After last Saturday’s road loss to Villanova, the Bruins will be in Atlanta today for a neutral court game between UCLA and the Ohio State Buckeyes. UCLA has not fared well in the CBS Sports Classic where the Bruins are just 3-5 including a 1-2 record against the Buckeyes.
Ohio State comes into today’s game looking to rebound from their second loss of the season last Saturday against Penn State, 83-80. Before that loss, the Buckeyes had won seven in a row.
While the Bruins will bring the sixth-best scoring defense in the country into today’s matchup, the Buckeyes are 9th in the nation in three-point percentage at 40.4%.
Based on Ohio State’s game against Penn State, it seems as though Coach Chris Holtmann has already settled into an eight-man rotation this for the Buckeyes this season. Now, that may have something to do with the fact that Ohio State has already played two Big Ten Conference games this year. In addition to the Nittany Lions, OSU also played Minnesota on Sunday, December 3rd.
Let’s look at Holtmann’s starting five for Ohio State.
Starting Five
Against Penn State, Holtmann started a three-guard line with a forward and a center. In fact, he’s started the same five guys in all ten of the Buckeyes’ games this season.
Sophomore Bruce Thornton will start at one of the guard spots. He leads the team in scoring with an average of 18.5 ppg. He is also the team leader in assists with 43. He’s shooting 41.8% from beyond the arc.
Sophomore Roddy Gayle, Jr. is another starting guard for OSU. He’s second on the team in scoring with an average of 14.3 ppg. His 44.8% three-point percentage is second-best on the team, but he has taken fewer long-range shots than some of the other guys. He’s also second on the team in assists with 38 and he is the guy most likely to turn the ball over. He leads the team with 26 turnovers.
Evan Mahaffey is the third starting guard. The sophomore from Cincinnati is second on the team in steals with 15.
Redshirt senior Jamison Battle will be the starting forward. He’s also the third starter averaging in double figures with 13.8 ppg.
Last but not least, sophomore Felix Okpara will start at center. He averages just 5.7 ppg but he has the best shooting percentage on the team at 64.1%. Okpara leads the team in rebounds with an average of 6.8 per game.
Look for Dale Bonner, Zed Key and Scotty Middleton to be the guys who play off the bench for Ohio State. Key is the best of these guys, averaging 10.2 ppg and pulling down 6.7 rebounds per game.
Listen to the Game With TMB
With today’s game being the first game in the annual CBS Sports Classic doubleheader, it will, naturally, be on CBS with Brad Nessler and Bill Raftery calling the game. If you prefer, you can listen to Josh Lewin and Tracy Murray. Though, I’m not quite sure how Lewin will be able to be in Atlanta at noon PT and SoFi Stadium by 4:30 pm for the kickoff of the LA Bowl. Regardless, 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. Ohio State Buckeyes game thread. Here’s how to watch, listen and stream today’s game:
2023 CBS Sports Classic
Opponents: UCLA Bruins (5-3) vs. Ohio State Buckeyes (8-2)
Series Record: Series tied, 6-6.
When: 12:00 pm PT, Saturday, December 16, 2023
Where: State Farm Arena, Atlanta, GA
TV: CBS with Brad Nessler, Bill Raftery, and Jenny Dell
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Really no excuse. Interestingly I was watching an NBA game last night, pretty rare for me and I was shocked how many FTs the players missed and they’re pros!
U!
C!
L!
A!
UCLA Fight! Fight! Fight!
UCLA Fight Fight Fight!!!
Let's go!!
Wow, looks pretty deserted
Hello Bruin Fam!!! This is a HUGE game for us! Let's Go Bruins! 💙💛
Hey, Tamara!
Hey BB!
Ohio State shoots 40% from 3. Will be a huge upset if we pull off the win.
Nice drive by Mack
The arena us empty 😞
Sad
Mara still raw; not sure I like our 2 big start idea
I am with you.
Hi Bruin fam! Wrapping presents and watching the game.🎅
Hi BruinMom!
Hey B Mom!
mara shorted it again...
So frustrating
Liking Mack's driving to the rim this game
Mara can't hit a basket.
Dammit, we gotta make it from the stripe!
Mara is just not tough enough; he shoulda been bodying that guy from his spot in the paint
Dylan, nice shot
Tracy Murray not kind in his comments on the Bruins
Mara should not start
Yeah, we've been saying that too LOL
After getting to watch the Villanova game, and this, he should not start. Nwunba should
Agree.
He should play more, Mara less
I am happy to see Newba in...
Yeah, I love Nwuba
🤣spelling error on my part.
Yah, had to give you a B on the test, Tamara-- sorry!
Bad call; that foul was not on Bona
And the moving screen….again
Good individual D by Dylan
6 points. 6 points. smdh.
I like our bigs shooting from the key; we need to keep that up to clear paint
OMG I count at least 10 points lost cuz we miss 2 footers
Yep.
Gotta make that lay
1 for 5 at the rim ugh
Love Will!
that was quick, Nwuba! Sitting with 2 fouls
And both nowhere near the basket
good point
Bona and Nwuba potentially in early foul trouble
For a purportedly good 3-point shooting team, OSU is 0-6 from outside so far
Silver lining.
Fortunately for us
our 2 bigs and their 1 big in foul trouble so far
No, Bona only has 1
Someone tell these kids to make their shot
We are playing well on defense.
Getting killed in the paint
Stefanovic's only stats so far is 1 board and 1 foul
That as better D by mara
Vide!
We miss the bunnies and make the hard ones!
No kidding!
Do our guys know that they are need to score to win?
We just gave a bunch of players that can't seem to shoot. I just don't understand how players at this level are not shooters 😞
Good thing Cronin does not have any hair to pull out!
OMG Fible, go up strong!!
Yes please! Hopefully he learned his lesson.
Just realized all of OSU points came in the paint
Yeah I commented on that earlier. Getting killed there.
Mack!
We got a shot in the paint!
Mara, you are not Kareem Abdul Jabar. Stop with the sky hook!
It's actually a great shot when it falls; he just needs to make those hooks
It really is great, but je can’t make it
He's made them before in other games; it's a great way for him to take advantage of his height
OMG are you freakin kidding me?? make a f'n layup!
From your keyboard to the basketball gods’ ears
Williams having a pretty solid game so far
Best yet!
Nice to have him in the game!
Finally, Stefanovic hits one!
I think Mick should give both Williams more time!
Finally we made a free throw
Have we made a free throw yet?
Just did, thanks to Bona
Maybe it will open the basket!
LOL
Send that, big man!!
Gotta make free throws. They are supposed to be free
Really no excuse. Interestingly I was watching an NBA game last night, pretty rare for me and I was shocked how many FTs the players missed and they’re pros!
what is the record for the least number of points in a half scored by a UCLA team since the time clock was initiated?
Such a grind this game
Gotta be that game against Kentucky that Alford coached (one of the first times he faced them). I think we had 13 points at the half
Didn't realize that both teams shooting only 33%
That explains a lot