Tyger Campbell and the Bruins head to Berkeley for a game tonight against the UC Berkeley Golden Bears. (Photo Credit: Scott Chandler/uclabruins.com)
This evening, the UCLA Bruins will play their just their second Pac-12 Conference game of the season when the team travels to Berkeley to face the UC Berkeley Golden Bears. So far this season, the Bears appear to be improved compared to the past few seasons.
In fact, the Bruins have won the eight meetings between these squads and it looks like nothing will change tonight because, while the Bears are certainly better, they have not been able to beat any of the three ranked teams they’ve faced this season.
The only ranked team the Bears even came close to beating was Seton Hall on November 24th when the Pirates beat UC Berkeley, 62-59.
As a result, it looks like today’s game should be a relatively easy re-introduction to Pac-12 play for the Bruins.
Starting Five
The Bears are led by the 1-2 punch of guard Jordan Shepherd and forward Andre Kelly. Shepherd leads the Bears with an average of 14.6 points per game and Kelly is a very close second with an average of 14.5 points per game. Kelly also leads the team with 8.8 rebounds per game.
The third member of the Bears scoring in double figures is forward Grant Anticevich who has an average of 12.5 points per game. Anticevich is also second on the team in rebounds with an average of 7.5 per game.
Guard Joel Brown leads UC Berkeley in assists with 3.5 per game. He is also tied with Shepherd for the most steals on team with 17. The fifth starter is Kuany Kuany who doesn’t seem to contribute much to the Bears’ stats either offensively or defensively.
Analysis
Tonight’s matchup would seem to be a good way to re-introduce the Bruins to conference play. UC Berkeley is a currently in fifth place in the conference standings with a 2-2 mark, but it seems like this game should be a relatively easy win for the Bruins. At least, that’s the way it looks on paper.
Hopefully, UCLA can build on Thursday’s win over Long Beach State to get back to where they were before their COVID-forced break by coming out hard like they did against Marquette a month ago.
If they are able to do that, look for a 20-point win by the Bruins. If they should come out flat, then it could be a matter of the first team to 70 points winning tonight because UC Berkeley has been averaging 66 points per game while holding opponents to just 62. If the Bears get to 70 first, UCLA could stumble on the road.
This is your UCLA at UC Berkeley game thread.
#5 UCLA Men’s Basketball (9-1, 1-0)
Opponent: UC Berkeley Golden Bears (9-6, 2-2)
Series Record: UCLA leads, 143-103
When: 5:00 pm PT, Saturday, January 8, 2021
Where: Haas Pavilion, Berkeley, CA
TV: Pac-12 Networks National, Los Angeles and Bay Area with J.B. Long and Don MacLean
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Once more to the breach!
Bolsch is reporting that Jacquez is warming up and moving well. Would be a big relief if he’s good to go.
Why does $C Cal go on the FOX network while we get the crummy PAC12 dammit.
At least its Don McLean doing the commentary rather than Montgomery
Dang, Cody, nice move!
Cody!!
Grrrr!
Looking very rusty right now.
Grrr!
Jaime!
Ditto!
Still look rusty, some ugly shooting, but I’ll take 6 up at the half. Juzang really looking off, though.
Definitely rusty. Some defensive lapses. Let’s come out strong and extend the lead.
That should be a technical… pulls his body while in the air
Bad call against Kelley there… was a clean pick
Riley called for 3 fouls in less than a minute
UCLA shooting 2-12 from 3 pt range. Getting out rebounded 27-21… still leads by 8 with 7:15 in the 2nd q
pucker time. We're not playing well enough on offense.
Ah, that felt good!
Best 3 pt shooting team in the Pac-12… no more I assume
Juzang cannot buy a bucket. Missing wide open shots. Need to keep grinding this one out.
Juze!
I’m watching Utah State Mexico but following on stat cast.
Reading comments, it sounds like we win ugly.
Our energizer bunny does it!
yay! Good night, Bruins!