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

• Live Stream: Pac-12.com and the Pac-12 Now app

• 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!

• Live Stats: UCLA StatBroadcast

• Game Notes:
  UCLA
  Oregon State

Go Bruins!

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