Jules Bernard played well the last time UCLA played at home. Can he do it again this afternoon against Oregon State? (Photo Credit: UCLA Athletics/uclabruins.com)
This afternoon, the UCLA Bruins will host the Oregon State Beavers at Pauley Pavilion. Tip-off is set for 4 pm PT and the game will be broadcast on Pac-12 Networks.
The Beavers are led by head coach Wayne Tinkle who is in his seventh season at the helm. Since becoming Oregon State’s head coach, Tinkle has gone 101-102.
But, despite the fact that the Beavers have an overall mediocre record which has them seventh in the conference standing, Oregon State still managed to beat Southern Cal at home just ten days ago. So, UCLA cannot afford to be complacent this afternoon.
Starting Five
Let’s look at the Oregon State starting lineup.
For years, the Beavers were led by Tres Tinkle, the coach’s son, but he’s gone now and the team looks to be on the young side with three underclassmen starting. With the younger Tinkle gone, the team is now led by one of the two starting seniors, Ethan Thompson. Thompson also happens to be the son of one of the team’s coaches and he leads the Beavers in both points per game and assists per game with 16.4 and 3.9, respectively.
Only one other Beaver is averaging in double figures and that’s sophomore guard Jarod Lucas who is averaging 13.2 ppg. Junior forward Warith Alatishe is third behind Lucas with an average of 8.9 ppg while senior guard Zach Reichle is averaging 8.2 ppg. Alatishe is the team’s top rebounder and he’s second in the Pac-12 as well.
The team’s fifth starter is sophomore forward Dearon Tucker. Tucker got his first career start against Arizona a few weeks ago.
The keys to beating the Beavers seems to be shutting down Alatishe and Lucas. They are both averaging more than 10 points per game when the Beavers win and less than 7.5 when they lose.
That means today’s game is likely to come down to the Bruins’ defense. If UCLA can keep the duo of Alatishe and Lucas from scoring, the Bruins should win. If they have a hard time controlling the pair, especially from three-point range, then it could be a long afternoon for UCLA.
This could have easily been another trap game for the Bruins. It had been sandwiched in between a pair of games against the Oregon Ducks, but the Ducks’ continuing COVID problems may result in UCLA being more focused on the Beavers this afternoon. After all, the Bruins will have a whole week after today to think about their next opponent — the second place Southern Cal Trojans.
Listen to the Game Here on TMB!
The TuneIn player won’t embed here on Substack, but you can open another tab to listen. Today’s game is on Pac-12 Networks with Ted Robinson and Ben Braun calling the game. If you would prefer to listen to Josh Lewin and Tracy Murray call today’s game instead you can listen to today’s game online.
Join your fellow Bruin fans discussing today’s game below.
This is your Oregon State Beavers at UCLA Bruins game thread.
#23 UCLA Men’s Basketball (12-3, 8-1)
Opponent: Oregon State Beavers (8-6, 4-4)
Series Record: UCLA leads, 98-39
When: 4:00 pm PT, Saturday, January 30, 2021
Where: Pauley Pavilion, Los Angeles, CA
TV: Pac-12 Networks National, Los Angeles and Oregon with Ted Robinson and Ben Braun
Radio/Audio: AM 570 in Los Angeles with Josh Lewin and Tracy Murray Satellite Radio: Sirius Ch. 121 and XM Ch. 197 And, of course, here in The Mighty Bruin Game Thread!
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Ball pretty much going through Riley on the post right now; he either kicks it to the 3 or takes it to the hole. Getting their bigs in foul trouble :-) Nice inside out game this half
UCLA keeps grinding out wins. This offense continues to get worse. So many missed open looks. So many poor possessions of no ball movement. Smith is gone and that’s a bummer, but this offense can’t seem to make baskets. There really isn’t a leader and there definitely aren’t any stars. Hill will be lucky to play overseas... and China isn’t an option. No way he even plays in the g league right?
U!
C clap, clap!
L clap, clap, clap!
A, clap, clap, clap, clap!
Fight, fight fight!
3 pt D needed again tonight.
They're having trouble defending Riley inside; their starting big out with 2 fouls
Beavers' last 3 fouls all trying to defend against Riley
Love Riley's high post shot!
Yes but how about som free throws?
He's shooting 70% this year... not gonna hit every one of them
Make your game inside, you need to hit the FTs.
Thinking back on many of our last games, he's hit 'em when they counted in the last seconds
Atta way to make a liar outta me, Riley! LOL
Don't know why Cronin took out Riley, when he was dominating both sides of the game
Wow, downtown!
Hill to Clark!
Bernard hit ground hard trying for rebound; on the ground getting looked at atm. Doesn't look great
Prayers, Jules.
Good D and passing.
Let’s go!
I don’t have PAC 12, I’m listening on the radio. Sounds like another grind it out...
Offensive woes...
All in all, a lot of bricks in that wall.
Bernard shone on the side of the court on the bicycle; hope he's okay
Singleton hitting from outside!
Ball pretty much going through Riley on the post right now; he either kicks it to the 3 or takes it to the hole. Getting their bigs in foul trouble :-) Nice inside out game this half
D is improving.
Jesus we can’t hit.
Bernard back in :-)
Yay!
Jaime!
Hustle!
Great ball movement on Kyman's last shot
Jake!
Kyman!
Grrrrow!
Jaime!
Hate to say it, but Jalen Hill has not looked good this game
Josh Lewin just pointed out he’s been in a slump ever since he declared for the draft.
Really needs to get his head back in the game, then. He's not helping himself, draft-wise, and we're gonna need him down the stretch
Bad offense but lotta free throws I guess score any way you can.
Gonna be another grinder...
Can't believe it's coming down to the last shot again smdh
Need a basket...
Here we need it
Riley!
OSU is banging hard. Lewin just said UCLA is at 33%...
Their 41% to our 33%
That was an ugly possession
Wow.. interesting no call pretty much ended the game for Beavers
ole'
I'll take an ugly W over a pretty L any day... but I most prefer a pretty W!
Yay! As gut wrenching as we expect.
UCLA keeps grinding out wins. This offense continues to get worse. So many missed open looks. So many poor possessions of no ball movement. Smith is gone and that’s a bummer, but this offense can’t seem to make baskets. There really isn’t a leader and there definitely aren’t any stars. Hill will be lucky to play overseas... and China isn’t an option. No way he even plays in the g league right?
Well hopefully there’s no where for the offense to go but up...
They scored 81 plus three straight games without Smith. They're in a shooting slump now. 33% is trash tho.