After playing their last two games on the road, the UCLA men’s basketball team returns home to the friendly confines of Pauley Pavilion tonight for a game against the Cal State Northridge Matadors.
In what seems to a something out of a Bizzaro world, the Matadors come into tonight’s game with a better record this season than the Bruins. That’s right. The Matadors’ 7-3 mark under first-year head coach Andy Newman is currently better than the Bruins’ 5-4 mark.
Of course, CSUN has not played competition that’s on the same level that as the teams the Bruins have played. UCLA has lost to Marquette, Gonzaga, Villanova and Ohio State while Cal State Northridge has lost to the likes of Stanford, Le Moyne, and Northern Colorado. The highest quality Matador wins have come against Chicago State and Pacific.
To be fair, it’s not like UCLA has beaten any really tough opponents at this point either. In fact, a really early prediction might say that the rebuilding Bruins will need to win the Pac-12 in order to make the NCAA Tournament based on how the team has played so far.
But that’s getting way ahead of things as the team is still in non-conference play.
The Matadors are led by Newman who comes to CSUN after leading Cal State San Bernardino to the Division II Final Four last season. Newman has had five Division II Tournament berths over the past six seasons. Now, he’s looking to take that success to the Division I level with CSUN.
Let’s look at the Matadors’ starting five.
Starting Five
Look for Newman to start a lineup consisting of three guards and two forwards based on who he started in CSUN’s last game against Utah Tech.
This will be the second season in the Valley for grad transfer De'Sean Allen-Eikens. Before transferring to CSUN, he played at the University of New Orleans. He’ll be on of the starting guards. So far, he leads the team in scoring with an average 19.9 points per game. He has a shooting percentage of 51.6%. But, somehow, that’s only good for third-best on the team. Allen-Eikens is also second on the team in rebounds with an average of 6.4 rpg.
Junior guard Dionte Bostick is in his second season at CSUN after transferring from Murray State. He’s second on the team in scoring with an average of 15.4 ppg. Bostick also leads the Matadors in three-point percentage with 38.9%. Now, just because Bostick can score doesn’t mean he can’t play defense. He’s second on CSUN with 16 steals. So, the UCLA offense will need to control the ball around him.
The third guard will be junior transfer Jordan Brinson who played at Fresno State last year. Don’t expect him to score much. He’s only averaging 7.6 ppg. He is, however, second on the team in assists with 30.
Junior forward Keonte Jones is the fourth Matador starter who began his collegiate career elsewhere. In Jones’ case, he comes to CSUN after playing last season at Midland College, but he’s made an impact. He’s third on the team in scoring with an average of 13.6 ppg. He also leads the team in rebounds with 6.8 rpg as well as steals with 17.
Senior forward Dearon Tucker is on his third school in three years. After starting his collegiate career at Oregon State, he played last season at Indiana State. Now, he joins the Matadors. He isn’t much of a scorer, averaging just 7.9 ppg. In fact, he’s the only Matador starter who hasn’t tried a three-pointer this season. He is third on the team in rebounds, though, with 6.2 rpg.
Analysis
Coach Newman has the Matadors playing fast. They are averaging 80.4 ppg as a team. Meanwhile, they are allowing 69.3 ppg to their opponents. Comparitively, UCLA is scoring 69.1 ppg while allowing just 58.8 ppg to their opponents.
That means that this game will be determined by how well the Bruin defense holds the high-flying Matador offense. This game could be closer than you might expect.
Listen to the Game With TMB
Tonight’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 today’s game online.
This is your UCLA men’s basketball vs. CSUN Matadors game thread. Here’s how to watch, listen and stream tonight’s game:
UCLA Basketball (5-4)
Opponent: CSUN Matadors (7-3)
Series Record: SUCLA leads, 9-1.
When: 7:00 pm PT, Tuesday, December 19, 2023
Where: Pauley Pavilion, Los Angeles, CA
TV: Pac-12 Networks National and Los Angeles with J.B. Long and Don MacLean
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.
What I learned in the OSU game is that we are really good at defence, especially the threes, and that we can't shoot threes. I learned we should not shoot three balls unless we are wide open.
UCLA giving up 40 in a half against any team would make Cronin hopping mad, but to do that against CSUN?? Wouldn’t want to be in the locker room right now
Y’all are just not optimistic enough. As everyone keeps saying, cronin teams always get better. It’s only 50 days into the season… February is what we have to wait for. Turn those frowns upside down
I appreciate your comments and I think Cronin is a great coach. He gets the best out of a lot of players. Like you I am hopeful that this a turning point kind of like when Cronin to the letters away and made the team earn them back.
Here we go Bruins, clap-clap!<br>
Good evening, Bruin friends!
We are the Mighty Bruins,
The best team in the West.
We’re marching on to victory,
To conquer all the rest.
We are the Mighty Bruins,
Triumphant evermore.
You can hear from far and near,
The Mighty Bruin roar!
U! Clap! Clap! Clap!
C clap clap clap!!!
L! Clap! Clap! Clpa!
Starting a small lineup
At least Mara is not starting
Will got poked in the face. Stef is in.
Smh Bona ruins Mcclendons start by elbowing him in the face 40 seconds in and sending him to the bench
Lazar shooting blanks.
Dylan for two from the corner. Nice inbound play!
Brandon Williams shoots a 3, does not get pulled so I assume Mick has him in for his outside shooting
With Berke injured, it makes some sense. It’s not as if anyone is showing any consistency.
Bruins are sloppy, so far. CSUN up 5-2.
Sweet inside basket by Bona, and we're in the bonus already.
What I learned in the OSU game is that we are really good at defence, especially the threes, and that we can't shoot threes. I learned we should not shoot three balls unless we are wide open.
Instead of missing layups, turning it over before shooting them.
Hi everyone! I’m late but here!
Good evening, Bruin Mama!
Hi Doctor!
BS, Will got the tie up!
Not a good start ugh
They are truly outrebounding us!
This is pretty terrible. Cannot score, bad defense, no rebounding.
Finally Bona with a bucket!
Slam it Adem!
This offense is painful to watch.
we're definitely trying to set up Adem inside. So far he ha avoided the fouling. Good coaching?
He has 1 and McClendon has 1. CSUN has 8 already.
Mack with bucket and drawing a foul
Mack, steal and 2 pts and fouled!
Will for 2!
Fade away jumper for McClendon. Way to stay with it.
Lazar is the only one I have any trust in shooting threes, and he hits um at the best time!
Inside out seems to be working presently
Stef for 3! down 20-19.
While Mara is out there, he draws attention so that frees up the rest of the team.
C'mon, Stef! That wasn't a charge!
Body check after the whistle on Mara
I hope Mara can bulk up. He gets pushed around a lot.
Yep, that's what he needs.
Mack turns his back to the ball on defense
Now we’re bad on both sides of the ball.
Really bad
This team seems not fundamentally sound. Cronin looks extremely frustrated.
Just super inconsistent. This is not the team that played hard against Ohio State
Hard to win when you’re inconsistent too. Really frustrating to watch.
There’s absolutely no reason for Nwuba to be on the floor if our other bigs aren’t in foul trouble!
This looking like caca for the Bruins,
Embarrasing
Good evening, Terry, yes it is.
Good evening Jim. I can’t watch game. Sounds like we just aren’t ready to play.
Where's Tamara?
Good question
I am here finally! Was at a party and forgot about the game 🤣 maybe should forget more often. This is awful 😞
Yes, we have no outside shooting.
UCLA giving up 40 in a half against any team would make Cronin hopping mad, but to do that against CSUN?? Wouldn’t want to be in the locker room right now
The paint is probably peeling off the walls
You know some players just look natural on the court. We don’t have any. Every move looks awkward.
Bruins are favored by 17, but the longest home winning streak looks like it might end tonight.
Sadly I agree
Y’all are just not optimistic enough. As everyone keeps saying, cronin teams always get better. It’s only 50 days into the season… February is what we have to wait for. Turn those frowns upside down
I appreciate your humor/sarcasm tonight for sure. Yeah CMC has his work cut out for him!
Also, at least ucla head coach isn’t Juwan Howard or Steve Alford… those are legitimate poor coaches
A consolation for sure
I am gonna go out on a limb and make a bold prediction. April 2025 ucla will be looking for a new head basketball coach
Hope not, he’s a solid coach and teacher.hes got a lot of talent but not a team yet. They will get there!
I appreciate your comments and I think Cronin is a great coach. He gets the best out of a lot of players. Like you I am hopeful that this a turning point kind of like when Cronin to the letters away and made the team earn them back.
I really hope not unless basketball is code for football than yes please!
Was at a Holiday party and just checked in... This is embarrassing 😞
Very, wish i wasnt watching
That is what I said when I checked in late. Hi there.
There’s always women’s basketball
Excellent point.
The women’s team is really good. Always fun to see Jaime’s sister Gabriella too!
I would be a sad UCLA fan if it wasn't for Womens basketball, Mens Volleyball, and beach volleyball
This teams motto must be: Foul Matadors Foul!
The officiating in this game is really something