray it was a late start and that they are in the second row behind a giant Gatorade receptacle. Wow…
Yo, Bruin Mama good evening!
Yay! Always nice to see you guys
Andrews!!!!
Two TO already. Yuk!!
Need to def take care of the ball.
Dylan finds his spot
Yay O-rebs and Dylan scores!
Woohoo B Wills!
Better
Now if Bona hits 2 throws...
Bona for 2 Throws!
Yeah Bona
Bona had 12 straight made free throws, hopefully this doesn’t jinx him
We're coming for you if #13 rims out...
Got it
Dylan again!
Need to show tough aggressive D
Bona oh my!!!
Really nice execution on that pick and roll
Yep
AND ONEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!
You're safe, Ry! lol
And one!
Too many layups for OSU
Truth.
Alley oop from Dylan to Adem sweet!
Awesome Bona!!!!
Bona looking great
Team looks determined.
Hopefully it will be 40 minutes worth
Way to follow the shot, Will! Such an easy fundamental, and it nets us an extra possession
And eventually a bucket!
Woohoo Dylan!!!
Dylan for 3!
Slow down a bit, Big man!
Is this going to be the game where we learn to keep a lead.
🙏🙏🙏
Yes please!
The only negative stat right now is 4 turnovers
Agreed. Those last 2 TOs remind me of Coach saying to be quick, but don't hurry. Bona unnecessarily rushed those last 2.
Probably just a little overexcited at how well they've started.
I'll take the energy.
Will Bona be our Johnny Juzang?
Hope not but I expect it.
I meant in terms of scoring 🤣
Umm, why Nwuba?
Mara for the jam!
Woohoo Mara!
Another unforced TO
Not good.
Have to lean that up
Both teams shooting 53%. Ours has got to toughen up
Bona and Mara in. Interesting
Yep
Mara again!!!
OK Mara but watch that dribble big guy!
Damn Bona keeps turning it over.
He needs to stop dribbling. 5 turnovers!
Some nice hustle plays by Will today
Bona for 2 Throws!
Bona 5 for FTs. Go big guy!
His work over the summer on that really paid off and continues to