The Bruins beat the Wildcats last week without Johnny Juzang. Will he be available to assist the Bruins tonight? (Photo Credit: Scott Chandler/uclabruins.com)
Last week, UCLA won all three of the games they played easily. The Bruin defense was absolutely tenacious in all three games. The game which started it was the Bruins’ game against the Arizona Wildcats.
Now, tonight, UCLA heads out on the road to play the Wildcats again.
Last week, I wrote that I thought the game had “the possible makings of a knockdown, dragout fight,” due to how the Bruins had played the week before on the road.
But in three games last week, UCLA earned their new ranking as the #3 team in the country.
Ironically, after losing to the Bruins last week, Arizona switched rankings with the Bruins and fell to #7 in the nation.
That means, for the second week in a row, these teams meet with the #3 team visiting the #7 team.
Arizona’s quick turnaround under new head coach Tommy Lloyd is still pretty remarkable and it demands respect.
Last week’s blowout was a statement win by the Bruins, but last week’s win will be not have as big an effect if the Bruins cannot win again tonight.
The key to tonight’s game is the UCLA defense. The Bruins are going to have to play another great game defensively and they will need to play tough defense all game long.
Prior to last week, the only game Arizona has lost was when Tennessee held them to less than 74 points. The Wildcats’ season average is 88.4 points. So, the Bruins will need to hold UofA under 74 points again
After last week, it’s clear that the Bruins can do that at home. Now, they need to go do it on the road against Arizona. The Bruins should have it as long as they continue to play like they did last week.
Listen to the Game With TMB!
TuneIn.com now has UCLA’s games listed as “premium” content. So, rather than using TuneIn, you can just listen through the official website like we have done with the small sports for a long time in order to listen to Josh Lewin and Tracy Murray call today’s game, but why would you want to? Yes, you guessed it! National treasure Bill Walton is working the game tonight with Dave Pasch on the ESPN. How could you not want to listen to Big Red? But if you don’t, 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.
In the meantime, here’s how to watch today’s game:
This is your #3 UCLA Bruins at #7 Arizona Wildcats game thread.
#3 UCLA Men’s Basketball (16-2, 8-1)
Opponent: #7 Arizona Wildcats (17-2, 7-1)
Series Record: UCLA leads, 62-44
When: 5:00 pm PT, Thursday, February 3, 2022
Where: McKale Center, Tucson, AZ
TV: ESPN with Dave Pasch, Bill Walton and Molly McGrath
Thanks again for supporting The Mighty Bruin. Your paid subscriptions make this site possible. Questions, comments, story ideas, angry missives and more can be sent to to @TheMightyBruin on Twitter.
Really bad half for us. Need to shoot better if we are going to pull this out. Need Johnny to do some damage. Why have him sit so long? I know he has 2 fouls but we need him.
How To Watch, Game Preview and Game Thread: #3 UCLA Bruins at #7 Arizona Wildcats
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Let's see who shows up. Go Bruins! Jaime is not starting.
Jaime and Johnny both starting. Here we go!
Yay Cody!
Jaime!
AZ clearly trying to go inside as their primary option
Ole'!
All 6 of AZ's points in the paint
Regardless, it's good to see Jaime that energetic!
Foul on Riley for standing still and getting jumped into.
Where is everyone tonight? Still driving home?
Smart B-ball, Jaime!
Offensive foul! SPTR!
C'mon, Bruins!
Juze, lights the fuse!
Bruins 0 for 6 from 3 so far. Need to start hitting some of those.
Offense out of sync.
Time out!
How many times are we gonna give up the inbounds under the basket?
We're shooting 33% and 0 for 7 from 3. Ugh
OMG!
Julez!
Great hustle play by Jules!
9-16 rebounding, we got to get the shots to drop!
We're getting some decent looks. Just need them to fall
Need to tighten up the D.
Julez, We need some Johnny!
We need to get this closer before the half. Can't let this get away and then hope our shooting picks up and theirs slows down.
Assists, 3-10, we're not looking good!
SPTRs love the Cats
Bernard seems to be the only one contributing any offense
Where was tge foul? Bernard did nothing
Tyger gets knocked down twice at the rim and they call that touch on Bernard. FPTRs
Home court officiating. Jaime was pulled down.
Bad turnover but why didn't we try for 2 for 1 at the end of the half? Bad strategy.
What a crap half, but it seems like we should be down by a lot more than 12
Shooting 33% vs 60%, and can't make a 3!
Really bad half for us. Need to shoot better if we are going to pull this out. Need Johnny to do some damage. Why have him sit so long? I know he has 2 fouls but we need him.
Lot better offensive energy inside to start the 2nd
Aw, man we got to find the hole!
Juze! Fire it up!
K-rap!
Myles!
Grrrr!
Pecking away...
Jaime!
Flop!
That was an elbow!
I see us working hard out there. Our shots just aren't dropping the way theirs are.
Grrr!