Why is the best team in the Pac-12 playing a game today at 2 pm PT? We’re not sure either. (Photo Credit: Don Liebig/uclabruins.com)
Today’s UCLA men’s basketball game will be a midweek matinee against the Washington State and it will tip off at 2 pm PT on Fox Sports 1.
In just his second season at Washington State, Coach Kyle Smith is making a mark with the Cougars. Smith took the Cougars, who were 11-21 in 2018-19 before his arrival, and got them to 16-16 in his first season. This year, he has the perennial doormats with a 9-2 mark. Unfortunately for Wazzu fans, the team’s only losses have come against Pac-12 foes Arizona and Stanford. To be fair, the Cougars’ non-conference schedule wasn’t very tough. So, their toughest competition will come in conference play.
The team is led by senior guard Isaac Bonton who averages 17.7 points per game. While he may have the highest scoring average, he doesn’t hesitate to pass the ball as evidenced by his team-leading 41 assists.
Two other Cougs are averaging in double figures. Sophomore guard Noah Williams is averaging 12.1 points per game while Nigerian center Efe Abogidi is averaging 10.5 points per game and 8.5 rebounds per game.
Abogidi is one of three freshmen who will start for the Cougars. Andrej Jakimovski is the team’s top three-point shooter among guys with at least 50 attempts. He’s shooting 39.3 % from behind the arc. Dishon Jackson has recently moved into the starting lineup for Washington State.
One guy to look for off the bench is sophomore forward DJ Rodman. Yes, he is the son of the former two-time NBA All Star Dennis Rodman. With a scoring average of 5.2 points per game, he’s actually putting more points on the board than Jackson.
Overall, Washington State certainly seems to be better under Kyle Smith than they were before he got there, but they aren’t quite there yet. So, the Bruins should be able to remain undefeated in conference play after this game.
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 a midweek matinee on Fox Sports 1 with Joe Davis and Casey Jacobsen calling the game. Since most of use will be at work when the game is played, you can listen to today’s game online.
Join your fellow Bruin fans discussing today’s game below.
This is your Washington State Cougars at UCLA Bruins game thread.
Radio/Audio: AM 570 in Los Angeles with Josh Lewin and Tracy Murray Satellite Radio: SiriusXM Ch. 385 (UCLA Call) And, of course, in The Mighty Bruin Game Thread!
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Ooooh didn't know this was announced yesterday, but the announcers just mentioned that the UCLA @ Oregon game that was originally scheduled for 12/23 has been resheduled for a second time for 2/1 @UCLA. UCLA will play Oregon twice at Pauley Pavilion in a span of five days or so, with three games during that span -- hard to tell if playing that many games in a short span at home is better than playing Oregon at home instead of on the road.
Honestly was shocked they were trying to squeeze that Oregon game into that particular spot. They day they have it now always made way more sense since UCLA only plays Southern Cal that week.
Gonna let you all know: postgame is done, but something is up with Substack at the moment that isn't letting me post it. Hopefully this gets resolved soon.
Jaime!
Am I at the right place?
Maybe the game isn't at the most convenient time
Thanks, Cheetah, I'm on the East Coast so it is perfect.
Yeah, I'm watching but I had to finish work at the same time. Just a brutal start time.
Both teams are shooting really well from the 3 pt line, but it's great to see Kyman shooting well. Definitely killing them on rebounds so far.
Shooting percentages have dropped precipitously for WSU in the second half, but haven't for UCLA, which is reflected in the score.
An offensive explosion this afternoon
Nwuba and Hill line up
I like the balanced scoring
get used to it
Wow that Jaylen Clark is strong
Ooooh didn't know this was announced yesterday, but the announcers just mentioned that the UCLA @ Oregon game that was originally scheduled for 12/23 has been resheduled for a second time for 2/1 @UCLA. UCLA will play Oregon twice at Pauley Pavilion in a span of five days or so, with three games during that span -- hard to tell if playing that many games in a short span at home is better than playing Oregon at home instead of on the road.
Less of a home court advantage without live attendance, after all....
Honestly was shocked they were trying to squeeze that Oregon game into that particular spot. They day they have it now always made way more sense since UCLA only plays Southern Cal that week.
Ah yea, trying to play @Oregon on Tuesday, @Cal on Thursday, and @Stanford on Saturday is definitely worse.
Alright I just finished watching, this team is ROLLING! Although WSU probably isn’t very good...
There was never any doubt. I like these kinds of games.
Gonna let you all know: postgame is done, but something is up with Substack at the moment that isn't letting me post it. Hopefully this gets resolved soon.