Sebastian Mack made quite an impression at the Maui Invitational (Photo Credit: Jan Kim Lim/uclabruins.com)
The last time UCLA hosted UC Riverside was seven years to the day. On November 30, 2016, the Bruins were led by Isaac Hamilton, who scored 27, and T.J. Leaf and Aaron Holiday, who each added 18, and UCLA topped the Highlanders, 98-56.
I expect a similar blowout again tonight. Though, keep in mind that Coach Cronin has already said that he is using the non-conference games to tinker with the lineup. So, you may not see a huge blowout before halftime.
While the Bruins dropped out of the Top 25 after losing games to Marquette and Gonzaga last week in Maui, I have no doubt that Cronin will have the team ready for their tough December schedule. After tonight, UCLA will be off until they visit Villanova on Saturday, December 9th. They follow that with Ohio State at the CBS Sports Classic in Atlanta a week later. Then, they get two final tune-ups before Christmas by hosting CSUN and Maryland. They begin their final season of Pac-12 play on Thursday, December 28th at Oregon State.
As for tonight’s opponent, UC Riverside has lost every game they’ve played so far where they were the visiting team, and the games they have won were either home games or their lone neutral site game against Green Bay.
They lost to Utah by 29 and to North Carolina by 25. So, I expect the Bruins to win big tonight as well.
Let’s look at the starting five for head coach Mike Magpayo.
Starting Five
Against Bethesda on Sunday, Magpayo started a traditional lineup featuring two guards, two forwards and a center. So, look for that again tonight.
UC Riverside is led by a pair of guard who lead the team in scoring. Redshirt freshman Barrington Hargress leads the starters in scoring with an average of 11.7 ppg. While redshirt sophomore Isaiah Moses is averaging a little less at 11.0 ppg, he is the team leader in assists with 4.7 per game, just edging Hargress who averages 4.6 per game.
The third starter averaging in double figures is junior center Ben Griscti, who has been averaging 10.0 ppg. He’s also averaging 4.3 rebounds per game.
Senior forward Wil Tattersall is averaging just 7.0 ppg but he leads the starters in rebounding with 4.4 per game. The other forward is grad transfer Kyle Owens who has been averaging just 5.6 ppg to go with his 3.9 rpg.
Magpayo has used all of his guys already this season, but look out for true freshman Chip Brunt. While Brunt has only played in Sunday’s game against Bethesda, he scored 12 points in limited action. So, he may be an option off the bench tonight and could see his time increase as a result of Sunday’s performance.
Analysis
Tonight’s game is a tune-up for next Saturday’s game against Villanova. While it should be over by halftime, it might not be if Coach Cronin is tinkering again. So, don’t be alarmed by a close halftime score.
The final score should still be a good size blowout.
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. UC Riverside Highlanders game thread. Here’s how to watch, listen and stream tonight’s game:
UCLA Basketball (4-2)
Opponent: UC Riverside Highlanders (3-4)
Series Record: UCLA leads, 5-0.
When: 8:00 pm PT, Thursday, November 30, 2023
Where: Pauley Pavilion, Los Angeles, CA
TV: Pac-12 Networks National and Los Angeles with J.B. Long and Don MacLean
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Just to say, in an "Evan free" environment - it seems retaining chip drove a Midwestern kid not to stay to play in a great university to play in the B1G in front of family and friends... Thank goodness basketball has begun (even if I couldn't make it to Pauley tonight)
Rumors swirled that a lot of players were waiting for the portal to open. I guess the powers that be dismissed it as idle gossip and made no coaching changes.
This game brings back great memories. I grew up on the campus in Riverside. My father was a supervisor for the Citrus Experimental Station which had 1500 acres of orange grove etc. we moved into that house in 1953 and the next year they built the first three buildings for the college. It was my backyard. I became the”ball boy” for the football and basketball teams. Went to all practices and games home and away. A great childhood. Back then they played Pomona, Occidental Etc. Now they are playing the big boys. I loved living on the campus.
Good memories, Terry! Where I lived in Venice, there was a hill I rode up to 10 with an airport to my right. Turns out it was an old AAF field where my dad had been posted in WWII. I wish I knew when I was there and had invited him out.
They were such a steady amazing team to watch. Everyone knew there roles and perfected them. Haquez had umbelievable footwork. Tyger had amazing presence and shots. Clark was like no other defensively. I just loved that team.
U! Clap clap clap
C! Clap clap clap!!! (Great to see you BruinMom!)
L! Clap clap clap!
A! Clap clap clap!
L! Clap! Clap! Clap!
UCLA! Fight fight fight!
UCLA fight fight fight! Hi Tamara, I hope you and yours are well!
Thank you Jim. You are so kind my friend and I hope you and your family are well too!
Hi Terry! Great to see you!
Hi to you. Ditto
Good evening, Bruin Mama! It's great to see you! Go Bruins1
Good evening , Bruin friends, I doubt I''ll survive this game, but I needed to say hi! I hope you are all doing well. See ya when I can!
Hi Doctor!
You made my evening, Bruin Mama!
Hi Jim! Great to see you!
Hi Tamara! Hi Terry! Might just be us tonight!
And Jim!
Hi Everyone! We should win this one - need a bit of light after the Chip debacle. Go Bruins!!!
Good God yes! The state of football is so depressing.
Dante Moore is leaving along with Cam Brown, Ryan Carson, Keegan. It is so bad and I am sure it will get worse.
As predicted. So sad.
Oh and Sturdavich is leaving too.
Just to say, in an "Evan free" environment - it seems retaining chip drove a Midwestern kid not to stay to play in a great university to play in the B1G in front of family and friends... Thank goodness basketball has begun (even if I couldn't make it to Pauley tonight)
Rumors swirled that a lot of players were waiting for the portal to open. I guess the powers that be dismissed it as idle gossip and made no coaching changes.
Latu is likely gone. Every NFL mock draft has him going in the 1st round. I can't think of a single reason why he should stay.
Josh Lewin said CMC is not on the sideline tonight. Out sick and recovering was all he said.
Yes, Sevino is coaching tonight.
Covid
Kind of figured TBH
Good D and Dylan!
D looks prepared!
Andrews with the 3!
Yaty, Dylan for 3!
That high hook by Mara is impossible to block
Unless he goes for the unnecessary dribble.
Facts
We are only shooting 33%. UC Riverside is shooting 50%.
Why the technical??
Hanging on the rim.
Thank you!
Mara puts it right in!
Yay, I can't spell it!
Happy to see Buyuktuncel score.
He is looking a bit more comfortable for sure
Yes, he's got to learn the NCAA game we need someone to show up with an outside shot.
I agree. We need a lot of improvement on the offensive side.
Offense is a work in progress
It sure is.
We need to capitalize on the size advantage
Yeah we're too big to not get the rebounds!
Yes!
C'mon, Adem!
Going to be out for the half now
CMC is having a fit at home about the turnovers
And lack of defense.
Yes I wanna see Fibleuil hit his stride!
Why does our lack of a 3 point shooter remind me of a lack of a kicker in football? Ugh
It truly is unbelievable. We will have a tough season without a 3 point threat.
Berke on the floor
Praying it's not an achilles.
Didn’t even think of that. I was thinking ankle.
Bad landing ugh
I can feel his pain!
Oh no Berke is hurt.
Just starting to hit his stride. Man this sucks.
Oh man, coming down on a foot wrong!
Looks like it could be bad.
Jaime did it too much. Yes we know!
Jaime had to have surgery to correct all the injuries.
We seem to have the worst luck with injuries
We sure do.
Yay, Dylan for 3!
Kenny!
Way to Mack to dish it when he slipped!
Nyuba slams!
Owens can’t miss. Playing way above his usual stats.
Mack!
Dylan from behind the arc!
Needed, Stefanovich for 3!
This game brings back great memories. I grew up on the campus in Riverside. My father was a supervisor for the Citrus Experimental Station which had 1500 acres of orange grove etc. we moved into that house in 1953 and the next year they built the first three buildings for the college. It was my backyard. I became the”ball boy” for the football and basketball teams. Went to all practices and games home and away. A great childhood. Back then they played Pomona, Occidental Etc. Now they are playing the big boys. I loved living on the campus.
Great story!
I love this community and the fond memories shared
What wonderful memories.
Good memories, Terry! Where I lived in Venice, there was a hill I rode up to 10 with an airport to my right. Turns out it was an old AAF field where my dad had been posted in WWII. I wish I knew when I was there and had invited him out.
We shouldn't be struggling against UCR!
Totally agree.
They are shooting 50%. Awful.
Zero defense. CMC is screaming from afar.
I think I can hear him in the Bay Area
🤣
Nope.
Too many turnovers! Where is Tygrrr!
How I miss him. My replica jersey is hanging up where I am watching the game.
Yes, I remember you loved his 'do'.
And his genuine smile!
Man, I miss Tyger and Haquez and Clark and... We would have won the natty if we didn't have all those injuries. So sad what could have been
Yes, Tamara, that was a hungry team, only happens every now and then.
They were such a steady amazing team to watch. Everyone knew there roles and perfected them. Haquez had umbelievable footwork. Tyger had amazing presence and shots. Clark was like no other defensively. I just loved that team.
One for the ages
We only have 4 turnovers. But rebounds are even which is ridiculous
Any news on Berke? Didn’t come out of the locker room with the team. Not that I thought he would.
Nothing. Was also hoping for an update too.
On the bench but not looking good with no shoe on
Nothing yet.
That's the way, Bona!
Berke gingerly sits on the bench . :(
😢
Mack finally gets foul after being hacked under the basket
O-krap, Adem!
Wow. Bona is not having a good game.
Well, not like...
Mara is also not having a good game.
He looks so young
Yes. And doesn't have a lot of strength.
Mara has a long way to go to be a consistent contributor
💯
Hook, Mara! That's the way!
So great when it works but I feel like a lot of them have rattled out tonight. Ugh
Longest home winning streak on the line right now
This is ridiculous
We just don't seem prepared or dedicated to defense. And our shooting is not good.
So many fouls being called also disrupt any shooting rhythm
Truth.
Oh man that was a mess!
Will!
Yay Mac!
Throw it down Mara!
Will! We needed that 3!