Earlier today, the UCLA Bruins were in Pauley Pavilion prepping for their earliest Pac-12 Conference opener ever. (Photo Credit: @UCLAMBB)
This evening, the UCLA Bruins will host the California Golden Bears in UCLA’s earliest Pac-12 Conference opener ever. Last season, the Golden Bears went 14-18 in their first season under Mark Fox, but they lost to the Bruins twice again last season. In fact, UCLA has won the last six games against UC Berkeley.
Last season, junior guard Matt Bradley led the Golden Bears with 17 points against the Bruins. So far this season, he is the UC Berkeley’s leading scorer, averaging 19.5 points per game to go with his team-leading 6.3 rebounds per game.
While he is the only man on the team averaging in double figures in points, graduate transfer Ryan Betley is scoring just under 10 points per game and he isn’t the only grad transfer making an impact for the Bears. Makale Foreman, who joined UC Berkeley from Stony Brook, is averaging 8.8 points per game.
While junior forward Andre Kelly is only averaging 8.3 points per game, he is tied with Bradley for the lead in rebounds with 6.3 per game. The Bears’ other forward is senior Grant Thiemann. Thiemann scores the least of the Golden Bears’ starters with 6.3 points per game, but he is close to Bradley and Kelly when it comes to rebounds, with 6.0 per game.
Clearly, the key to this game is for the Bruins to play tough defense and minimize the impact of Bradley. The good news for UCLA is that, even if Bradley tries to light it up from behind the arc, he is only shooting .217 from three so far this season. So, he isn’t much of a threat from long distance. That just means that the Bruins will need to take away the inside game to keep Bradley in check.
Listen to the Game Here on TMB!
The TuneIn player won’t embed here on Substack, but you can open another tab to listen. Today’s game is on Pac-12 Networks with Ted Robinson and Bill Walton calling the game. If you would prefer to listen to Josh Lewin and Tracy Murray call today’s game instead you can listen to today’s game online.
Join your fellow Bruin fans discussing today’s game below.
This is your UC Berkeley Golden Bears at UCLA Bruins game thread.
UCLA Men’s Basketball (2-1, 0-0)
Opponent: UC Berkeley Golden Bears (2-2, 0-2)
Series Record: UCLA leads, 141-103
When: 5:00 pm PT, Sunday, December 6, 2020
Where: Pauley Pavilion, Los Angeles, CA
TV: Pac-12 Network National, Los Angeles and Bay Area with Ted Robinson and Bill Walton
Radio/Audio: AM 570 in Los Angeles with Josh Lewin and Tracy Murray Satellite Radio: Sirius Ch. 111 & XM Ch. 197 And, of course, here in The Mighty Bruin Game Thread!
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That was a really really good half of basketball. A little loose on turnovers, but they shot great, rebounded well, took several charges. Smith was involved early. Lots of different contributors. That was nice.
U!
Johnny Juzang tonight?!
All net for Smith from 3. Would love to see him get going early
8 for Smith already. Nice.
I gotta listen to the radio Hulu doesn’t have the pac12 network dern it.
offense on point tonight
Shooting it well at the moment.
Need to tighten defense now
This is looking great right now.
Way better than the Broncos on my other screen...
Kyman finding his groove
Smith with too many TO's
Bruins in a rout!
Bruins are really solid at both ends tonight.
I know this has nothing to do with UCLA but man Mahomes is good.
Dang. Smith finally missed a 3
Halftime: UCLA 40 - Kal 22
That was a really really good half of basketball. A little loose on turnovers, but they shot great, rebounded well, took several charges. Smith was involved early. Lots of different contributors. That was nice.
FTs need to improve.
Campbell and Hill are running plays that usually only works in video games. Cal has no one that can handle Hill
Hill is best
Campbell to Hill!
Sweet drive by Smith.
Tyger with our last 5.
We do need to step up our defense some bit here.
Whatever Cal did at halftime it seems to be working...
Tyger taking over!
Alley oop to Smith on the break. Pretty!
FT shooting --unacceptable
Seems Hill is our best FT shooter now. How is that possible?
Smith!
15 pt lead with 3:42 left. Defensive shutdown time.
One defensive stopp followed by forcing a shot clock violation. Strong finish!
20 pt lead with 1:42 left. Bruins going to 1-0 in conference.
Great night for Smith, Tyger, Hill. Tyger with 12 assists and just 1 TO. Great all around performance by the Bruins outside of FT shooting.
Final: UCLA 76 - Kal 56 Great night, Bruins!
Cal Berkeley got their asses handed to them.