Freshman Peyton Watson stood out during Thursday night’s exhibition game against Chico State. (Photo Credit: Scott Chandler/uclabruins.com)
Our long national nightmare known as football season in Westwood is officially over. That’s because the 2021-22 UCLA basketball season is here!
Tonight, the #2 UCLA Bruins start their journey on the road to the Final Four. After going from the First Four to the Final Four, all eyes are on the Bruins as they look to repeat last year’s success under head coach Mick Cronin.
Bolch also notes that the Bruins will also be without freshman Will McClendon who tore up his knee in September and Jaylen Clark was sidelined on Monday as he continues to recover from a concussion.
Tonight’s victim…err…opponent will be the Cal State Bakersfield Roadrunners, led by head coach Rod Barnes. When these two teams met back in November 2017, I wrote that the Roadrunners were well-coached by Barnes.
The last few seasons haven’t been kind to Barnes’ legacy at CSU Bakersfield. The Roadrunners finished 12-19 two seasons ago and 15-11 last year. The move from the WAC to the Big West last season didn’t helped much either. They finished fifth in the conference last year.
Barnes seems to have used the Chip Kelly method for putting together his roster this year — about half the team is made up of transfers from other schools. In fact, three of the Roadrunners’ starting five began their college careers elsewhere. Shaun Williams is a redshirt sophomore who originally went to Kansas State while Antavion Collum is a sophomore who came from Ole Miss. Grehlon Easter began his college career at a junior college.
The only two starters who have played their entire collegiate career at Cal State Bakersfield are redshirt senior Justin Edler-Davis and senior Justin McCall.
But it doesn’t look like all of the imported talent will make that big of an impact for the Roadrunners. They are picked to finish sixth in the Big West this season.
Let’s just hope that the Bruins aren’t looking ahead to Friday night’s matchup against Villanova yet.
UCLA Men’s Basketball (0-0)
Opponent: CSU Bakersfield (0-0)
Series Record: UCLA leads, 2-0
When: 8:00 pm PT, Tuesday, November 9, 2021
Where: Pauley Pavilion, Los Angeles, CA
TV: Pac-12 Networks National and Los Angeles with Ted Robinson and Don MacLean
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Against Villanova I’m probably more worried about our offense. Juzang hasn’t exactly shot well the first two games, and Riley is a better offensive post player than Johnson so hopefully his knee isn’t hurt too badly.
One thing about our team this year is that there are so many scorers; if one is having an off night, we have an embarrassment of riches of other players to turn to. Hoping that we all show up on Friday, though,,,
Great first game defensively. Hopefully Cody Riley is ok. Bakersfield had some pretty dirty plays throughout the game.
Final score 95 - 58, UCLA
Now hold breath for Riley… not excited about his injury update though
So true
Singleton again with the 3!
Stong now enters the game
Is he the only other bench player?
He's the end of the bench player :-)
That hasn’t had time that is
Didn't realize he went to Crespi here in the Valley :-)
Glad he is getting some minutes too
Great post-up by Nwuba!!
Nice!
We have 8 blocks so far this game :-) Defense!!
Nice D!
Great block by Nwuba!!
Smart to sit our starters with 5 left in the game
Singleton!!!
While we are not in true season form, I don't really expect 'Nova to be in perfect shape either; they're just as rusty as we are
Hopefully so
I'm having a hard time imagining it otherwise
Looks like Buffs came back in OT and beat Montana State
Very close game
Watson's first college bucket!
That was ugly clark
Did you see him apologize to Johnny at the break, with Johnny laughing it off? Love the camaraderie on our team!
They certainly look like they’re having fun
Great run!
Johnny starting to feel it!
that's twice Washington has knocked our players to the ground!!
Just said the same thing. Really irritating!
Kyman!
Didn’t like that last line up at all… no scorers were out there
Nice 3 by Bernard!!
I’m out goodnight all!
Good night!
Night!!
Really like Clark's hustle on the court tonight
WTF are the SPTRs doing now??
Clock question apparently
Yeah, but let it run.. this game was over at halftime.
What a block by Watson!
Watson shooting 0-5 from 3… that’s got to change
He’s nervous I think…
With all the substitution, crazy that Singleton only has 5 minute played tonight
He had very few minutes last time, as well
He probably has more than kyman though right?
Seems like it.
LOL by two minutes!
Nice drive Jaquez!
Chet Holmgren statline in his first game for Gonzaga - 14 pts, 13 rebs, 6 Asts, 7 Blks. 😮
I’m really looking forward to that game!
Me too!
Good… they also played Dixie (?) … didn’t know they were a d1 school
I’ve never heard of them and I’m 63…
CU vs Montana state going to overtime…
Just saw that
And Washington down by 10 to Northern Illinois
Oregon state only up by 3… not a good opening for pac-12
Was thinking the same thing...
Very solid D. Villanova will provide a serious test on Friday.
Against Villanova I’m probably more worried about our offense. Juzang hasn’t exactly shot well the first two games, and Riley is a better offensive post player than Johnson so hopefully his knee isn’t hurt too badly.
One thing about our team this year is that there are so many scorers; if one is having an off night, we have an embarrassment of riches of other players to turn to. Hoping that we all show up on Friday, though,,,
We're 13/17 at the line-- I'll take that!
And 27 rebounds
Also, 15 of our points were off turnovers, speaking highly to our defensive prowess
It’s gonna be a season long fight for minutes…
UCLA so deep they are going to wear other teams out for sure
47-19, UCLA up at the half
At the buzzer JJJ!
Jaquez with the buzzer shot at the half!!
Dangerous cross-court pass by Watson-- he's showing his youth tonight
they called that foul on Tyger (?)
Weird call for sure
This kid is gonna be special!
He needs to develop a jumper, but his wingspan is massive
Incredible length
Clark with the nice put back
Rejected by Watson!
Wow!
Watson timed that swat perfectly :-)
So far, our Man D is preventing the open 3 looks that killed us last year (last shot notwithstanding)
Thinking of a particular half court three?
Myles!
Great footwork at the post by Johnson!
Agreed. Just moving in!
Watson being left open intentionally?
UCLA getting hacked on everything needs to avoid injuries
Yeah Bakersfield is really hammering…
How did they not call the foul on Jaquez?