Having won both of their first two Pac-12 games last week, the UCLA men’s basketball team is back to their non-conference schedule this afternoon when they host the Denver Pioneers.
After those wins over Stanford and Oregon last weekend, the Bruins have moved up a little in both polls. They are ranked 19th in the AP Poll this week and are tied for 18th in the Coaches Poll with Gonzaga.
Today’s game is the first of their final four non-conference games of the season.
Denver is in its second season under head coach Jeff Wulbrun. Wulbrun may not be a familiar name to Bruin fans, but he coached in the Pac-12 for a long time. His first collegiate coaching job was at UC Berkeley under Lou Campanelli from 1986 to 1993. Following stints as an assistant at Illinois State and UAB, Wulbrun returned to the Pac-12 in 2016 as an assistant to Jerod Haase at Stanford. He remained with the Cardinal through the 2020-21 season after which he was hired by Denver.
Last season, the Pioneers finished just 11-21, but they are close to matching last year’s win total after winning eight of their first ten games this season. Their only two losses this season have come against Sacramento State. Denver’s first game against the Hornets was a 73-69 loss at home while the rematch on Wednesday went to overtime with Sacramento State winning 87-85.
Wulbrun will start a lineup consisting of three guards and two forwards. Four of those five guys are averaging in double figures. Junior Tommy Bruner leads the team with 15.6 ppg despite having the worst field goal percentage of Denver’s starters at just 40.2%. He also leads the team with 4.4 assists per game. Freshman Justin Mullins is the other guard averaging in double figures with 11.1 ppg. He’s second amongst the starters in shooting percentage with 58.9% and he’s the team’s best three-point threat with a 47.1% three-point percentage. Denver’s third guard is junior Marko Lukic. Lukic is the only starter not averaging in double figures. He averages just 7.9 ppg, but his three-point percentage of 47.1% is second-best among the starters.
Wulburn will start a pair of grad students at the forwards. Tyree Corbett is second on the team in scoring with 12.3 ppg and he leads the Pioneers in rebounds with an average of 9.6 per game. Lukas Kisunas is the other forward. He’s also averaging in double figures with 10.1 ppg. Kisunas is second in rebounds with 4.0 per game. When he shoots, expect it to go in as he leads the team with a 76.0% shooting percentage.
Listen to the Game With TMB!
This afternoon’s game is on Pac-12 Networks with J.B. Long and Don MacLean calling the game. But, if you prefer to listen to Lewin and Murray, just turn down your TV volume and right-click on the link so that you can open up another tab and have it going while you chat in the comments below. Listen to today’s game online.
This is your UCLA men’s basketball vs. Denver game thread. Here’s how to watch today’s game:
#19/18 UCLA Men’s Basketball (7-2, 2-0)
Opponent: Denver Pioneers (8-2)
Series Record: UCLA leads, 11-1
When: 12:00 pm PT, Saturday, December 10, 2022
Where: Pauley Pavilion, Los Angeles, CA
TV: Pac-12 Networks National and Los Angeles with J.B. Long and Don MacLean
Live Stream: Pac-12.com and the Pac-12 Now app
Radio/Audio: AM 570 in Los Angeles with Josh Lewin and Tracy Murray
Dylan Andrew’s making the case to start… and at this point he should be starting over tyger. Tyger isn’t bad, Andrew’s is just so much better AND he’s a much better defender. Hope to see that happen soon as tyger slows down the offense. Andrew’s spreads it around
7 ½ left in second half, and Denver's only scored 8 points. Cronin definitely saw something and taught his team during halftime. Love our energy and outright domination this half!
U!
Joe, here's a better link to the StatBroadcast.
http://stats.statbroadcast.com/broadcast/?id=428827#
LiveStats is showing the Oregon game final. Is there a different link or is it on my end? Thx!
I liked Andrew's jump-hook from a bit back!
Great to see McClendon playing
Bruins’ shooting is awful
Damn, jaime sent that!!
Patient footwork by Nwuba on that post move :-)
Cold shooting happens but the Bruins’ defense is unacceptable. Allowed Denver to shoot 57% from the field.
Bruins came out of the locker room focused; good to see
9-0 run to start the half. Time out Denver!
Really like the energy of the Bruins this half
Lewin and Murray said the Bruins are honoring Jalen Hill today. The family is there. Likely an emotional game for the players.
Damn, Denver's only scored 6 points this half!
Dylan Andrew’s making the case to start… and at this point he should be starting over tyger. Tyger isn’t bad, Andrew’s is just so much better AND he’s a much better defender. Hope to see that happen soon as tyger slows down the offense. Andrew’s spreads it around
The way they pass the ball around with Andrew’s on the court is so much better
Great play by Bona
Clark with another inbound steal!
7 ½ left in second half, and Denver's only scored 8 points. Cronin definitely saw something and taught his team during halftime. Love our energy and outright domination this half!
Ah, Mac, you gotta make the bunnies!
Dang, was the game really that short? I was shopping and missed all of it.