Jules Bernard tied for most points and most assists on Tuesday against Arizona while also leading the Bruins in rebounds as well. (Photo Credit: Scott Chandler/uclabruins,com)
After crushing the #3 Arizona Wildcats on Tuesday night, the #7 UCLA Bruins need to hold serve tonight and Saturday. If they can do that, they will be in line to move up in the polls on Monday. Of course, they just need to take one game at a time and tonight’s opponent is the UC Berkeley Golden Bears.
Of course, the Bruins beat the Golden Bears, 60-52, less than three weeks ago in Berkeley and, now, UC Berkeley visits Westwood.
Since that game in Berkeley, the Bears have played just three games and they have lost all three. The first two games were against the Washington schools and, last Saturday, the Bears lost to Arizona. That also means that the Golden Bears are now on a five-game losing streak which started when they lost to Southern Cal before the Bruins played them.
When the Bruins visited Berkeley, there was a bit of a surprise. Based on the starting lineup against Southern Cal, it was expected that Kuany Kuany would start against the Bruins. But come game time, Kuany was on the bench and in his place was Jalen Celestine.
Including that game against the Bruins, Celestine has started three of the last four games for the Bears. It’s easy to see why Celestine has replaced Kuany as a starter. Celestine is producing better than Kuany is across the board. Not only is Celestine averaging two more points per game than Kuany, but he is also adding more than one more rebound per game and about a half an assist more too.
There is absolutely no reason to think UC Berkeley will end their losing streak tonight. Is it possible that the Bruins have a letdown after beating Arizona on Tuesday and get caught looking ahead to the game against Stanford on Saturday? Sure, of course, it is.
But even a down game against a bad Berkeley team should probably result in a Bruin victory.
Listen to the Game With TMB!
TuneIn.com now has UCLA’s games listed as “premium” content. So, rather than using TuneIn, you can just listen through the official website like we have done with the small sports for a long time in order to listen to Josh Lewin and Tracy Murray call today’s game, but why would you want to? Yes, you guessed it! National treasure Bill Walton is working his third UCLA game in a row. Tonight, he’s back with Ted Robinson on the Pac-12 Networks. How could you not want to listen to Big Red? But if you don’t, 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.
In the meantime, here’s how to watch tonight’s game:
This is your UC Berkeley Golden Bears at #7 UCLA Bruins game thread.
#7 UCLA Men’s Basketball (14-2, 6-1)
Opponent: UC Berkeley Golden Bears (9-10, 2-6)
Series Record: UCLA leads, 144-103
When: 6:00 pm PT, Thursday, January 27, 2022
Where: Pauley Pavilion, Los Angeles, CA
TV: Pac-12 Networks National, Los Angeles and Bay Area with Ted Robinson and Bill Walton
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 to @TheMightyBruin on Twitter.
I'd like to see him go start at a school like Pepperdine or LMU as a grad transfer. He's a nice player, but there's never going to be real minutes for him at UCLA.
a friend from an SEC school is very concerned his team hasn't been hit yet. It's obviously going to happen, and when it does most of the team will get it. He's afraid it will happen right before or during the tournament and ruin the season. UCLA is immune from such a scenario.
I just got into the arena....not quite as electric as the Arizona game.
Juzang is out for the game - Covid protocols and Clark is still out. Will need to see someone else step up!
Just heard the news about Juzang. If I recall correctly, he was one of the few players who did not get COVID when most everyone else got it.
better now than March
The Jake Kyman conversation coming back to bite us.....he has already hit a 3!
Your secret is safe with us!
I'd like to see him go start at a school like Pepperdine or LMU as a grad transfer. He's a nice player, but there's never going to be real minutes for him at UCLA.
My sentiments exactly
a friend from an SEC school is very concerned his team hasn't been hit yet. It's obviously going to happen, and when it does most of the team will get it. He's afraid it will happen right before or during the tournament and ruin the season. UCLA is immune from such a scenario.
A realistic fear for sure. It is funny how some teams have had serious outbreaks and others with nothing.
Oh, K-rap!
Singleton with the 3!
Jaime!
Taking advantage of the mismatch!
Ditto!
Oh, man!
Gotta rebound!
Cal shooting 80%
D!
Julez!
Julez^2!
uh oh myles johnson is down too
Ugh! We can't afford any more injuries.
Watson back but Johnson still getting checked out
Nice feet from Riley!
Bounce!
Cal's perimeter shooting keeping them in the game
Riley has learned something!
Kyman with the 3!
Watson, we need you.
It's good to see some inside game!
saw an ESPN mock draft that has Watson getting drafted in a few months....that would suck for the team. but good for him.
Yes good for him, get it while you still have knees.
LOL but I would love to see him play one more year for the Bruins
Of course we would, but we understand the cost of injury to athletes.
True that!
Jaime has his mojo back!
So happy to see that!
Yeppers, BruinMom!
Watson with the final shot! Ran a 3 point play for him and he delivers!
Watson gets caught ball-watching on a Cal back cut.
But wow a set play for Watson to shoot a 3 to end the half
Love that jumper of Riley's
Riley!
Jaime is so active on defense.
Johnson looks hurt he should be done for the night imo
Agree. He has gotten banged up pretty good this game.
A break!
Dang, Watson!
SPTRs so bad. Bruins are getting pummeled and not one whistle. Coach is furious.
Kyman making the most of his minutes!
And another one. 7 points and hadn't scored in 5 games. Good for him!
Wow, we're rolling!
Watson a rebounding machine tonight!
Stong getting ready to check in!
Garbage time, let's hope!
Stong with the 3!!!!
Jake!
I think they are giving Stong the game ball. The bench went wild!
Turn out the lights. Good night, Mighty Bruins!
not a whole lot of masks in the stands!
Good night, Bruin faithful. see y'all nex time ! ifcan!