Sebastian Mack has been one of the bright spots for the Bruins this season.(Photo Credit: Jan Kim Lim/uclabruins.com)
After the UCLA Bruins wrapped up non-conference play on a four-game losing streak, they open their final season of Pac-12 play tonight with a very winnable game against the Oregon State Beavers in Corvallis.
While the Beavers completed their non-conference schedule with an 8-3 record, the level of competition they faced is far inferior to what the Bruins have faced so far. So, don’t let the Beavers’ record fool you into thinking that they are better than UCLA.
In fact, Oregon State only played three Power Five schools and they lost to all three of them.
What is compelling about the Beavers’ chances tonight is the fact that they are 18-7 at Gill Coliseum over the past two seasons. One of those seven losses came against UCLA when the Bruins defeated the Beavers, 62-47.
Will the result be the same tonight? Of course, we won’t know until the game has been played, but it certainly seems like tonight’s game presents the Bruins with an opportunity to end their losing streak. Can UCLA get things together in order to end that streak? We’ll see.
Head coach Wayne Tinkle is back for his tenth season in Corvallis. Since joining the Beavers, Tinkle’s record is still just 135-161. Let’s look at Tinkle’s starting five.
Starting Five
It looks like Wayne Tinkle will start the five guys who have started the majority of the Beavers’ games so far this season. Assuming he does, he will go with a lineup featuring three guards, a forward and a center.
The Beavers are led by sophomore guard Jordan Pope who is averaging 16.9 points per game. He also leads OSU in assists with an average of 3.4 per game. But averages doesn’t quite tell you how much Pope means to Oregon State. He’s also the team’s most frequent shooter as well as pretty much the team’s best shooter. His 39.1% three-point percentage is the best of anyone on the team who has taken more than eight three-point attempts. He is shooting 93.1% from the line as well. His overall shooting percentage is 44.1% which isn’t the team’s best but he has taken 61 more shots than Tyler Bilodeau who has taken the second most shots on the team. Don’t expect to see Pope leave the floor much either. He’s averaging a whopping 37.5 minutes per game.
Another starting guard will be senior Dexter Akanno, whose average of 11.7 ppg makes him the second-best scorer on the team. He is the only senior who will start for Oregon State.
The third starting guard is junior Christian Wright. He is averaging just 24.9 minutes per game which may explain why he’s only averaging 4.8 ppg, but it may be better explained by knowing he has taken the fewest shots of any starter. He is second on the team, however, in steals with 12.
Forward Tyler Bilodeau is just right behind Akanno in scoring with an average of 11.5 ppg. Overall, he’s shooting 47.3% from the field and is the highest percentage shooter of anyone who has taken more than 60 shots. He’s also OSU’s second-best rebounder with an average of 5.4 rpg.
Center KC Ibekwe is the third sophomore start for Oregon State. He’s averaging just 7.2 ppg and he is third on the team with 5.3 rpg. Ibekwe is only averaging 18.4 minutes per game which may explain why he is second on the team in blocked shots with 12. He trails backup center Chol Marial, who has 14, in that category, even though Marial is only playing 12.9 minutes per game.
It’s possible that Tinkle could choose to start sophomore forward Michael Rataj, instead of one of the guys listed above. Rataj has been averaging 7.1 ppg. He is the best rebounder on the Beavers with an average of 6.5 rpg. If Rataj doesn’t start, expect him to see significant time off the bench, given that he’s been playing 25.4 minutes per game in the eight games he has played.
Listen to the Game With TMB
Tonight’s game will be on Pac-12 Networks with Ted Robinson 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. Oregon State Beavers game thread. Here’s how to watch, listen and stream tonight’s game:
UCLA Men’s Basketball (5-6, 0-0)
Opponent: Oregon State Beavers (8-3, 0-0)
Series Record: UCLA leads, 102-40.
When: 7:00 pm PT, Thursday, December 28, 2023
Where: Gill Coliseum, Corvallis, OR
TV: Pac-12 Networks National, Los Angeles and Oregon with Ted Robinson and Don MacLean
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We definitely are out of sync. The offense is not improving. We have some talent but maybe the offense Cronin runs is not a good fit. Idk. So frustrating. Mara, Vide, Fib et al are just not strong enough yet for the collegiate level.
Totally agree. Lots of regression in offense. Sets seem like they never run smoothly and guys look up and realize 5 seconds left on shot clock and throw up a prayer. No 3 passes for good shots and let it fly
18 of Beav's 28 points from beyond the arc. We've more points in the paint as well as second chance points. There's no reason we cannot win this game. We need to focus on making our open shots and shutting down the Beav's outside game.
We are shooting 31%. I just don't think there is an excuse to be playing this poorly at this point in the season. We have had plenty of games to develop somewhat as a team and I don't see it. Cronin sticks with Stef at all costs. Cronin's offense is not working with this team. Shades of Howland.
Agree. Reminds me of Micks first season. I really don’t understand why they NEVER run. He throttled Tyger back but this team strikes me as having some speed with Mack, Andrews and Bona can run the floor. Don’t understand why he doesn’t even try to go up tempo.
U clap clap clap!
C clap clap clap!
L clap clap clap!
A clap clap clap!
UCLA Fight, Fight, Fight!!!
Here we go Bruuiins, here we go!
Hi, Tamara, I hope you and yours had a Merry Christmas!
UCLA fight fight fight! Hi Bruin fans, maybe we’ll play better away with some rest.
Go Bruins and Happy New Year, Bruin family!
Happy New Year, Jim!
Happy New Year Bruins
Happy New Year Ry!
Let’s go Bruins!
Hi Bruin Fam! Let's Go!!!💛💙 Wishing all a beautiful and peaceful New Year!
Stefanovich starting again, smdh
Happy New Year everyone! Sorry to be late. Go Bruins!
Happy New Year 💙💛 Happy you are here!
Good evening, Bruin Mama!
Bona straight to the hole for two! Then the FT.
3 the old fashioned way
We made a lay up!
Dylan! Here comes Nyuba.
Nwuba very active on the court
I heard that sneaker squeak!
I like Bona working the paint; keep it up! The basket's are gonna happen
Nice shot by Dylan
Man, we really need some shooters
That was supposed to be Stefanovic, but what can you do?
I feel like we just missed out on some of the bigger recruits this cycle and it’s showing in the disjointed way the team is composed
We definitely are out of sync. The offense is not improving. We have some talent but maybe the offense Cronin runs is not a good fit. Idk. So frustrating. Mara, Vide, Fib et al are just not strong enough yet for the collegiate level.
Yay Dylan!
Mara is way too soft inside
He needs some mass.
💯
Bona!
Nice to see him find the hole!
Yep, that was a beaver elbow!
Losing touch
Berke takes an elbow sandwich!
Beavs shooting 50% from outside (4/8) to our 0% (0/4); huge difference in this game
13 points in 13 min. 😞
Stefanovic finally hit; we're gonna need a whole lot more of that this season
Yes please!
Great D by Bona!
Like Berke's hustle, jumping after that loose ball
Gotta be better on the boards
Kind of nice to see the players scrapping fir the ball for a change
Another elbow to the neck by OSU
C'mon Stefanovic, you gotta hit the bunnies!
Def. Good evening, BB!
Hey, Jim! Switching quickly from this game to Browns v. Jets (Browns on fire again this week)
Guilty of switching to the Miami Golden State game to see JJJ
nice!
The inability of this team to finish easy lay-ups is just baffling.
No one looks like they want to take the shot
So true
Bad defense on OSU’s screens. So frustrating
Will for 3!
Wide open 3 ugh
We got the TO but couldn't score. Story of the year.
B. Williams has been impressive
I really like him.
Yay, Brandon!
Brandon should be starting and Stef should not be starting. imho
What a shot by Williams!
B. Williams late in the shot clock woo hoo
We really have no offensive identity do we? I never can tell what we’re trying to do with the ball.
You nailed it. We are rudderless.
Totally agree. Lots of regression in offense. Sets seem like they never run smoothly and guys look up and realize 5 seconds left on shot clock and throw up a prayer. No 3 passes for good shots and let it fly
Yay, Brandon!
Don't think he got it off in time
There we are 28-24 beavs at the half. :(
18 of Beav's 28 points from beyond the arc. We've more points in the paint as well as second chance points. There's no reason we cannot win this game. We need to focus on making our open shots and shutting down the Beav's outside game.
Same ol same ol, BB.
We’ve forced 9 TOs but don’t capitalize on them. A winnable game if they start scoring off them.
We are shooting 31%. I just don't think there is an excuse to be playing this poorly at this point in the season. We have had plenty of games to develop somewhat as a team and I don't see it. Cronin sticks with Stef at all costs. Cronin's offense is not working with this team. Shades of Howland.
Good points....BUT, there is still no talent. Stef needs to sit, but is there anything better on the bench? Not really.
I actually think B Williams is better.
B. Williams hustles and is willing to take shots
💯and he's much more athletic than Stef.
he's ok, but he's not a starter on a top 10 team which is what we should be year in year out.
Agree. Reminds me of Micks first season. I really don’t understand why they NEVER run. He throttled Tyger back but this team strikes me as having some speed with Mack, Andrews and Bona can run the floor. Don’t understand why he doesn’t even try to go up tempo.
Yep. Cronin is too stubborn and is not adjusting.
That's how you start the half!
Can’t believe that didn’t fall
Dylan!!
Andrews bangs it in!
Bona!!