Dylan Andrews scored 18 points on Thursday against Oregon State. (Photo Credit: Jan Kim Lim/uclabruins.com)
Believe it or not, the UCLA Bruins could find themselves in a tie for fourth place in the Pac-12 by the end of this weekend if they can beat the Ducks tonight and Washington State and Stanford both lose. What’s more unbelievable is that UCLA is currently just two games out of first place in the conference and a win tonight coupled with an Arizona loss would move the Bruins to just one game out of a tie for first place.
After watching this team struggle as much as it did earlier in the season, it was hard to fathom that these Bruins could potentially challenge for the Pac-12 regular season title, but they are on the verge of doing just that.
It reminds me how people were saying that the Bruins were going to be a tough team to beat later in the season. But since the month and a half-long swoon that saw UCLA drop eight of nine games, the Bruins have come roaring back by winning four of their last five games.
Now, make no mistake.
UCLA is likely to lose tonight’s game to the first place Ducks. That doesn’t mean that they don’t have a chance to win tonight’s game either. After all, they only lost by five when they played Oregon in Eugene. Will the magic of Pauley Pavilion coupled with an improving team be enough to beat the Ducks tonight? It should certainly make things interesting. That’s for sure.
Starting Five
Of course, the biggest potential issue for the Bruins is that this is not the same Ducks team that the Bruins faced at the end of December.
First, center N’Faly Dante has returned to the lineup, and he has returned to being an integral part of the Duck offense. Dante is second on the team behind Jermaine Couisnard in scoring. While he’s still only played in seven games, he’s averaging 14.3 ppg in those games while Couisnard is averaging 14.7 ppg.
In addition to Dante returning to the lineup, there are two other guys who are starting for Oregon now who didn’t start against UCLA last time. That would be Kario Oquendo and Jadrian Tracey. Now, those guys won’t be new to the Bruins since both of them got more playing time against the Bruins than Brennan Rigsby and Kwame Evans, Jr., the guys they replaced in the starting lineup.
Jackson Shelsted, who scored 20 against UCLA in Eugene, will be in the starting lineup tonight, too. So, UCLA will need to find a way to keep in check this time.
Now, just because Rigsby and Evans won’t start doesn’t mean they won’t play. Against Southern Cal the other night they still played. They just didn’t start. The same holds true for center Mahamadou Diawara. With Dante back, Diawara returns to a reserve role. He played less than eight minutes against the Trojans on Thursday and scored no points.
Analysis
So, a tough Ducks squad is now tougher due to the return of Dante.
For UCLA to win tonight, they will need to play tough defense and minimize the damage done by the trio of Dante, Couisnard and Shelsted. Meanwhile, the Bruins will needs to maximize their offensive output like they did on Thursday against the Beavers. UCLA needs Andrews, Bona and Stefanovic to come up in double figures again like they did two nights ago.
Listen to the Game With TMB
This evening’s game will be on ESPN with Roxy Bernstein and Corey Williams 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 tonight’s game online.
This is your UCLA men’s basketball vs. Oregon Ducks game thread. Here’s how to watch, listen and stream tonight’s game:
Hi Doctor and Terry! I have a conflict tonight so I will only be here for the beginning of the game. Will keep an eye on the thread and the score of course. Go Bruins! Let’s get this one!
Joe's scenario that the Bruins "could potentially challenge for the Pac-12 regular season title" depends too much on others. Bruins must make their own destiny. Begin tonight by beating the Ducks.
Further to Joe's Analysis, Bruins must shoot over 40%. 35-38% fg is not continually a recipe for success.
Because Altman stubbornly stuck to his schedule, Ducks arrived about 30 minutes before tipoff. They got caught in traffic with Biden in town. They were warned by Altman refused to leave early. Saw a bus with police escort making its way to Pauley and wondered who it was. Found out listening to pregame show.
We are great. Reuben had torn labrum surgery on hip and will miss rest of season. He has been playing this year for the Nashville 18 and under traveling team. How abou you
So your son and my Colorado grandson son are both hockey players. Remember we both were at the Colo football FB game years ago and they both got a glove from same UCLA FB player so we were standing close to each other and didn’t know it.
The end of this Baylor - Iowa State game is taking an eternity, and I'm certain that some BSPN producer is on the sidelines making it happen, just to spite the west coast teams.
333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333Let's Go
U - Clap! Clap! Clap!
C! Clap! Clap! Clap!
Hey there BB. Go Bruins
Good evening, Terry! Here we go Bruins!
Hi Jim
Hey, Terry!
L clap! clap! clap! Good evening, bb!
A clap clap clap!
UCLA Fight! Fight! Fight!
I'm glad we're "peaking" at this end of the season. I hope we get to play post-season.
It will be tight. Rest of season has to go our way.
Nothing else is new, Terry. This young team could use some post season experience.
Hi Doctor and Terry! I have a conflict tonight so I will only be here for the beginning of the game. Will keep an eye on the thread and the score of course. Go Bruins! Let’s get this one!
Good to hear from you.
Hi, Bruin Mama! I'm glad you can peek in. Go Bruins!
👀👀👀
Hey, BMom! I hope the game starts soon for your sake!
Joe's scenario that the Bruins "could potentially challenge for the Pac-12 regular season title" depends too much on others. Bruins must make their own destiny. Begin tonight by beating the Ducks.
Further to Joe's Analysis, Bruins must shoot over 40%. 35-38% fg is not continually a recipe for success.
Tip has been changed to 7:25. Just announced by Josh Lewin. Sounds like there is a major traffic problem in the area.
So 10:25 out here?
9:25 Nashville Time. I’m ready for a late night !!
Sorry to say yes!
TY
Sadly
Because Altman stubbornly stuck to his schedule, Ducks arrived about 30 minutes before tipoff. They got caught in traffic with Biden in town. They were warned by Altman refused to leave early. Saw a bus with police escort making its way to Pauley and wondered who it was. Found out listening to pregame show.
By Altman = but Altman
Selfish!!
Thanks, Gen2, I knew someone would investigate!
i made it before tip off 🤣 Good evening Bruin Fam - all my friends! Go Bruins, best the dux! 💙💛
oh my beat the dux, not best the dux 🤣
Pluck the ducks!
Excellent!
Good evening Tamara. Great to have you. There is a saying year if you best another team it’s cuz you beat them. You’re good.
Thank goodness. Hope the dux are stool tonight - couldn't help it Terry 🤣 much love 💗
Hi, Tamara, we're delay 25 minutes, but we all rushed to be here.
Hi Jim! Great to see you my friend!
Hey, Tamara!
Hey bb, great to be with you this eve!
The delay helps us fans cuz the Baylor game is running way late.
Good evening, Bruin fam! Oregon's delay is my gain. Just got back to the hotel after my son's hockey game. Go Bruins!
Welcome Greg.
The hockey never ends, Terry! How's your fam doing?
We are great. Reuben had torn labrum surgery on hip and will miss rest of season. He has been playing this year for the Nashville 18 and under traveling team. How abou you
Oh no I'm so sorry to hear that. I hope he heals quickly.
Andrew is playing on the D2 team at RPI. We came out here for his Senior Night tonight.
Good evening Greg! Here we go!!! 💙💛
Hi Tamara!
Hey, Greg!
So your son and my Colorado grandson son are both hockey players. Remember we both were at the Colo football FB game years ago and they both got a glove from same UCLA FB player so we were standing close to each other and didn’t know it.
I remember that well and often wonder how your grandson's hockey seasons are going.
Let's go, Bruins!!
Hi y'all, hopefully we get a similar result as thursday.
Hi Ry, great to see you!!!
Great to "see" you too
Yo, Ry! You're not alone. Good to see you!
Hey, Ry!
Andrews!!
Dylan makes an opening 3. A great sign, I hope!
Ducks just owned Stefanovic on that last shot
But Mack has owned the Ducks the entire game so far! :-)
Mack attack
Great D so far by our Bruins!
Mack!!!
Refs allowed the Oregon player to take like 4 steps on that layup…
SPTR
Getting like the pros. Traveling doesn’t happen on a layup
mack!!
Again and again!
Love the aggressive D so far.
Outstanding!
I cannot hate BSPN enough. (there's no ESPN News in this hotel)
Yeah, Greg. Good evening!
Good evening, kj!
The end of this Baylor - Iowa State game is taking an eternity, and I'm certain that some BSPN producer is on the sidelines making it happen, just to spite the west coast teams.
And now they are reviewing the last second game winner. And then they are reviewing if the clock started appropriately. It's a freaking joke.
Mack!!!!!
Loving this game so far!
Good signs so far!
Yes, strong start for the Bruins. Beautiful layup by Mack.
Terrific first five min. Keep it up!
For the first time all season, we are 100% from 3
It's awesome!
Sweet drop-step by Bona
Bona again!!!
Andrews!
Dylan oh my!
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Hopefully we have learned our lesson and won’t give up an early first half lead like Ariz game
Cremonesi is the key tonight.
OMG how long has Logan been on this team?
UCLA is undefeated when he plats 2 minutes or more.
What a board by Brandon!
Mack frosh mistake
Travel!!
Holy triples, Dylan!
Stefanovic!!
Man is our defense killer tonight! 💙💛
Stef!!!
And BSPN gets to the Bruin game 6 minutes after the already delayed tipoff. Ridiculous.
Bury the ducks now!
This is a totally different team.
💯Truth!
Cronin P12 coach of the year
Love me some Berke!
Me, too, Mama!
Passing is sharp
Did anyone ever think we could score at 100 point pace anytime
We r on pace for 115! Final is on pace for 155-25!
Did anyone think that Oregon would be on a 30 point pace? Ha ha.
I know this is awesome, less than 35!
Still not as bad as Kentucky game smh
If we keep this up the rest of the season, we may just be playing in March!
Let’s just do it for rest of game for now v
True. Getting way ahead of myself.
Ducks have 4 from the floor and 5 from the line