This evening, the UCLA men’s basketball team returns home after playing their last three games on the road. The Bruins are finally starting to show some signs of life. UCLA has won three of their last four games coming into tonight.
Entering tonight’s game against the Oregon State Beavers, the Bruins are a game ahead of OSU in the Pac-12 standings. Of course, that means that the difference is UCLA’s win over the Beavs in Corvallis to start Pac-12 play at the end of December.
If UCLA can win tonight at home, and there’s no reason to think they won’t after their previous win over Oregon State, they will move into a tie for at least seventh place in the conference standings, and it will move them to just a half game out of a tie for fifth in the conference standings.
Starting Five
Wayne Tinkle’s starting five will likely look the same as they did when these teams met the first time. Both Jordan Pope and Dexter Akanno will still start at guard. KC Ibekwe and Tyler Bilodeau will start at center and forward, respectively.
Before the last game against the Bruins, it was expected that junior Christian Wright would start based on their starters against Idaho State. Instead, Tinkle started forward Michael Rataj against the Bruins and he started against Arizona State last weekend.
Analysis
The key to the game for the Bruins probably comes down to shutting down Ibekwe and Rataj again. Last time, UCLA held Ibekwe scoreless while Rataj only scored five points. Akanno led the Beavs in scoring with 22 points while Pope added 13 points and Bilodeau scored 10.
Given that the Beavers couldn’t pull off a win at home, I don’t see how they will be able to come into Pauley and beat the Bruins tonight.
Listen to the Game With TMB
This evening’s game will be on Pac-12 Networks with J.B. Long and Don MacLean 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 State Beavers game thread. Here’s how to watch, listen and stream tonight’s game:
UCLA Men’s Basketball (9-11, 4-5)
Opponent: Oregon State Beavers (11-9, 3-6)
Series Record: UCLA leads, 103-40
When: 7:30 pm PT, Thursday, February 1, 2024
Where: Pauley Pavilion, Los Angeles, CA
TV: Pac-12 Networks National, Los Angeles and Oregon with J.B. Long and Don MacLean
Is anyone old enough to remember the Dick Enberg midnight broadcasts of every single UCLA home game in late 60s and early 70s? Watching games with my dad until 1:00am, school nights or not.
Yeah, I've been following. He's been linked as an OC favorite if Dan Quinn got hired, and Washington signed him up. Would have been more certain if Seattle had hired Quinn.
The problem is that leaving now is much worse than if spineless Jarmond had axed him at the end of the year and allowed a new coach to recruit. Now the early portal is closed and we currently have the worst UCLA football recruiting class since rankings began.
U clap clap clap!
C clap clap clap!
L clap clap clap!
A clap clap clao!
U C L A Fight fight fight!
Hi, Tamara, good to see you! Go Bruins!
Hi Jim, good to see you! 💙💛
Good evening, Ry, go Bruins!
Hi Doctor! Hi Ry!
Good evening, Bruin Mama!
Hi Tamara! Go Bruins!
Hellooooo Beautiful Bruin Fam! Wonderful to be here tonight with you all! Go Bruins!!! 💙💛
Hi BruinMom, Ry, Jim! Can't wait until tip off!
Evening y'all! Super excited!
Me 2!
Berke warming up is good sign that his hand is better
Yes! Hope he gives us at least a few minutes.
Did you see Mack?
Josh said he is playing.
He is in the starting line up so he must be good to go. He missed some practice this week I think.
We've made 7.3 3pointers a game in last 4 games!
Let's do it again tonight!
Good evening, Bruins! Watching from Troy NY on the very late east coast tonight.
That's every game for me, you get used to it.
Much respect, Ry. And to KingJim and Terry and all the others out here!
Ditto!
Hi Greg! Let's Gooooo! 💙💛
A late one for you and Jim. Always glad to see you here!
Nice high percentage shot to begin!
Williams starting. Cronin is slowly making this the team he needs and wants.
Hello my friends Don’t get PAC 12 TV. Will stay up with game via your terrific comments. Go. Bruins
One hopes no ruins tonight... other than Beaverville.
Hi Terry!
Hi Terry! So happy you are here 💙💛
Good "evening", Terry!
Yes, good "evening" which is really 10;40 for us.
I'm feeling your pain tonight lol
Is anyone old enough to remember the Dick Enberg midnight broadcasts of every single UCLA home game in late 60s and early 70s? Watching games with my dad until 1:00am, school nights or not.
Bona!
gotta make free throws
Truth
Free throws and lay ups!
It's almost watching 3rd graders sometimes with this Bruin team.
Hmm, how did Bona's headband come off on that putback in traffic? Must have just slid off. He couldn't possibly have been raked across the head...
🧐
Why is Berke shootig 3s??
I think he made one last game
Ah
Hi, Bruin Mamma, I hope you and yours are doing well.
All good on this coast. How about you?
We need to start hitting some of these open 3s if Ore St is just gonna camp in this zone all night
Good evening, Gregg!
Good evening. I'm in your time zone tonight!
Since when can Lazar shoot? It's great!
He has been much better last few games
The guy has been clutch the last few games!
Stef cleans up!
Who was that masked man?
We need to contain Rataj
B. Will enters the game
Bona for free throw shooter of the year!
Well, Dylan atones for one of the worst turnovers ever with an even worse turnover by OSU lol
Facts
OSU shooting 60% and 100% 3s. smdh
I boldly predict that will not continue!
🤣
Still only down 3
Stool 🤣
Sometimes we play like stool
I'm sorry, Greg, I wish it were warmer.
That's ok. Even in Colorado I'm cold from October to May haha
Bona!!!
Bona is learning the inside move!
Donny Mac giving him some props too!
BLAM!
WooHoo!
Sa lam Bona!
SPTRs
Gimme a B! Gimma a O! Gimme a N! Gimme a A! B-O-N-A!!!!
All nylon from Dylan on that 3!
Dylan for 3!!!!
Dylan 3!
Ah, now when Andrews loads up a three I don't cringe. This team is so much better.
Bona at 12!
Love it! Hoping another double double tonight!
14!!! This is crazy!
Adem! We're playing really good D tonight.
Now someone tell the refs
Bona is dominating!
Bona again, he's got 14!
Dylan!
Mara in for Bona, lessee.
Stef!!!!
Stef for 3!
Guys, the Commanders might be our friends right now. They are considering hiring Chipster as their OC!!
Oh my that would be great!
He has interviewed with the Raiders too!
I'd like that
Yes, but Raiders went with Kliff Klingsbury (AZ Cardinals and then $UC fame).
Just read that Kliff Kingsbury withdrew his name for the Raiders job. Does this mean the Chipster is back in the mix???
Good riddance!
An amazing Green Day song
Yeah, I've been following. He's been linked as an OC favorite if Dan Quinn got hired, and Washington signed him up. Would have been more certain if Seattle had hired Quinn.
The problem is that leaving now is much worse than if spineless Jarmond had axed him at the end of the year and allowed a new coach to recruit. Now the early portal is closed and we currently have the worst UCLA football recruiting class since rankings began.
I never thought I would say it, but it wouldn't help much for Chip to leave in Spring, 2024.
Well, we gotta rip the bandaid off at some point, but it hurts a lot more to do it now than it would have 6 weeks ago. Thanks for that, Martin.
It could give us an opportunity to hire Lynn as HC, stealing him back from SC.
You stated it perfectly
Mack!
Mara with a block!! Gasp!!
Mara with a block!
Get the weak stuff out of here! Let's Go Mara!
Adem back in.