Sebastian Mack continues to be a bright spot for the Bruins, having scored 20 points against UC Berkeley on Saturday. (Photo Credit: Scott Chandler/uclabruins.com)
After losing to UC Berkeley on Saturday, the Bruins are now the worst team in the Pac-12. Can Mick Cronin get things turned around for tonight’s game against Utah?
I’m not counting on it.
On paper, Utah’s 11-4 record looks impressive, but a closer look at the Utes’ schedule shows that they haven’t really played a bunch of good teams. They lost to Houston, St. John’s and the two Arizona schools last weekend.
If Coach Cronin were travelling with last year’s team, instead of this year’s team, I would say that I think Utah is beatable, even on the road.
But, with this year’s UCLA team, this is likely to be a very difficult—and quick—road trip.
Let’s look at the probable starting lineup that Utah coach Craig Smith will likely go with tonight.
Starting Five
Smith will probably start three guards tonight, considering he did that against Arizona last weekend. Interestingly, the Utes will also probably opt to start not one center, but two.
The Utes’ top scorer is Branden Carlson, one of those two centers, who leads the team with 17.9 ppg as well as rebounds with 6.4 per game. Carlson also leads the Utes in blocks with 21.
The other center will be junior Lawson Lovering. He isn’t an offensive force the way Carlson is. In fact, he only averages 7.4 ppg. You would think that when a team starts two centers that they both would be good rebounders, but Lovering is only fourth on the team in rebounds. His best statistical category looks to be blocks where he is second with 16.
Switching to the guards, senior Gabe Madsen is second on the team in scoring with an average of 13.9 ppg. He’s also the Utes’ biggest three-point threat. He has a three-point percentage of 45.9%. Nearly two-thirds of his shots have been from behind the arc. If UCLA wants to win tonight, they will have to find a way to shut down Madsen. Finally, Madsen leads the team in steals with 24.
Senior Rollie Worster is third on the team in scoring with 10.3 ppg. He shoots less than 27% from three-point range. So, don’t look for many threes from him. Worster is second on the team in steals with 22.
Finally, grad transfer Cole Bajema joins the Utes after transferring from Washington. Bajema is averaging just 9.3 ppg. He’s also the third-best player on the team in steals with 14.
Keba Keita will be the guy Smith goes to first to give the centers a break. While Keita is averaging 9.0 ppg, he is second on the Utes in rebounds with an average of 6.2 per game. He’s even outrebounding Lovering, despite getting less playing time. He’s also neck-and-neck with Lovering in blocks with 15.
Senior guard Deivon Smith will likely be the first guard off the bench. He’s averaging 6.8 ppg, due in large part to the 13 points he scored last week against Arizona State. Forward Ben Carlson has also seen a lot of playing time off the bench and is averaging 6.3 ppg.
Listen to the Game With TMB
Tonight’s game will be on ESPN2 with Dave Pasch and Corey Williams 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 tonight’s game online.
This is your UCLA men’s basketball vs. Utah Runnin’ Utes game thread. Here’s how to watch, listen and stream tonight’s game:
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Wow, Tulane got utterly jobbed by the refs! 0.8 left in game, and refs called a tacky-tack shooting foul. Swallow the whistles and let em play! Can't believe a great game will be decided by the f'n refs smdh
Often times he is the only one not afraid to shoot but yes it can be predictable. It’s unfortunate there isn’t a reliable shooter for Mack to kick the ball out to.
Our team can't possibly be struggling this much without coaches being majorly responsible for this debacle. The overseas players are not ready for collegiate ball but Mack, Andrews, B Wills, Maclendon didn't suddenly lose all their talent from high school. Something is systemically wrong with how the players are being coached. IMHO.
Did they coach them not to make free throws? To chuck up brick after brick from 3? The coaching shares the blame, for sure. But at some point the players need to put the ball in the basket, block out, play defense, etc.
It’s called youth. Mack us easy to guard. BWill is no threat to shoot the ball. Andrews is learning how to be a PG. He’s not there yet. Only time and hard work will fix the issues.
Youth plays a part for sure but there are other young players who excel and these are four star players. Something is just really off and disconnected.
Let's not get our hopes up.
U clap clap clap!
C clap clap clap!
L clap clap clap!
A clap clap clap!
U C L A Fight fight fight!
Good evening, Greg!
Good evening!
Good evening, Bruin Mama!
Hi Greg and Jim!
Hi, BruinMom! This is my first game thread in a couple weeks. So...how's the team been looking while I've been away? <shifty eyes>
👀👀👀
Don't get your hopes up, Greg!
Wow, Tulane got utterly jobbed by the refs! 0.8 left in game, and refs called a tacky-tack shooting foul. Swallow the whistles and let em play! Can't believe a great game will be decided by the f'n refs smdh
Refs should never affect the outcome of a game
At least it didn't lead to overtime
But you can’t hit a shooter on the arm, no matter how much time is left. It was a stupid foul on a desperate attempt.
Hi All, will be able to join in a bit... 💙💛
Hi, Tamara, good evening! Good to see you!
Anyone got the stats link? The one above is the Cal game.
https://stats.statbroadcast.com/broadcast/?id=488440&vislive=ucla
You read my mind, BMom!
We don't want those stats
LOL
Though often depressing I am making dinner and it’s an easy way for me to check the score!
All in all it’s just another brick on the glass.
In order to maintain a level of sanity, I’ve decided to significantly lower my expectations this year.
leads to less heart attacks, for sure
My thought on Mara is that I’d rather invest the time in his potential than in Nwuba’s last year.
Nwuba getting abused; need Bona on Levering
Mack attack!
So offensively, we have Mara hanging around the rim and Bona seems to be around the elbow; what's wrong with this picture?
Steff hitting them, I hope he keeps that up!
Mara got burned on that last roll to the basket by the Utes
And the Utes are probably happy to be rid of Lazar
Mara got beat there , then tossed up one too short, and got beat again.
His shot often looks so awkward
He needs to play and be needs to take that shot. Not too fond of the short arming of it though. The only way for these guys to improve is to play.
He also needs to start playing some defense
No doubt. This season is toast. He’s young and 7’3”. He also needs strength and conditioning work.
he's a net negative on the court; can't believe we started him
Nice shot by Andrews
Dylan hits for two!
I thought Mara would be more of a rim protector, given his height, but I haven't seen that this year
Not at all.
I would have thought Stefanovic would be comfortable shooting on that court; guess not
Where's the D?
Great post-up by Bona!
Yay, Adem!
Great D, Bona!
I'm not sure having Bona play high post is working tonight
Bona got hacked!
How is Ute tripping over his feet a foul on Bona?? fuckin' SPTRs!!
They screwed him at both ends
FWIW Josh and Tracy agree with you
Well at least we are not getting blown out. But low scoring again and Mara is just not ready for college ball.
We're hanging around, that's for sure
Atta way to take the charge, Berke!
Nwuba with the powerful rebound and dunk!
Great to see the fight
Thank you, Nyuba!
We're getting blown out before the half!
If Utah keeps hitting 3s, this game will quickly get ugly
I wonder if Stef would even play much for this Utes team.
The worst shooting UCLA team in memory.... which antedates Goodrich and Hazard.
Working together leads to a basket. Go figure!
Stef followed by Dylan!
Why do we just put the ball in Mack’s hands? Everyone knows what he’s going to do. And, he’s not a good decision maker.
Often times he is the only one not afraid to shoot but yes it can be predictable. It’s unfortunate there isn’t a reliable shooter for Mack to kick the ball out to.
Here’s a unique idea. Run the damn offense.
From your lips to the team’s ears!
That was a coaching decision. Not his best.
We end the half down by ten, another Bruins game...
I spoke too quickly when it was 16-20. Oh well.
Yea, but if we hold them scoreless in the 2nd half, we can win by 1.
Good evening, Army, it looks hopeless again, Can we recruit?
The kids need to play and get better.
Yes. I've seen enough of Nwuba and Lazar.
unfortunately no. Because our NIL collective is a joke.
Just brutal. Again. I don't know why I ever have any hope with this team.
I have lost hope in our coaching.
Our team can't possibly be struggling this much without coaches being majorly responsible for this debacle. The overseas players are not ready for collegiate ball but Mack, Andrews, B Wills, Maclendon didn't suddenly lose all their talent from high school. Something is systemically wrong with how the players are being coached. IMHO.
Agree, Tamara, there is no self-confidence on this team. It looks like we expected our bigs to dominate.
Did they coach them not to make free throws? To chuck up brick after brick from 3? The coaching shares the blame, for sure. But at some point the players need to put the ball in the basket, block out, play defense, etc.
It’s called youth. Mack us easy to guard. BWill is no threat to shoot the ball. Andrews is learning how to be a PG. He’s not there yet. Only time and hard work will fix the issues.
Bingo. Cronin's fault here is roster construction (to the extent that college coaches still have control over that)
He didn’t have control over losing half his roster. He retained a lot of players for 3 and 4 years. Then they all left at once.
exactly. And now NIL has made it impossible to reboot in the transfer portal and every recruit top freshmen.
Youth plays a part for sure but there are other young players who excel and these are four star players. Something is just really off and disconnected.
Yes, but those young players are on rosters with older players. We have one older player and it’s Nwuba.
Good point. But still to be struggling this much...
How is that a foul on Bona?
Sigh, why do we watch this?
Because we love our friends here 💙💛
Yes, indeed, Hugs, Tamara!
Airball, we suck!
I solved the problem. I turned on Gonzaga at Santa Clara. Broncos up by 11 in the 1st half.
Santa Clara beat the Bruins in the secret game prior to the official start of this season
There's that classic Cronin scowl we have come to know and love. He is FURIOUS.
So are we!