Look, I was expecting to have more time this afternoon to write something specific on this game, but life happened so you get the quick and dirty preview.
This is UCLA’s first game of the season, and if you’re interested in what the team may look like this year, you’re in luck because we dropped the Big Season Preview this morning! Go have fun reading all that, then come back here.
Rider will throw some decent players at the Bruins, but none that should have the capability of beating them single-handedly. T.J. Weeks is the team’s best returning player, being a guard who can do a bit of everything well. He should lead the team in scoring, but he’ll get most of his points through crafty play and effort rather than athleticism, so the Bruins should be able to neutralize him with sound defense.
The other big player to watch here will be Tariq Ingraham, who is a legitimate post player with a solid repertoire down low. Like with Weeks, he does lack high-level athleticism, and that’s where UCLA should be able to attack him with impunity.
The only other player you really have to know is Alcorn State transfer Tank Byard, another power forward who can score in bunches but has some limited range. Senior wing Jay Alvarez and sophomore point guard Ruben Rodriguez should round out the starting lineup.
I don’t think UCLA will face a huge threat from Rider, though that does not mean things can’t get hairy. Rider plays a similar style to the Bruins, with the only difference being the talent disparity between the two schools. This should be a nice game for Cronin to get a better idea of lineups that play well together before a tougher game against New Mexico later this week, which also means things might look ugly for stretches and Rider will keep things relatively close for a bit.
And hey, Darren Collison is on the call for this game! That should be fun for those of you at home (I will be at the game).
This is your UCLA men’s basketball vs Rider Broncs game thread. Here’s how to watch, listen and stream today’s game:
#22 UCLA Men’s Basketball (0-0)
Opponent: Rider Broncs (0-0)
Series Record: First ever meeting
When: 7:30 pm PT, Monday, November 4, 2024
Where: Pauley Pavilion, Los Angeles, CA
TV: FS1 with Trent Rush and Darren Collison
Live Stream: FoxSports app
Radio/Audio
Local Radio: AM 1150 with Josh Lewin and Tracy Murray
Satellite Radio: SiriusXM Ch. 138 or 197 (UCLA Call)
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Ok, so I think I’ve isolated the issue, revolving around duplicating posts causing commenting issues. Unfortunately don’t have enough to fix it tonight, but it’s something I’ll keep in mind going forward to see if that’s the reason.
Hey, I’m testing some things, so if people could post some test comments under this one, I’d appreciate it.
Hi Dimitri, was literally posting when your message popped up.
Listening to the pregame show. How I missed this stuff.
Hi, Dmitri, thanks for kick-starting things!
Ok, so I think I’ve isolated the issue, revolving around duplicating posts causing commenting issues. Unfortunately don’t have enough to fix it tonight, but it’s something I’ll keep in mind going forward to see if that’s the reason.
Thanks for letting us know. We will manage. Go Bruins!
Test 1.... 2.... 3....
U! Clap! Clap! Clap!
C clap clap clap! Good evening, Bruin Mamma, good to see you again!
L clap clap clap! I hope I can make it!
A! Clap! Clap! Clap!
So glad to be here with you!
UCLA! Fight! Fight! Fight!
What's not to love ?We have two Jaimes on this team!
Hey, Jim!
U C L A fight fight fight!
Good evening all. Go Bruins!!!
Hi Terry!
Hi Mom!
Hey, Terry!
Hey BB. Time for a great season.
Nice to see Collison again!
Agree
I never know what to expect from these preseason games. I have learned not to expect a lot but look for improvement by end of preseason
Confident it will be better than last year.
Yes please!
So happy to be back with everyone. Go Bruins!
Wow, great post moves by Dailey!
D showing well, so far.
Way to fool them DA!
Slice and dice by Dylan!
Dylan!
Two hand jam!
Great post pass by Dylan too
Big guy two in a row!
Bilodeau looked so comfortable there
UCLA shooting 71% early on...
Also, first four minutes had no substitutions, which was nice
^^^facts
IIRC Mick was always ready with a quick hook for any player who displeased him preseason
Yes indeed and now he has a bench to use to emphasize this.
Very active on D
We still haven't figured out the press, though
Takes time
Yup
Mick not going to be happy with that transition 3 by Rider
Like our movement on O
Mack in for Andrews
Utter brick by Bilodeau
And he can make those. Bummer
Off-balance fall-away... at least he tried to use the board
Good hustle!
Lot of deflections early.
Finally a 3!
Daley with the beautiful 3 from the corner!
Daily for 3!
Dailey making his mark early
I think Kobe Johson hasn't sat down yet
He is so motivated. Love it.
Mara!!! Send it, big man!!
Bruins have 10 points in the paint, to Rider's 2. Should only improve throughout game
You can see Mara’s added muscle and more confident movement.
Rider's 3 point shooting is keeping them in this
Mara already playing better post D than last year
Still needs to work on offense, obviously...
Mack with the 3!
Johnson with a 3! So glad to see these shots behind the arc.
Last year it was hold your breath. Won’t be like that now.
OMG yes
Kobe Johnson with the smooth 3
one pass too many on the fast break; we're too generous LOL
Andrews with the pull up jumper!
Daley very impressive on both sides of the ball so far
Trent Perry already making a difference
He can play. Best player in Calif last year.
I know. So glad we landed him after Enfield left. Props to CMC.
Yep. Hopefully it will be the start of a Calif pipeline.
Like the intensity.
I'm definitely slipping. Didn't realize there was a game tonight.
Hello Army. Seems like BB starts earlier every year.
All good! Happy you are here.
Good evening, Army, good to see you!
Hey, AB
Great dish by Mack
So nice to see that instead of forcing. bad play
Up by 14, I like Mara and Bilodeaux!
Yep. Mara has a lot of potential. Is already so much more mature than last year.
Great D. Shot clock violation.
Good takeaway by Kobe, but then he turns it over
Bilodeaux for a quick 2!
Andrews hits his 3. Gotta be happy about that.
Dylan also looking really good tonight
We are going to need him this season
He was one of best players in PAC 12 the 2nd half of last season. Playing now just like he finished the year.
Dylan for 3!